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Sermons preached at the Hinckley Evangelical Free Church (Hinckley, MN)
Episodes
Monday May 02, 2016
Monday May 02, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Call to Follow
John 21:18-23
Peter’s Fate Foretold (v. 18-19a)
• Jesus then tells Peter cryptically of his fate
– He will die for Jesus by crucifixion
• Just like Jesus
– And his death will bring glory to God
• Just like Jesus
• Peter’s died by crucifixion about 30 years after this prediction
– This prediction had been fulfilled by the time of the writing of John’s Gospel
• Peter, and the other disciples, are shown to be carrying on Jesus’ ministry
– Including by sharing in suffering and death (1 Pet. 4:14-16)
Peter & John (v. 18-23)
• Jesus then gets up and leaves the larger group
– And commands Peter to follow Him
• Which Peter probably took to mean “walk with me”
– But it also meant: “Follow in my footsteps”
• Living in obedience to Jesus
• When Peter sees the beloved disciple (John) tagging along
– He asks Him what John’s fate will be
• Jesus' response is: “YOU focus on following ME!”
– “Don’t worry about what will happen to him.”
• Jesus was NOT saying that John would never die
– He is using hyperbole to make a point
So What?
• Our obedience, even in suffering and death, gives glory to God
– Are we living for His glory?
• Are we focused on our own walk with Jesus?
– Or are we comparing ourselves to others?
Meditation Verse: John 21:22
Wednesday Apr 27, 2016
Wednesday Apr 27, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Restoration of Peter
John 21:15-22
Peter’s Restoration (v. 15-17)
• After their meal together on the shore, Jesus turns His attention to Peter
– The conversation takes place in front of the other 6 disciples
– This is meant to be a public display
• Jesus asks Peter whether his love for Him is greater than those gathered
• Jesus repeats His question 3 times
– Once for each time Peter denied Jesus (see 18:18; 21:9)
– Each with slightly different wording
• “Love”
• “Take care of His flock”
– Watch after the other disciples
– This is similar language that is used by Peter and others elsewhere to describe the role of pastors and elders (see Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 4:1–4)
Peter & John (v. 18-22)
• Jesus then tells Peter cryptically of his fate
– He will die for Jesus by crucifixion, just like Jesus
– And his death will bring glory to God, just like Jesus
• Peter, and the other disciples, are thus shown to be carrying on Jesus’ ministry
• Jesus then gets up and leaves the larger group
– And commands Peter to follow Him
• Living in obedience to Jesus
• When Peter sees the beloved disciple (John) tagging along
– He asks Him what John’s fate will be
– Jesus response is: “YOU focus on following ME!”
• “Don’t worry about what will happen to him.”
So What?
• Jesus is in the business of restoration
– Putting people back on their feet
• He did it for Peter
– He wants to do it for us
• Have you experienced the restoration that Jesus offers?
• Are you following Him in obedience?
Meditation Verse: Ps. 51:12
Monday Apr 18, 2016
Monday Apr 11, 2016
Monday Apr 11, 2016
The Gospel of John: Shore Lunch
John 21:1-14
The Fourth Appearance (v. 1-8)
• After the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples have returned to Galilee
– Perhaps because of Jesus’ command (see Mark 14:28; 16:7)
• Jesus then reveals Himself to them again
– The emphasis is not just on His appearing
• But on His self-revelation
• 7 of the disciples are fishing
– Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and 2 others
– This was probably not a return per se to their former lives
• But rather an activity meant to provide food and pass time until Jesus met up with them
– They have been fishing throughout the night to no avail
• As they approach shore in the morning, Jesus is waiting for them
– Though they don’t realize it is Him at first
• He instructs them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat
– Which rewards them with a net-full of fish
• At this John realizes that it is Jesus
– Which sends Peter, half-naked, into the lake
• Swimming 100 yards to shore to meet Him
• Leaving the less experienced disciples to handle the boat
Shore Lunch (v. 9-14)
• When the rest of the disciples get to shore, they find:
– A charcoal fire burning
• Like the one in the courtyard where Peter denied Jesus
– Fish already cooking
• To which Jesus instructs them to add more
• Some see this as an allusion to the building of the Church
– Jesus begins the work, and we add to it
• Though even the other fish come through obedience to Jesus
• When the fish are counted the total 153
– A huge quantity, but the nets remain unbroken
• Possibly an allusion that the Gospel will not fail
• Jesus invites them to eat with Him
– Yet they are somewhat frightened
So What?
• Jesus continued to meet the needs of the disciples
– And still does so for us today
• He calls us to join Him in His work of being fishers of men
– Not in our own strength, but through His power
• Are we fishing with Jesus?!
Meditation Verse: Mark 1:17
Monday Apr 04, 2016
Monday Apr 04, 2016
The Gospel of John: Thomas' Doubt
John 20:19-29
The Second Appearance (v. 19-23)
• The disciples are gathered behind locked doors
– Probably 10 of the inner circle
• The 12 – Judas Iscariot & Thomas
– Because of their fear of the Jewish authorities
• Who may have sought them ought as Jesus’ followers
• Like the threats to Lazarus (see 12:10)
• Jesus appears in their midst
– Either passing through the door or wall
– Or simply materializing
• He greets them with a standard greeting, “Peace be with you”
– Which has taken on new meaning (see 14:27)
• Thus the repetition in v. 19, 21, & 26
• Jesus proves his identity by showing them His wounds
– Hands, feet, & side* (see Luke 24:39)
– At which the disciples rejoice because they know that it is really their risen Lord
• He then commissions them
– Giving them the power of the Spirit
– And the authority to forgive as His ambassadors
Thomas’ Doubt (v. 24-29)
• Since Thomas was absent at Jesus first encounter with the disciples
– He refuses to believe that Jesus is alive
• Stating that physical proof is necessary for his belief
• The following Sunday* the disciples gather again
– Again behind locked doors
– This time with Thomas
• Jesus appears again
– And offers Thomas the proof he requested
– The same proof that He has offered the others (v. 20)
• Thomas’ response shows his faith
– Jesus is Lord and God*
• Jesus does not condemn Thomas for a lack of initial faith
– But calls those blessed who believe without having to see
• Blessed: Accepted by God
So What?
• Have we had an experience with the Risen Jesus?
– Through faith, not based on sight but rather on trust
Meditation Verse: John 20:29
Wednesday Mar 30, 2016
Wednesday Mar 30, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Resurrection
John 20:1-18
The Empty Tomb (v. 1-10)
• All 4 Gospels point out that Jesus’ resurrection was on the 1st day of the week
– An allusion to the new beginning
• Mary Magdalene comes to mourn at Jesus’ tomb
– And finish burial preparation
– And finds the stone has been moved away
• She leaves to tell Peter & John (the other disciple)
– Thinking that Jesus’ body had been stolen
• Peter & John come to the tomb
– John, the younger, outrunning Peter
• When Peter enters the tomb, he finds only the linens that Jesus’ body had been wrapped in
– The implication is that Jesus has passed through them
• John begins to understand what has happened
– And the two men return home
The First Appearance (v. 11-18)
• Mary is left alone to weep over the missing Jesus
• But when she looks into the tomb she sees two angels
– Who ask why she is crying
• Jesus appears to Mary
– Who thinks He is a gardener
• When He calls her by name, she realizes who He is
– Calling Him teacher
– And embracing Him
• He sends her to the other disciples to share what has happened
So What?
• John portrays Jesus’ death as a willful act of love
• His resurrection is a willful act of life
– A new life for all who trust Him
• Do you believe that HE LIVES?!
– If we do, we can have this new life too!
– And, like Mary, share it with the world!
Meditation Verse: John 20:18
Monday Mar 21, 2016
Monday Mar 21, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Crucifixion
John 19:16b-42
The Crucifixion (v. 16b-27)
• The soldiers prepare Jesus for execution
– This included a severe beating (verberatio)
– And make Him, on the edge of death, carry His own cross beam over 1/3 of a mile
• Jesus is crucified with two others
– Lēstai: Insurrectionists (Matt. 27:38; Mark 15:27)
• Like Barabbas (John 18:40)
• Pilate orders a sign to be placed over His head, telling of His crime
– Common practice to act as a warning against such behavior
– Against which the Jewish leadership takes umbrage
• The soldiers divide Jesus’ clothes amongst them
– There were 4 soldiers (Acts 12:4) and 5 garments (robe, tunic, belt, sandals, head covering)
– Because the tunic was of high quality, rather than tear it, they gamble for it
• Fulfilling Ps. 22:18
• The only associates of Jesus’ reported as present are His mother, aunt, Mary Magdalene, and the beloved disciple
– Probably John himself
• Who is charged with taking care of Jesus’ mother
Jesus’ Death (v. 28-30)
• Jesus’ death was necessary to accomplish His Father’s will
– Redeeming God’s people from their sins
• Once that was accomplished Jesus fulfills one last Scripture by asking for a drink
– Which is met with vinegar rather than water (Ps. 69:21)
• Jesus then declares His work finished
– And dies of His own choosing
The Final Blow (v. 31-37)
• The 2 brigands have their legs broken
– To ensure that corpses would not be on public display for the Passover
• But when Jesus is found dead
– The soldier pierces His side into His heart & lungs to ensure He is really dead
• Blood & water: May be a ‘sign’ of the life and cleansing that flow from Jesus’ death
• John states that he is a trustworthy witness to these events
– As is Scriptures itself
• Ex. 12:46: Referring to Jesus as the Passover lamb
• Zech. 12:10: Where God is pierced because of His people’s rebellion
Jesus’ Burial (v. 38-42)
• Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus get permission to take Jesus’ body
– Normally a seditionist would not be allowed to be buried, but left to be eaten by birds
• And they buried Him in a nearby new tomb
So What?
• Jesus died a horrific, painful death, as the King who was still in control to the very end
• And He did it for us!
• Do you trust in His death on your behalf?
Meditation Verse: John 19:30
Monday Mar 14, 2016
Monday Mar 14, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Sentence
John 19:1-16a
The Coronation (v. 1-8)
• Pilate has Jesus flogged
– He is trying to appease the crowds so that he can release Jesus
• The soldiers provide a mock coronation of Jesus to make fun of Him
– With a crown make of date thorns
– And a royal robe of purple
– As they bow down to Him
• They strike Him
• And hail Him “King of the Jews”
• Acting better than they know
• After He has been beaten, Pilate tries to release Jesus
– Again declaring Him innocent
• But the crowd wants Him dead
– And demands that He be crucified
– Because Jesus has claimed to be the Son of God
• Which makes Pilate afraid
True Authority (v. 9-11)
• Pilate brings Jesus back inside and questions Him again
– He is afraid that the claim about Jesus being "a son of the gods" might be true
• He asks Jesus where He came from
– Which is met with silence
• He then asserts that he alone has the authority to save Jesus
– But Jesus doesn’t need to be saved
• He has come to do the saving
• Jesus corrects Pilate, claiming that He is only there because God has orchestrated it
– Therefore Jesus is still in control of the situation
The Road is Set (v. 12-16a)
• Pilate is set on releasing Jesus
• But he is met with threats from the crowd
– Questioning his loyalty to the Emperor
• Because as Messiah, Jesus is making a kingly claim
• He capitulates to the crowd
– And passing judgment from the bema, the judgment seat (see John 5:22)
• John reminds us that all this takes place in the setting of the Passover
– An allusion to Jesus being the true Passover Lamb
– The 6th hour by Jewish reckoning = noon
• Roman legal time = 6 am
• Pilate presents Jesus back to the crowd as He is being sentenced: The King of the Jews
• But they speak a greater truth than they know: “We have no king but Caesar”
– They deny Jesus’ kingship
• And therefore are denying God as their king
So What?
• Jesus was sentenced to die as the King!
– A true claim
• The King died His subjects could live
– Is He your King?
Meditation Verse: Philippians 2:8
Monday Mar 07, 2016
Monday Mar 07, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Trial
John 18:28-40
Questioning the Prosecution (v. 28–32)
• Annas & Caiaphas send Jesus to the Roman ruler, Pilate
– Roman prefect under Emperor Tiberius from AD 26 to 37
– Known for his moral weakness, vacillation, stubbornness, and brutality (cf. Luke 13:1)
• They refuse to enter his home so that they can stay ceremonial clean
– And partake in the impending Passover
• Pilate comes out to the crowd and questions them
– They need Pilate’s permission to execute Jesus
– Because they are not allowed to put anyone to death under Roman law
• Which also fulfilled Jesus’ words about being crucified, the Roman form of execution (12:32-33)
• Rather than being stoned, the Jewish one
The Defense Questioned (v. 33–38a)
• Pilate brings Jesus inside for a private questioning
• He asks if Jesus is claiming to be the Jewish King: the Messiah
– This claim would make Jesus a threat to Caesar, the Roman Emperor
• Jesus asks Pilate a clarifying question (v. 34)
– Which is met with indignation
• Jesus clarifies that He is no threat to Rome
– By defining His kingdom as ‘not of this world’
• Jesus’ Kingdom
– Spiritual in nature
• And therefore greater than any human kingdom
• And yet, not a threat to them either
– Is not built or established by human means
• When Pilate asks Jesus to verify His kingly claim
– He does so; but clarifies that He is the king of those who live in the truth
• Pilates’ rhetorical question is telling:
– He does not known truth, though the Truth is standing before him
The First Trial (v. 19-24)
• When the high priest questions Jesus, it is at night
– Thus considered illegal
• Unlike Jesus who does His work in the open (v. 20)
• Perhaps one reason why Jesus does not testify about Himself is to shed light on the injustice
– He calls on the high priest to produce witnesses
• Which was required by the Law (Num 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15)
• Jesus also points out the soldier’s response is illegal
– Not based on wrongs committed or witnesses
• Thus, those who claim to obey the Law:
– Fail to keep it
– Fail to understand that the Law points to Jesus the Messiah
The Verdict (v. 38b-40)
• Pilate announces to the crowds that he finds ‘no guilt in [Jesus]’
– Speaking greater than he knows
• He invokes a Roman custom to release a prisoner at the Passover
– Asking if they want their King back
• The crowd calls for the insurrectionist, Barabbas (cf. Mark 15:7)
– Irony: Barabbas may have actually posed a threat to Roman rule and is released
• While Jesus poses no real threat is executed
So What?
• Jesus is building a kingdom that is greater than any this world has ever known
• Are you a part of that kingdom?
• Have you listened to the Truth and believed Him?
Meditation Verse: John 18:37
Monday Feb 29, 2016
Monday Feb 29, 2016
The Gospel of John: The Denial
John 18:12-27
Annas & Caiaphas (v. 12-14)
• Jesus is led to Annas, who was not the high priest at the time
– His son-in-law Caiaphas was
– Along with several of his sons before that
• But had been from AD 6 to 15, and still held a lot of power
• The Roman governor appointed the high priest
– Though Scripture mandated that it be a life-long position (Num. 35:25, 28, 32; Josh. 20:6)
The First Denial (v. 15-18)
• Peter and another disciple follow Jesus from a distance
– The other disciple = probably John
• Possibly a distant relative to the high priest or socially connected
• Procures access to the high priest’s court
• When Peter is questioned by the servant girl, he denies being Jesus’ disciple
The First Trial (v. 19-24)
• When the high priest questions Jesus, it is at night
– Thus considered illegal
• Unlike Jesus who does His work in the open (v. 20)
• Perhaps one reason why Jesus does not testify about Himself is to shed light on the injustice
– He calls on the high priest to produce witnesses
• Which was required by the Law (Num 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15)
• Jesus also points out the soldier’s response is illegal
– Not based on wrongs committed or witnesses
• Thus, those who claim to obey the Law:
– Fail to keep it
– Fail to understand that the Law points to Jesus the Messiah
The Final Denials (v. 25-27)
• Peter again is questioned about being Jesus’ disciple
– And twice more denies Him
– After which a rooster crows, thus fulfilling Jesus’ words (13:38)
• But this is not the end of Peter’s story in John’s Gospel (21:15-23)
So What?
• Jesus’ trials are a reminder that His death was unjust. And yet by it He brought about eternal justice; His death paying the price that our sins deserve. Thus sin is not unpunished, but rather is paid for by Jesus’ unjust death
• Even when we deny Him, there is hope, for Christ’s desire is to forgive and restore us.
Meditation Verse: 1 Peter 3:18