Posts tagged Signs & Glory
Why Do People Reject Jesus? | John 7:1-52 | Darien Gabriel
Why Do People Reject Jesus? | John 7:1-52 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: “Why Do People Reject Jesus?”

Subtitle:

Scripture: John 7:1-52

Isaiah 55:1-7

Jeremiah 2:13

Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Acts 3:20-22

Matthew 10:34-35

Look for the drama in scripture

Bottom line: People reject Jesus for many reasons, but He still calls the thirsty to come and receive real life.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. 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

Some people in history seem to split the world in two. Say their name, and you immediately stir debate. Martin Luther King Jr.—hero of justice or dangerous disruptor? Galileo—scientific genius or arrogant heretic? Nelson Mandela, Joan of Arc, Malcolm X—each one beloved by some, opposed by others. But history’s most polarizing figure? Jesus. No one sparked more debate, division, or devotion. And in John 7, we see that clearly. The question is: Why do people reject Him—and could we be doing the same?

John Bunyan knew all about that and wrote, "There was a man, the world did think him mad, the more he gave away, the more he had."

Feast of Tabernacles...

  1. Originally a harvest festival coming at the end of the last major harvest of the year (grapes). They celebrated God who brought the rain.

  2. Became a celebration of God's deliverance of Israel through the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness where God had to supernaturally supply them water for the whole nation in the desert.

  3. It had eschatological hopes

    1. For the restoration of the nation of Israel

    2. For the ingathering of all nations under God

  4. Jesus presents himself as God's agent to make these end time events a reality. He does this as the source of life--abundant (like being celebrated during this festival) and eternal (like living water).

Bottom line: People reject Jesus for many reasons, but He still calls the thirsty to come and receive real life.

In his last 6 months, Jesus enters Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles surrounded by confusion, debate and division over who he is and why he matters. This is the context around his famous teaching about the Holy Spirit's role when he ascends and why he's called living water.

 

OUTLINE (input from ChatGPT)

1. Some reject Jesus because He doesn’t follow their expectations.

(John 7:1–10)

  • Jesus’ own brothers didn’t believe because He didn’t fit their agenda or timeline.

  • We still wrestle with disappointment or control when Jesus won’t do what we want, when we want.

2. Some reject Jesus because His truth exposes their hypocrisy.

(John 7:11–24)

  • Jesus confronts those judging Him wrongly, especially for healing on the Sabbath.

  • We resist truth when it challenges our comfort, image, or self-righteousness.

3. Some reject Jesus because of assumptions and incomplete knowledge.

(John 7:25–36)

  • The crowd “knows” where Jesus is from and assumes He can’t be the Christ.

  • Spiritual blindness often comes from thinking we already understand everything.

4. Some reject Jesus because they fear people more than God.

(John 7:40–52)

  • Division rises. Leaders pressure, mock, and dismiss. Nicodemus is silenced.

  • Following Jesus means risking disapproval—but silence is a choice too.

5. But Jesus still calls: If you’re thirsty, come to Me and drink.

(John 7:37–39)

  • On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus invites all to receive living water—the Holy Spirit.

  • Rejection isn’t the end of the story. Jesus still offers Himself to anyone willing to come in faith.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: People reject Jesus for many reasons, but He still calls the thirsty to come and receive real life.

"For decades one of the first places immigrants to America landed was Ellis Island. They came hoping for a better life, longing for a chance to find happiness. Near Ellis Island was a statue, and the statue was an invitation.

A poem by Emma Lazarus captured the invitation:

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

What a beautiful invitation. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses."

Jesus extends a better invitation. "Come, weary and broken. Come, thirsty and dying. Come to me and find life."" -Carter, p. 181

The Lion

"How are we to drink this water? Although the offer is free and open to all, there are yet some terms to be met. C. S. Lewis in his children's novel The Silver Chair puts his finger on this in the clearest of terms. Jill, seeing a lion, is scared out of her wits and runs into the forest. She runs so hard that she wears herself out and is just about to die of thirst, or so she thinks, when she hears the gurgling of a brook in the distance. She approaches it and is almost ready to go to the brook when on the grass before her is the same lion.

"Are you not thirsty?" said the Lion.

"I'm dying of thirst," said Jill.

"Then drink, " said the Lion.

"May I— could I-would you mind going away while I do?" said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

"Will you promise not to — do anything to me, if I do come?" said Jill.

"I make no promise,'" said the Lion.

Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.

"Do you eat girls?" she said.

"I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and em-perors, cities and realms," said the Lion. It didn't say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.

"I daren't come and drink," said Jill.

"Then you will die of thirst," said the Lion.

"Oh dear!" said Jill, coming another step nearer.

"I suppose I must go and look for another stream then."

"There is no other stream," said the Lion.

It never occurred to Jill to disbelieve the Lion —no one who had seen his stern face could do that-and her mind suddenly made itself up. It was the worst thing she had ever had to do, but she went forward to the stream, knelt down, and began scooping up water in her hand. It was the coldest, most refreshing water she had ever tasted.

Do you see what Lewis is saying? When you come to the water, you are coming to a Lion, you must come on the Lion's terms, and you have to yield yourself by faith in order to get the water. Some of us need to realize that we are thirsty, that we need that water so badly that we are going to die without it. We need to step out on faith, yielding to the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and receive the water of eternal life.

INVITATION

What about you?

Are you paralyzed by the confusion, division and debate over who Jesus is and what he came to do?

““Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David. See how I used him to display my power among the peoples. I made him a leader among the nations. You also will command nations you do not know, and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey, because I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.” Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

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:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. 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

Jesus' brothers believed in Jesus but not the biblical Jesus; we see this all the time

Jesus recognized that his brothers didn't believe in him as the Messiah yet though they'd lived with him for 30+ years; never sinned; Mary knowing who he was; favorite son; perfect son; resentment and sibling rivalry abounds

Does Jesus divide people? (Yes)

Family can be the toughest mission field

Family misunderstands when they don't believe in the biblical Jesus

Religious leaders miss the leader of their religion due to their self-righteousness, ambition and unbelief

"Christ did not want to bring division. But because of the sinfulness of our hearts, because of our fallenness, because of our unwillingness to repent and bow to him, the Prince of Peace is Christ the Divider.

When snow descends upon the Continental Divide, it melts and flows off either to the west or to the east, never to meet again. Christ is the continental divide in our lives. We will either go up with the morning stars or, to use Eliot's phrase, join the valley of the dying stars. Christ brings division to everyday life." -Hughes, p. 226

Water

"On the seven days of the Feast, a golden flagon was filled with water from the pool of Siloam and was carried in a procession led by the High Priest back to the temple. As the procession approached the watergate on the south side of the inner court three blasts from the shôphar - a trumpet connected with joyful occasions - were sounded. While the pilgrims watched, the priests processed around the altar with the flagon, the temple choir singing the Hallel (Pss. 113 - 118). When the choir reached Psalm 118, every male pilgrim shook a lulab (willow and myrtle twigs tied with palm) in his right hand, while his left raised a piece of citrus fruit (a sign of the ingathered harvest), and all cried 'Give thanks to the LORD!' three times. The water was offered to God at the time of the morning sacrifice, along with the daily drink-offering (of wine). The wine and the water were poured into their respective silver bowls, and then poured out before the LORD. Moreover, these ceremonies of the Feast of Tabernacles were related in Jewish thought both to the LorD's provision of water in the desert and to the Lord's pouring out of the Spirit in the last days. Pouring at the Feast of Tabernacles refers symbolically to the messianic age in which a stream from the sacred rock would flow over the whole earth." -Carson, p. 321-322

"In general terms, then, Jesus' pronouncement is clear: he is the fulfil-ment of all that the Feast of Tabernacles anticipated." -Carson, p. 322

OUTLINE

See above

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. What do I want them to know?

  2. Why do I want them to know it?

  3. What do I want them to do?

  4. Why do I want them to do it?

  5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. 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:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. 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

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

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

Claude.ai

ChatGPT

Google Gemini

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Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon denominational church, Ladson, SC, Darien Gabriel, bible believing church, John, Signs & Glory
Does Jesus Offend You? | John 6:52-71 | Darien Gabriel
Does Jesus Offend You? | John 6:52-71 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: “Does Jesus offend you?"

Subtitle: “Does Jesus’ uniqueness offend you or draw you?”

Scripture: John 6:52-71

Isaiah 52:13-53:12

John 13:27

Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. 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

Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.

Does Jesus offend you?

Apparently, the uniqueness of Jesus offended many in the first century...and today.

The Battle Today Is Around Jesus

"I have been involved in hosting or helping a small group on [Alpha](https://www.alpha.org/ ) for over thirty years. During this time, I have noticed a shift in our culture. There is a change in the attitude towards Jesus, especially among young people. Many will say that they believe in God and are even open to the idea of the Holy Spirit. But increasingly, Jesus has become the stumbling-block. Some youth and young people say things like, ‘I don’t get the reason for *Jesus*.’

As Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa has often said, ‘The battle today is around Jesus.’ Is Jesus the universal Saviour? This is the same battle as the first century. People today are happy to accept Jesus as ‘one of many’. It is the uniqueness of Jesus that causes offence...

...while we meet some exceptional people throughout the Bible, like Moses, Joshua, Elijah and John the Baptist, there was no one like Jesus. Jesus is unique. He is the *universal Saviour*."

The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, Classic Version, 2025: Day 119 • Devotional

Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.

Does Jesus offend you too?

OUTLINE

1. Trust & follow Jesus, even when His words offend you.

Verses 52–59

• Jesus speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood—language that’s deeply disturbing to His hearers. The Old Testament taught to not drink blood or eat meat with blood in it.

• He doesn’t explain it away, because following Him means trusting what we can’t fully understand yet. His words are hard to understand and demanding.

• Application: When Jesus offends your expectations, don’t walk away—lean in and trust His word.

2. Trust & follow Jesus, even when many turn away from His words.

Verses 60–66

• Many disciples leave, calling His teaching too hard to accept.

• Jesus says only the Spirit gives life—fleshly thinking won’t grasp the kingdom.

• Application: Don’t measure truth by popular opinion—stay faithful to His word, even when others fall away.

3. Trust & follow Jesus, because only He has what you truly need.

Verses 67–69

• Peter’s confession is both humble and bold: “To whom shall we go?”

• Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.

• Application: When you’re tempted to quit, remember why you started—Jesus alone gives life. He is the Bread of Life.

4. Examine your heart—proximity to Jesus is not the same as following His word.

Verses 70–71

• Judas was chosen, included, and close—but not surrendered.

• Even among the Twelve, there’s a warning: not all who appear near truly believe.

• Application: Don’t just walk with Jesus outwardly—depend on His word inwardly.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.

Does Jesus offend you too?

1. Trust & follow Jesus, even when His words offend you.

2. Trust & follow Jesus, even when many turn away from His words.

3. Trust & follow Jesus, because only He has what you truly need.

4. Examine your heart—proximity to Jesus is not the same as following His word.

This poem is what could happen to you and me if we fully embrace and believe Jesus is who he says he is and will do all he's promised to do:

The Touch of the Master's Hand

''Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin But held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar—now two, only two-Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, Going for three"-but no!

From the room far back a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then wiping the dust from the old violin And tightening up the strings,

He played a melody, pure and sweet. As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars—and who'll make it two? Two thousand—and who'll make it three?

Three thousand once and three thousand twice And going and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite understand

What changed its worth?" The man replied, "THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND."

And many a man with a life out of tune, And battered and torn with sin.

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine, A game and he travels on.

He's going once and going twice, He's going—and almost—gone!

But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought By the TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND.

Myra Brooks-Welch

Has he touched you?

Does he offend you?

Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.

Does Jesus offend you too?

INVITATION

What about you?

Does Jesus offend you...or does he draw you?

A Table Set by God

• The Lord’s Supper is a living illustration of this passage. The bread we break is a sign of the true bread from heaven-Jesus’ body given for us. Every time we eat, we remember that our deepest hunger is met in Him.

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:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. 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

Flesh = real food

+ Blood = real drink

Real life/eternal life

Eats/drinks = remains/abides/believes as seen in rhythms/habits/means of grace (Acts 2:36-47)

  • word

  • Prayer

  • Serve

  • Give

  • Worship

  • Share

The Father sent Jesus, alive and well because of the Father

Jesus sent Disciples, alive and well because of Jesus

Bread from heaven = Jesus the Christ => spiritual life

bread from heaven (manna) = physical nourishment => physical life

60-71

Hard (to hear) teaching (harsh; offensive) => grumbling ie. Unbelief

"Does this offend you?" "Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?" Reminds them that he stated that he came from God.

Spirit => life

Flesh => Ø or death

Words => Spirit => Life

Yet, some still did not believe

OUTLINES

Outline Bible (Willmington) -- SECTION OUTLINE SIX JOHN 6 Jesus feeds the 5,000 and walks on water. He teaches that he is the "bread from heaven" and that all who wish to have eternal life must eat his flesh and drink his blood. Many of his followers, unable to accept this difficult symbolism, desert him.

I. TWO MIRACLES (6:1-24)

A. First miracle (6:1-15): Jesus feeds the 5,000.

B. Second miracle (6:16-24): Jesus walks on water.

II. Two MESSAGES (6:25-71)

A. Public comments (6:25-66)

  1. Christ and the curious (6:25-40)

a. He speaks concerning God's salvation (6:25-36).    

(1) Their confusion (6:25-26, 28, 30-31, 36)        

(a) They want to know how he got there (6:25).

(b) They seek him only for physical bread (6:26).

(c) They don't know how to please God (6:28).

(d) They assume the Old Testament manna came from Moses (6:30-31).        

(e) They don't believe in him even though they have seen him (6:36).    

(2) His correction (6:27, 29, 32-35)        

(a) They are to seek him for spiritual bread (6:27, 33-35).        

(b) They will please God by believing in him (6:29).        

(c) He says the Old Testament manna came from God (6:32).

b. He speaks concerning God's sovereignty (6:37-40).    

(1) Guaranteeing that all the elect will come to Christ (6:37): They will never be rejected    

(2) Guaranteeing that all the elect will continue in Christ (6:38-40): All who believe in him will be raised at the last day.

  2. Christ and the critical (6:41-59)    

a. Their criticism (6:41-42, 52)        

(1) He is simply the son of Joseph (6:41-42).        

(2) No one can (physically) eat his flesh and drink his blood (6:52).    

b. His correction (6:43-51, 53-59)        

(1) Jesus says he is the bread of life (6:43-51).        

(2) Jesus says that anyone who wants eternal life must (spiritually) eat his flesh and drink his blood (6:53-59).

  3. Christ and the carnal (6:60-66)    

a. Many of his followers now decide against him (6:60-65).    

b. Many of his followers now depart from him (60:66).

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. What do I want them to know?

  2. Why do I want them to know it?

  3. What do I want them to do?

  4. Why do I want them to do it?

  5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. 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:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. 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

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

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

Claude.ai

ChatGPT

Google Gemini

Grok

Perplexity

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, non denominational church, bible believing church, Signs & Glory, offend
Does Jesus Ask Too Much of Me? | John 6:22-51
Does Jesus Ask Too Much of Me? | John 6:22-51

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: “Does Jesus ask too much of me?"

Subtitle: The hard call of following Jesus.

Scripture: John 6:22-51

Exodus 3:14 "I am who I am"

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 "Suffering servant"

Luke 23:42 "Remember me when you come into your kingdom"

Bottom line: Jesus gave all his life, to give us all life. That's hard because he calls us to live our lives the same way.

"If anyone come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" Matthew 6:33

"Be perfect as my Father in heaven is perfect." -Jesus

"Come and see" -Jesus to his followers

"Come and follow" -Jesus to his followers

"Come and die" -Jesus to his followers

Is Jesus asking too much of me?

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. 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

If you knew you couldn't die, would you live this life differently?

What would you do with your life?

How would you live differently?

I ask this because, as a Christ-follower, I will never die. Oh, yes, this body--this costume I call me--will die. But I will live forever. When this body dies, I will go home and live forever there.

When I truly believe this, it impacts how I live. Truly. It changes how I see the so-called dangers of this world. It affects how I see death so it affects what I fear.

What would it have been like for Adam to feel hunger and thirst for the first time? We hunger and thirst for

  • food and drink

  • Grace, mercy, compassion, justice, knowledge, honesty, friendship

  • Love, holiness, wisdom, truth, relationship

God has put these desires in us to tell us that something exists to satisfy these desires. Otherwise, God would be cruel.

"The language of John 6, they say, is metaphorical, and the theology is anti-sacramentarian. In many respects this argument is sound.

Eating the flesh of the Son of Man is a striking, metaphorical way of saying that the gift of God's real bread of life' (v. 35) is appropriated by faith (v. 47).

We must appropriate him into our inmost being. Indeed, as Beasley-Murray (p. 99) points out, we are more familiar with this kind of 'eating' metaphor than we may realize:

we devour books,

drink in lectures,

swallow stories,

ruminate on ideas,

chew over a matter, and

eat our own words.

Doting grandparents declare they could eat up their grandchildren.

On the very face of it, 'The theme of John 6 is Christology.'" -DA Carson

Bottom line: Jesus gave all his life, to give us all life. That's good. But it's hard too, because he calls us to live our lives the same way.

Is Jesus asking too much of me?

Outline Bible (Willmington) -- SECTION OUTLINE SIX JOHN 6 Jesus feeds the 5,000 and walks on water. He teaches that he is the "bread from heaven" and that all who wish to have eternal life must eat his flesh and drink his blood. Many of his followers, unable to accept this difficult symbolism, desert him.

I. TWO MIRACLES (6:1-24)

A. First miracle (6:1-15): Jesus feeds the 5,000.

B. Second miracle (6:16-24): Jesus walks on water.

II. Two MESSAGES (6:25-71)

A. Public comments (6:25-66)

  1. Christ and the curious (6:25-40)

a. He speaks concerning God's salvation (6:25-36).     (1) Their confusion (6:25-26, 28, 30-31, 36)         (a) They want to know how he got there (6:25).         (a) They seek him only for physical bread (6:26).         (b) They don't know how to please God (6:28).         (c) They assume the Old Testament manna came from Moses (6:30-31).         (d) They don't believe in him even though they have seen him (6:36).     (2) His correction (6:27, 29, 32-35)         (a) They are to seek him for spiritual bread (6:27, 33-35).         (b) They will please God by believing in him (6:29).         (c) He says the Old Testament manna came from God (6:32). b. He speaks concerning God's sovereignty (6:37-40).     (1) Guaranteeing that all the elect will come to Christ (6:37): They will never be rejected     (2) Guaranteeing that all the elect will continue in Christ (6:38-40): All who believe in him will be raised at the last day.

2. Christ and the critical (6:41-59)     a. Their criticism (6:41-42, 52)         (1) He is simply the son of Joseph (6:41-42).         (2) No one can (physically) eat his flesh and drink his blood (6:52).     b. His correction (6:43-51, 53-59)         (1) Jesus says he is the bread of life (6:43-51).         (2) Jesus says that anyone who wants eternal life must (spiritually) eat his flesh and drink his blood (6:53-59). 3. Christ and the carnal (6:60-66)     a. Many of his followers now decide against him (6:60-65).     b. Many of his followers now depart from him (60:66).

Conclusion:

Bottom line: Jesus gave all his life, to give us all life. That's good. But it's hard too, because he calls us to live our lives the same way.

Is Jesus asking too much of me?

This poem is what could happen to you and me if we fully embrace and believe Jesus is who he says he is and will do all he's promised to do:

''Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin But held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar—now two, only two-Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, Going for three"-but no!

From the room far back a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then wiping the dust from the old violin And tightening up the strings,

He played a melody, pure and sweet. As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars—and who'll make it two? Two thousand—and who'll make it three?

Three thousand once and three thousand twice And going and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite understand

What changed its worth?" The man replied, "THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND."

And many a man with a life out of tune, And battered and torn with sin.

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine, A game and he travels on.

He's going once and going twice, He's going—and almost—gone!

But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought By the TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND.

Myra Brooks-Welch

Has he touched you?

Bottom line: Jesus gave all his life, to give us all life. That's good. But it's hard too, because he calls us to live our lives the same way.

Is Jesus asking too much of me?

When your life has been touched by the Master's hand, you'll willingly give all to him.

"Receiving Christ's Satisfaction (vv. 53-58)

So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you." (v. 53)

Our Savior meant there must be a deep partaking of him. How do we do that? We must live depending on him as the bread of life. As James Boice says:

Is he as real to you spiritually as something you can taste or handle? Is he as much a part of you as that which you eat? Do not think me blasphemous when I say that he must be as real and as useful to you as a hamburger and french fries. I say this because, although he is obviously far more real and useful than these, the unfortunate thing is that for many people he is much less.

Is he substantially real to you? That is what is involved in treating him as the bread of life. This is one of the continental divides in the life of the soul, and this is where thousands flounder." -Hughes

What about you?

“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.23.42.NIV

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

Invitation

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. 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

V. 43 ἑλκύω helkyō draw; haul

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible   

DBL Greek    pull in; lead by force

A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament

The Greek Word: ἕλκω (helkō)

Basic range of meaning:

  • “to draw, drag, pull”—sometimes with force

  • Used both literally (dragging a net of fish) and figuratively (drawing someone to a decision or relationship)

Key uses:

  1. John 6:44 – The Father draws individuals to Jesus

  2. John 12:32 – Jesus draws all people to Himself

  3. John 21:6, 11 – Nets full of fish being dragged

  4. Acts 16:19 – Paul and Silas are dragged into the marketplace

  5. James 2:6 – The rich drag people into court

So yes—helkō often implies strong action, and sometimes even resistance. But context is everything.

Does “draw” mean “compel”?

Some interpret helkō in John 6:44 as “compel” in a deterministic sense—that is:

God irresistibly pulls the elect to Jesus. They don’t choose Him; He causes them to come.

This view often aligns with Reformed theology (i.e., Calvinism) and supports the doctrine of effectual calling: that those whom God draws will come to Jesus, and only those are drawn.

This interpretation emphasizes:

  • The initiative of God

  • The inability of humans to come on their own

  • That “draw” is not mere persuasion or invitation, but a decisive, effective action

Support from the text:

  • John 6:37: “All that the Father gives me will come to me”

  • John 6:44: “No one can come… unless the Father… draws”

  • John 6:65: “No one can come unless it is granted by the Father”

From this perspective, helkō doesn’t mean dragging against someone’s will—but it does mean that God changes the will so that the person now freely wants to come. It’s not coercion, but a gracious, inward transformation that leads inevitably to faith.

But is that the only possible reading?

Not necessarily. Others (including many Arminians and non-Calvinists) argue:

  • Helkō does not mean “compel” in the sense of removing human response.

  • It can mean strong persuasion or wooing, but leaves room for rejection.

  • Example: John 12:32—Jesus says He will draw all people to Himself, but not all respond. So, the drawing can be resisted.

This interpretation emphasizes:

  • God initiates, but humans can still respond freely

  • Not all who are drawn necessarily come

  • The term “draw” is strong, but not irresistible

So, is it accurate to say “God compels the elect to come” based on John 6:44?

That depends on what is meant by “compel”:

  • If you mean God changes their hearts so that they want to come, yes—that’s a fair representation of effectual grace in Reformed theology.

  • If you mean God drags people against their will, no—that’s not the biblical picture. The will is transformed, not violated.

  • If you mean God draws only the elect, and they always come—yes, that’s how many Reformed interpreters understand it.

  • If you mean God draws everyone but only some respond, then you’d be in a different theological camp—seeing helkō as strong but resistible grace.

In Summary:

View

Draw =

Who is drawn?

Result

Reformed (Calvinist)

Effectual grace; God changes the heart

Only the elect

They will come

Arminian / Non-Calvinist

Strong persuasion; resistible grace

All people

Some respond

Universalist

God draws all and all eventually come

All people

All are saved (not supported by John 6:44)

So yes—saying that in John 6:44, draw means God effectively brings certain people to Himself is a legitimate reading within a Reformed theological framework. But other faithful, scholarly readings see helkō as powerful yet resistible—emphasizing human response within God’s initiating grace."

Here’s a simplified, congregation-friendly version of the chart, with plain language and trimmed content. This could be used in a handout, slide, or teaching note:

What Does “Draw” Mean in John 6:44?

View

What It Means

Who Is Drawn?

What Happens?

Key Verses

Reformed

God powerfully changes hearts so people come

Only those chosen

They will believe in Jesus

John 6:37, 6:44, Rom. 8:30

Arminian

God strongly invites, but people can resist

Everyone

Some believe, some don’t

John 12:32, Acts 7:51

Universalist

Jesus draws all, and all will eventually respond

Everyone

Everyone is saved

John 12:32, 1 Tim. 2:4

OUTLINES

Simple Outline of John 6:22–60 (ChatGPT)

1. The Crowd Searches for Jesus (vv. 22–25)

  • The crowd realizes Jesus is no longer near them.

  • They cross the sea to Capernaum, looking for Him.

  • They find Him and ask, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

2. Jesus Confronts Their Motives (vv. 26–27)

  • Jesus exposes their motivation: they are seeking Him because of the miraculous feeding, not for true understanding.

  • He urges them to seek the food that endures to eternal life.

3. The Crowd Asks About God’s Work (vv. 28–29)

  • They ask, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

  • Jesus replies: believe in the one He has sent.

4. The Crowd Demands a Sign (vv. 30–31)

  • They ask for another sign, referencing the manna their ancestors ate in the wilderness.

5. Jesus Declares He Is the Bread of Life (vv. 32–40)

  • Jesus contrasts the manna with Himself—the true bread from heaven.

  • He promises that whoever comes to Him will never hunger or thirst.

  • He explains His mission: to do the Father’s will and give eternal life to those who believe.

6. The Crowd Grumbles (vv. 41–42)

  • They murmur because Jesus claims to have come down from heaven.

  • They question how He could say that, since they know His earthly family.

7. Jesus Reiterates the Father’s Role and the Gift of Life (vv. 43–51)

  • Jesus emphasizes that only those drawn by the Father come to Him.

  • He again identifies Himself as the living bread that came down from heaven.

  • He says, “Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

8. Jesus Intensifies the Language (vv. 52–59)

  • The crowd disputes among themselves: “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

  • Jesus presses the metaphor further: unless they eat His flesh and drink His blood, they have no life in them.

  • He speaks of real food and real drink—His flesh and blood—and promises eternal life and resurrection.

9. The Disciples React (v. 60)

  • Many of His disciples say, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. What do I want them to know?

  2. Why do I want them to know it?

  3. What do I want them to do?

  4. Why do I want them to do it?

  5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. 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:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. 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

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

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

Claude.ai

ChatGPT

Google Gemini

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Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipGrace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, Darien Gabriel, bible believing church, non denominational church, John, Signs & Glory, I Am
What Difference Does the Resurrection Make? | John 11:25-26 | Darien Gabriel
What Difference Does the Resurrection Make? | John 11:25-26 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: “What Difference Does the Resurrection Make?"

Scripture: John 11:25-26

John 20:19-22

Bottom line: The resurrection gives us power for today and hope for tomorrow.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. 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

How to Pray with Power by Nicky Gumbel

"I received a call from someone in our church. He wanted me to go and pray for his wife who had suddenly been admitted to hospital for an operation. 

As it happened, I myself had an appointment nearby to have an injection in my shoulder. I’d had a ‘frozen shoulder’ for almost two years. However, in the previous couple of days, it had suddenly got better. I explained what had happened to the consultant. He looked at me and said, ‘It’s a miracle!’ I said, ‘Don’t frozen shoulders suddenly get better?’ Over and over again, he repeated, ‘No, it is a miracle.’ Here was a secular doctor trying to persuade a rather faithless pastor that what had happened could only be explained by the supernatural power of God!

I thanked him very much for raising my faith, as I was about to go and pray in the hospital. As I walked through the corridors, I passed a hospital porter who was singing (quite loudly!), ‘Lay your hands on the sick and they will be healed.’ I said, ‘That is exactly what I am about to go and do.’ He looked deeply shocked and surprised. He obviously didn’t think I looked like the sort of person who could possibly believe that!

I went upstairs to pray for the woman and explained why my faith was riding high. She then said she had been reading James 5 (our passage for today), which says, ‘Is any one of you sick? Call the elders of the church to pray over you… And the prayer offered in faith will make you well’ (James 5:14–15). By now the Lord had given (even me!) enough signs to pray in faith. The Holy Spirit came upon her with great power. She was not immediately healed (although she is better now), but it gave me a greater understanding of ‘the prayer of faith’.

Watchman Nee wrote, ‘Our prayers lay the track down which God’s power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails.’"

Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel: Day 325 • Devotional

Bottom line: The resurrection gives us power for today and hope for tomorrow.

“What Difference Does the Resurrection Make?”

Answer: It gives us power for today and hope for forever.

Big Idea: The resurrection of Jesus isn’t just a belief—it’s power for your real life.

First, Jesus reveals himself further to his disciples by announcing that he is the resurrection and the life.

I. "I am the resurrection and the life" - Jesus says he's life; his power is unstoppable

  • Jesus isn't just alive--he's life itself.

  • Death is only defeated by life.

Second, Jesus appears in his resurrection body to the cowering disciples following his resurrection.

He gives them his personal presence to overcome their fear, peace in the midst of chaos, their mission as the broken to the broken, and His Holy Spirit and resurrection power over darkness and evil.

1. Jesus shows up helping them overcome their fear. (John 20:19)

“The doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews.”

  • Context: The disciples were terrified—Jesus was dead, they were next.

  • But then: Jesus enters locked rooms. Resurrection power doesn’t need your permission—it comes through fear.

  • Application:

    • Where are you hiding? What fear is keeping you locked up?

    • If Jesus can enter that room, He can enter yours—your anxiety, your regret, your trauma.

2. Jesus Gives Peace in the midst of chaos. (John 20:19, 21)

“Jesus said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’”

  • He doesn’t say “Everything’s fine.” He says, “I’m here.”

  • Peace is not the absence of trouble—it’s the presence of Jesus.

  • Application:

    • What if peace isn’t about getting out of your situation, but inviting Jesus into it?

    • Resurrection means your circumstances don’t get the last word.

3. Jesus restores their mission as the broken to the broken. (John 20:21)

“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

  • These are the same guys who abandoned Him—but He still calls them.

  • The resurrection doesn’t just restore life—it restores calling.

  • Application:

    • Have you disqualified yourself in your own mind?

    • Jesus doesn’t just forgive your past—He commissions your future.

4. Jesus Gives You His Spirit and resurrection power over darkness and evil. (John 20:22)

“He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”

  • The same breath that filled Adam with life in Genesis now fills disciples with resurrection power.

  • Application:

    • This isn’t about trying harder to live better. It’s about receiving the life only He can give.

    • The Holy Spirit is resurrection applied—personal, powerful, present.

Conclusion: “Do You Believe This?” (John 11:26)

Back to John 11, Jesus asks Martha, "Do you believe this?"

  • Jesus asked Martha that question before He raised Lazarus.

  • He’s asking you the same question today.

Bottom line: The resurrection gives us power for today and hope for tomorrow.

In September 2019 I was in a coaching cohort led by pastor and author Mike Breen. He was challenging us to imitate Peter's last healing (Acts) where he said, "Jesus heals you." (Instead of seeing himself as the healer)

In preparation for that day's cohort, I wrote the following things I think would change in my life if I lived as if the sky had opened up and the resurrection power of God was available to me like it was to Jesus:

  • I’d teach and preach with more authority given to me by Jesus Messiah

  • I’d rely more on the Holy Spirit believing that he connects me with heaven.

  • I’d be more likely to pray for healing over anyone—even a stranger.

  • I’d be more evangelistically bold. I would assume that God will be putting opportunities in front of me over and over again to lead people to Christ. 

  • I would spend more extended time in prayer early in the morning/late at night.

  • I would take more mini-retreats.

  • I would gather with the saints for prayer more often and less formally.

  • I’d fast and pray more.

  • I would find myself more in the harvest than I am. Away from the church building and amongst the people. Especially needy people. The least, last and lost.

  • I would be less concerned with the things of this world. I would live simply and not pursue trivial pursuits.

  • I would be more about making disciples and less about building the church (though in making disciples I will build the Church).

  • I would be more kingdom-minded. 

  • I’d constantly be looking for people of peace.

  • I’d live fearlessly.

  • I’d walk in truth, wisdom and love.

  • I’d have a spirit of power, love and self-control. (2 Tim 1:7)

  • I’d see suffering as an opportunity to fellowship more deeply with Christ instead of the pain that it is.

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

Invitation

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. 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

"Imitating Peter," Sept 2019, MMQB I wrote

Mike Breen asked us to consider the following in preparation for our huddle tomorrow. Here are my thoughts…

Mike points to Peter’s last healing in scripture in Acts where he says, “Jesus heals you.”

In Mark 15:33- we see the curtain in the temple torn from top to bottom after Jesus dies on the cross. This rending is symbolic of our new, unfettered access to heaven and God. An access that Jesus enjoyed while walking among us.

Jesus had direct access to heaven. If not before, he received it at his baptism when the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove. (Mark 1:11) There the “sky is torn” demonstrating an opening of access to Jesus that ushered in his earthly and amazing public ministry culminating in the cross and resurrection.

Jesus lived under this open heaven enjoying a supernatural connection to God through his Holy Spirit. This rending of the curtain signified a breaking away from the Old Testament. A New Testament is at hand.

So our access is now open to heaven as well. We now seem to have the same access that Jesus had while on earth. 

Is this what Peter is trying to say through Mark in his gospel, Mike Breen asks?

Jesus removes the barrier of the sky and curtain between us and heaven. Therefore, what Jesus experienced uniquely is generally available. 

Peter is explaining what Jesus’ practice is all about through Mark’s gospel, he thinks.

This reminded me of Mark 2 and the paralytic. “Which is easier to say…”

Mike can’t leave the question unanswered why does Peter’s last healing does he say, “Jesus Christ heals you”?

Here’s Mike’s sermon question he’s going to preach soon (Luke 3 message at Apex):

“What would it be like if we left today with the actual belief that heaven is open above you and the Holy Spirit is continuously connecting to you?”

So our homework is to wrestle with my ministry practice and teaching and ask what would it look like (my practice and teaching) if I started functioning like Peter was doing? I.e. Imitating Peter in Mark and Acts

So I need to re-read Mark and Acts 1-8. 

At first blush, I think I would say the following:

  • I’d teach and preach with more authority given to me by Jesus Messiah

  • I’d rely more on the Holy Spirit believing that he connects me with heaven.

  • I’d be more likely to pray for healing over anyone—even a stranger.

  • I’d be more evangelistically bold. I would assume that God will be putting opportunities in front of me over and over again to lead people to Christ. 

  • I would spend more extended time in prayer early in the morning/late at night.

  • I would take more mini-retreats.

  • I would gather with the saints for prayer more often and less formally.

  • I’d fast and pray more.

  • I would find myself more in the harvest than I am. Away from the church building and amongst the people. Especially needy people. The least, last and lost.

  • I would be less concerned with the things of this world. I would live simply and not pursue trivial pursuits.

  • I would be more about making disciples and less about building the church (though in making disciples I will build the Church).

  • I would be more kingdom-minded. 

  • I’d constantly be looking for people of peace.

  • I’d live fearlessly.

  • I’d walk in truth, wisdom and love.

  • I’d have a spirit of power, love and self-control. (2 Tim 1:7)

  • I’d see suffering as an opportunity to fellowship more deeply with Christ instead of the pain that it is.

OUTLINES

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. What do I want them to know?

  2. Why do I want them to know it?

  3. What do I want them to do?

  4. Why do I want them to do it?

  5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. 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:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. 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

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

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

Claude.ai

ChatGPT

Google Gemini

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Ladson, SC, bible believing church, Darien Gabriel, Grace Christian Fellowship, Signs & Glory
Do You Want to Get Well? | John 5:1-18 | Darien Gabriel
Do You Want to Get Well? | John 5:1-18 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: "Do you want to get well?"

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Bottom line: To find healing and salvation, we must 1) be willing to change,  2) find hope to change, and 3) surrender to change.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

My 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

“There was an occasion when the army of Alexander the Great was engaged in a very serious battle, and in the course of the battle, one of the soldiers fled the scene. He was a coward.

After the battle, the coward was apprehended and brought to Alexander’s tent. As the man stood trembling before his general, Alexander looked at him and said, “Why did you run?” The soldier said, “I was afraid.”

Alexander said: “So I see. What is your name?” The soldier mumbled his answer so that Alexander couldn’t hear him, so the great warrior said: “Speak up. What is your name?” The young soldier looked at him and said, “My name is Alexander.” Alexander the Great replied, “Either change your behavior or change your name.”

CONTEXT

John moves forward in chapters 5-10 highlighting the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leadership. John will use Jesus' encounters with others to escalate and teach/reveal who he is leading the Jewish leaders to grow more insistent on his execution for blashemy. They are convinced that he is claiming to be another god equal to God the Father and they cannot rest until he is dealt with. For he is leading the people astray.

These encounters will include several "I am" statements designed to reveal who Jesus really is. It's at this point that I'd like to share with you how someone described Jesus. After all, many of us struggle with following Jesus because we also are unclear about who healed us. Lesslie Newbigin, British pastor and missionary from the past wrote:

"The one of whom we are reading is the one who was finally rejected with unique unanimity by the representatives of all the forces that control human behavior (cf. I Cor. 2:8), was subjected to that death which implied the curse of God as well as of men, was raised to new life, and became the author of new life for all who believed. It is this man whose identity is being defined in these passages." -Lesslie Newbigin

He says that we cannot understand what John is doing and writing without remembering that this is all about believing that Jesus is the Messiah, the king of kings, the Son of man and the son of God and that by believing have life in his name who died for our sins and was raised to prove his atoning sacrifice for us works in his Father's eyes. We are forgiven because of him!

SERMON

Bottom line: To find healing and salvation, we must 1) be willing to change,  2) find hope to change, and 3) surrender to change.

According to Pastor Mark Johnston, Jesus' question, and the impact it makes, raises at least four major issues for this man and for all people.

  1. WANT TO CHANGE? The truth about our life--do we even want to change?

  2. HELPLESS TO CHANGE. The fact of our own helplessness--can we even change without outside help?

  3. SIN KEEPS US FROM CHANGE. The cause of all our trouble--do we realize what causes our sickness is sin? (Generally or specifically)

  4. HOPE FOR CHANGE IS FOUND IN JESUS. The hope that is found in Jesus--Healing and salvation are made possible by Jesus sovereignly initiating compassionately.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: To find healing and salvation, we must 1) be willing to change,  2) find hope to change, and 3) surrender to change.

Do I want to get well even if it means change?

Do I acknowledge that I cannot change myself?

Do I realize that the reason I cannot change on my own is sin?

Am I ready and willing to surrender to Jesus so that I can change?

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

Invitation

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. 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

"This reality should motivate us to labor with all our might to make Jesus Christ and his gospel known and loved throughout the world. Augustine wrote this beautiful reflection about Jesus Christ:

You are ever active, yet always at rest. You gather all things to yourself, though you suffer no need. ... You welcome those who come to you, though you never lost them. You release us from our debts, but you lose nothing thereby. You are my God, my Life, my holy Delight, but is this enough to say of you? Can any man say enough when he speaks of you? Yet woe betide those who are silent about you! (Confessions [IX 1], 181)

May we, by the grace of God, never be silent." -Matt Carter

  1. "I'll Do It Later (v. 35):

    1. Jesus asks the disciples a pointed question: "Don't you say, 'There are still four more months, and then comes the harvest'?" (v. 35). He's saying, "Do you guys think you need to wait before reaping the fruit of the gospel? Are you hoping it will come later? You're wrong; look at the Samaritans coming right now. What are you waiting for? The time is now!" Jesus is driving the urgency of the gospel home to the hearts of his disciples. We don't wait for a different time or a better time; the harvest is now. Go, do the work of sharing the gospel right now. Charles Spurgeon, preaching on this passage, challenged his congregation:

    2. Some of you good people, who do nothing except go to public meetings, the Bible readings, and prophetic conferences, and other forms of spiritual [indulgence], would be a good deal better Christians if you would look after the poor and needy around you. If you would just tuck up your sleeves for work, and go and tell the gospel to dying men, you would find your spiritual health mightily restored, for very much of the sickness of Christians comes through their having nothing to do. All feeding and no working gives men spiritual indigestion. Be idle, careless, with nothing to live for, nothing to care for, no sinner to pray for, no backslider to lead back to the cross, no trembler to encourage, no little child to tell of a Savior, no grey-headed man to enlighten in the things of God, no object, in fact, to live for; and who wonders if you begin to groan, and to murmur, and to look within, until you are ready to die of despair? (Cited in Hughes, John, 132) - Matt Carter

OUTLINES

N/A

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. What do I want them to know?

  2. Why do I want them to know it?

  3. What do I want them to do?

  4. Why do I want them to do it?

  5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. 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:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. 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

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

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

Claude.ai

ChatGPT

Google Gemini

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipGrace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, John, Signs & Glory, non denominational church, bible believing church
What Does Authentic Faith Look Like? | John 4:43-52 | Darien Gabriel
What Does Authentic Faith Look Like? | John 4:43-52 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: "What does authentic faith look like?

Scripture: John 4:43-54

John 1:9-12; 8:31-32

Bottom line: Authentic faith looks like an actual commitment, built on an informed belief, and a growing dependency of God.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

My 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

Today we're answer the question, "What does authentic faith look like?"

When I think of the word authentic, I think of collections where value is based on the something rare being authenticated or declared the real thing.

The most valuable American coin today is a 1794 silver dollar called the Flowing Hair Silver Dollar. It has lady liberty on one side and an American eagle on the other. Many believe that it was the first coin minted by the US government. There were only 1800 made and experts think only about 120 remain. It last sold for 12 million dollars.

But it's only worth 12 million dollars if it's an authentic Flowing Hair Silver Dollar.

The question today is what does authentic faith look like. We're asking this question to setup the more important question, "Is my faith authentic?"

CONTEXT

Jesus has been talking with the woman at the well. He and the 12 got to see a whole town come to Christ. It has been an amazing day. The enemies of the Jews (the Samaritans) have trusted the Jewish Messiah! There is no earthly reason why they would do this. Only God.

John will use this town of people in Sychar to expose the contrast with the way the Jews are responding (en masse) to Jesus. (Cf. John 1:11-12)

John will also contrast the nobleman's growing faith with the hesitant faith of Nicodemus.

What does authentic faith look like?

Is my faith authentic?

SERMON

Bottom line: Authentic faith looks like an actual commitment, built on an informed belief, and a growing dependency on God.

What does authentic faith look like? (Help from Matt Carter's commentary)

I. Actual commitment--not just spiritual curiosity.

II. Informed belief--not just emotional feelings.

III. Growing dependence--not just a single decision.

Applications/questions:

  1. Are you spiritually curious? That's fine. Just don't think you're secure and good with the Lord just because you're spiritual or open. Christ calls us to follow him the rest of our life. Until you surrender to that, you're just curious. It's not a convenient faith that he calls us to--it's a costly faith. He calls us to ultimately come and die.

  2. Is your faith rooted on how you feel? I feel close to God today but not tomorrow. Emotions are a legitimate part of the human experience--even in our spiritual life. But we root our faith in truth--God's word is truth. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth..." We have an informed faith; a reasonable faith; not a blind faith.

  3. Is your faith growing? Are you abiding in Jesus daily? Are you walking with God daily? These are different ways of asking the question, am I growing in dependence on the Lord?

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: Authentic faith starts with an actual commitment, and an informed belief on the word, and a growing dependence.

What about you? Is your faith authentic?

Here's another way to look at it.

How do you know that you're married?

Well, you might say, I have a wedding ring and a marriage license.

I could respond, well, I know people who have a marriage license and maybe even still wear their wedding ring. But they are no longer married.

The only way to truly know you're married is because you live the married life with your spouse. You raise the kids together. You take care of the house together. You do life together.

The same is true with authentic faith. What does authentic faith look like? It looks like an actual commitment, built on an informed faith, and a growing dependence.

What about you? Is your faith authentic?

If not, what can you do?

Repent--turn from the way you're living life and turn back to the trust and follow Jesus' words, ways and works.

Believe--Rest on the calling you've received; build on the word of God; pray towards growing in Christ.`

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

Invitation

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. 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

"Jesus was saying, "Your experience with the Samaritans is one of reaping where you did not sow," and that surely was the case. They had not sowed, but they reaped. In our age some of us may sow, and some of us may reap. The thrust of these verses is that there is going to be a good deal of reaping, but the implication also is that sometimes we may sow and never see the results. I am reminded of the story of George Müller who founded many orphanages in the last century. Early in his life Müller made the acquaintance of three men, and he began to pray for their salvation. Müller lived a long time, but when he died, none of those men had yet trusted Christ. It is recorded in his diary that he prayed for these men daily during all those years. But that is not the end! The glorious fact is that all three of those men did meet Christ-two of them in their seventies and one in his eighties! Müller sowed, but someone else reaped. Whether we find ourselves sowing or reaping, our lives are to be permeated with a sense of urgency. Jesus' harvest mentality was part of the secret of his life. We also are meant to be harvesting!" -Kent Hughes, p. 139

"This reality should motivate us to labor with all our might to make Jesus Christ and his gospel known and loved throughout the world. Augustine wrote this beautiful reflection about Jesus Christ:

You are ever active, yet always at rest. You gather all things to yourself, though you suffer no need. ... You welcome those who come to you, though you never lost them. You release us from our debts, but you lose nothing thereby. You are my God, my Life, my holy Delight, but is this enough to say of you? Can any man say enough when he speaks of you? Yet woe betide those who are silent about you! (Confessions [IX 1], 181)

May we, by the grace of God, never be silent." -Matt Carter

  1. "I'll Do It Later (v. 35):

    1. Jesus asks the disciples a pointed question: "Don't you say, 'There are still four more months, and then comes the harvest'?" (v. 35). He's saying, "Do you guys think you need to wait before reaping the fruit of the gospel? Are you hoping it will come later? You're wrong; look at the Samaritans coming right now. What are you waiting for? The time is now!" Jesus is driving the urgency of the gospel home to the hearts of his disciples. We don't wait for a different time or a better time; the harvest is now. Go, do the work of sharing the gospel right now. Charles Spurgeon, preaching on this passage, challenged his congregation:

    2. Some of you good people, who do nothing except go to public meetings, the Bible readings, and prophetic conferences, and other forms of spiritual [indulgence], would be a good deal better Christians if you would look after the poor and needy around you. If you would just tuck up your sleeves for work, and go and tell the gospel to dying men, you would find your spiritual health mightily restored, for very much of the sickness of Christians comes through their having nothing to do. All feeding and no working gives men spiritual indigestion. Be idle, careless, with nothing to live for, nothing to care for, no sinner to pray for, no backslider to lead back to the cross, no trembler to encourage, no little child to tell of a Savior, no grey-headed man to enlighten in the things of God, no object, in fact, to live for; and who wonders if you begin to groan, and to murmur, and to look within, until you are ready to die of despair? (Cited in Hughes, John, 132) - Matt Carter

OUTLINES

N/A

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. What do I want them to know?

  2. Why do I want them to know it?

  3. What do I want them to do?

  4. Why do I want them to do it?

  5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. 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:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. How do I do it?

Final Questions (Write this down)

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

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

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

Claude.ai

ChatGPT

Google Gemini

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, authentic faith, John, Signs & Glory, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, Bible believing church, non denominational church
Why Do Our Relationships Suffer? Part 2 | John 4:27-42 | Darien Gabriel
Why Do Our Relationships Suffer? Part 2 | John 4:27-42 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: "Why do our relationships suffer?" Part 2

Scripture: John 4:27-42

Bottom line: We should and can eliminate our excuses for not sharing Jesus today.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. OUTLINES

  7. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  8. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  9. MAIN REFERENCES USED

My 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

Up, In and Out triangle (draw)

Draw a stick figure in the middle of the triangle. (That's you)

Draw a horizontal line right through the middle of your stick figure.

  • Above the line is "Love God"

  • Below the line is "Love people"

UP--our relationship with God (above the horizontal line).

IN--our relationship with people who are already in and a part of the global Church (born again).

OUT--our relationship with people who are not yet a part of the global Church. These are who we are prayer, care, sharing with.

This is your filter to evaluate your church, your home group, and your personal life. Are your relationships suffering because of your unwillingness to engage people in the harvest?

iMarriage

Years ago, we started a home group in the home of one of our elders so that they could invite their neighbors. No other church members except for Anita and I. We decided to do Andy Stanley's iMarriage video series. So the group was filled with people who didn't have a relationship with the Lord or if they did it wasn't one of any depth. That was one of the most fun groups we've ever been a part of. Why? Because we realized that you can have great relationships with people who don't yet know the Lord. When we eventually left that group to start a new one, we all grieved.

One of the reasons our relationships suffer is because we don't consider that some of our best future relationships will only happen if we engage the lost in our community.

Jar of acorns - each acorn in the jar sitting in the lobby is for a conversation someone had with someone about Jesus that week.

So whenever you talk to someone about Jesus, drop an acorn into the jar. If they come to Christ, drop a silver acorn into instead.

We miss out on great relationships with people in our world when we let our excuses keep us from talking to them about Jesus.

CONTEXT

Jesus has been talking with the woman at the well when his disciples walk up. She's just discovered that Jesus is the Messiah. She's believing and now compelled to go and share that good news with the entire town. She drops what she's doing (literally) and goes to tell them to come and see.

Meanwhile, the disciples are wondering why Jesus would be talking to any women in public. That's just not done. Especially a Samaritan woman! They try to get him to eat (they know he's tired and hungry). But he gives them a cryptic response. It's here that Jesus shows us the 3 excuses we make for not sharing Jesus with others. And this affects our relationships negatively. We end up not getting to know some amazing people as a result.

SERMON

Bottom line: We should and can eliminate our excuses for not sharing Jesus today.

What are our excuses? (Help from Matt Carter's commentary)

  1. We think they won't be interested. (4:27-30)

  2. We are too busy. (4:31-34)

  3. We tell ourselves we'll do it later. (4:35)

    1. "The Raleigh News & Observer reported a story a few years ago about a man who died at a hospital in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Apparently he choked on his medication and fell and hit his head on the floor. A nurse helped him start breathing and sat him in a chair in the waiting room. He sat in that chair for the next twenty-two hours before having a heart attack and dying. During those twenty-two hours he was virtually ignored by the staff; in fact, after the choking incident, no one checked his vital signs for over an hour. They were too busy playing cards in the break room next door (Biesecker, "Tape Shows"). The men and women responsible for keeping him alive were distracted by something as worthless as a game of cards. What distracts us from our mission?

    2. What distracts us from sharing the message of eternal life with those all around us who are spiritually dying?" -Matt Carter, p. 103

  4. We don't care is another conversation for another time. I think the disciples cared. I know Jesus did. If we don't, it may be because we don't know the Lord yet.

Jesus encourages us to share the good news today. (4:36-42)

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions." - Old saying

"Get after it!" -Jocko Willink

Illustration: The Unseen Harvest - Gene Hundley

Tell a story about someone who planted a tree but never lived to see it bear fruit. Often, we think our efforts are wasted because we don't see immediate results, but Jesus says the fields are already ripe. The woman at the well simply shared her story, and a harvest came from it.

Applications:

  1. Prayer.

    1. Pray for people in your circles of influence who are far from God but close to you? Write their name down in your bible or journal. Pray for them by name.

  2. Care. When God gives you the opportunity, care enough to serve them personally. Pray with them when you're done.

  3. Share. When God gives you the opportunity to serve them, they are often more open to hearing why you did that.

    1. You can share right after serving them.

    2. You can share later via text, email or letter.

    3. You can share with them in conversation at a later date. Just remember that the fields are ripe for harvest.

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: We should and can eliminate our excuses for not sharing Jesus with our world today.

"Too many churches have gotten distracted from the mission God has given them. The older and bigger a church is, the easier it is to get distracted.

There's an old story about a harbor town located in a treacherous area where boats frequently capsized on the rocks in bad weather. The town was known for its faithful rescue team. Whenever the bell sounded, a group of men rowed quickly to the scene of the disaster, risking their lives to remove sailors from sinking vessels or to pluck them from heaving waves. After a few years the town collected money to build a rescue station near the shore to store all of their equipment, thus making their rescue work easier. Also, special training was offered to others who wanted to become rescuers. The operation became efficient, saving hundreds of lives from the raging waters. But as time went by, comforts and conveniences were added to the building-cupboards full of food, a dining room, a lounge with stuffed chairs and recliners, and sleeping quarters. The lovely building became a club where townspeople loved to eat, meet, play games, and socialize. The bell still sounded when a wreck occurred, but only a handful of people responded. Later, no one even bothered to answer the rescue call, for they didn't want to leave the comfortable club (Davey, When Heaven, 28)." - Matt Carter

"Jesus was saying, "Your experience with the Samaritans is one of reaping where you did not sow," and that surely was the case. They had not sowed, but they reaped. In our age some of us may sow, and some of us may reap. The thrust of these verses is that there is going to be a good deal of reaping, but the implication also is that sometimes we may sow and never see the results. I am reminded of the story of George Müller who founded many orphanages in the last century. Early in his life Müller made the acquaintance of three men, and he began to pray for their salvation. Müller lived a long time, but when he died, none of those men had yet trusted Christ. It is recorded in his diary that he prayed for these men daily during all those years. But that is not the end! The glorious fact is that all three of those men did meet Christ-two of them in their seventies and one in his eighties! Müller sowed, but someone else reaped. Whether we find ourselves sowing or reaping, our lives are to be permeated with a sense of urgency. Jesus' harvest mentality was part of the secret of his life. We also are meant to be harvesting!" -Kent Hughes, p. 139

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

Invitation

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:

  1. What is God saying to me right now?

  2. 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

"This reality should motivate us to labor with all our might to make Jesus Christ and his gospel known and loved throughout the world. Augustine wrote this beautiful reflection about Jesus Christ:

You are ever active, yet always at rest. You gather all things to yourself, though you suffer no need. ... You welcome those who come to you, though you never lost them. You release us from our debts, but you lose nothing thereby. You are my God, my Life, my holy Delight, but is this enough to say of you? Can any man say enough when he speaks of you? Yet woe betide those who are silent about you! (Confessions [IX 1], 181)

May we, by the grace of God, never be silent." -Matt Carter

  1. "I'll Do It Later (v. 35):

    1. Jesus asks the disciples a pointed question: "Don't you say, 'There are still four more months, and then comes the harvest'?" (v. 35). He's saying, "Do you guys think you need to wait before reaping the fruit of the gospel? Are you hoping it will come later? You're wrong; look at the Samaritans coming right now. What are you waiting for? The time is now!" Jesus is driving the urgency of the gospel home to the hearts of his disciples. We don't wait for a different time or a better time; the harvest is now. Go, do the work of sharing the gospel right now. Charles Spurgeon, preaching on this passage, challenged his congregation:

    2. Some of you good people, who do nothing except go to public meetings, the Bible readings, and prophetic conferences, and other forms of spiritual [indulgence], would be a good deal better Christians if you would look after the poor and needy around you. If you would just tuck up your sleeves for work, and go and tell the gospel to dying men, you would find your spiritual health mightily restored, for very much of the sickness of Christians comes through their having nothing to do. All feeding and no working gives men spiritual indigestion. Be idle, careless, with nothing to live for, nothing to care for, no sinner to pray for, no backslider to lead back to the cross, no trembler to encourage, no little child to tell of a Savior, no grey-headed man to enlighten in the things of God, no object, in fact, to live for; and who wonders if you begin to groan, and to murmur, and to look within, until you are ready to die of despair? (Cited in Hughes, John, 132) - Matt Carter

OUTLINES

N/A

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  1. What do I want them to know?

  2. Why do I want them to know it?

  3. What do I want them to do?

  4. Why do I want them to do it?

  5. How do they do this?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/

  1. Read the passage together.

  2. Retell the story in your own words.

  3. Discovery the story

    1. What does this story tell me about God?

    2. What does this story tell me about people?

    3. If this is really true, what should I do?

  4. What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)

  5. What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)

  6. 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:

  1. Who is God?

  2. What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?

  3. Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)

  4. What do I do? (In light of who I am)

  5. 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

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

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

Claude.ai

ChatGPT

Google Gemini

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Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, Ladson, SC, relationships suffer, John 4, Signs & Glory, non denominational church, bible believing church