How Does Jesus Prepare Us for What's Next? | John 13:18-38 | Darien Gabriel
Series: Signs & Glory
Title: How does Jesus prepare us for what's next?
Subtitle: Learning how to shine together in these dark days.
Scripture: John 13:18-38 NIV
Bottom line: Even (Especially) in dark times, Jesus prepares us to shine together.
Bottom line 2: Jesus prepares us to shine in the dark together by showing us his love, calling us to love one another, and showing us how to love each other even when we fail.
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
SERMON OUTLINE
CONCLUSION
NOTES
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.
INTRODUCTION
On September 10th, 2025, thousands of people gathered at Utah Valley University to hear Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA and Turning Point Faith. Just 31 years old, outspoken, and unafraid to share his Christian faith — Charlie was shot and killed in front of a live audience. The news has shocked our country. Whatever you think about his politics, the suddenness of it all reminds us how fragile life really is, and how quickly everything can change.
Moments like this leave us asking: Are we really prepared for what’s ahead?
No doubt his death has shaken not only his followers but many of us who are for civil dialogue in the pursuit of truth and better ideas for our future as a nation. How should they at Turning Point proceed? How should we as Americans proceed? Most importantly, how should we as followers of Jesus Christ proceed?
His disciples faced a similar challenge 2,000 years ago, beginning with a turning point of cosmic proportions with the betrayal of Judas Iscariot.
I submit that we should proceed as Jesus led his disciples to on the night of his arrest and the eve of his crucifixion.
Bottom line: Even (Especially) in dark times, Jesus prepares us to shine together.
CONTEXT
We've reached a turning point in the book of John not only from public ministry (mix of believers and unbelievers) to private (his followers) but even more so as Judas removes himself from The Twelve leaving the group made up solely of those who have been cleansed by belief in Jesus. We see this happen in verse 31.
As a result, and building on his call for them to serve one another, Jesus calls them to love one another as he has loved them. This is the most appropriate response to his cross-centered, obedient love for his Father and for us.
These are dark days, no doubt. And it's weeks like this when we feel like they're darker than ever.
The question is: Are you prepared and preparing yourself and your household (oikos), your family, your friends, your people--those you do life with?
Jesus gives us another example of his love and then sends us out as his ambassadors to shine brightly together in this dark world.
How? Well, let's read this and find out.
OUTLINE (w/ help from Kent Hughes and ChatGPT)
I. Love's Demonstration (18-30)
Jesus loved Judas and gave him every opportunity to embrace him then and there.
A. The Betrayal Foretold (18-30). Jesus reveals his knowledge of a betrayal by one of his 12 to the group. He loves his betrayer to the end giving him every opportunity to repent and believe.
He also expresses his pain in light of Psalm 41.
B. Psalm 41:9--Connection to John 13:
Jesus applies Psalm 41:9 to Judas. Just as David experienced betrayal from a trusted friend, so does the Son of David.
John presents it not as coincidence but as fulfillment of Scripture (13:18). Judas’ betrayal shows Jesus is the greater David, suffering the righteous one’s fate.
Key difference: David prayed for deliverance from his enemies; Jesus embraces betrayal as part of the Father’s plan to glorify Him through the cross.
II. Love's Demand (31-35)
Judas walks in darkness. Jesus willingly let him knowing it will lead to the cross. This willing obedience that will require infinite suffering will bring the Father glory and Jesus glory. It will also bring infinite good to those who trust and follow Jesus.
The demand of love is that we love each other as Jesus loved his disciples and loved us.
Last week we saw Jesus' love for his disciples exemplified in the washing of their feet. He called them to do this to/for one another. He continues this theme of light and love here.
A. The Glory Revealed (31-32)
B. The New Commandment Given (33-35) This "new commandment" is an expansion of his old command from Leviticus which said, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Love demands a new object: "one another" and not just your neighbor.
Believers
A very diverse group of people
Masters and slaves
Jews and Gentiles
Men and women
Rich and poor
Gay and straight
Strong and weak
And yet the became a community of people held together by their love for God and each other. And this is how people knew they followed Jesus.
Love demands a new means: "as I have loved you" not just as you love yourself.
While it is admittedly difficult to love your neighbor as you love yourself, it's much more difficult to love others as Jesus loves us. (And maybe even harder to love each other this way)
C. The Denial Predicted (36-38)
Even our best intentions fail, but Jesus restores us by grace. Our weakness doesn’t cancel His mission.
III. Love's Denial (36-38) - Even our best intentions fail, but Jesus restores us by grace. Our weakness doesn’t cancel His mission.
CONCLUSION
Bottom line: Even (Especially) in dark times, Jesus prepares us to shine together.
King David was betrayed not only by his friend and chief advisor. I mean, you better trust your chief advisor. But he was betrayed by his son. You don't know pain until you've been betrayed by a close family member. (2 Samuel 15-17)
“David felt the sting of Ahithophel’s betrayal, but his greatest grief was for Absalom, his rebellious son. In the same way, Jesus felt the sting of Judas’ kiss, but even more, He bore the grief of a whole world of lost children — and He went to the cross so that rebels could be restored as sons and daughters of God.”
When darkness comes, we can hold on to his light and love as seen in:
His sovereignty (He knows).
His glory (He redeems suffering).
His command (love one another).
His grace (He restores the weak).
Think of a time when you were betrayed. Picture them. Now, think about God's light and love:
He knows about that and knew about that before you. He's sovereignly aware.
He redeems suffering. He can work grace into your life in and through the suffering you experienced.
He commands that you love them instead of hate; to forgive them and find healing for yourself.
His grace restores the weak and brokenhearted. His grace is enough for you.
Even in the darkest nights, Jesus prepares us not just to survive, but to shine — and to shine together.
“Friends, this is how Jesus prepares us for what’s next:
He knows — nothing surprises Him.
He redeems — suffering is never wasted.
He commands — love one another deeply.
He restores — even our failures can’t stop His grace.
So what’s next for you? Start with loving one another, serving one another, shining together in His light. That’s how we walk through dark days — not alone, but with Jesus, and with each other.”
INVITATION
What about you?
Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:
““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” Acts 2:36-39 NIV
How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:
Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:
What is God saying to me right now?
What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.
What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.
[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.
Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.
Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.
Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)
Pray
NOTES
Kent Hughes Outline
I. Love's Demonstration (18-30)
II. Love's Demand (31-35)
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
What do I want them to know?
Why do I want them to know it?
What do I want them to do?
Why do I want them to do it?
How do they do this?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/
Read the passage together.
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really true, what should I do?
What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)
What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)
Who am I going to tell about this?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I do? (In light of who I am)
How do I do it?
Final Questions (Write this down)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg
The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce
John, RC Sproul
John, Köstenberger
The Gospel According to John, DA Carson
Let's Study John, Mark Johnston
The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)
The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com
Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion
ChatGPT AI
Grok AI
Google Gemini AI