Posts tagged non-denominational church
How Can We Be Sure God Will Keep His Promises? | Genesis 15:7-21
How Can We Be Sure God Will Keep His Promises? | Genesis 15:7-21

Series: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "How can we be sure God will keep his promises?"

Scripture: Genesis 15:7-21 NIV

Jeremiah 34:17-20

Galatians 3:13-16

Bottom Line: Our confidence in God’s promises rests in His character, His competency, His covenant, and His Christ.

  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

The Wedding Vow

Most people understand contracts, but marriage vows are closer to biblical covenant.

In a wedding, two people stand before witnesses and promise faithfulness:

“For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.”

Those vows mean:

“I am committing myself to you even if circumstances change.”

Now imagine a wedding where only one person says the vows.

Imagine the groom saying:

“Even if you fail me, I will remain faithful to you.”

That would be startling.

But that is essentially what happens in Genesis 15.

Abram prepares for a covenant ceremony. He would have expected both parties to pass between the pieces. Instead, Abram is put into a deep sleep, and God alone passes through.

God is saying:

“Abram, this promise finally rests on Me.”

That is how we can be sure God will keep His promises.

Not because we are so faithful, but because He is.

⸻

CONTEXT

Genesis 15 comes in the middle of tension.

God has already promised Abram land, offspring, and blessing. But Abram still has no son. Sarai is still barren. The land is still occupied.

So Genesis 15 is about the space between promise and fulfillment.

And in that space, God does not rebuke Abram.

He reassures him.

Last week in Genesis 15:1, God said, “I am your sovereign/shield.”

Now in verses 7–21, God shows Abram WHY He can be trusted.

⸻

Bottom Line: Our confidence in God’s promises rests in His character, His competency, His covenant, and His Christ.

SERMON

Genesis 15 has two halves:

• Verses 1–6: the promise believed

• Verses 7–21: the promise guaranteed

Last week we focused on Abram believing God.

This week we focus on God guaranteeing His promise.

3 BIG TRUTHS

1. God reminds Abram who He is and what He has done (v. 7)

“I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”

Before God explains what He will do, He reminds Abram who He is and what He has already done.

That is important.

God builds Abram’s confidence in the future by reminding him of His character and His track record.

Two anchors are right there in verse 7:

• Who God is: “I am the LORD”

• What God has done: “who brought you out of Ur”

God often strengthens our faith the same way.

When we struggle to trust His promises, He points us backward before He points us forward.

He reminds us:

• I am the LORD

• I have been faithful before

• I will be faithful again

Application

When your faith is weak, start here:

• Remember who God is

• Remember what God has done

Our confidence in God’s promises grows when we look at His character and His past faithfulness.

⸻

2. God’s covenant promise depends on His faithfulness, not Abram’s performance (vv. 12–17)

This is the heart of the passage.

Abram prepares the covenant animals. In that world, both parties would normally walk between the pieces. It was a solemn way of saying:

“May this happen to me if I break this covenant.”

But Abram never walks through.

Instead:

• Abram is put into a deep sleep

• God alone passes through the pieces

The smoking firepot and blazing torch represent the presence of God.

So what is God saying?

He is saying:

“Abram, I am taking full responsibility for this covenant.”

This promise rests finally on My faithfulness, not yours.

That does not mean Abram’s faith does not matter. It does. But the covenant is not secured by Abram’s perfection. It is secured by God’s commitment.

That is why Abram’s later failures do not cancel God’s promise.

Simple way to say it

Abram receives.

God guarantees.

Illustration

It is like an inheritance.

A father prepares something for his children.

The children do not create it.

They do not negotiate it.

They receive what the father establishes.

Genesis 15 shows us that God is building a covenant family, and Abram is receiving what God creates.

Application

That is good news for us.

If God’s promises depended mainly on our consistency, we would all be in trouble.

But the covenant rests on God’s faithfulness.

⸻

3. This covenant ultimately points to Jesus (Galatians 3; Lord’s Supper)

Genesis 15 does not end with Abram. It is foundational. It points forward to Christ.

Think again about the covenant ritual.

Animals are cut apart.

The covenant maker passes between them, saying in effect:

“May I bear the curse if this covenant is broken.”

In Genesis 15, God takes that oath upon Himself.

So the big question becomes:

If people fail God again and again, who will bear the covenant curse?

The answer is Jesus.

Galatians 3:13 says:

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”

Galatians 3:16 says the promises were ultimately centered in Christ.

So Genesis 15 is pointing ahead to the cross.

At the cross:

• God keeps His promise

• God bears the curse

• God secures salvation for His people

What God symbolized in Genesis 15, He fulfills in Jesus.

God said, in effect, “I will bear the cost.”

And at the cross, He did.

That is why Genesis 15 is one of the clearest foreshadowings of the gospel in the Old Testament.

⸻

CONCLUSION

So how can we be sure God will keep His promises?

Because in Genesis 15, God does three things:

• He reminds Abram who He is & what He’s done

• He guarantees the covenant Himself based on His willingness to die for our failures

• He points us forward to Jesus

So when you struggle to trust God, remember:

• Look at His character

• Look at His past faithfulness

• Look at the cross

The cross is the ultimate proof that God keeps His word.

⸻

LORD’S SUPPER TRANSITION

As we come to the Lord’s Table, we remember that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise.

At this table we look back and remember:

• Christ has died

• Christ is risen

• Christ will come again

The bread and cup remind us that God does not just make promises.

He keeps them.

Jesus said in Luke 22 that the cup is the new covenant in His blood.

So today we come not trusting in our faithfulness to God, but in God’s faithfulness to us through Christ.

Bottom Line: Our confidence in God’s promises rests in His character, His competency, His covenant, and His Christ.

CLOSING APPEAL

So what is God saying to you today?

Perhaps He is saying:

• Stop measuring My faithfulness by your circumstances

• Remember who I am

• Remember what I have done

• Trust My Son

And what will you do about it?

Will you trust Him again?

Will you rest in His faithfulness?

Will you come to the table grateful that Jesus has secured what you never could?

Amen.

Series: God’s Promises, Our Journey

Title: How Can We Be Sure God Will Keep His Promises?

Scripture: Genesis 15:7–21

Jeremiah 34:17–20

Galatians 3:13–16

1 Corinthians 11:23–26

Luke 22:14–20; 28–30

Hebrews 8:8–12

Bottom Line: Our confidence in God’s promises rests in His character, His competency, His covenant, and His Christ.

⸻

INTRODUCTION

The Wedding Vow

Most people understand contracts, but marriage vows are closer to biblical covenant.

In a wedding, two people stand before witnesses and promise faithfulness:

“For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.”

Those vows mean:

“I am committing myself to you even if circumstances change.”

Now imagine a wedding where only one person says the vows.

Imagine the groom saying:

“Even if you fail me, I will remain faithful to you.”

That would be startling.

But that is essentially what happens in Genesis 15.

Abram prepares for a covenant ceremony. He would have expected both parties to pass between the pieces. Instead, Abram is put into a deep sleep, and God alone passes through.

God is saying:

“Abram, this promise finally rests on Me.”

That is how we can be sure God will keep His promises.

Not because we are so faithful, but because He is.

⸻

CONTEXT

Genesis 15 comes in the middle of tension.

God has already promised Abram land, offspring, and blessing. But Abram still has no son. Sarai is still barren. The land is still occupied.

So Genesis 15 is about the space between promise and fulfillment.

And in that space, God does not rebuke Abram.

He reassures him.

Last week in Genesis 15:1, God said, “I am your sovereign/shield.”

Now in verses 7–21, God shows Abram WHY He can be trusted.

⸻

Bottom Line: Our confidence in God’s promises rests in His character, His competency, His covenant, and His Christ.

SERMON

Genesis 15 has two halves:

• Verses 1–6: the promise believed

• Verses 7–21: the promise guaranteed

Last week we focused on Abram believing God.

This week we focus on God guaranteeing His promise.

3 BIG TRUTHS

1. God reminds Abram who He is and what He has done (v. 7)

“I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.”

Before God explains what He will do, He reminds Abram who He is and what He has already done.

That is important.

God builds Abram’s confidence in the future by reminding him of His character and His track record.

Two anchors are right there in verse 7:

• Who God is: “I am the LORD”

• What God has done: “who brought you out of Ur”

God often strengthens our faith the same way.

When we struggle to trust His promises, He points us backward before He points us forward.

He reminds us:

• I am the LORD

• I have been faithful before

• I will be faithful again

Application

When your faith is weak, start here:

• Remember who God is

• Remember what God has done

Our confidence in God’s promises grows when we look at His character and His past faithfulness.

⸻

2. God’s covenant promise depends on His faithfulness, not Abram’s performance (vv. 12–17)

This is the heart of the passage.

Abram prepares the covenant animals. In that world, both parties would normally walk between the pieces. It was a solemn way of saying:

“May this happen to me if I break this covenant.”

But Abram never walks through.

Instead:

• Abram is put into a deep sleep

• God alone passes through the pieces

The smoking firepot and blazing torch represent the presence of God.

So what is God saying?

He is saying:

“Abram, I am taking full responsibility for this covenant.”

This promise rests finally on My faithfulness, not yours.

That does not mean Abram’s faith does not matter. It does. But the covenant is not secured by Abram’s perfection. It is secured by God’s commitment.

That is why Abram’s later failures do not cancel God’s promise.

Simple way to say it

Abram receives.

God guarantees.

Illustration

It is like an inheritance.

A father prepares something for his children.

The children do not create it.

They do not negotiate it.

They receive what the father establishes.

Genesis 15 shows us that God is building a covenant family, and Abram is receiving what God creates.

Application

That is good news for us.

If God’s promises depended mainly on our consistency, we would all be in trouble.

But the covenant rests on God’s faithfulness.

⸻

3. This covenant ultimately points to Jesus (Galatians 3; Lord’s Supper)

Genesis 15 does not end with Abram. It is foundational. It points forward to Christ.

Think again about the covenant ritual.

Animals are cut apart.

The covenant maker passes between them, saying in effect:

“May I bear the curse if this covenant is broken.”

In Genesis 15, God takes that oath upon Himself.

So the big question becomes:

If people fail God again and again, who will bear the covenant curse?

The answer is Jesus.

Galatians 3:13 says:

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.”

Galatians 3:16 says the promises were ultimately centered in Christ.

So Genesis 15 is pointing ahead to the cross.

At the cross:

• God keeps His promise

• God bears the curse

• God secures salvation for His people

What God symbolized in Genesis 15, He fulfills in Jesus.

God said, in effect, “I will bear the cost.”

And at the cross, He did.

That is why Genesis 15 is one of the clearest foreshadowings of the gospel in the Old Testament.

⸻

CONCLUSION

So how can we be sure God will keep His promises?

Because in Genesis 15, God does three things:

• He reminds Abram who He is & what He’s done

• He guarantees the covenant Himself based on His willingness to die for our failures

• He points us forward to Jesus

So when you struggle to trust God, remember:

• Look at His character

• Look at His past faithfulness

• Look at the cross

The cross is the ultimate proof that God keeps His word.

⸻

LORD’S SUPPER TRANSITION

As we come to the Lord’s Table, we remember that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise.

At this table we look back and remember:

• Christ has died

• Christ is risen

• Christ will come again

The bread and cup remind us that God does not just make promises.

He keeps them.

Jesus said in Luke 22 that the cup is the new covenant in His blood.

So today we come not trusting in our faithfulness to God, but in God’s faithfulness to us through Christ.

Bottom Line: Our confidence in God’s promises rests in His character, His competency, His covenant, and His Christ.

CLOSING APPEAL

So what is God saying to you today?

Perhaps He is saying:

• Stop measuring My faithfulness by your circumstances

• Remember who I am

• Remember what I have done

• Trust My Son

And what will you do about it?

Will you trust Him again?

Will you rest in His faithfulness?

Will you come to the table grateful that Jesus has secured what you never could?

Amen.

NOTES

Numerology

1. The Difference Between 3 and 7

3 — Divine Witness or Divine Action

Three often signals that God himself is acting, confirming, or revealing something.

It frequently appears where God’s activity or testimony is emphasized.

Examples:

• Abraham, Isaac, Jacob — the patriarchal line.

• Jonah three days in the fish (Jonah 1:17).

• Jesus raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4).

• Peter’s threefold restoration (John 21:15–17).

In simple terms:

3 = God’s action or divine testimony.

It often marks a moment when God steps into history.

7 — Completion / Covenant Fulfillment

Seven signals completion, sacred fullness, or covenant perfection.

It often appears where God brings something to its intended completion.

Examples:

• 7 days of creation (Genesis 1–2).

• Sabbath on the 7th day.

• Sevenfold covenant symbolism in several passages (e.g., Genesis 21:28–31).

• Seven seals, trumpets, bowls in Revelation.

In simple terms:

7 = God bringing something to completion or covenant fullness.

A Helpful Way to Distinguish Them

Number Core Idea Function

3 Divine action / witness God stepping in

7 Divine completion God finishing what He started

So you might say:

• 3 = God acts

• 7 = God completes

2. The Number 2 Is Very Relevant in Genesis 15 as well

The Biblical Principle

Deuteronomy 19:15

“A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

Ancient covenants normally involved two parties walking between the pieces (a self-maledictory oath):

“May what happened to these animals happen to me if I break this covenant.”

What Makes Genesis 15 Unique

Normally two covenant partners would walk the path.

But in Genesis 15:

• Abram does not walk through the pieces.

• Only God passes through (symbolized by the smoking firepot and flaming torch).

It means:

God takes the entire covenant obligation upon himself.

In other words:

• God is both witness and guarantor.

• Abram receives the promise by faith (Genesis 15:6).

3. How the Numbers Work Together in Genesis 15

Interestingly, several symbolic numbers converge here.

2 — Witness / Covenant Testimony

God acts as the covenant guarantor.

3 — Divine Action

The covenant ritual itself emphasizes God’s direct intervention in Abram’s story.

5 Animals (Genesis 15:9)

• Heifer

• Goat

• Ram

• Turtledove

• Pigeon

Some see 5 here as grace, though that connection is less certain.

⸻

4. The Real Theological Point

The numbers serve the story, but the story drives the meaning.

Genesis 15 shows:

• Abram believes (15:6)

• God guarantees the promise himself (15:17–18)

Which is exactly how Paul interprets the passage in Romans 4 and Galatians 3.

You could summarize it for preaching like this:

In Genesis 15, God doesn’t just make a promise to Abram—He walks the covenant path alone, declaring that the fulfillment of His promise ultimately rests on Him.

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipGod's Promsies, God's Promises, Our Journey, Genesis, Darien Gabriel, Bible-believing church, non-denominational church, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship
How Do God's Promises Shape Our Faith Journey? | Genesis 15:1-6
How Do God's Promises Shape Our Faith Journey? | Genesis 15:1-6

Series: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: “How Does God’s Promise Shape Our Faith Journey?”

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6 NIV

Habakkuk 2:4

Luke 2-3

Ephesians 2:8-10

Romans 4:3-5; 20-22

Galatians 3:6-9, 14

James 2:21-23

Bottom Line: When we trust God’s promise, our journey is secure—He makes us right with Him and leads us step by step.

  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

“The Signed Contract Before the House Exists”

In 2006, we started looking for a house to buy in Summerville. We'd just accepted the position to come to Grace and were excited about what we might move into. But our excitement faded as we saw what we'd care for the money we were bringing from our last house sale. So, in the end, it made more sense for us to build a new house over buying an existing one.

Imagine a young couple buying a home that hasn’t been built yet.

There is:

• No framing

• No roof

• No walls

• Just dirt and a blueprint or rendering

But they sign a contract.

They put down earnest money.

They commit financially.

Why would they do that?

Because they trust:

• The builder’s reputation

• The written promise

• The legal agreement

They are acting today on something they cannot yet see.

That’s Genesis 15.

Abram:

• Has no son

• Has no visible nation

• Has no fulfillment

• Only a word from God

And verse 6 says he signed the contract in his heart.

“Abram believed the LORD…”

Faith is not pretending the house is already standing.

Faith is signing your life to the One who promised to build it.

That sets up:

• Romans 4 — persuaded God will do what He promised

• Galatians 3 — we inherit the same contract by faith

• James 2 — if you signed it, you start living like it

CONTEXT

Genesis 15 comes at a pivotal moment in Abram’s journey. In Genesis 12, God called Abram out of Ur with sweeping promises of land, offspring, and blessing — but Abram still has no child. In Genesis 13, he lets Lot choose the better land and must trust God again for the promise. In Genesis 14, Abram rescues Lot, defeats powerful kings, refuses the riches of Sodom, and is blessed by Melchizedek — demonstrating growing faith and allegiance to God alone. Yet despite spiritual victory, the central promise remains unfulfilled: Abram is aging, Sarai is barren, and the land is still occupied by other nations. Genesis 15 opens in that tension — between promise and fulfillment, between faith and visible reality — and God responds not with rebuke, but with covenant.

OUTLINE (with references):

1. Fear Meets God’s Promise (Genesis 15:1-2): Abraham’s fears—reprisal and no heir—are met by God’s protection and provision.

2. Who God Is in the Journey (Genesis 15:1, 5): Present, protector, provider, sovereign, life-giver—all shaping trust.

3. Faith Receives God’s Promise (Genesis 15:6): Abraham believed, and it was credited as righteousness.

SERMON

Review from Genesis 12:1-3:

  1. God Is the Initiator of Redemption

  2. God Calls His People to Trust Him Before They Understand Him

  3. God’s Blessing Is Never Merely Personal—It Is Missional

  4. God Promises to  Anchor His People in Uncertain Times & Places

  5. God’s People Respond with Obedience, Worship, and Witness

1. Fear Meets God’s Promise (Genesis 15:1-2): Abraham’s fears—reprisal and no heir—are met by God’s protection and provision.

2. Who God Is in the Journey (Genesis 15:1, 5): Present, protector, provider, sovereign, life-giver—all shaping trust.

The stars in the sky in Uganda. (Show Chris' pic)

"On a clear night, at most 5,000 individual stars can be seen with the naked eye, as well as objects like the fuzzy outline of the Andromeda Galaxy, with its estimated 100 billion stars, 2.5 million light years away!" -Lennox, p. 113

"ACCORDING TO THE WRITERS of Hebrews and the Genesis record, the link between faith and righteousness was not a New Testament invention, nor was it even a patriarchal innovation. Instead, the dynamic connection between faith and righteousness is rooted in primeval history well before the flood. The lives of three famous pre-diluvians-Abel, Enoch, and Noah— make this very clear.

Of Abel we read, "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks" (Hebrews 11:4). Faith-righteousness was exemplified in earth's first family by the second son of Adam and Eve.

Of Enoch Genesis says, "Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him" (5:24). The metaphor "walked" indicates closest communion and intimacy—a righteous life. Enoch's godly walk grew out of his faith, as Hebrews makes so clear: "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God" (11:5). According to verse 6, his God-pleasing faith believed that "God is" (literal translation of the Greek)-that the sovereign God of creation is God. He also believed that God "rewards those who seek him"-that God is positively equitable.

As a result, Jude 14, 15 records that he became a preacher of righteousness, apparently for his entire life, for some three centuries! Enoch's life demonstrated a righteousness based on faith.

Of Noah Genesis says, "Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God" (6:9). That Noah "walked with God" identifies him with the godly character of Enoch. But even more significant, the statement that "Noah was a righteous man" is the first occurrence of the word righteous tsadiq) in the Bible. Noah's righteousness was not derived from his being perfect or any antecedent righteousness, but because he believed God, as the writer of Hebrews explains: "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household" (11:7). The biblical doctrine of imputed righteousness (a righteousness from God) began here in primeval history before the flood!" -Hughes, pp. 221-222

3. Faith Receives God’s Promise (Genesis 15:6): Abraham believed, and it was credited as righteousness.

Cross-References for Genesis 15:6 - Faith credited as righteousness. #core

• Romans 4:3-5, 20-22 - Faith credited as righteousness. #standing #position

• Galatians 3:6-9, 14 - Faith connects us to the promise. #family #mission #nations

• James 2:21-23 - Faith is active, not passive. #living #practical #behaviors

Bottom Line: When we trust God’s promise, our journey is secure—He makes us right with Him and leads us step by step.

So How Does God’s Promise Shape Our Faith Journey?

He brings security, confidence and peace because of who he is and what he does as our personally present provider and protector.

More application:

First, when you face fear—whether fear of the future or uncertainty—remind yourself that God is both your protector and provider. Concretely, when you face a major decision, begin by praying for His presence in it.

Second, trust in God’s promise of righteousness—when you feel inadequate or guilty, recall that your standing is secure by faith. For example, when you fail, don’t retreat—confess and continue walking with Him.

Third, active faith leads to action—like Abraham, step forward in obedience. If God’s promise is sure, what step of obedience is He calling you to right now?

Fourth, when considering your connection to God’s larger promise (like in Galatians 3), remember that your faith ties you to a bigger family of faith. Practically, live out that community—extend grace and include others in your faith journey.

Finally, as James 2 emphasizes, ask yourself: How is my faith visible in action this week? Identify one tangible act of service or obedience you’ll do in response to trusting Him.

CONCLUSION

Bottom Line: When we trust God’s promise, our journey is secure—He makes us right with Him and leads us step by step.

“The Shield You Carry vs. The Shield You Trust”

You could return to Genesis 15:1:

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield…”

In ancient warfare, a shield only works if you trust it enough to stand behind it.

If a soldier:

• Keeps peeking out

• Keeps lowering the shield

• Keeps running forward in panic

The shield cannot protect him.

The issue is not whether the shield works.

The issue is whether he will stand behind it.

Abram’s fear was real:

• Eastern kings

• No heir

• An aging body

God doesn’t say:

“Be brave.”

He says:

“I am your shield.”

And Abram stands behind that promise.

Romans 4 says he was fully persuaded.

Galatians 3 says we now stand in that same promise.

James 2 says if you really trust the shield, you’ll fight differently.

So the question becomes:

Are you standing behind the Shield?

Or are you trying to carry your own?

That lands the plane cleanly on:

• God as protector

• God as provider

• Faith that rests

• Faith that acts

INVITATION

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

"As Von Rad has said, "But above all, his righteousness is not the result of any accomplishments, whether of sacrifice or acts of obedience.

Rather, it is stated programmatically that belief alone has brought Abraham into a proper relationship to God."

This understanding is revolutionary! Circa 2000 B.C., Abram was declared righteous because of his belief. This declaration was in profound accord with the primeval fathers Abel, Enoch, and Noah. Furthermore, the principle has remained operative through both primeval and patriarchal history and the entire old-covenant era and is the foundation of the new covenant." -Hughes, p. 225

"It has always been the same-in primeval times and patriarchal times. under the old covenant and the new covenant: Faith brings righteousness

and salvation.

So it was for Abel: "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain" (Hebrews 11:4). Abel was saved by faith, a faith that was not alone because it produced better works than Cain.

So it was for Enoch: "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death" (Hebrews 11:5). But Enoch's faith was such that he "walked with God" (Genesis 5:22) before he was no more. His faith was a real faith a faith that worked.

So it was for Noah: "By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith" (Hebrews 11:7). Noah's profound faith produced a profound obedience. And his works were monumental: "He did all that God commanded him" (Genesis 6:22; cf. 7:5, 9, 16). His was a faith that worked.

So it was with Abram: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8). "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac" (v. 17a.). Abraham was saved by faith alone-a faith that was not alone faith that works!

We conclude this study with two penetrating questions. Have you rested your faith on God the Son, Jesus Christ, alone for your salvation? That is the first question. Are you trusting your works or Christ? Now if you answer, I am trusting Christ alone," then the second question is, has your faith produced works? Is your faith real enough that it has changed your life? These are salutary questions because you are saved by faith alone. But if it is true faith, it is faith that is not alone but a faith that works." -Hughes, p. 218

"When someone is called 'a person of faith' it usually means that they are adherents of a particular religious tradition. It does not normally refer to the obvious yet frequently overlooked fact that everyone exercises faith every day in a myriad different ways - just think what would happen if people did not place their faith/trust in maps, traffic lights, electric appliances, or doctors, surgeons, pilots, lawyers and so on. In that important sense, everyone is a person of faith. Faith, as such, is not a religious concept." -Lennox, p. 117

Below is:

1. A refined opening (pastoral tone)

2. A clean covenant pivot

3. A governing Big Idea

4. A simple sermon skeleton that keeps the focus where it belongs

🔹 Big Idea for Genesis 15

Here is a clear, governing sentence you can build the entire sermon around:

Because God alone guarantees His covenant promises, we can trust Him completely — even when fulfillment seems impossible.

Or slightly shorter:

When God makes a promise, He stakes His own reputation on keeping it.

That fits your series theme beautifully.

⸻

🔹 Sermon Skeleton (Text-Driven)

Genesis 15 naturally unfolds in four movements:

1️⃣ God Reassures a Fearful Abram (15:1)

“Do not be afraid… I am your shield.”

• God gives Himself before He gives land.

• The first promise in the chapter is protection, not territory.

• Application: The promise of God’s presence precedes the promise of provision.

⸻

2️⃣ God Counts Abram’s Faith as Righteousness (15:2–6)

Abram asks honest questions.

God responds with stars.

Abram believes.

God credits righteousness.

• This is the theological heart of the chapter.

• Paul builds justification by faith on this verse (Romans 4, Galatians 3).

The land promise sits inside a gospel promise.

⸻

3️⃣ God Formalizes the Covenant (15:7–17)

• Animals cut in two.

• Normally both parties walk through.

• Only the smoking firepot and blazing torch (symbolizing God) pass between the pieces.

Meaning:

“If this covenant fails, may I be torn apart.”

Abram contributes nothing to the covenant’s guarantee.

This is grace before Sinai.

⸻

4️⃣ God Defines the Land (15:18–21)

Yes — boundaries are named.

Yes — geography matters.

But notice the order:

Faith → Righteousness → Covenant → Land.

The land is downstream of relationship.

The promise of place flows out of the promise of belonging.

⸻

🔹 Pastoral Landing for GCF

Given your church’s mission —

“To love God and love people by making disciples of Jesus Christ…” —

Genesis 15 reminds us:

We are not sustained by what we secure.

We are sustained by what God guarantees.

Abram does not conquer land in this chapter.

He trusts a promise.

And every disciple-making movement begins the same way:

Not with control.

Not with strategy.

But with confidence in a covenant-keeping God.

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?

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Here’s the revised YouTube description, with the preacher and links cleanly integrated and placed where viewers expect them:

Series: God’s Promises, Our Journey

Message Title: What Are the Key Ingredients to the Life God Calls Us to Live?

Scripture: Genesis 14:1–24 (NIV); Hebrews 7

Preacher: Darien Gabriel

What does it look like to live the life God calls us to live—especially when we’re surrounded by temptation, fear, and competing allegiances?

In Genesis 14, Abram steps into the first recorded battle in Scripture to rescue his nephew Lot. But the real battle isn’t fought with swords—it’s fought in the heart. Upon returning victorious, Abram is met by two kings and faced with two radically different offers. One tempts him with visible reward and fleeting gain. The other blesses him in the name of El Elyon—God Most High.

This mysterious priest-king, Melchizedek, brings bread and wine, speaks blessing, and points Abram back to the promises of God. Hebrews 7 later reveals that Melchizedek is not just a historical figure—but a powerful signpost pointing forward to Jesus Christ, our eternal King and Priest.

In this message, we explore:

  • Why resting in what God has said is essential to faithful living

  • How righteousness, peace, and blessing flow from wholehearted allegiance to God

  • The contrast between living by sight (Lot) and living by faith (Abram)

  • Why Jesus is the better Melchizedek—our ultimate rescuer and eternal intercessor

Bottom Line:

When we rest in what God has said, we walk in His key ingredients—righteousness, peace, and blessing—so that we might be a blessing to the nations, just as He created us to be.

If you’re feeling torn between what you can see and what God has promised, this message invites you to lift your eyes—and your allegiance—to the King who is also our Priest.

🔗 Learn more about the preacher:

Darien Gabriel — https://dariengabriel.com

⛪ Grace Christian Fellowship:

https://gracetoday.net

📖 Scripture References: Genesis 14; Hebrews 7

🙏 Prayer Focus: Growing to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in Him and leading others to do the same

If this message encouraged you, consider liking, sharing, or subscribing to help others follow the journey of God’s promises together.

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipGrace Christian Fellowship, Ladson, SC, Darien Gabriel, bible-believing church, non-denominational church, God's Promises, Our Journey, Genesis 15, Abraham, Abram, Sarai
What are the Key Ingredients to the Life God Calls Us to Live? | Genesis 14:1-24
What are the Key Ingredients to the Life God Calls Us to Live? | Genesis 14:1-24

Series: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "What are the key ingredients to the life God calls us to live?"

Scripture: Genesis 14:1-24 NIV

Hebrews 7

Bottom line: When we rest in what God said, we walk in his key ingredients of righteousness, peace & blessing that we might be a blessing to the nations as he created us to be.

God reveals himself as our rescuing King and eternal Priest and calls us to wholehearted allegiance.

  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

Free the Hostages

"ON JUNE 27, 1976, armed operatives for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) surprised the twelve crew members of an Air France jetliner and its ninety-one passengers, hijacking it to a destination unknown.

The plane was tracked heading for Central Africa, where indeed it did land under the congenial auspices of then Ugandan President Idi Amin. And there it remained apparently secure at Entebbe Airport, where the hijackers spent the next seven days preparing for their next move. The hijackers were by all estimations in the driver's seat.

However, 2,500 miles away in Tel Aviv three Israeli C-130 Hercules transports were secretly boarded by a deadly force of Israeli commandos who within hours attacked Entebbe under cover of darkness. In less than sixty minutes the commandos rushed the old terminal, gunned down the hijackers, and rescued 110 of the 113 hostages. A few days later, July 4, Israel's Premier Yitzhak Rabin triumphantly declared the mission "will become a legend"—which it surely has.' Israel's resolve and stealth in liberating her people is admired by her friends and begrudged by her enemies.

Actually, Israel's resolve is nothing new because the same quality can be traced all the way back to the very beginning of the Hebrew nation in the prowess of their father Abraham. The kidnappers in his day (the Middle Bronze Age) were an international coalition of four eastern kings headed by King Chedorlaomer who attacked the Transjordan, defeating the city states of Sodom and her neighbors, carrying off a large number of hostages That included Abram's nephew Lot." -Hughes, p. 213

CONTEXT

We've gone from Promises of blessings to failure to rest in those promises to returning to the original promise keeper through repentance and faith.

Abram went down to Egypt but returned to between "House of Bread" and "Ruin". It is here he and Lot part ways. He watches Lot choose what he thinks is best for him and yet outside of God's promised land. No doubt he knows this. He just doesn't believe it or realize it.

Genesis 13 contrasts Abram’s faith-shaped restraint with Lot’s sight-driven ambition—and places both under the canopy of God’s covenant faithfulness.

In Genesis 14 we see the first recorded battle in scripture. We meet Melchizedek, and we see Abram draw encouragement from Melchizedek and rest in what God has said.

There's a powerful lesson for us here.

SERMON

Review from Genesis 12:1-3:

  1. God Is the Initiator of Redemption

  2. God Calls His People to Trust Him Before They Understand Him

  3. God’s Blessing Is Never Merely Personal—It Is Missional

  4. God Promises to  Anchor His People in Uncertain Times & Places

  5. God’s People Respond with Obedience, Worship, and Witness

Bottom line: When we rest in what God said, we walk in his key ingredients of righteousness, peace & blessing that we might be a blessing to the nations as he created us to be.

Outline (help from Outline Bible):

I. THE COURAGE OF ABRAM (14:1-16)

A. The villains (14:1-11)

  1. The rebellion (14:1-4): Five Canaanite city-states rebel against Kedorlaomer of Elam.

  2. The retaliation (14:5-11): Kedorlaomer and his allies defeat the armies of the five city-states, plunder their cities, and carry many people away as slaves.

B. The victim (14:12): Lot, now living in Sodom, is taken away as a slave.

C. The victory (14:13-16)

  1. Abram's army (14:13-14): Upon learning of Lot's capture, Abram and his 318 trained servants ride out to rescue Lot.

  2. Abram's attack (14:15): Abram divides his men and initiates a surprise attack at night.

  3. Abram's achievements (14:16): Kedorlaomer is defeated, and Lot is rescued.

II. THE COMMUNION OF ABRAM (14:17-24)

A. The godly and priestly king of Salem (14:17-20): As he is returning from battle to his home in Hebron, Abram meets Melchize-dek, who blesses him. Abram offers him a tenth of all the goods he has recovered from Kedorlaomer.

B. The godless and perverted king of Sodom (14:21-24): In stark contrast, Abram refuses to have any fellowship with Bera, king of wicked Sodom.

My notes on Gen 14:

This sermon is sort of a part 2 to last week.

Abram rescues Lot and co.--people, possessions and all. And he's met by two kings upon his return: Melchizedek and the King of Sodom. (Name?)

Sodom's king can only see that his losses are back and he can get back at least some of them, thanks to Abram, who rightly deserves the spoils of war. He is consumed by what he can see. So he asks for some of it back, though he deserves none of it.

Melchizedek, however, is a mystery. He is there for Abram at a moment when he's tempted to also get seduced by what he can see. But he finds in Mel a kindred spirit of sorts. Actually, he finds a type of Christ.

This type of Christ behaves very much like Christ. He blesses Abram in the name of El Elyon and praises El Elyon for what he did. He honors the greater even as he blesses the lessor. He also blesses Abram and his men with bread and wine. Could this be a whisper to a future Last Supper?

Lot, fresh off his rescue, could easily be taking all of this in. He's no doubt glad to be alive. He is thinking of all his losses. He believes that Abram will restore his fortunes. He's focused on what he lost...what he could see and some of it he can still see. We know this because he follows the king of Sodom back to the city. He doesn't rest in what God has said. He's now further from that than he's ever been.

Abram, inspired by another person who knows El Elyon, rests in the promises of God and eludes the temptation to dwell on what he can see. He tithes 10% of it to Mel, tells Sodom to give his allies their portion for helping, and surrenders the rest back to Sodom, with the possible invitation for any of the rescued people to join him in his growing clan. It appears none take him up on it.

We're back to the contrast between Abram and Lot; a promise of God and a pile of possessions. Abram chooses well, helped by a mysterious king of righteousness, king of peace and priest of a different priesthood.

This mysterious priest shows up right when Abram needs him. He leads with generous gifts followed by blessings to Abram and adoration to El Elyon.

This is where we are as well. But we don't have a type of Christ showing up to help us right when we need him. We have Christ himself. And he showed up on a Roman cross and shows up for us every day at the right hand of the Father interceding for us in our need.

So the next time you're tempted, like I have been for over a week, to feel sorry for yourself, remember that it only would have been worse if he'd not been praying for you.

Chat GPT notes:

  1. Abram rescues Lot. (Temp salvation)

  2. Abram meets a Priest-King. (Melchizedek appears)

  3. Abram worships through giving. (Recognizes divine favor and responds)

  4. Abram refuses King of Sodom. (Allegiance clarified)

  5. Jesus is the better Melchizedek:

    1. Ultimate rescue

    2. Eternal priesthood

    3. Calls for total allegiance

Closing illustration

How many of you heard/saw last week's message?

I've never gotten so much positive feedback on a message in my life. It's just like God to take someone battling the temptation to have his own pity party to do something like that. God is faithful.

What's sad is that there were people online and on-site who heard the message last week and yet didn't get a thing out of it. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

How can that be? Life-changine for one--Apathetic sigh for the other.

Who's that on?

Abram and Lot were a part of the same war and rescue. But one of them turned away from what God said and went back to the wicked city that was defeated just days before. Like a dog returning to his vomit.

The other turned towards the God of promise: El Elyon. The God Most High. No, not high on a joint--high on his holy hill; holy throne; in his holy temple.

What about you?

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: When we rest in what God said, we walk in his key ingredients of righteousness, peace & blessing that we might be a blessing to the nations as he created us to be.

"Abram rescued Lot from four kings.

Jesus rescues us from sin and death.

Abram met a priest who blessed him.

We have a Priest who intercedes forever.

Abram gave a tenth.

We give our whole lives.

Abram refused Sodom’s reward.

We refuse a kingdom that is passing away.

Because our King is also our Priest." -ChatGPT

INVITATION

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

This is an important theological distinction—especially as you preach through Genesis and encounter figures like Melchizedek in Genesis 14.

Let me define the categories carefully and then contrast them.

1️⃣ What Is a

Type of Christ?

A type (Greek: typos) is a historical person, event, or institution intentionally designed by God to foreshadow Christ.

It is:

  • Real history

  • Symbolically patterned

  • Forward-pointing

  • Incomplete without Christ

The type is not Jesus Himself.

It is a divinely embedded preview.

Key Characteristics of a Type

  • Historical reality

  • Escalation or fulfillment in Christ

  • Often clarified by later Scripture

  • Analogical, not identical

Biblical Examples

Adam

Paul explicitly calls Adam a “type” of Christ (Romans 5:14).

Adam = representative head → Christ = greater representative head.

Melchizedek

Hebrews 7 presents Melchizedek as a type:

  • King of righteousness

  • King of peace

  • Priest of God Most High

  • Without recorded genealogy

But Hebrews never says Melchizedek was Christ — he was “made like” the Son of God (Heb 7:3).

Joseph

Rejected brother → exalted savior → forgives those who wronged him.

A clear Christ-pattern.

Definition:

A type of Christ is a God-ordained historical shadow that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus.

2️⃣ What Is a

Pre-Incarnate Christ (Christophany)?

A Christophany is an actual appearance of the Son of God before the incarnation.

It is:

  • A real manifestation

  • Personal and divine

  • Not symbolic

  • The second Person of the Trinity appearing visibly

This is not foreshadowing — this is presence.

Classic Christophany Texts

Angel of the LORD

In several passages:

  • Speaks as God

  • Receives worship

  • Forgives sin

  • Identifies Himself as Yahweh

Examples:

  • Genesis 16 (Hagar)

  • Genesis 22 (Abraham and Isaac)

  • Exodus 3 (burning bush)

  • Judges 13 (Manoah)

Many evangelical theologians conclude this is the pre-incarnate Son.

The “Commander of the Lord’s Army” (Joshua 5)

Accepts worship. Identifies ground as holy.

Definition:

A Christophany is a real, pre-incarnate appearance of the eternal Son of God.

3️⃣ The Core Differences

Type of Christ

Christophany

Symbolic foreshadowing

Actual divine appearance

Human or event

Divine manifestation

Points forward to Christ

Is Christ

Incomplete

Fully divine presence

Analogical resemblance

Ontological identity

4️⃣ The Melchizedek Question (Critical for Your Genesis 14 Preaching)

Some argue Melchizedek was a Christophany.

But Hebrews 7 does not say he was the Son of God — it says:

“He is made like the Son of God.”

That language supports typology, not incarnation.

Hebrews is arguing:

  • Jesus is not in the order of Aaron.

  • He is in the order of Melchizedek.

  • Melchizedek prefigures Christ’s eternal priesthood.

If Melchizedek were literally Christ, the argument collapses.

You can’t be “in the order of” yourself.

So for Genesis 14:

  • Melchizedek is best understood as a type.

  • The Angel of the LORD passages are stronger candidates for Christophany.

OUTLINES

SECTION OUTLINE SEVEN (HEBREWS 7) The author identifies and equates the priesthood of Jesus with that of Melchizedek. I. A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE (7:1-3) A. The person of Melchizedek (7:1 a, 2b-3)

  1. Who he was (7:2b): His name means "king of justice," and he was also the "king of peace."

  2. What he did (7:1a): He was both priest and king over the city of Salem.

  3. Where he came from (7:3): There is no record of either his birth or his death. B. The preeminence of Melchizedek (7:1b-2a)

B. The preeminence of Melchizedek (7:1 b-2a)

  1. The battle (7:2a): Following the defeat of his enemies, Abraham met Melchizedek and paid tithes to him.

  2. The blessing (7:1 b): Melchizedek blessed Abraham.

II. A THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE (7:4-28): The author lists the various characteristics of Jesus, who, according to the Father's decree, is to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek (see Ps. 110:4). Thus, his priesthood would be: A. Royal (as was that of Melchizedek) (see 7:1) B. Superior (7:4-10)

  1. To whom? (7:5-7): To Levi, founder of the levitical priesthood.

  2. Why? (7:4, 8-10)

a. Abraham was the ancestor of Levi (7:9). b. The yet unborn Levi thus tithed to Melchizedek while still in the loins of Abraham (7:4, 8, 10). C. Independent (7:11-15)

  1. Independent of the law (7:11-12).

  2. Independent of the tribe of Levi (7: 13-15): Christ came from the tribe of Judah.

  3. D. Everlasting (7:16-17)

  4. E. Guaranteed (7:20-22): The Father himself took an oath concerning this.

  5. F. Continuous (7:23)

  6. G. Permanent (7:24)

  7. H. Holy (7:26)

  8. I. All-sufficient (7:18-19, 25, 27)

  9. J. Flawless (7:28)

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?

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Here’s the revised YouTube description, with the preacher and links cleanly integrated and placed where viewers expect them:

Series: God’s Promises, Our Journey

Message Title: What Are the Key Ingredients to the Life God Calls Us to Live?

Scripture: Genesis 14:1–24 (NIV); Hebrews 7

Preacher: Darien Gabriel

What does it look like to live the life God calls us to live—especially when we’re surrounded by temptation, fear, and competing allegiances?

In Genesis 14, Abram steps into the first recorded battle in Scripture to rescue his nephew Lot. But the real battle isn’t fought with swords—it’s fought in the heart. Upon returning victorious, Abram is met by two kings and faced with two radically different offers. One tempts him with visible reward and fleeting gain. The other blesses him in the name of El Elyon—God Most High.

This mysterious priest-king, Melchizedek, brings bread and wine, speaks blessing, and points Abram back to the promises of God. Hebrews 7 later reveals that Melchizedek is not just a historical figure—but a powerful signpost pointing forward to Jesus Christ, our eternal King and Priest.

In this message, we explore:

  • Why resting in what God has said is essential to faithful living

  • How righteousness, peace, and blessing flow from wholehearted allegiance to God

  • The contrast between living by sight (Lot) and living by faith (Abram)

  • Why Jesus is the better Melchizedek—our ultimate rescuer and eternal intercessor

Bottom Line:

When we rest in what God has said, we walk in His key ingredients—righteousness, peace, and blessing—so that we might be a blessing to the nations, just as He created us to be.

If you’re feeling torn between what you can see and what God has promised, this message invites you to lift your eyes—and your allegiance—to the King who is also our Priest.

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, God's Promises, Our Journey, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, bible-believing church, non-denominational church, Genesis, 29456
What Happens When We Rest in God's Unshakable Promises? | Genesis 13:1-18
What Happens When We Rest in God's Unshakable Promises? | Genesis 13:1-18

Series: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "What happens when we rest in God's unshakable promises?"

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18 NIV

Matthew 6:33

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

James 3:13-4:10

2 Peter 2:7-8

Bottom line: When God’s people trust His promises, they can release what they see and rest in what He has said. Or

Faith chooses promise over possession.

  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

When I was in high school, I was encouraged by my dad to go to a good college to get a good job. A noble endeavor, as I saw it.

In college I chose an engineering degree that would provide for that vision.

I was focusing on what I could see.

I wasn't focused on what I could not see.

When God called me into the ministry, he called me out of a career of engineering. I'd been practicing civil engineering as a consultant for five years, and had finally found my footing and was beginning to be productive in the eyes of the company. I finally felt like I belonged.

God called me out of that into full-time ministry and I never really questioned the money piece. In other words by God's grace, I was able to look past the money to the Ministry that God was calling me too. I was able to walk by Faith instead of my sight.

In this passage today, Genesis 13 we'll see a contrast between Abram and Lot. Lot will choose based on what he sees. Abram chooses based on the promises of God.

When we trust in God's unshakable promises, we will release what we see, and rest in what he has said instead.

What are some of those promises?

God is able

God hears

God sees

God is with us

God cares

God satisfies

God approves

These are just some of the many promises throughout scripture that you and I have to bank on when we rest in him. Let's look at the life and the contrast of Abram and Lot and see how it plays out in chapter 13.

CONTEXT

We've gone from Promises of blessings to failure to rest in those promises to returning to the original promise keeper through repentance and faith.

Abram went down to Egypt but returned to between "House of Bread" and "Ruin". It is here he and Lot part ways. He watches Lot choose what he thinks is best for him and yet outside of God's promised land. No doubt he knows this. He just doesn't believe it or realize it.

Genesis 13 contrasts Abram’s faith-shaped restraint with Lot’s sight-driven ambition—and places both under the canopy of God’s covenant faithfulness.

SERMON

Review from Genesis 12:1-3:

  1. God Is the Initiator of Redemption

  2. God Calls His People to Trust Him Before They Understand Him

  3. God’s Blessing Is Never Merely Personal—It Is Missional

  4. God Promises to  Anchor His People in Uncertain Times & Places

  5. God’s People Respond with Obedience, Worship, and Witness

My notes on Gen 13:

God is.../God does...

  • Merciful / forgives, restores

  • West, spiritually (10) / Draws his people west, spiritually (10)

  • Holy, just judge (10) / judges righteously (10)

  • Permissive / allowed us to make mistakes and even sin

  • Faithful (14-17) / kept his promise (14-17)

  • Omnipotent (14-17) / able to deliver on his promise (14-17)

  • Worthy of our worship (18) / Receives our worship w/ pleasure when by grace through faith (18)

People are.../People do...

  • Can be faithful, humble (3-4) / repent, return to the Lord (3-4); call on the name of the Lord (4)

  • Tempted by riches (5, 10-11) / Pursue riches over God and end up in dark places (5, 10-11)

  • Divided, greedy (6-7) / Quarrelsom (6-7)

  • A witness to the world (7b) / A good or poor witness (7b)

  • Gracious; magnanimous (8-9) / yield to the underserving (8-9)

  • Brothers & sisters of humanity & sometimes in Christ (8) / Care about each other (8) or not

  • Lost; citizens of this world; born sinners (10-13) / Pursue the things of this world (10-13)

  • Faithful (at times), blessed (14-17) / Obedient, humble, grateful, faithful, believing (14-17)

  • Content for, yearn for God's presence (18) / Seek, pursue, rest in the Lord (18)

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: When God’s people trust His promises, they can release what they see and rest in what He has said.

"Fellow believers (Abram's spiritual seed), when we truly believe the promises that are ours in Christ, when we truly understand and believe that we are seated right now in him in the heavenly places, when we understand that all things are ours in Christ, we will cease our grasping. As Alexander Maclaren put it:

The less of our energies are consumed in asserting ourselves, and scrambling for our rights, and cutting in before other people, so as to get the best places for ourselves, the more we shall have to spare for better things; and the more we live in the future, and leave God to order our ways, the more shall our souls be wrapped in perfect peace.'" -Hughes, pp. 200-201

INVITATION

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

The Apostle Paul talks about 3 kinds of people in the world somewhere in 1 Corinthians I think. Lost people, carnal Christians, and spiritual Christians. I think I read this in a Warren Wiersbe commentary pointing to Lot as a carnal Christian when considering 2 Peter 2:7-8. Does Paul say this?

Short answer by ChatGPT:

Yes, Paul does describe three kinds of people in 1 Corinthians 2–3 — but he does not present them as three permanent classes of Christians.

He contrasts unbelievers with two conditions of believers.

That distinction matters.

Where Paul says this

1 Corinthians 2:14–3:3 (flow of thought)

Paul uses three Greek adjectives:

  1. ψυχικός (psychikos) — natural / unspiritual

  2. πνευματικός (pneumatikos) — spiritual

  3. σάρκινος / σαρκικός (sarkinos / sarkikos) — fleshly / carnal

These form the three categories you’re remembering.

The Three Types Explained

1. Natural person — unbeliever (2:14)

This person:

  • does not receive the things of the Spirit

  • considers them foolish

  • lacks spiritual discernment

This is clearly outside Christ.

Paul is describing someone without the Spirit.

So this one is not debated.

2. Spiritual person — mature believer (2:15–16)

This person:

  • discerns spiritual realities

  • has “the mind of Christ”

  • is walking under the Spirit’s influence

This is what we might call:

  • mature

  • Spirit-led

  • growing

  • responsive to God

This is Paul’s goal for every believer.

3. Fleshly / carnal believer — immature believer (3:1–3)

This is the key text:

Paul says to the Corinthians (paraphrasing):

I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ… you are still fleshly… there is jealousy and strife among you.

Notice carefully:

He still calls them “in Christ.”

So they are:

  • saved

  • but immature

  • behaving like unbelievers

  • dominated by worldly patterns

This is not a third ontological class — it’s stunted growth.

So what is Paul actually teaching?

Here’s the most accurate way to state it:

Not:

❌ Three fixed types of people

But:

✅ Two groups (unbelievers vs believers), with believers living in two possible conditions (spiritual or fleshly)

In other words:

Category

Spiritual Status

Condition

Natural

Unregenerate

Cannot understand

Carnal

Regenerate

Immature / worldly

Spiritual

Regenerate

Mature / Spirit-led

Where Wiersbe and others get “three kinds of people”

Teachers like Warren W. Wiersbe simplify Paul’s language pedagogically.

It’s a teaching framework, not Paul’s formal taxonomy.

Helpful for preaching.

But not meant as rigid categories.

Your Lot connection (2 Peter 2:7–8)

This is actually a good biblical illustration.

Peter calls Lot:

  • “righteous”

  • yet compromised

  • distressed

  • living foolishly in Sodom

So:

  • justified positionally

  • but practically worldly

That fits the carnal/immature believer concept very well.

So Wiersbe’s use of Lot is pastorally reasonable.

Theologically important clarification

Some traditions mistakenly build a doctrine like:

“There are three kinds of Christians: saved, carnal, and spiritual.”

Paul does not teach that.

His point is corrective:

“You should be spiritual by now — but you’re acting fleshly.”

It’s rebuke, not classification.

He expects growth.

Bottom line

Yes — Paul does describe:

  • natural people

  • fleshly believers

  • spiritual believers

But he is describing spiritual maturity levels, not permanent types.

The “carnal Christian” is:

not a category to settle into

but a condition to repent from.

If you want, we can next:

  • look at the Greek terms more closely

  • compare with Romans 8 (flesh vs Spirit)

  • or explore whether “carnal Christian” is the best phrase theologically (some scholars push back on that wording)

  • or build a teaching/diagram you could use in a sermon or class

Where would you like to go deeper?

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

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

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

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

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

"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

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

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, 29456, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, bible-believing church, non-denominational church, Genesis, God's Promises, Our Journey, rest
Where Do You Go When You Fail God? | Genesis 12:10-13:4
Where Do You Go When You Fail God? | Genesis 12:10-13:4

Series: God's Promises, Our Journey

Title: "Where do you go when you fail God?"

Scripture: Genesis 12:10-13:04 NIV

James 1:2-6

Bottom line: When we fail God, we return to the place where we left his presence and start again.

  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

Many of you know that last week we were online only due to the snow and hazardous roads. I was super encouraged by the number of people who tuned in as well.

However, the most common feedback I got was interesting. Apparently, it looked like I was reading from the back of my Bible. But I was reading Genesis which is in the front of our Bibles. So, just to set the record straight, I was reading from the front of my Bible while my iPhone live-streamed the mirror-version of me reading. Some of you figured that out by looking at my rings or some other thing. I thought that was funny:-).

So "Hero to zero" is a term that athletes sometimes use to describe when a player follows an amazing play with a boneheaded play. I see this in Ultimate Frisbee a lot. (And have done it too)

You make an amazing, diving catch. The sidelines erupt with sounds of awe and groans of opposition. Then the player jumps up and instead of dropping it to the open handler poised to throw a scoring strike, they act on their inflated confidence and make a poor throw that ends up in the other teams hands. Hero to zero.

The psychological term is overconfidence effect.

I don't know if Abram is dealing with that but he definitely goes from a very high confidence in God to a very high confidence in himself.

Let's read this together now.

Shorter-

God initiates redemption, calls us to trust Him without all the details, blesses us for the sake of the world, anchors us with His promises, and forms a people who respond with obedience, worship, and witness.

Longer-

God is the One who initiates redemption. He calls people before they understand all the details, inviting them to trust His voice and follow His lead. God’s blessing is never merely personal—it is always meant to flow outward for the sake of others and ultimately for the nations. Along the way, God anchors His people in uncertain places with unshakable promises. And when God calls, His people respond—not perfectly, but faithfully—through obedience, worship, and public witness as they walk with Him step by step.

CONTEXT

**Genesis 12 marks a decisive turning point in the biblical story, as God initiates His redemptive plan through one man and one family, promising land, descendants, and blessing that will ultimately extend to all nations. God’s promises are spoken clearly and graciously at the outset, calling Abram to leave what is familiar and trust God with an unknown future. Abram responds in faith, worship, and obedience, yet the chapter quickly reveals that walking in God’s promises does not mean a flawless journey. Famine, fear, and failure follow obedience, exposing Abram’s weakness and need for grace. Throughout the chapter, God remains faithful to protect His promise, preserve Sarai, and continue His purposes despite Abram’s missteps. Genesis 12 therefore holds together both realities of our series, God’s Promises, Our Journey: God’s promises are unshakable, while the journey of faith is marked by growth, testing, and restoration rather than perfection.

SERMON (influenced by W Wiersbe, Kent Hughes, and Bethancourt)

Review last week:

  1. God Is the Initiator of Redemption

  2. God Calls His People to Trust Him Before They Understand Him

  3. God’s Blessing Is Never Merely Personal—It Is Missional

  4. God Promises to  Anchor His People in Uncertain Times & Places

  5. God’s People Respond with Obedience, Worship, and Witness

Truth 1: Tests often follow triumphs.

  • Moses gets Israel delivered from Pharaoh after the 10th plague followed by Pharaoh abusing the entire arm after them and trapping them against the Red Sea.

  • God brought them through the Red Sea only to test them with no water in the desert. Then no bread. Then no meat.

God's tests often come after triumph when we're tempted to think the victory was because of us--not God. We quickly forget God.

Of course, God doesn't have us face the tests alone. He allows them for our good* and for his glory. God is with us so we don't have to be afraid.

*James 1:1-12

Application: So after a faith victory, expect a trial or test. Humble yourself instead of swelling with pride by thanking God and asking him to not let you forget who made that happen or who the source of that grace and provision is.

Truth 2: Tests tempt us to run.

  • Ex. People travel up and down I-95 from NY to FL asking for $$$ from people and churches because they're running from crisis only to travel back a year later.

  • Ex. People move from one town to another trying to start over as if all their problems will stay behind.

12:10 Instead of staying (or even just asking God), Abram schemes his own plan. A plan with dangers and risks.

We go "down" to Egypt not just topographically (elevation is lower in Egypt) but spiritually, in the Bible. (Abe, Mo, Joe)

We go "up" to Jerusalem (where God lives) not just topographicaly (elevation is high) but spiritually, in the Bible.

Application: When testing occurs, stay put until God tells you to go.

  • Now, I've met with a lot of people who say God told them to go, even though their sitting in front of me in crisis. So this requires great discernment and prayer.

  • Faith moves towards peace and hope.

  • Unbelief moves towards restlessness and fear.

Truth 3: God is great! Therefore, he's in control so I don't have to be; he is able.

  • I am safer in a famine IN HIS WILL that in a palace OUT OF HIS WILL.

  • "The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you." (A saying)

  • Abe failed his test with God. This lead to more problems!

  • "When you enroll into the 'school of faith' you can't just drop out because of failure." -WW

It was the first nine weeks of my freshman year in high school. I'd just moved to Summerville 3 months before. And I just failed the first nine weeks of Alebra 1. I'd never failed any class or nine weeks before. I was scared to go home that day. My parents were concerned by supportive. We worked harder and I finished the year with a C average. I might have felt it was a little unfair since my teachers name was Mr. Phailer. But I digress...

Abram went down to Egypt moving from trust to scheming/grasping.

  • No altars built in Egypt.

  • No calling on the name of the Lord in Egypt.

  • No worship of God in Egypt.

  • When we stop trusting God's word, we start leaning on man's wisdom. -WW

  • Half-truths are used to deceive. In the 10 commandments, it says do not commit false witness. Do not deceive others. Abram did that.

Abram...

  1. Moves from trust to scheming or grasping

  2. Moves from confidence to fear ("I will" to "they will")

  3. Moves from "others" to self

  4. Moves from bringing blessings to bringing judgment

Truth 4: God keeps his promises. God graciously brought him (them) through it all. Mainly because it would have ruined his promise.

God rescued them from Pharaoh and sent them home well-provisioned.

This foreshadowed the fleecing that would occur when Moses led Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea.

Truth 5: Repentance leads to New Beginnings. When you stop trusting God's word and disobey, the only right thing to do is to go back to where you left him and make a new beginning. (1 John 1:9)

  • Abram went back to his tent and altar in the Promised Land; to his life as a sojourner and stranger in this world.

  • What was the big deal?! He came out well-provisioned and safe.

    • It led to other problems with Lot

    • Sarai paid a price

Application: Never abandon your altar. Stay in fellowship with the Lord and his people no matter the crisis. Resist the temptation to run or isolate. Rest in his provision and protection found in his community. This is part of his covenant relationship we made with us. And he is faithful!

CONCLUSION

Bottom line: When we fail God, we return to the place where we left his presence and start again. A new beginning.

God's promises are unshakable. They are for Abraham and they are for us through Jesus Christ.

Will we have times of fear and doubt? Yes.

Will God be there for us no matter what? Yes!

How do we minimize the times of fear and doubt?

We humble ourselves and review God's promises thanking God for them and resting in them. We continue our journey by grace through faith. When we get off track, we return to where we got off track and make another new beginning. We remember these truths and receive his blessings by obeying God's word, worship God himself, and being a blessing in word and deed daily.

INVITATION

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

"Fellow believers (Abram's spiritual seed), when we truly believe the promises that are ours in Christ, when we truly understand and believe that we are seated right now in him in the heavenly places, when we understand that all things are ours in Christ, we will cease our grasping.

As Alexander Maclaren put it:

The less of our energies are consumed in asserting ourselves, and scrambling for our rights, and cutting in before other people, so as to get the best places for ourselves, the more we shall have to spare for better things; and Whereas Abram was living by taith, Lot was living by sight, much as Proram had lived in Egypt."

-Alexander MacLaren, Hughes, pp. 200-201

Illustration from last week:

"I only have eyes for..."

AN EXTRAORDINARY ANECDOTE comes to us from the annals of ancient Mideastern history. As the story goes, Cyrus, the great conqueror of the then known world including Babylon, had a general under his authority whose wife was suspected of treason. She was tried before a great and austere tribunal, found guilty, and sentenced to death. After the sentence was pronounced, the woman’s husband (a general) made his way to Cyrus’s throne and requested, “King Cyrus, please let me take her place.” Cyrus, in awe at what was transpiring before him, said to his court, “Can we terminate a love as great as this?” He then paroled the woman to her husband. As the couple left the court, the general said to his wife, “Did you see the benevolent look in Cyrus’s eyes as he pardoned you?” The wife responded, “I only had eyes for the one who loved me enough that he was willing to die for me.”

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

“Genesis,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in Genesis, by Bethancourt

The Genesis Record, by Henry Morris

The Genesis Factor, by David Helms & Jon Dennis

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

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

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

"Genesis" by Briscoe (TCC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

Willmington’s Bible Handbook, D Willmington (WBH)

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

“The Bible in One Year 2023 with Nicky Gumbel” bible reading plan on YouVersion app (BIOY)

Claude.ai

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian Fellowshipnon-denominational church, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, Bible-believing church, Darien Gabriel, Genesis, God's Promises, Our Journey
Will You Trust God Without Knowing the Details? | Genesis 11:27-12:9
Will You Trust God Without Knowing the Details? | Genesis 11:27-12:9

Will You Trust God Without Knowing the Details?
 Genesis 11:27–12:9
Series: God’s Promises, Our Journey
Sermon by Darien R. Gabriel (https://DarienGabriel.com)

What do you do when God calls—but doesn’t give you all the details?

In Genesis 11:27–12:9, God calls Abram to leave what is familiar and follow Him into an unknown future. There is no map, no timeline, and no explanation—only God’s voice, His promises, and a direction to move. This moment becomes a turning point not only in Abram’s life, but in the story of God’s redemption for the world.

In this message, we explore how God initiates redemption, calls His people to trust Him before they understand everything, and blesses them not merely for themselves but for the sake of the nations. God’s promises anchor us in uncertain places, and true faith responds with obedience, worship, and public witness, even when the journey is unclear.

This sermon launches a series through the life of Abraham called God’s Promises, Our Journey (Genesis 12–25) and invites us to wrestle with a question every follower of Jesus must answer: 

Will you trust God without knowing the details?

Key Themes:

  • Trusting God before clarity comes

  • God’s promises and global mission

  • Faith expressed through obedience, worship, and witness

  • Being blessed to be a blessing

  • Living as channels, not reservoirs, of God’s grace

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipGrace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, Ladson, SC, details, God's Promises, Our Journey, non-denominational church, bible-believing church
What Happens When Jesus Shows Up? Part 2 | John 21:1-25 | Darien Gabriel
What Happens When Jesus Shows Up? Part 2 | John 21:1-25 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: What happens when Jesus shows up? Part 2

Scripture: 📖 John 21:1-25 NIV

Matthew 26:33-35

Preacher: Darien Roger Gabriel

Bottom Line: Jesus shows up to meet us where we are, restore what is broken, and send us where He is going. We love, feed and follow.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. 📖 SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

  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. Amen.

⸻

INTRODUCTION

When did Jesus show up for me?

When I trusted Christ, I was in a Christian concert with my Christian friends who thought (like I did) that I was a Christian. I'd grown up on the church, finished confirmation class, baptized as an infant, active in youth choir, youth group, Sunday school, an acolyte and even handbells. But I didn't know Jesus yet. I knew about him but I didn't know him personally yet.

Jesus showed up for me at the end of that concert when Roger Brailand stood up and shared the simple gospel with everyone in the room.

He shared how Jesus lived a sinless life showing us what it looks like when we walk fully and faithfully with God.

He shared how Jesus died on the cross for my sins so that God could forgive me, if I would just believe and receive his forgiveness.

He challenged me to stand publicly in front of hundreds of people unashamed to call Jesus my savior and lord.

And I did stand up that day.

Since then I've been growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. I've been reading his word, journaling my thoughts and prayers, meeting with other Christians in different kinds of bible groups and studies, and gathering for worship each week. I've been serving people within the walls of the local church and sharing the gospel outside the walls around the corner in my neighborhood and around the world in places like Mexico, Kaz, China, Uganda and Curaçao.

And God has been faithful to grow me into the follower I am today. Far from perfect but becoming the person God created me to be.

He wants this for you too.

And he did show up...for you. 2,000 years ago he showed up, lived, died and rose again...for you and me.

In short:

  • I knew about Jesus, but I didn’t know Jesus.

  • That day, Jesus showed up—not because He had just arrived, but because I finally recognized Him.

  • And that’s how it always works. Jesus shows up first. Recognition comes later.

He's showing up for you right now.

Do you recognize him?

CONTEXT

It's part-way into the 40 days that Jesus reveals his resurrected self to his followers in Israel. He's making appearances to individuals and to groups as large as 500 at one time. He's encouraging, comforting and strengthening his Church--body and bride--and sending them out as his ambassadors to a world starving for the truth that sets us free.

John 21 is not an appendix—it is an epilogue. It shows us what resurrection faith looks like when the excitement fades and ordinary life resumes. That helps listeners understand why fishing matters.

We pick it up on the beach of the Sea of Galilee not far from Capernaum....

SERMON OUTLINE

I. When Jesus showed up for the 7 (21:1-14)

  1. He asked them if they'd caught anything

  2. He suggested they try again after all night of nothing

  3. He miraculously blessed them with a huge catch & revealing who he was to them

  4. He invited them to join him for a meal that he prepared

  5. He kept their net from tearing

  6. He asked them to contribute to the meal from their miraculous catch

  7. He reminded them of their calling to fish for people

II. When Jesus showed up for Peter (21:15-25)

  1. Jesus restored Peter.

    1. 3 questions "Do you love me..."

    2. 3 answers

    3. 3 times "Feed/take care of my lambs/sheep"

  2. Jesus recommissioned Peter.

    1. Sends him like a sheep among wolves; you will suffer in the mission too

    2. "Follow me" into this mission and future

III. When Jesus shows up for you:

  1. He will bring his abiding presence close so that you will be reminded of his presence

    1. His power

    2. His Spirit

    3. His guidance

    4. His provision

    5. His protection

    6. His mission for where you live, work, learn and play

  2. He will bring his calling and command

    1. Fish for people

    2. Follow me

    3. Don't worry about or compare yourself to others; be you--do you

      1. Comparison distracts from obedience.

      2. Curiosity about others delays faithfulness in ourselves.

CONCLUSION

Bottom Line: Jesus shows up to meet us where we are, restore what is broken, and send us where He is going. We love, feed and follow.

So what happens when Jesus shows up?

For me, he opened my eyes to the need to trust and follow Jesus for myself. To graduate from my parents faith into my own faith where I stand unashamed to trust and declare Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

In short:

  • I knew about Jesus, but I didn’t know Jesus.

  • That day, Jesus showed up—not because He had just arrived, but because I finally recognized Him.

  • And that’s how it always works. Jesus shows up first. Recognition comes later.

Do you recognize him at work in your life yet?

If so, respond to his attempt to save you; to restore you to a real, personal relationship with him.

Then go and live sent--like Jesus would if he were in your shoes.

So let me ask you:

Are you paying attention?

Will you recognize Him when He shows up?

What happens when Jesus shows up?

I hope you’ll be ready to tell that story too.

To close the entire Signs & Glory series, let's circle back:

  • In John 1, Jesus says, “Come and see.”

  • In John 20, He says, “Peace be with you…as the Father sent Me, I am sending you.”

  • In John 21, He says, “Follow Me.”

Closing question becomes unavoidable:

  • The question is no longer whether Jesus has shown up.

  • The question is whether we will recognize Him—and follow.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

The 4 G's

God is great. Therefore, we don't have to be in control, for God is able.

God is gracious. Therefore, we don't have to prove ourselves to other people, for God loves us just as we are.

God is good. Therefore, we don't have to find satisfaction anywhere else. For God is more than enough for me.

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?

YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

What Happens When Jesus Shows Up? (John 21)

After the resurrection, Jesus meets His disciples—not in the temple, but on a beach. In this final message from the Signs & Glory series, we explore how the risen Christ restores discouraged disciples, recommissions a broken leader, and calls each of us to follow Him without comparison or fear.

📖 John 21:1–25

👉 Restoration after failure

👉 Belief that leads to mission

👉 Following Jesus in everyday life

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

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

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

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

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

ChatGPT AI

John Foxe, Foxe's Book of Martyrs (FBOM)

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, non-denominational church, bible-believing church, John, Signs and Glory
What Happens When Jesus Shows Up? | John 20: 1-31 | Darien Gabriel
What Happens When Jesus Shows Up? | John 20: 1-31 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: What happens when Jesus shows up?

Scripture: 📖 John 20:1-31 NIV

Preacher: Darien Roger Gabriel

Bottom Line: Peace like Jesus gives can only come from belief in who Jesus is and what he did.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. 📖 SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

  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. Amen.

⸻

INTRODUCTION

In 2003, I accepted an invitation to fly to East Asia to encourage and see the mission work being done by a young man from our church in North Carolina. He was serving with Cru on a college campus in central East Asia. His work was simple—friendship evangelism that led to intentional discipleship over time.

I believed I was supposed to go.

So I bought the plane ticket.

I got my passport in order.

I packed my bags.

I drove to RDU.

All evidence of belief.

The first leg of the trip was from Raleigh to Detroit. That’s where I was supposed to meet up with about fifteen others from all over the country—people going to the same place, for the same reason, led by the same group leader.

But when I arrived in Detroit… there was no group.

No leader.

No gathering crowd.

No familiar faces.

Boarding started.

And suddenly belief met resistance.

  • If I got on the plane and was wrong, I would land alone in East Asia without language, contacts, or a plan.

  • If I didn’t get on the plane and was wrong, I would waste thousands of dollars and miss what I genuinely believed God had called me to do.

I was afraid of going.

But I was also afraid of not going.

So I prayed.

And I got on the plane.

After we were airborne, I asked a flight attendant if anyone else was part of a group headed where I was going. She said yes—the group leader had missed the connection, but another leader was already on the plane.

Relief.

Peace.

Joy.

Looking back, the clearest evidence that I truly believed I was supposed to go wasn’t what I felt—it was what I did.

I got on the plane in Detroit.

And in the middle of that crisis of belief, Jesus showed up—not visibly, but powerfully—through a stewardess with good news of great joy.

So I want to ask the question John 20 presses on every one of us:

What happens when Jesus shows up?

⸻

CONTEXT

It’s Sunday morning.

The third day.

Still early—just after sunrise.

The disciples are not celebrating.

They are grieving.

Several women make their way to the tomb expecting to tend a body…

…but nothing about this morning will go the way they expect.

⸻

Takeaways for today:

  • Peace always precedes mission.

  • When Jesus shows up, grief does not get the final word.

Transition: What happens when, in our moment of need, Jesus shows up? Let’s answer that question by looking at 3 times this happened on the first Resurrection Day:

SERMON

I. Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:1–18)

Mary comes to the tomb while it’s still dark—both literally and emotionally.

The stone is rolled away.

The body is gone.

Her grief deepens into despair. She weeps. She assumes the worst: someone has taken Jesus’ body away. Even when angels speak to her, grief clouds her vision.

Then Jesus speaks one word.

Her name.

“Mary.”

And everything changes.

The risen Christ meets her personally. She recognizes his voice. Recognition leads to belief. She sees more clearly. Belief leads to obedience. Jesus sends her to tell the others what she has seen. She goes.

When Jesus shows up, grief does not get the final word.

⸻

II. Jesus Appears to the Ten Disciples (John 20:19–23)

That evening, the disciples are together—but not in confidence.

The doors are locked.

Fear fills the room.

Then Jesus shows up.

He doesn’t rebuke them.

He doesn’t shame them.

He says, “Peace be with you.”

Twice.

He shows them His wounds—proof that the same Jesus (fully human) who was crucified now stands alive before them. (Fully alive)

Then He breathes on them and gives them the Holy Spirit. (Fully divine) And only after He gives them peace does He give them purpose:

“As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.”

Jesus never sends fearful disciples.

He sends peaceful ones.

Peace always precedes mission.

When Jesus shows up, grief does not get the final word.

⸻

III. Jesus Appears to Doubting Thomas (John 20:24–29)

Thomas isn’t there the first time.

When the others tell him they’ve seen the Lord, he refuses to believe. He wants more than words. He wants proof.

And Jesus does not reject him for that.

A week later, Jesus shows up again. This time, Thomas is there.

Jesus invites him to examine the wounds. To see. To touch.

And Thomas responds with the strongest confession in the entire Gospel:

“My Lord and my God!”

The doubter becomes a worshiper.

But Thomas’s story doesn’t end in John 20.

Church history tells us that Thomas carried the gospel east—into Persia and India—boldly proclaiming the risen Christ. According to early tradition preserved in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Thomas was eventually pierced with spears and killed for his faith.

The man who once doubted died a witness.

The ultimate evidence that Thomas truly believed wasn’t just his confession—it was his faithfulness to the end.

⸻

TRANSITION — John 20:29–31

At this point, John steps forward and tells us exactly why he wrote this Gospel.

Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John recognizes that this is where we enter the story.

  • Some believed because they saw.

  • We believe because of their testimony.

John then tells us that Jesus did many other signs—far more than he recorded. This Gospel is selective, not exhaustive.

And then John gives his purpose statement:

“These are written that you may believe…”

That Jesus is the Christ—Messiah, King, Lord.

That Jesus is the Son of God—fully divine.

And that by believing, you may have life in His name.

Jesus truly lived.

Truly died.

Was buried.

And rose again—bringing abundant and eternal life.

John wants belief to lead to life—Life lived like his was: Sent.

⸻

IV. What Happens When Jesus Shows Up?

We see a clear pattern throughout the chapter.

People move from grief, fear, and doubt…

  • to seeing and believing…

  • to peace and joy…

  • to awe, worship, and a desire to live sent.

Belief in John’s Gospel is never merely intellectual—it is embodied trust.

Peace is not the absence of trouble.

Peace is the presence of the risen Christ.

And Jesus always gives peace before He gives purpose.

⸻

CONCLUSION

So what happens when Jesus shows up?

He replaces grief, fear, and doubt with peace—and a willingness to live sent.

Peace always precedes mission.

When Jesus shows up, grief does not get the final word.

That’s what He did for Mary.

For the disciples.

For Thomas.

That’s what He did for me in Detroit.

And He still does it today.

So let me ask you:

Are you in the middle of a crisis of belief?

Are you carrying grief right now?

Are you living with fear about the future?

Are you struggling with doubt?

Jesus sees you.

Jesus knows.

Jesus cares.

And Jesus is able.

Are you paying attention?

Will you recognize Him when He shows up?

What happens when Jesus shows up?

I hope you’ll be ready to tell that story too.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

The 4 G's

God is great. Therefore, we don't have to be in control, for God is able.

God is gracious. Therefore, we don't have to prove ourselves to other people, for God loves us just as we are.

God is good. Therefore, we don't have to find satisfaction anywhere else. For God is more than enough for me.

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

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

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

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

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

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

ChatGPT AI

John Foxe, Foxe's Book of Martyrs (FBOM)

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, non-denominational church, bible-believing church, John, Signs and Glory, God Shows Up
Why the Cross Matters at Christmas | John 19:1-27 | Darien Gabriel
Why the Cross Matters at Christmas | John 19:1-27 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: Why the cross matters at Christmas

Scripture: 📖 John 19:1-27

Galatians 2:20

John 18:37

Preacher: Darien Roger Gabriel

Bottom Line: "The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. 📖 SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

  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

Hard seasons for us:

Grandparents funeral as a kid.

Break-ups in high school, college.

Divorce of my parents.

Failure at work; crisis of faith in my career choice.

Calling out of engineering into the ministry.

Children.

4 month old daughter in the hospital.

Marriage challenges.

Car accidents.

Death of my father.

Near death of my mother.

Accident Christmas 3 years ago.

To varying degrees, these have all been crises of faith for me. And while it was not always conscious on my part, my faith in Christ carried me through every one of them.

The one that it carried me through most intentionally was my father's death and funeral services. Because I had to process those quickly enough to speak at both funeral services.

Death is a spiritual sucker punch. You know it's coming but you don't know exactly when it's coming or how it will land...until it does.

When you get sucker-punched, what will you turn to? What will help explain the pain and meaning in life?

I believe it was my faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul put it this way:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This is what carried me through some dark days.

It can carry you too...if you let it. If you let HIM.

Let's see how.

CONTEXT

At this point in the life of Jesus, he's looking at the cross full-on. It's the first Good Friday, if you will. He's about to die physically, yes. But he's also about to take on the sins of the world. He's about to take on all of my sin (past, present, future) and your sin. And it will kill him and separate him from fellowship with his Father which he's had for all eternity and will never lose again.

SERMON OUTLINE

““You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.””

‭‭John‬ ‭18‬:‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Bottom Line

“The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

The Heart of the Sermon

Christmas only makes sense when viewed through the cross.

Jesus is not simply born to inspire us—

He is born to give Himself.

In John 19, Jesus is crowned, judged, rejected, and lifted up as King.

Not on a throne—but on a cross.

And that kingship explains everything about Christmas.

Simple Movement of the Text

1. Jesus Is Revealed as King (John 19:1–5)

Mocked, beaten, crowned with thorns—

Yet He stands silent, sovereign, unthreatened.

This is what God’s glory looks like.

2. Jesus Is Rejected by the World (John 19:6–16)

Pilate knows the truth but lacks the courage to live by it.

The crowd chooses Caesar over Christ.

Kingship is denied—but not undone.

3. Jesus Is Declared King for All to See (John 19:17–22)

The sign above the cross tells the truth even when no one wants it to.

God writes His verdict where no one can erase it.

Why This Matters at Christmas

Jesus did not come simply to be admired in a manger.

He came to be given on a cross.

That’s why Galatians 2:20 belongs here:

• Christmas answers who Jesus is

• The cross answers why He came

• Faith answers how we now live

Closing Truth

The question of Christmas is not:

Do you believe Jesus was born?

It is:

Will you live the life He died to give you?

Because the King born at Christmas

is the King who loved you

and gave Himself for you.

CONCLUSION

So why does the cross matter at Christmas? Because it matters all the time--even when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. Especially when we celebrate the Christ child--the one who made it all possible.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Notice the second part of the verse. "The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

That is what carries me through the darkest days.

That is what can carry you through your darkest days.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

In light of John 18:37, this is a Christmas, Good Friday and Easter verse all in one.

As has been said, ‘Observe the postage stamp; its usefulness depends on the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.’

The 4 G's

God is great. Therefore, we don't have to be in control, for God is able.

God is gracious. Therefore, we don't have to prove ourselves to other people, for God loves us just as we are.

God is good. Therefore, we don't have to find satisfaction anywhere else. For God is more than enough for me.

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?

🎥 YouTube Description

Series: Signs & Glory

Sermon Title: Forget the Reason, Misuse the Season

Scripture: 📖 John 18:37

Preacher: Darien Roger Gabriel

Every Christmas we hear the phrase “the reason for the season.”

But what happens when we forget that reason?

In this Christmas Eve message from John 18:37, Jesus tells Pilate plainly why He was born: to testify to the truth. Christmas is not just about receiving a gift—it’s about being reshaped and sent by the gift.

Through a simple but sobering illustration, we’re reminded that good gifts misused can cause real harm. When we forget the purpose of Christmas, we don’t just misunderstand it—we misuse it.

Jesus is the gift God has given the world.

But how does receiving Him change our mission, our lives, and the way we live sent into the world?

Bottom Line: 👉 When we forget the reason, we misuse the season.

This message invites us to move beyond sentimentality and into faithful witness—listening to the voice of the King who was born, crucified, risen, and who now sends His people to live and share the truth.

📖 Scripture Reading

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

— John 18:37 (NIV)

🙏 Opening Prayer

Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in Him and leading others to do the same.

🔔 Subscribe & Share

If this message encouraged or challenged you, consider sharing it—and subscribe for more sermons from the Signs & Glory series through the Gospel of John.

📍 Grace Christian Fellowship

📅 Christmas Eve Message

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

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

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

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

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

ChatGPT AI

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, Darien Gabriel, bible believing church, non-denominational church, Signs & Glory
God Is In the Details | Isaiah 9:6-7 | Ken Dorrity
God Is In the Details | Isaiah 9:6-7 | Ken Dorrity

Prophecies of Jesus in OT - over 300 including:

  • Pre-existence

  • Ancestry

  • Birth

  • Ministry

  • Death

  • Resurrection

  • Exaltation

  • 2nd Coming

As to His Birth:

  • Seed resulting in His birth

  • Virgin birth

  • Time of birth

  • Place of birth

  • Forerunner of His birth

  • Reception of His birth

  • Purpose of His birth

"Dr. A.T Pierson reminds us of three canons by which all prophecy can be tested.

1.      It must be such an unveiling of the future that no mere human foresight or wisdom could have guessed it.

2.      The prediction must deal in sufficient details to exclude shrewd guesswork.

3.      There must be such lapse of time between the prophecy and the fulfillment as precludes the agency of the prophet himself in effecting or affecting the result."

Isaiah 9:6-7

  • Wonderful Counselor 

  • Mighty God

  • Eternal/Everlasting Father

  • Prince of Peace

Read More
Ken DorrityGrace Christian FellowshipKen Dorrity, Ladson, SC, Bible believing church, non-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Isaiah 9, details
Why Does the Humility of Christmas Matter? | Philippians 2:1-11 | Mikey Brannon
Why Does the Humility of Christmas Matter? | Philippians 2:1-11 | Mikey Brannon

Why Does the Humility of Christmas Matter?

Grace Christian Fellowship

Philippians 2:1-11

Introduction:

If you have your Bible I’d ask you to go ahead and turn with me to the book of

Philippians, Chapter 2, as we will look closely at verses 1 through 11. One thing

that I have noticed about the Christmas season is that we tend to get really fancy

around Christmas. We will dress up to go to dinner parties or Church events. We

will make fancy dishes and candies that are reserved for this special time of year.

We will buy elaborate gifts and spends piles of money as we give these gifts to

one another, or to our family, and children. Christmas is a fancy time of year

because we have really made it that way. And maybe that is okay, maybe not, that

is not my point.

I will never forget a company I worked for in college as an intern sent me an

invitation for their annual Christmas party. It was going to be held at the

clubhouse of this extremely exclusive golfing community. Now I was country, and

I was in college and frankly I was broke. But Brooke and I decided that we should

go. It was the kind of place that parks your car for you when you get there whether

you want them to or not. I remember the inside looked like a castle with stone

walls and gas lanterns on the wall. The decorations were elaborate with a giant

Chrismas tree. White table cloths everywhere. And I was walking down the hall

with Brooke and we rounded the corner and standing right there was none other

than US senator Richard Shelby. And I remember I just froze up. He must have

seen that I was star struck so he walks over to shake my hand and say hello and I

will never forget what I said to him... “Nice”. That was it. “Nice”. I was

somewhere between, nice to meet you, but then I second guessed myself and the

whole thing was incredibly award. You see Christmas is fancy, but I’m not really

a fancy person as you can tell from that story. And what I want us to see is that

fancy really shouldn’t be how we describe the true Christmas story at all. A much

2

better word to describe Christmas as we see it in Scripture is humble. And today I

want to show you why that matters.

Now Paul writes this leter to the church at Philippi from a jail cell. His future is

uncertain. The is a living example of the persecution that Christians can expect as

the follow Christ. And it is in that place that he writes this letter.

He realizes he may never see them again, and that they will certainly endure

persecution. And he makes a statement in 1:27 that is really the idea that our text

is pointing to. His is the verse.

[Phl 1:27 ESV] 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ,

so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are

standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the

gospel

His main concern is that this church be found living in a manner that is worth of

the gospel of Christ. Now like many churches they had some challenges. This was

a very diverse church, with people from all sorts of backgrounds. They probably

had some disagreements on theological issues, and secondary matters within the

church as we all do. With all of these difference Paul realizes that they must be a

church that is united in Christ. So Paul urges them to live lives that are worthy of

the Gospel in unity. Now I don’t know about you, but I can certainly look at

myself sometimes, at my failures, at my flaws, and I find that I can’t really say

that is the case. So Paul begins in verse 1 with some encouragement for us. Firstly,

Paul lays out the motivation for unity.

The verse begins with a conjunction “So”. Which points us back to what Paul has

just said in Chapter 1.

[Phl 2:1 ESV] 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from

love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

3

This first motivation is encouragement in Christ. The word to come along side and

help one another. We are called as a body to be encouragers. Then he says comfort

from love.

This love is genuine love that we are called to have. It is a close relationship with

one another. That because we have been loved by God we give that same love to

others.

The third motivation he gives in participation in the Spirit. I think if we dwell on

the reality that as believers we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit it would really

start to effect the way we live. When we look at the OT temple and we see that

now our bodies have replaced that place because now God resides inside of us,

Paul says let this motivate you to have unity. We all share that reality.

And lastly we have affection and sympathy. It can be thought of as compassion.

The Greek word is tide to the word bowels. It’s like caring to the point we can feel

it in our gut. We are called to be compassionate for one another. To care what one

another are going thru. I’m remined when the multitudes were following Jesus,

and Matthew say Jesus looked out over the crowd and had compassion for them.

[Phl 2:2 ESV] 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same

love, being in full accord and of one mind.

And now that we have been motivated to unity with one another Paul gives us

another list for “how to” section. These are the means to unity. First he says we

are to have the “Same mind”. Now we can have the same mind, and if it is the

wrong mind then we are still in trouble. So we look over to Colossians and we see

this

[Col 3:1-2 ESV] 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that

are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on

things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

We are to all together called to have a Kingdom mindset. That is to be our focus.

This means our focus is on sharing the gospel, on missions, on making disciples

primarily. Sure we can do some other stuff along the way, but our primary focus

4

should be on building God’s Heavenly Kingdom. That focus unites us like a

runner that keeps his eye on the finish line.

The next means to unity is to have the same love. The greeks had multiple words

for love and Paul chooses to use agape here. This is a love of will, not of attraction

or preference. We are called to love one another equally. This can certainly be a

challenge because some of us are easier to love than others. But we see that unity

comes when we practice love for all within the church.

And the third means to unity is having on accord and one mind. This is to say that

we have the same purpose. He basically says you are to think on one thing.

[Phl 2:3 ESV] 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility

count others more significant than yourselves.

And fourthly, be humble. In verse three Paul really sets two ideas against each

other that can represent the way we treat one another. First we can be motivated

by selfish ambition or I can be motivated by humility.

Selfishness is a tricky one because I think we all can struggle with it. The reality is

that maybe you have learned to not be selfish on the outside, but inside you can

still struggle with it. We learn how to mask it, but it’s still there.

When you think about the phrase, “love God, and love people”, you can tend to

check those boxes and go, yep I do that. Check! But the real struggle comes when

you consider how well do you do that. In fact we have this example in Scripture.

In Luke 10 we have the parable of the Good Samaritan. And you know that story

where we have this man who was beaten by robbers and left for dead in the road.

And three would be heros come by. The preist ignores him, the Levite ignores

him, but then comes the Samaritan.

Now the key to really understanding this parable comes in answering the question

why did Jesus tell it in the first place? What question was he answering?

5

[Luk 10:25-29 ESV] 25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test,

saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What

is written in the Law? How do you read it?" 27 And he answered, "You shall love

the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your

strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." 28 And he said to

him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live." 29 But he, desiring

to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus could have said like we have in Philippians, count others as more significant

than yourself. It’s the same idea. Now the lawer checks the boxes and he says yep I

do that. Have a nice day. But when Paul says the same thing here to the church I

want to pause and make sure we don’t just check the box.

And this is what the parable is really about. Remember what the Samaritan man

does for this unfortunate random stranger? The text says he doctored his wounds

with oil and wine. He gave him his transportation. He took him to an inn and cared

from him. He left money a substantial amount of money with the innkeeper with

instructions that he would pay any of the man’s bills when he returned.

Whoa! We didn’t expect that! Why on earth would this man be so generous? But

there is the point. Nobody in their right mind would do this for a stranger.

Somebody you don’t even know. In fact there is probably only one person on this

Earth that you would do that for. Who is it? Me. I would get myself medical

attention. I would ensure that I had a place to stay. I would get myself all the

medicine and food that I needed because I care about me. Jesus’ point is when you

think about the ask to “love your neighbor as yourself” that’s hard to do. I’d even

say impossible to do without God.

Paul says [Phl 2:4 ESV] 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but

also to the interests of others.

There is no greater example of this kind of love than what we have in the

Christmas story

6

[Phl 2:5-6 ESV] 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ

Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a

thing to be grasped,

Paul begins by saying we are to have “this mind”. This should be our focus as we

seek to love God as we seek to love people our mind should be focused on what

Christ has done for us. Not just so we can think about it, but so that it can motivate

our actions to others.

Jesus from eternity past existed in the form of God.

[Jhn 1:1-3 ESV] 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were

made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

He is the second person of the trinity. Who always existed in perfect fellowship

with the Father and the Spirit. Nothing was missing, nothing was broken, there was

absolute and perfect union. In this union there was absolute power, and knowledge,

and peace. His existence was above time and without limit.

[Isa 57:15 ESV] 15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits

eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with

him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to

revive the heart of the contrite.

Unlike Lucifer, there was no ambition or selfish motivation in him.

[Phl 2:6 ESV] 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality

with God a thing to be grasped,

And here we have it. Christmas. Look at verse 7.

[Phl 2:7 ESV] 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in

the likeness of men.

7

Paul says he “emptied himself”. He willingly and humbly set aside some of the

attributes in order to take on flesh. He was in the most high place, with more than

we could ever imagine or conceive yet all of it he gave up.

I think the greatest thing about Christianity is that Jesus never asks us to do

anything he wasn’t willing to himself. Paul’s plea here is for humility. In

comparison to what Jesus gave up, we literally have nothing to give up.

So how humble did Jesus get when he came into the world? He was born to an

otherwise insignificant family. His mother, young, unmarried girl. His earthly

father a mere carpenter. Not a religious leader. No wealth no power. His hometown

of Nazareth was a punch line of jokes.

The night of his birth was chaotic because the world was consumed with activity

that had nothing to do with him. The God of the universe would be born among

animals in a stable. There would be no room for him inside.

Mary had no place to lay him other than a feeding trough for animals. Even his first

visitors were not from the synagogue but just some lowly shepherds. The lowest

rung of the social order.

He did not enter the world as a grown man, which he certainly could have done,

but he entered the world as a tiny baby in the worst of conditions.

God could have caused this incarnation of the Son to be done anyway he wanted,

but this is what he chose to do. Intentionally placing his one and only son in the

lowest position humanly possible.

And this is the real meaning of Christmas. It’s not fancy parties, clothes, gifts, it is

that the God of the universe came low. How low did he get? He got very very low.

CS Lewis said it this way. In the Christian story God descends to re-ascend. He

comes down; down from the heights of absolute being into time and space, down

into humanity . . . down to the very roots and sea-bed of the Nature He has created.

But He goes down to come up again and bring the ruined world up with Him. One

8

has the picture of a strong man stooping lower and lower to get himself underneath

some great complicated burden. He must stoop in order to lift, he must almost

disappear under the load before he incredibly straightens his back and marches off

with the whole mass swaying on his shoulders.

This is Christmas. Real Christmas. That the God of the universe came down so low

that he was able to pick me up, and he is able to pick you up.

[Phl 2:8 ESV] 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by

becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

“he humble himself”. Don’t lose sight of Paul’s point in all of this was that this is

an illustration of what we are supposed to do for others. He said “have this mind

among yourselves”. How humble do I need to be. How generous do I need to be.

How much time and money do I need to give. Jesus gave the ultimate example.

Jesus life was a life of perfect obedience to the Father’s will. He taught this lesson

as an infant. He taught this lesson throughout his life. Remember when his

disciples were arguing about who was gonna be the one to stoop down and wash

everybody’s feet. The lowest job that was fit only for a servant. It was Jesus who

did it.

If we want to have unity in the church, if want the world to be blown away by the

power of the church, if we want the world to see the real majesty of Christmas then

I am convinced we need to do exactly what Paul proposed and humble ourselves to

be like Christ.

Ask musicians and Lord’s supper people to come.

Lord’s Supper

Closing Prayer.

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Guest UserGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, Mikey Brannon, Grace Christian Fellowship, bible-believing church, non-denominational church, Philippians 2, humility, Christmas
Which One Are You Most Like? | John 18:28-40 | Darien Gabriel
Which One Are You Most Like? | John 18:28-40 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: Which one are you most like?

Scripture: 📖 John 18:28-40

Preacher: Darien Roger Gabriel

Bottom Line: Hopefully I'm like Barabbas who literally had Jesus die in his place to save him.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. 📖 SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

  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

Which one of these guys are you most like? Pilate? Chief priests? Peter? Barabbas?

Bottom Line: Hopefully I'm like Barabbas who literally had Jesus die in his place to save him.

CONTEXT

It's early Friday morning...the day of the cross. Jesus is being interrogated as he goes through pseudo and mock trials with the religious leaders. They take him to Pilate to gain access to a Roman crucifixion for Jesus, further humiliating him (discrediting him?) by having him be cursed for dying on "a tree."

According to Tim Keller, there are 3 basic or chief idols we all tend to worship:

  1. Ambition--power, control

  2. Approval--reputation, being liked by others, caring what other people think about us

  3. Appetites--things that make us feel good--food, drink, drugs, sex, creature comforts, security

An idol is anything we value above or put ahead of God. You might think money is an idol. But money's power is that it can feed all 3 of these idols. It's a currency we can spend worshipping our God.

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These men worshipped idols at this point in their lives.

Pilate was ambitious--all about power and control. He wanted to be successful enough as governor of Judea that he'd get transferred to a better station. He was afraid of being removed by Caesar. So he did whatever was politically expedient--even crucifying a man he said himself was innocent.

The priests were all about the approval of others--especially prestige and reputation. They loved to be seen at the head of the table and to be visible at the festivals respected as pious men.

Peter wanted to be wherever Jesus was, because he felt safe there. He worshipped appetites and his coveted appetite seemed to be safety and security. He did seem to be willing to defend Jesus by himself but then cowered in the courtyard 3 times when asked by servants if he followed Jesus. His cowardice was eventually redeemed and he became courageous.

Which one are you most like?

SERMON OUTLINE

My thoughts as I read through these verses in no particular order:

  1. John goes back and forth contrasting Jesus' courageous revelations to the religious leaders about who he is while Peter cowardly denies who he is to lowly slaves and servants. "I am" vs "I am not." Both were in the cross-hairs of powerful enemies.

  2. Jesus makes it clear that

    1. He's a King, but not like any other earthly king.

    2. He's the Truth, not just factually but personally.

    3. He has followers who are loyal to him and his ways.

    4. His kingdom is real, in this world, but not of this world.

  3. The religious leaders were extremely hypocritical in that

    1. While they were careful not to pollute themselves by going into a Gentile building,

    2. They were pursuing a great injustice as they sought the death of the Messiah and Son of God.

    3. They were honoring God with their lips, but

    4. Their hearts were far from him.

    5. They exercised religion,

    6. Even as they denied faith in the One True God.

  4. Barabbas was who Jesus died for:

    1. He was guilty before God and man. Terrorist, murderer, and thief.

    2. He was freed as Jesus, innocent before God and man, literally and legally took his place.

    3. Bar abbas = son of a/the father.

    4. Was replaced by Son of The Father.

    5. Tradition has it that his first name was Jesus.

CONCLUSION

Which one are you most like?

Pilate--afraid of losing control and power?

Priests--afraid of losing popularity and persuasion over the Sanhedrin, people and even favor with Rome?

Peter--afraid of suffering and dying on a cross?

The 4 G's

God is great. Therefore, we don't have to be in control, for God is able.

God is gracious. Therefore, we don't have to prove ourselves to other people, for God loves us just as we are.

God is good. Therefore, we don't have to find satisfaction anywhere else. For God is more than enough for me.

Finally, we have Barabbas...are you like Barabbas?

Guilty of sin? Guilty in God's eyes? Afraid of dying outside of your Creator's kingdom?

Remember this, then.

God is glorious. Therefore, we don't have to be afraid of anything or anyone, for God is with us.

Bottom Line: Hopefully I'm like Barabbas who literally had Jesus die in his place to save him.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

In light of John 18:37, this is a Christmas, Good Friday and Easter verse all in one.

Perhaps you're like Peter? He was like a groupie, at first.

Are you a Jesus groupie?

“We are like Peter. In the flesh, we are all groupies. We love to get close to the rich and famous, to those who are in positions of power and of adulation. However, we are like Peter in another way. When those we idolize fall, we run for cover; when our heroes come under criticism, we no longer want to be identified with them at all. Just a few days after the transfiguration, when Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested, Peter could not bring himself to acknowledge his Lord” -RC Sproul

A roadie for a rock band is someone who works long hours before, during and after the show but is always in the background. They work to make the star look good. It's all about the star for them. They aren't looking out for themselves, primarily. In contrast, a groupie is all about themselves. They come for the show and to be seen at the show with the star for their benefit. They use the star to promote themselves afterwards with selfies.

Another point of comparison is the difference between a hireling and a true shepherd of a flock of sheep. The true shepherd will defend the sheep at great personal cost. The hireling will run to save his own life instead of the sheep. They live for themselves.

In the flesh, we live for ourselves. It's all about us. In Christ, it's all about him and we live and die for him, his mission, his glory, his kingdom.

Which are you?

Do you ever feel that tension in your life?

ChatGPT notes on my thoughts:

These are excellent, rich observations, Darien. Below I’ve taken what you wrote and organized it to help you see structure, themes, and sermon-worthy insights emerging from John 18:28–40. I’ve also added a few clarifying notes and interpretive expansions you might find useful as you preach, teach, or meditate on the text.

⸻

🧱 Organizing Your Observations from John 18:28–40

1. The Narrative Contrast: Courage vs. Cowardice

Your insight is spot-on and Johannine to the core.

John deliberately interweaves two “identity scenes”:

Jesus: “I AM.”

• He openly reveals His identity before the most powerful figures in Judea.

• He declares truth, submits freely, and refuses to hide.

• He stands in the light.

Peter: “I am not.”

• He hides his identity before the least powerful: servants and doorkeepers.

• He fears exposure and denies his relationship with Jesus.

• He stands in the dark.

Literary power:

John uses antiphonal structure—Jesus’ interrogations are bracketed around Peter’s denials—to show that the cross is not only the place where Jesus is revealed, but where disciples often unravel.

Preaching angle:

Everyone answers the same question:

“Who are you in relation to Jesus?”

Only one answer brings life.

⸻

2. Jesus’ Self-Revealed Identity as King and Truth

You’ve captured the heart of this interrogation scene. Pilate’s question “Are you the king of the Jews?” uncovers several truths:

a. Jesus is a King—just not the kind Pilate expects.

• Not political, not nationalistic, not violent.

• His kingdom doesn’t originate from this world’s systems, values, or power structures.

b. Jesus is the Truth.

• Not just correct doctrine or factually accurate statements.

• Truth personified.

• Truth revealed.

• Truth embodied.

Implication:

Every earthly kingdom rests on power.

Jesus’ kingdom rests on truth, which is a greater power.

c. Jesus has followers.

• Jesus implies the existence of a real, loyal community shaped by His truth.

• This is the seed of the church’s identity: a people who listen to His voice.

d. His kingdom is present but not worldly.

• Not “otherworldly” as in far away.

• But “not of worldly origin” (ἐκ) — meaning His authority isn’t humanly sourced.

Kingdom takeaway:

Jesus’s kingdom is in this world, but not from this world.

It confronts the world but isn’t contaminated by the world.

⸻

3. The Stunning Hypocrisy of the Religious Elite

Your list captures the irony John wants his readers to feel:

a. They won’t enter a Gentile building…

To avoid ritual defilement so they can “eat the Passover.”

b. …but they will commit judicial murder.

The irony screams:

How can they be worried about symbolic defilement while committing the actual defilement of killing the Son of God?

c. They honor God with religious appearances…

• Purity rituals

• Legal compliance

• Scriptural vocabulary

d. …while their hearts are hardened and murderous.

This echoes Isaiah 29:13 (which Jesus quotes in Matt. 15).

They exercise religion without faith.

And religion without faith always leads to cruelty.

e. Religious zeal + unbelief = deadly.

This section displays the worst form of unbelief:

self-justified religious unbelief—dead conscience, blind ambition, cloaked in piety.

⸻

4. Barabbas: A Living Parable of Substitution

This is one of the richest theological portraits in the whole Passion narrative.

a. Barabbas is unquestionably guilty.

• Insurrectionist

• Violent robber (λῃστής)

• Murderer (per other Gospel data)

He is everything society fears.

b. Jesus—unquestionably innocent—takes his place.

The guilty man walks free.

The innocent man suffers as a criminal.

This is the Gospel in miniature.

c. His name matters: Bar Abba (son of a father).

He is every man, every sinner, every rebel.

d. The true Son of the Father dies in place of a “son of a father.”

A poignant contrast:

• The false son freed

• The true Son condemned

e. Tradition that his name was “Jesus Barabbas.”

Some early manuscripts of Matthew read this.

If true, Pilate’s question becomes even more striking:

“Which Jesus do you want?”

• Jesus Bar-Abbas (violent revolutionary)

• Jesus called Christ (suffering Redeemer)

Humanity still answers this question today.

⸻

🔥 Sermon/Teaching Themes Emerging from Your Observations

1. What Kind of King Do You Want?

A king of political power?

Or a king of truth?

2. What Do You Do With the Truth?

Truth is confronted.

Truth is questioned.

Truth is dismissed.

Truth is crucified.

But truth cannot be killed.

3. Every Person in the Passage Is Forced Into a Choice.

• Peter

• The priests

• Pilate

• The crowds

• Barabbas himself

John draws the reader into that same decision.

4. Religion Without Truth Leads to Violence.

They preserve ceremony but murder Jesus.

This is a warning for every religious community.

5. Barabbas Is the Gospel.

The guilty goes free.

The innocent is condemned.

Penal substitution enacted visibly.

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?

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, bible-believing church, non-denominational church, Grace Christian Fellowship, John 18, Signs and Glory
Can God Still Use Me After I Fail? | John 18:15-27, 21:15-17 | Darien Gabriel
Can God Still Use Me After I Fail? | John 18:15-27, 21:15-17 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: Can God Still Use Me After I Fail?

Scripture: 📖 John 18:15-27; 21:15-17

Preacher: Darien Roger Gabriel

Bottom Line: Jesus restores Peter not just to relationship but to responsibility—because shepherding the flock is how Jesus continues His mission in the world.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. 📖 SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

  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

Illustration: Chuck Colson—The Question That Haunted Him

When Chuck Colson, one of President Nixon’s top advisors, was arrested during the Watergate scandal, he went from the Oval Office to a federal prison cell almost overnight.

Before he entered prison, he wrote in his journal:

“Everything I’ve built is gone.

My reputation is destroyed.

My family is ashamed.

And God can’t possibly use me now.”

He later said the most painful moment wasn’t the trial—

it was the first night in prison.

He sat alone in a cold cell, staring at concrete walls, and whispered the question that haunted him:

“Lord… is my life over?

Can You still use me after what I’ve done?”

That is the question of a man who has failed.

That is the question of a man who believes he is disqualified.

And that is the same question Peter carried after denying Jesus three times.

Colson thought his future was finished.

But God met him in prison with grace, forgiveness, and a new mission.

When he was released, he founded Prison Fellowship, which today is the largest prison ministry in the world—impacting thousands of inmates and families with the gospel.

He said near the end of his life:

“My greatest failure became God’s greatest assignment.”

Bottom Line: Jesus restores Peter not just to relationship but to responsibility—because shepherding the flock is how Jesus continues His mission in the world.

CONTEXT

It's the night before the cross. The last supper has passed. The betrayal has happened in Jesus and his disciples are separated. Jesus is being interrogated, and Peter awaits outside by the fire.

Bottom Line: Jesus restores Peter not just to relationship but to responsibility—because shepherding the flock is how Jesus continues His mission in the world.

SERMON OUTLINE (with help from ChatGPT and Kent Hughes)

I. PETER’S FAILURE AND JESUS’ GRACE (John 18:15–27; 21:9–14)

A. The charcoal fire of denial

• Night, cold, fear

• Standing with the wrong crowd

• “I am not” vs. Jesus’ “I AM”

B. The charcoal fire of restoration

• Morning, warmth, grace

• Jesus initiates breakfast and fellowship

• Grace confronts the place of failure

Key idea: Jesus breaks Peter to heal Peter, not to shame him.

II. JESUS RESTORES PETER TO A SHEPHERDING MISSION (John 21:15–17)

(Each “Do you love Me?” is followed by a mission task.)

This is the heart of the text.

III. THE FIVE SHEPHERDING TASKS JESUS CALLS PETER (AND US) TO

These reflect Jesus’ own mission in John:

1. Calling the Flock

“Do you love Me?” → “Feed my lambs.”

• Shepherds help others recognize Jesus’ voice (John 10:3–4).

• Jesus calls Peter to invite, gather, initiate discipleship with those who are young in the faith.

Application:

We call people to Jesus out of love for Jesus, not guilt or pressure.

2. Feeding the Flock

“Feed my lambs… feed my sheep.”

• Feeding = teaching truth, giving spiritual nourishment (John 6:35; 8:31–32).

• A church can’t thrive without a steady diet of Jesus’ words.

Application:

We teach the Word—at home, in groups, in relationships—because sheep starve without it.

3. Leading the Flock

“Shepherd my sheep.” (poimaínō)

• Shepherding includes guiding, setting direction, helping people follow Jesus.

• Jesus led His disciples toward obedience, mission, service, and sacrifice.

Application:

Leadership in the church is never about control, but direction toward Jesus.

4. Protecting the Flock

(Implied in poimaínō + the contrast with wolves in John 10.)

• Shepherds guard the sheep against false teaching, spiritual danger, sin patterns, and discouragement.

• Love protects (John 10:12–13).

Application:

Shepherding means stepping in, warning, correcting, and caring.

5. Gathering the Flock

Echo of John 10:16 — “I have other sheep… I must bring them also.”

• Shepherding isn’t only nurture; it’s mission.

• Jesus is still gathering sheep through the shepherding of His people.

Application:

Mission flows from shepherding—a healthy, discipled church becomes a reproducing church.

IV. WHY SHEPHERDING ADVANCES JESUS’ MISSION

Tie in John 20:21 and John 17.

A. Jesus’ mission was shepherding people into life.

B. Peter continues Jesus’ mission by shepherding His church.

C. The church continues Jesus’ mission when we shepherd one another.

Love leads to shepherding; shepherding leads to mission.

V. JESUS’ RESTORATION OF PETER IS OUR STORY (APPLICATION)

A. Jesus restores failures—not to sidelines, but to service.

Your past doesn’t disqualify you; it becomes the place of commissioning.

B. Love for Jesus expresses itself in care for His people.

Not talk, not sentiment—but shepherding.

C. Every Christian is called to shepherd someone.

• Parents shepherd children

• Mentors shepherd younger believers

• Groups shepherd one another

• Leaders shepherd the church

• The church shepherds the city

CONCLUSION

Return to the two fires:

• The first represents what we break.

• The second represents what Jesus builds.

And Jesus still asks:

“Do you love Me?”

Then shepherd My people.

Because that’s how My mission moves forward.”

Bottom Line: Jesus restores Peter not just to relationship but to responsibility—because shepherding the flock is how Jesus continues His mission in the world.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

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?

🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Title: Can God Still Use Me After I Fail?

Passages: John 18:15–27; John 21:15–17

Speaker: Pastor Darien Gabriel

Grace Christian Fellowship — Charleston, SC

Failure isn’t the end of your story. In today’s message, we look at one of the most dramatic collapses and one of the most beautiful comebacks in the Bible—the story of Peter.

In John 18, Peter denies Jesus three times. Fear, shame, and pressure overwhelm him.

In John 21, the resurrected Jesus meets Peter—not with condemnation—but with restoration, recommissioning, and a renewed call to shepherd God’s people.

If you’ve ever wondered:

  • Can God still use me after I fail?

  • Does Jesus still want me—after I blew it?

  • Is my calling gone?

Peter’s story gives hope. Jesus isn’t finished with you. He restores us, recommissions us, and invites us back into His mission.

Main Themes:

• Failure doesn’t disqualify you

• Jesus pursues and restores broken disciples

• Shepherding is the heart of following Jesus

• Restoration leads to renewed mission

Whether you’re exploring faith, returning after a fall, or seeking fresh encouragement, this message will help you see Jesus’ grace in a whole new way.

👇 Chapters

(You can add timestamps after uploading.)

👇 Connect With Us

Grace Christian Fellowship

🌐 gcfsc.org

📍 Ladson / Charleston, SC

Sundays at 10:30 AM

👍 Like, 💬 comment, and subscribe for weekly messages that help you follow Jesus where you live, work, learn, and play.

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

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

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

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

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

ChatGPT AI

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, Ladson, SC, 29456, Signs and Glory, John 18, non-denominational church, bible-believing church
How Does Jesus' Prayer Still Shape the World Today? Part 2 | John 17:20-26 | Darien Gabriel
How Does Jesus' Prayer Still Shape the World Today? Part 2 | John 17:20-26 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: Part 2: How Does Jesus’ Prayer Still Shape the World Today?

Scripture: 📖 John 17:20-26 NIV

Genesis 11:1-7

Preacher: Darien Roger Gabriel

Bottom Line: Jesus’ prayer shapes the world today by forming a unified, loved, and mission-driven people who embody His presence in the world.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. 📖 SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

  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.

Bottom Line: Jesus’ prayer shapes the world today by forming a unified, loved, and mission-driven people who embody His presence in the world.

INTRODUCTION

There's something powerful when a group of people are unified in their commitment to the vision and values of their organization.

When a college football team buys into their coaches vision, value, and philosophy, they can be very successful for a long time. We've seen this in college basketball, not to mention other sports.

The US Army has a slogan, "An Army of One." I love that. They share a common mission and values. And they train accordingly.

The Bible even has a powerful example of this in Genesis 11:1-7.

Now imagine what would happen if God supernaturally united his people around his purpose, mission and love.

Pastor Kent Hughes writes:

"Christian unity is supernatural because it comes from God's nature and is only experienced in its fullness as we draw close to him: "That they may be one even as we are one."

That unity, though, does not mean uniformity in everything. In the Trinity there exists a unity in diversity-three distinct Persons, yet they are one.

Suppose, for a moment, that we could bring some of the great Christians of the centuries together under one roof. From the fourth century would come the great intellect Augustine of Hippo. From the tenth century, Bernard of Clairvaux. From the sixteenth, the peerless reformer John Calvin. From the seventeenth century would come John Wesley, the great Methodist advocate of free will, and along with him George Whitefield, the evangelist. From the nineteenth century, the Baptist C. H. Spurgeon and D. L. Moody. And, finally, from the twentieth century, Billy Graham.

If we gathered all these men under one steeple, we would have trouble!

We would be unable to get a unanimous vote on many things. But underneath it all would be unity. And the more the men lifted up Christ and the more they focused on him, the greater their unity would be. There would be unity amid a great diversity of style and opinion.

Christ's prayer for unity does not mean we all should be the same, though many Christians mistakenly assume that. Too many think other believers should be just like them-carry the same Bible, read the same books, promote the same styles, educate their children in the same way, have the same likes and dislikes. That would be uniformity, not unity. We are not called to be Christian clones. In fact, the insistence that others be just like us is one of the most disunifying forces in the church of Jesus Christ. It engenders a judgmental inflexibility that hurls people away from the church with deadly force. One of the gospel's glories is that it hallows our individuality even while bringing us into unity. Unity without uniformity is implicit in Paul's teaching on spiritual gifts." - Hughes, pp. 412-413

Bottom Line: Jesus’ prayer shapes the world today by forming a unified, loved, and mission-driven people who embody His presence in the world.

Let’s listen in on the most powerful prayer ever prayed—and see how it still shapes our world today.

CONTEXT

• This is Jesus’ final recorded prayer before His arrest—called the High Priestly Prayer.

• It concludes His upper room teaching (John 13–17).

• The cross is just hours away.

• Jesus prays for the Father’s glory, the disciples’ protection and holiness, and the church’s unity—all for the sake of the world.

A Lutheran theologian coined this the Lord's high priestly prayer because Jesus both "consecrates himself for the sacrifice in which he is simultaneously both priest and the victim." (Bruce)

SERMON OUTLINE (with help from ChatGPT & Matt Carter)

I. United...(20-21a)

    • Past and present disciples

    • Around "Their message" aka the Gospel; Ex. Found in the Bible Ex. "The Message" paraphrase

    • That we may be one just as we see in the Triune God

      • 1 God

      • 3 Persons unified but also diverse in role and rank

    • Displays Jesus' body or people or way to a wandering world

    • The Church is A Photograph

      • "The church is the visible display of God's goodness to this world. Each local church is the visible display of God's kindness to its community. We don't have any photographs of Jesus. The church is the photograph. The church is the picture of his love and mercy. There's a picture frame around each church and a sign above us that says, "Come, see what God is like."" Matt Carter, p. 349

II. Loved...(22, 24, 26) "To be with me"-- Abiding in Christ; Christ in me/me in Christ like Christ in the Father and the Father in Christ

    • Jesus gave them (and us through them) his glory

    • Transfiguration was a sneak peak as was the resurrection

    • Also demonstrated his power, love, truth and holiness for 3 years

    • His love most demonstrated on the cross

    • His "desire" is to be with us and us with him; to know and be known

    • Heaven is not as much a place as it is a person.

      • Long-distance relationships are hard because we're not together

      • We do what we need to do to be together; it almost doesn't matter where as long as we're together

      • Heaven is the place but what really matters is that we're together

    • And to share more of his glory in the future forever

    • Glory he received because of the Father's love for Jesus and is why Jesus shows it to us

    • Love is the bottom line reason

    • Do you love your neighbor as you love yourself?

    • Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ sacrificially?

    • Jesus made the Father known to his followers (and will continue to) so that the love the Father has for Jesus may be in us and that Jesus may be in/with us forever

III. Mission-driven people,

    • Why does it matter that the world know God sent Jesus? Because that's when they will believe that Jesus died for them so that they will live for him

    • Jesus revealed God to us

    • Jesus continues to reveal God to us through his spirit

    • We're to reveal God to others like the moon reflects the sun rays to earth; it looks like the source of moonlight but it's not

    • Why? Because he loves us as the Father loves him

    • We are here as Christ-followers because others shared and passed on the love, truth, holiness and message of Jesus.

      • Do you realize that?

    • We are still here because Jesus wants to continue to pass this on to others...through you and me.

      • Do you realize that? Are you on board with that?

    • Jesus' antidote to worry was being mission-driven motivated by love.

      • "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33 NIV

    • Our mission unifies us.

      • A coach of our ultimate frisbee team shared this at our debrief at the end of practice this week:

        • Illustration: A symphony—different instruments, one beautiful sound under one conductor. A symphony—different instruments, one beautiful sound under one conductor.

IV. Who embody His presence in the world. (21b, 23b)

    • The NT tells us that we are "the body of Christ."

      • That means that while they cannot see him like the 12 did, the world can still see Jesus in us.

      • He is most visible when we love one another in unity of mission, truth, holiness and love.

      • Our unity is a witness to the world.

      • He is the head--we are the body. When we are in sync with him, we will be in sync with one another.

    • When we are unified it will be around the things that matter most.

      • The secondary and tertiary things will not matter as much.

      • When we abide in Christ, we will not let those disagreements matter too much.

    • Illustration: The most important rule in Ultimate Frisbee is called the Spirit of the Game rule. It states: "

“Spirit of the Game is a set of principles which places the responsibility for fair play on the player. Highly competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of mutual respect among competitors, adherence to the agreed upon rules, or the basic joy of play.” USAultimate.org

    • This is how we're to view God's most important law--the law of love. Christ-like love. Sacrificial, unconditional love. The only debt we're to really have. The debt to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love each other as Christ loved us. This is The Way. Imagine if everyone at GCF would do this, not perfectly, but, consistently. We'd change this city.

If you've seen a military documentary, then you can probably picture scenes where battalions of soldiers line up, all wearing matching uni-forms, all standing the same way. They are faceless, nameless, and opinionless, but they're uniform. Some believe the church should be a battalion of nondescript soldiers ready to assault the world. This often happens when a leader demands everyone think like he thinks. He often uses the pulpit to bully people into his positions. He's trying to create good soldiers who think, look, and act just like him." -Matt Carter, p. 344   

At the same time, we all have a uniform as well and that is the robes of righteousness that we wear in Jesus. So we actually do wear a uniform of sorts and I think that unifies us it reminds us that we're unique and in his kingdom.

"As John Stott has pointed out, the unity enjoined here is not only a unity among present believers, but a unity with the apostolic church and its teach-ing. Christ says in verse 20:

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.

Stott goes on:

It is first and foremost a prayer that there may be a historical continuity between the church of the first century and the church of subsequent cen-turies; that the church's faith may not change but remain recognizably the same; that the church of every age may merit the title "apostolic" because it is loyal to the teaching of the apostles.?

The unity for which the Savior prays is a unity that comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and grows as we draw nearer to God by being..." Hughes

Application: Our unity in love is God’s greatest apologetic—it shows the world who Jesus really is.

CONCLUSION

Illustration: A broken mirror--each shard reflects only part of the image. And we are broken shards. But when the pieces come together, the reflection becomes whole again. The Church's unity reflects Christ's full image to a watching world.

Jesus ends where he started. He came to show us his glory: his holiness, truth and love. That was his mission. Now he's handing it off to his must trusting disciples to carry-on where he left off. He leaves them equipped and trained. He leaves them with this Holy Spirit so that they are empowered and protected. He leaves them with his word so that they will remember what unifies us without getting off message.

Bottom Line: Jesus’ prayer shapes the world today by forming a unified, loved, and mission-driven people who embody His presence in the world.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

Quote

“If we are distracted from real-time connection with the mercies of God, so that our hearts grow cold and our mouths become reckless and our eyes wayward and our feet wandering, we are only one misstep away from life-shattering catastrophe.  We do not have to give ourselves to raw evil to end up there; we only have to unguard our hearts, we only have to stop being vigilant.  Every one of us is always five minutes away from total disaster.  But if we are receiving by faith the outpouring of Christ’s love in constant supply from his Throne of Grace, we cannot lose our way.”—Ray Ortlund

"Jacques Ellul, the French sociologist, in his book The Meaning of the City, says the driving force behind ancient history was the desire to come together and advance in the face of this disunity. Thus the rise of the city.

However, he points out, with the formation of cities came the practice of laying the foundation stone on the body of a human sacrifice, a practice, he maintains, we moderns have replaced with the sacrifice of millions of souls?

The world's attempts to come together without God are always at the expense of human life." Hughes

I thought this was a good picture of how God works, and how we respond to his work freely, but dependently:

"The disciples were responsible to believe, but even their belief was the result of what God said and did.

Let's say you showed up to church one morning with your beautiful, ten-month old baby, dropped him off at the nursery, and headed in to the service. The nursery worker begins to talk to your ten-month-old.

"You look so nice. Did you take a bath this morning?" He nods his head yes. "It looks like you're full. Did you eat a yummy breakfast?" Once again, he nods his head yes. "I love your outfit. Did you get dressed in your nice clothes?" Again he answers yes. So he has answered yes to all three questions. He took a bath, he ate breakfast, and he got dressed.

But that's not the whole picture. As his parent, you drew the bathwater, lathered him with soap, and rinsed him off. You fixed breakfast, fed it to him, and cleaned up his mess. You washed his clothes, changed his diaper, and then got him dressed. It's true he took a bath, ate breakfast, and got dressed but only because of what you did. You did the work he couldn't do himself. He simply responded. God does the work of calling sinners to salvation. Our responsibility is to respond to what God does.

Let's summarize two principles from verses 6-11: God did the work.

Everything the disciples did was in response to what God had done. The disciples kept the word, but who gave them the word? God. The disciples believed on Jesus, but who sent Jesus? God. And behind all of this was God's choice of them and gift of them to the Son. God not only did the work, but God used his word. The way God brought them to faith was through his words. He didn't use visions or apparitions. He didn't open the heavens or rain down fire and brimstone. He created new life in the disciples simply through his words."

Matt Carter, pp. 338-339

John Knox

"John Knox, on his death-bed in 1572, asked his wife to read to him John 17, 'where' , he said, 'I cast my first anchor." And almost

his last words show how much his mind dwelt on this chapter, with its implications for 'the troubled church of God, the spouse of Jesus Christ, despised of the world but precious in his sight.* He clearly appreciated that the church's true life is lived on a higher plane than the turbulent political stage in which he had been so much involved and with which he was by now so thoroughly disillusioned"

That’s a great quote from F. F. Bruce, and it captures both John Knox’s turbulent life and the spiritual depth that marked his final days.

Here’s the background Bruce is referring to:

1. Knox’s early life and conversion.

John Knox (c. 1514–1572) was born in Scotland and originally trained as a Catholic priest and notary. In his thirties he was deeply influenced by the reformer George Wishart, whose preaching of salvation by faith in Christ alone cost him his life. Wishart’s martyrdom in 1546 marked Knox profoundly; soon afterward Knox openly embraced the Reformation and became a fiery preacher of the gospel.

2. Years of persecution and exile.

After the fall of the Protestant stronghold at St Andrews Castle, Knox was captured by French forces in 1547 and spent nearly nineteen months as a galley slave—a brutal experience that left him ill for the rest of his life. He was eventually released and went to England, where under Edward VI he served as a royal chaplain and helped shape the Protestant Church of England. When Mary Tudor (“Bloody Mary”) came to the throne, Knox fled to the Continent, spending several years in Geneva with John Calvin. There he found a model for what he later called “the most perfect school of Christ that ever was in the earth since the days of the apostles.”

3. Return to Scotland and political storms.

Knox returned to Scotland in 1559 and became the leading voice of the Scottish Reformation. His preaching and leadership were instrumental in overthrowing papal authority and establishing the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. But his ministry was constantly entangled with the intense political struggles of his time—especially his confrontations with Mary, Queen of Scots. He championed the sovereignty of God over kings, the authority of Scripture over tradition, and the independence of the church from civil control.

All this conflict took a toll. By the time of his death in 1572, Knox was weary and disillusioned with politics and with the divisions and corruption he still saw in Scotland’s church and government.

4. Why John 17 mattered so deeply to Knox.

On his deathbed he asked his wife to read John 17—the prayer where Jesus intercedes for His disciples and all believers, emphasizing their unity, sanctification, and eternal fellowship with Him. Knox said, “There I cast my first anchor.” That chapter had been his spiritual foundation from the beginning of his ministry, reminding him that the true church lives not by political triumphs but by Christ’s intercession.

Bruce’s comment highlights that contrast: after a life of public controversy and political entanglement, Knox’s mind rested on the heavenly reality of Christ’s prayer for His people—a church “despised of the world but precious in His sight.”

Would you like me to summarize how John 17 specifically connected to Knox’s theology of the church and his hope for Scotland?

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?

🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Description:

What matters most to Jesus’ heart? In John 17, we overhear the Son of God praying—for His glory, for His disciples, and for every future believer. Just hours before the cross, Jesus prays that we would live for God’s glory, be sanctified by His truth, and be united in His love. This is the prayer that still shapes the world today.

Bottom Line: Jesus prayed for His glory, our sanctification, and our unity—so the world would know His love.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction

2:45 – Jesus Prays for His Glory (John 17:1–5)

10:20 – Jesus Prays for Our Sanctification (John 17:6–19)

19:45 – Jesus Prays for Our Unity (John 17:20–26)

28:50 – How We Live as the Answer to Jesus’ Prayer

Subscribe for more messages from the Signs & Glory series and other teachings from Grace Christian Fellowship.

🕊️ Watch, share, and join us as we learn to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in Him and leading others to do the same.

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

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

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

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

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

ChatGPT AI

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, Darien Gabriel, bible-believing church, non-denominational church, Signs & Glory, Jesus' prayer, John 17
How Does Jesus' Prayer Still Shape the World Today? | John 17:1-19 | Darien Gabriel
How Does Jesus' Prayer Still Shape the World Today? | John 17:1-19 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: How Does Jesus’ Prayer Still Shape the World Today? Or How does Jesus’ prayer for us change the way we live? Part 1

Scripture: 📖 John 17:1-19

Philippians 2:5-11

Preacher: Darien Roger Gabriel

Bottom Line: Jesus prayed for His glory, the Twelve's sanctification, and our unity—so the world would know His love.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. 📖 SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

  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.

Bottom Line: Jesus prayed for His glory, the Twelve's sanctification, and our unity—so the world would know His love.

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever overheard someone pray for you? There’s something deeply personal about hearing your name spoken in prayer.

In John 17, we get to “overhear” Jesus praying—not just for His disciples, but for every believer who would come after them.

If you want to know what matters most to someone, listen to how they pray.

Rowing

"In the sport of rowing, unity is key. Each oar must enter and exit the water at precisely the same time if the boat wants to maintain speed. The way the rowers stay in sync is by listening to the coxswain. The coxswain doesn't row; he sits in the back of the boat and calls out the strokes. The coxswain is the only one who faces forward, so the entire crew must listen to the coxswain's commands and respond. When that happens, the boat flies over the water. Unity doesn't come from everyone rowing their hardest but from everyone submitting to a single voice.

As the disciples submit to the voice of God, they grow more and more of the same mind. (See movie/book "The Boys in the Boat")

Their thoughts, desires, and intentions begin to mirror God's, and they experience a unity unfamiliar to the world." Matt Carter, p. 340

Bottom Line: Jesus prayed for His glory, the Twelve's sanctification, and our unity—so the world would know His love.

Let’s listen in on the most powerful prayer ever prayed—and see how it still shapes our world today.

CONTEXT

• This is Jesus’ final recorded prayer before His arrest—called the High Priestly Prayer.

• It concludes His upper room teaching (John 13–17).

• The cross is just hours away.

• Jesus prays for the Father’s glory, the disciples’ protection and holiness, and the church’s unity—all for the sake of the world.

SERMON OUTLINE (with help from ChatGPT & Matt Carter)

I. How Does Jesus Reveal God’s Glory? (John 17:1–5)

• “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (Cf. Luke 9:23; Phil 2:5-8)

• Eternal life is defined: “that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (v.3)

• The cross is not tragedy—it’s triumph, displaying divine glory through love and obedience.

Application: Worship means living to glorify God, even when it costs us.

II. How Does Jesus Pray for Our Sanctification? (John 17:6–19)

• The disciples belong to the Father and have received His word.

• Jesus doesn’t ask for their removal from the world but for their protection from the evil one.

• “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (v.17)

        • "Jesus prays for the Father to sanctify them (w. 17-18). To "sanctify" is to set something aside for a special use-like fine china reserved for special occasions." Matt Carter, p. 340

• He sends them into the world as the Father sent Him (v.18).

Application: We’re called to live holy lives in an unholy world—set apart for God’s mission, not away from it.

III. How Does Jesus Pray for Our Unity? (John 17:20–26)

• “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” (v.20)

• The goal: “that all of them may be one… so that the world may believe.” (v.21)

• True unity reflects the oneness of the Father and the Son.

• Jesus wants His followers to experience the same love the Father has for Him.

        • "Unity Is Not Outlawing Any Diversity; at the time, we are more uniform than we might think; we all wear robes of righteousness.

If you've seen a military documentary, then you can probably picture scenes where battalions of soldiers line up, all wearing matching uni-forms, all standing the same way. They are faceless, nameless, and opinionless, but they're uniform. Some believe the church should be a battalion of nondescript soldiers ready to assault the world. This often happens when a leader demands everyone think like he thinks. He often uses the pulpit to bully people into his positions. He's trying to create good soldiers who think, look, and act just like him." -Matt Carter, p. 344   

At the same time, we all have a uniform as well and that is the robes of righteousness that we wear in Jesus. So we actually do wear a uniform of sorts and I think that unifies us it reminds us that we're unique and in his kingdom.

Application: Our unity in love is God’s greatest apologetic—it shows the world who Jesus really is.

CONCLUSION

Bottom Line: Jesus prayed for His glory, the Twelve's sanctification, and our unity—so the world would know His love.

The Church is A Photograph

"The church is the visible display of God's goodness to this world. Each local church is the visible display of God's kindness to its community. We don't have any photographs of Jesus. The church is the photograph. The church is the picture of his love and mercy. There's a picture frame around each church and a sign above us that says, "Come, see what God is like."" Matt Carter, p. 349

Quote

“If we are distracted from real-time connection with the mercies of God, so that our hearts grow cold and our mouths become reckless and our eyes wayward and our feet wandering, we are only one misstep away from life-shattering catastrophe.  We do not have to give ourselves to raw evil to end up there; we only have to unguard our hearts, we only have to stop being vigilant.  Every one of us is always five minutes away from total disaster.  But if we are receiving by faith the outpouring of Christ’s love in constant supply from his Throne of Grace, we cannot lose our way.”—Ray Ortlund

Challenge: Live as an answer to Jesus’ prayer—glorify God, walk in holiness, and love others in unity. This leaves us overflowing with his love into a world without love apart from Christ Jesus.

Summary of Applications

  • Worship means living to glorify God, even when it costs us. This is 24/7.

  • We’re called to live holy lives in an unholy world—set apart for God’s mission, not away from it.

  • Our unity in love is God’s greatest apologetic—it shows the world who Jesus really is.

  • Jesus prays for himself. Therefore, we should pray for ourselves too.

  • Jesus prays for his 12 followers. Therefore, we should be praying for those we're pouring into for the kingdom too. (Starting at home)

  • Jesus prays all his followers. Therefore, we should pray for one another. (Pray Charleston, Pray Together, Lord's Prayer)

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

I thought this was a good picture of how God works, and how we respond to his work freely, but dependently.

"The disciples were responsible to believe, but even their belief was the result of what God said and did.

Let's say you showed up to church one morning with your beautiful, ten-month old baby, dropped him off at the nursery, and headed in to the service. The nursery worker begins to talk to your ten-month-old.

"You look so nice. Did you take a bath this morning?" He nods his head yes. "It looks like you're full. Did you eat a yummy breakfast?" Once again, he nods his head yes. "I love your outfit. Did you get dressed in your nice clothes?" Again he answers yes. So he has answered yes to all three questions. He took a bath, he ate breakfast, and he got dressed.

But that's not the whole picture. As his parent, you drew the bathwater, lathered him with soap, and rinsed him off. You fixed breakfast, fed it to him, and cleaned up his mess. You washed his clothes, changed his diaper, and then got him dressed. It's true he took a bath, ate breakfast, and got dressed but only because of what you did. You did the work he couldn't do himself. He simply responded. God does the work of calling sinners to salvation. Our responsibility is to respond to what God does.

Let's summarize two principles from verses 6-11: God did the work.

Everything the disciples did was in response to what God had done. The disciples kept the word, but who gave them the word? God. The disciples believed on Jesus, but who sent Jesus? God. And behind all of this was God's choice of them and gift of them to the Son. God not only did the work, but God used his word. The way God brought them to faith was through his words. He didn't use visions or apparitions. He didn't open the heavens or rain down fire and brimstone. He created new life in the disciples simply through his words."

Matt Carter, pp. 338-339

"Christians often take one of three different approaches to dealing with the difficulty of being in the world but not of the world.

Some practice isolation, believing the gospel needs to be protected instead of shared. They hear the call to remain faithful to God's Word, and they disengage from all non-Christians. They think, What better way to keep from falling away than to keep yourself as far as possible from any temp-tation? These Christians would love to buy forty acres of land at least fifteen miles outside of town, fashion a compound, and never set foot outside their barbed-wire fence. Their legitimate desire to remain faithful to God's truth has caused them to disregard his mission.

Some practice inoculation, believing the gospel has made them immune to temptation and worldliness. They hear the call to remain faithful to God's mission and immerse themselves fully in the world.

They ask, "What better way to reach the world than to blur any possible distinction between a Christian and a non-Christian?" These Christians minimize the biblical teaching on sin and repentance, choosing to live exactly as their non-Christian neighbors. Their legitimate desire to remain faithful to God's mission has caused them to disregard his truth.

Isolation and inoculation are not the only options. A better perspective is insulation, believing a daily focus on the gospel protects us from temptation as we seek to share the gospel with those who don't know Jesus.

Insulation means working diligently to balance faithfulness to the truth and faithfulness to our mission. We recognize Christians should live differently from non-Christians but not by removing ourselves from the world of non-Christians. We live differently in the midst of an unbelieving world, and the difference is seen in the unmistakable fruit of Jesus Christ in our lives." -Matt Carter, p. 341

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?

🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Description:

What matters most to Jesus’ heart? In John 17, we overhear the Son of God praying—for His glory, for His disciples, and for every future believer. Just hours before the cross, Jesus prays that we would live for God’s glory, be sanctified by His truth, and be united in His love. This is the prayer that still shapes the world today.

Bottom Line: Jesus prayed for His glory, our sanctification, and our unity—so the world would know His love.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction

2:45 – Jesus Prays for His Glory (John 17:1–5)

10:20 – Jesus Prays for Our Sanctification (John 17:6–19)

19:45 – Jesus Prays for Our Unity (John 17:20–26)

28:50 – How We Live as the Answer to Jesus’ Prayer

Subscribe for more messages from the Signs & Glory series and other teachings from Grace Christian Fellowship.

🕊️ Watch, share, and join us as we learn to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in Him and leading others to do the same.

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

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

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

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

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

ChatGPT AI

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, Signs & Glory, Jesus' prayer, bible-believing church, non-denominational church
How Can You Have Joy in a Troubled World? | John 16:16-33 | Mikey Brannon
How Can You Have Joy in a Troubled World? | John 16:16-33 | Mikey Brannon

How Can You Have Joy In A Troubled World?

Grace Christian Fellowship

John 16:16-33

Introduction:

Today we will continue and hopefully finish John 16 from where Darien left off

last week. If you recall, we are nearing the end of what we call the farewell

discourse. It is a long section of Scripture taking place in the upper room with

Jesus and his disciples just prior to his arrest, mock trial, conviction, and eventual

crucifixion. It is in these last moments that Jesus pours into his disciples his final

thoughts, his final instructions for what is to come.

I loved the way Darien framed this last week as he talked about a coach who had

trained his team, but all of the sudden before the big game he was gone. In fact I

remember in 2017 when Alabama was playing Clemson for the National

Championship game and Nick Saban fired the offensive coordinator just days

before the game because of distractions around Lane’s newly acquired job at

Florida Atlantic. Here was Lane who was the play caller and the mastermind

behind the offense and in the biggest game of their lives he was gone. Alabama

would go on to lose that game. To a much greater degree this must be how the

disciple feel as Jesus tells them he is going away and that he is going to be killed.

But Jesus is so full of compassion in these verses. He has every right to be focused

on his own task. After all he is the one who is about to go through this agonizing

death, but his focus is on his disciples. He doesn’t want them to worry. He wants

them to have greater faith. He wants them to have true joy that is bigger than their

circumstances. So let’s pick up in verse 16 as we answer the question, How can

you have joy in a trouble world.

In verses 16-21 I want us to see that (I) the sorrow is temporary

2

16 "A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you

will see me."

All through the Bible we get the concept of messianic timing. It was the God

ordained time in which things were to occur. We see Jesus say things like “my

time has not yet come”. Jesus is trying to communicate to the disciples that the

time is near for his death. It is but “a little while away”.

I think it is difficult for us to really put ourselves in the place of the disciple

sometimes. These were just common men. Fishermen or tax collectors or whatever

they were. And all they have known to this point is to follow Jesus. They just

followed him. Tried to learn from him. They had no idea what is would be like

when he was gone.

In fact even that they haven’t really accepted. Their minds our clouded by

preconceptions of Judiasm. They don’t always follow what Jesus is teaching. And

they probably deep down hope that Jesus is going to establish some sort of earthly

rule that will provide them some security. We will see this in the garden when

Peter is ready to wage war to prevent Jesus from being taken.

But Jesus also says “in a little while” you will see me (again). Jesus want’s his

disciples to realize that the sorrow is only temporary. One of the things that my

wife, Brooke, always says is I can do anything as long as I know there is an end in

sight. Right, we just need some assurance that the difficult thing won’t last

forever. We need hope.

[Jhn 16:17 ESV] 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that

he says to us, 'A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and

you will see me'; and, 'because I am going to the Father'?"

Now stop right here do you see something in verse 17 that was not in verse 16. We

now have this phrase “because I am going to the father”.

3

You see there is some debate around what the little while is. Is Jesus talking about

he is going to die, but the he is going to be resurrected in 3 days? Is that the little

while? Or is he talking about something else. I think the key to understanding is in

that phrase that we get from the disciples “because I am going to the father”. Look

back at verse 6.

[Jhn 16:7 ESV] 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go

away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will

send him to you.

So I believe the “little while and you will see me” is referring to the coming of the

Holy Spirit. That is the context of this entire chapter, the coming of what Paul

calls in Romans as “the Spirit of Christ”. So because I go away to the Father “not

his death, but his ascension”, the Holy Spirit will come like we see in Acts 2 at

Pentecost. Which really fits with the rest of the entire chapter.

Jesus wants them to know that the sorrow they will have is only temporary

18 So they were saying, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We do not know

what he is talking about." 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to

them, "Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, 'A little

while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me'?

Now I’m right on the line of being Gen X and Millennial, and sometimes when I

think back to my childhood I realize just how different we were built. I never

forget on teacher I had in shop class. Much of it was not about shop by the way.

Have you ever heard that there is no such thing as a dumb question? Well he

didn’t subscribe to that. I’ll never forget one day in class this guy in the back of

the room raised his hand and asked a question. I don’t remember what the question

was but it must have been a dumb one, because what I do remember is how that

shop teacher responded. He said real calmly, little man, did you know people

might think you’re a dummy, but they don’t really know for sure. But the moment

4

you open your mouth and ask a question like that, everybody knows you’re a

dummy.

Proverbs 17:28: "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he

closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent".

Now our disciple didn’t have Mr. McCreless but maybe they did read Proverbs

because nobody wants to ask the question. But Jesus is determined to show them

the temporary nature of their sorrow so he gives them an illustration.

[Jhn 16:20 ESV] 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the

world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

Jesus knows that these disciples are headed for sorrow. The road will not be easy.

But ultimately they will have joy. And you as a believer has this very same

promise.

[Rom 5:2-5 ESV] 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this

grace in which we stand, and we rejoice (definition find deep and abiding joy) in

hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings,

knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character,

and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's

love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given

to us.

God is not allowing us to go through difficult seasons for no reason. He is

sovereign and in control of all things. And while we may not know His exact

purpose we can be assured that He is doing something in and through our trials.

Our sorrow is temporary but our joy is everlasting. Jesus further explains it this

way.

5

[Jhn 16:21 ESV] 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her

hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the

anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

Jesus compares the suffering and the joy to a woman who is giving birth. Now, I

can tell you I have several children and I am somewhat of an expert you could say

in observing this phenomenon. I can tell you that the process appears from my

vantage point to be very, very difficult. But I will never forget the moment when

the first time in my life I heard the doctor say, I can see her head. It was as if in

that moment for the first time I really understood that I was about to be a Dad. I

was completely and totally responsible for another human being. I was filled with

an overwhelming amount of joy. And I remember when they handed my daughter

to my wife and she held her and she just smiled and cried these tears of joy. As

great as the pain and the suffering was, it was in that moment completely gone and

it was replaced with joy. And that joy of being a parent never goes away. Sure

there are difficult times, but it is lasting.

That brings me to my second point, (II)True Joy is Eternal

[Jhn 16:22 ESV] 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and

your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

This reunioun with Christ or the Spirit of Christ creates in us a joy that cannot be

taken from us by anyone.

Now this Jesus points to 2 characteristics of this Joy. There is joy in having direct

access to God in Prayer.

[Jhn 16:23-24 ESV] 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say

to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until

now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy

may be full.

6

I will admit that I got hung up a little bit here. What does Jesus mean ask nothing

of me? Is he saying don’t pray to Jesus? No, that’s not it at all. You have to think

about this in the context of the disciples. Up until this point in their lives all they

have known about following Jesus has been to follow him. And if they were in

need they would ask him. Jesus would talk to the Father for them, and then things

would happen. In fact all of John 17 is going to be exactly that, Jesus praying on

behalf of the disciples to the Father.

So Jesus now because I am going away, things are going to be different, you now

have direct access to the Father. And he gives a promise, ask it in my name and

you will receive it. And then we get a “so that”. Why does the Father answer these

prayers? So that your “JOY” may be made full!

Now, what does it mean to pray in Jesus name?

First of all, it is our identity. We recognize and declare that we are in Christ. But

more importantly is aligns our motives. That is to say that if I pray for something

in the name of Jesus I am saying, Father I am asking this because I believe it is the

thing that Jesus would also pray. Not out of selfishness or ambition, but I truly

believe it is a desire of Christ for this thing to happen.

So not only is access to God in prayer a characteristic of joy, but also true Spiritual

Discernment. (25)

[Jhn 16:25 ESV] 25 "I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour

is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you

plainly about the Father.

I think one of the most profound parts of Scripture is in comparing the disciples

that are presented in the gospels. Often they appear confused, without direction,

they don’t understand, they have no vision of the Kingdom. They are being

repremanded for being out of line. But then Acts 2 happens.

And all of the sudden, these disciples are presented in a completely different light.

Teaching with authority. Some are writing Scripture in connection with the Holy

7

Spirit. Preaching deep theological Kingdom truths. All of this after Jesus has

ascended!

Remember what Darien said last week in John 16:13

[Jhn 16:12-13 ESV] 12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear

them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth,

for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak,

and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Not only is the Holy Spirit called the Spirit of Christ as we saw in Romans, but he

is called by John in this chapter as the “Spirit of Truth”. And knowing the truth is

a great source of our Joy.

So why does the Father want to answer our prayers, and why does he want us to

know the truth through discernment? Because he loves us. Verse 27.

[Jhn 16:27 ESV] 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me

and have believed that I came from God.

If you want to please the Father, or better yet if you want to be loved by the

Father, then he asks us to love His Son. How do you do you love the Son?

[Jhn 14:15 ESV] 15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

I want to be careful here, because I believe that you are saved by grace through

faith. Not of works lest any man should boast. There is no amount of good deeds

that can get you to heaven or earn one ounce of favor with God. But I do want to

make a connection between faith and obedience in light of John 14:15.

[2Co 13:5 ESV] 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test

yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in

you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

8

How do you know if you love Christ? How do you know if you are in the Faith?

What is the test. If you love Christ, you will desire to know his Word, and you will

desire to keep his commandments. You will not do it perfectly, you will fail, just

as I fail, but in you will be a desire to love God and to love people. There will be a

desire to flee from Sin. And when you fall into sin you will be broken unto

repentance. You are not saved by obedience, but obedience is an outpouring of a

life that is in Christ.

Some of you this morning may not know if you belong to Christ. Scripture calls us

to examine ourselves. It doesn’t ever say did you pray a prayer. Did you go

through confirmation, were you baptized? None of that. It always lands right here,

is your life bearing the fruit of the Spirit. And if it isn’t then you have cause for

great concern. If this is you then scripture is clear, believe on Jesus Christ today,

and repent and place your faith in him.

[Jhn 16:28-30 ESV] 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and

now I am leaving the world and going to the Father." 29 His disciples said, "Ah,

now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know

that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we

believe that you came from God."

In these verses we can see ourselves. We see the first elements of faith in that they

have an intellectual understanding of what Jesus is saying, but their faith is very

weak. Just like us.

We can read the truth of God, we can write in our journal. We can even pray about

some Scripture that we have read and think. That’s awesome God thank you for

showing my that truth. It can be a delightful experience to have with the Lord, and

I don’t want to take away from that. BUT, when do you really understand a

passage like this?

[Jhn 15:19 ESV] 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its

own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,

therefore the world hates you.

9

It’s not really when you read it. On a deeper level you understand it when you

experience it. When do you really understand a passage like “Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me”.

It’s not when you read it, when you understand it, it’s really when you live it.

I think Jesus’ tone in verse 31, is dripping with irony.

[Jhn 16:31 ESV] 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?

In fact if I were paraphrasing this verse into modern language it might go

something like, “oh do you now?”. They do understand to a degree, but the trials

that lie ahead of them are about to take this small faith and grow it into something

that is unshakable.

Peter who not long after this very moment will go on to deny Jesus 3 times. I don’t

know that man, I never heard of him. Who will hear the rooster crow and realize

that he has failed in his own power. The failed Peter who Jesus would return to

and ask the question, Peter do you love me? Peter do you love me? Peter do you

love me? I can almost here Jesus say after all that? Now Peter, now do you believe

me? And Peter would have said, Oh Lord, now because I have gone through all of

this, now I really believe!

It is that Peter, not failed Peter, but tested Peter, the redeemed Peter who goes on

to write this:

[1Pe 1:6-7 ESV] 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary,

you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your

faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be

found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

The test is coming vs 32.

10

[Jhn 16:32 ESV] 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you

will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not

alone, for the Father is with me.

They will fail. It doesn’t mean they aren’t believers. The test is for a purpose, to

strengthen, to grow.

Why am I telling you all this, Jesus says?

[Jhn 16:33 ESV] 33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have

peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the

world."

Listen Church, Jesus doesn’t just speak these words to the disciples in the upper

room. I believe he has in mind, all of you, and me. And any disciple that would be

called to him. To believe in Jesus is to be at odds with the world. And there is a

promise here that in this world. In this evil system that you find yourself a part of.

you will have tribulation. You will have trouble. You will have sorrow.

Jesus says take heart, I have overcome the world. This is the victory. Only Jesus

can say this. Only he has the power. If I say cheer up, buck up, hang it there it is

meaningless, because I don’t have the power to do anything. Not the case with

Jesus. The creator, God himself, says, I know your trouble, but rest in me, because

I am the One that holds it all. We have nothing to worry about because of that.

 Lord’s Supper

 Invitation

o Are you going through a trial? Pray this morning that God would grow

your faith.

o Maybe this morning you know another believer who is going though

trials and God is showing you an opportunity to encourage them and

support them in the midst of it.

o Maybe this morning you have examined yourself and you have

concerns that your faith is not real.

Read More
Guest UserGrace Christian FellowshipJohn, Mikey Brannon, Ladson, SC, Grace Christian Fellowship, bible-believing church, non-denominational church
Why It's Good that Jesus Went Away | John 16:5-15 | Darien Gabriel
Why It's Good that Jesus Went Away | John 16:5-15 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: Why it's good that Jesus went away

Scripture: 📖 John 16:5-15

Bottom Line: It's better that Jesus left his disciples when he did, because His Spirit continues and completes His work in qand through us.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. 📖 SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

  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

The Coach Who Steps Off the Field”

When Clemson football fans think about Dabo Swinney, they picture a passionate coach who seems everywhere at once — shouting encouragement, correcting mistakes, celebrating victories. But imagine if, before a national championship game, Coach Swinney told his team, “I won’t be on the sidelines today. I’m sending someone in my place — the spirit of what I’ve taught you.”

At first, players would panic. “Coach, we need you!” But what if that coach had spent years embedding his playbook, his mindset, his values into them? When he steps off the field, they finally step up. His spirit fills the team — and they play like him, think like him, and carry his mission forward.

That’s what Jesus is preparing His disciples for in John 16. He’s about to leave — not abandon them, but empower them. His leaving isn’t a setback; it’s a setup for the Spirit to come.

Or

“Chasing Relics of the Presence”

Throughout history, Christians have gone to great lengths to hold on to something physical that connects them to Jesus.

Pilgrims have traveled thousands of miles to see what’s believed to be a fragment of the True Cross, a splinter of the manger, a nail from the crucifixion, or even the Shroud of Turin.

Whether authentic or not, these relics reveal a deep longing: “If I could just be closer to something that touched Jesus, maybe I could feel closer to Him.”

That desire is understandable — who wouldn’t want to see or touch what He touched? But in John 16, Jesus says something astonishing: “It’s for your good that I’m going away.”

Why? Because He would send the Holy Spirit.

We don’t need a relic or a sacred site to be close to Christ. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us. What many travel the world to find, God has already placed within His people.

Bottom Line: It's better that Jesus left his disciples when he did, because His Spirit continues and completes His work in us and through us.

CONTEXT

Jesus continues to prepare his disciples for a mission way bigger than themselves. He's trying to help them shift their eyes from themselves and their personal circumstances to Jesus and his global mission that starts with him and he's passing along to them.

They haven't grasped yet all that the Holy Spirit brings to the table. But they will.

In vv. 4-5, Jesus says, "I have told you THIS, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them. I did not tell you THIS from the beginning because I was with you, but now I am going to him who sent me." (Emphasis mine)

What is "THIS"?

THIS is him handing off his mission to them to do in the power of the Holy Spirit. THIS is his Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). THIS is us being chosen to bear fruit that will last.

In summary, Jesus says to them:

1. I'm leaving,

2. People will hate you, and

3. You still need to tell them about Me.

But they aren't ready yet. They're consumed with how this will affect them.

SERMON OUTLINE (w/ help from ChatGPT)

Bottom Line: It's better that Jesus left his disciples when he did, because His Spirit continues and completes His work in us and through us.

Why it's good that Jesus went away:

I. The Advantage of Jesus’ Departure - we get another Advicate/Helper/Counselor (vv. 5–7)

• The disciples grieve His leaving, but Jesus says His departure is for their good.

• The Spirit cannot come unless He goes.

• Application: Sometimes what feels like loss is actually God preparing us for more.

Pyramids

"They're like the traveler who visits the pyramids in Egypt, turns his camera around to get a picture of himself in front of this wonder of the world, and when he gets home, he realizes all you can see in the picture is his face. He's completely blocked the focal point. The disciples are so focused on themselves they don't even ask Jesus where he's going." -Matt Carter

II. The Holy Spirit’s Work in the World (vv. 8–11)

• The Spirit convicts the world of three things:

1. Sin – because people don’t believe in Jesus.

2. Righteousness – because Jesus is vindicated as He returns to the Father.

3. Judgment – because the ruler of this world stands condemned.

• Application: The Spirit exposes falsehood, reveals true righteousness, and declares Satan’s defeat.

III. The Holy Spirit’s Work in Believers (vv. 12–15)

• The Spirit guides believers into all truth.

• The Spirit glorifies Jesus — He never points to Himself.

• The Spirit shares what belongs to the Son and the Father with us.

• Application: The Spirit keeps Jesus’ presence and power active in His people today.

Conclusion

Applications in summary:

  • Sometimes what feels like loss is actually God preparing us for more.

  • The Spirit exposes falsehood, reveals true righteousness, and declares Satan’s defeat.

  • The Spirit keeps Jesus’ presence and power active in His people today.

“The Power That Stayed Behind”

Thomas Edison was one of the most creative minds the world has ever seen. People called him the Wizard of Menlo Park because of the way his ideas seemed almost magical. He didn’t just invent things — he changed the way people lived. The light bulb, the phonograph, motion pictures — these weren’t just clever gadgets; they transformed daily life around the world.

But what made Edison truly remarkable wasn’t just his inventions — it was his spirit of relentless creativity. He failed thousands of times, but he never stopped experimenting, learning, and creating. He once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

When Edison died, his lab assistants sealed a test tube containing what they believed was his final breath. They said it was “the breath of genius” — the last of his creative spirit. Of course, they couldn’t really capture what made him great. His creativity, his ideas, his influence — those couldn’t be sealed in glass. They lived on in the world he helped shape and in the people he inspired.

In the same way, when Jesus left this world, He didn’t leave us a relic or a memory. He left us His very breath — the Holy Spirit — the living presence of God Himself. Not sealed away in a museum, but alive in every believer. The same Spirit who empowered Jesus now empowers His people. That’s why it was good that He went away. His life, power, and presence didn’t end — they multiplied.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

SERMON OUTLINE (w/ help from Matt Carter)

"A good mission statement shapes the priorities of a company and provides a great framework for decision making. If an employee understands the big picture--the mission of the organization--it places his small, daily actions in the context of a grander agenda. A clear mission gives purpose to the mundane. As Christians, what is our mission? Our mission revolves around the gospel. We have been chosen by Jesus to bear the fruit of the gospel in our lives and share the message of the gospel with our lips. We are here to continue the mission of Jesus by spreading the message of Jesus." -Matt Carter

At Grace CF,

Our purpose is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. This purpose never ends. It's why we were created.

Our mission is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and people as we love ourselves. This is the mission of every church. We do this until we go home.

We believe that the key task of our mission is to make disciples who make disciples around the corner and around the world.

Everything we do runs through this filter.

This is consistent with John 15:16 where Jesus tells his disciples, "You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last."

This is another way of saying our mission as a church.

We express this mission with our lips and our lives.

I. The Disciples' Mission is Bigger Than Themselves (16:4b-6). What is "This" in 4b? In summary, 1. I'm leaving, 2. People will hate you, 3. You still need to tell them about Me.

A. He has not fully revealed his departure. (Death, burial, resurrection) He waited until Judas Iscariot left.

B. He has not fully revealed their mission. The way of the cross. How they will carry out this mission to the nations. This is WAY BIGGER than them! And it will consume their very lives!

C. He has not fully revealed the world's reaction to the Message. That the world hated him and will therefore hate and oppose them as well. They'll bear witness in the face of persecution and rejection.

II. The Disciples' Mission Requires Supernatural Help (16:7-15). It's good that Jesus is leaving. Only then will he send the Holy Spirit. And, in the context, the reason is to empower them (and us) to carry out the mission Jesus started with them.

John highlights two ways the Holy Spirit empowers them to carry out their mission:

A. The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin (16:8-11). Of sin (9), righteousness...self-righteousness (10), that is...and judgment. (11)

      • When I visited Africa, I was invited to eat at the home of one of the local men. We sat in his backyard and ate a dinner of boiled yams and peanuts. At one point one of his daughters brought out a pitcher of water and began to pour us glasses. He stopped her, took my glass, and poured it out on the ground. She was doing her best to be kind to me, but her best wasn't good enough. He knew if I drank that water, I'd get sick. Her gift of water was a polluted offering.

      • God calls our best efforts to please him "polluted" (Isa 64:6). They're unacceptable. They're tainted by sin and will be poured out as worth-less. No one can come to God based on good works.

      • "The word translated 'convict' (8) has the goal of convincing a person to turn from his or her sin." -Carter

      • How does the Holy Spirit convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment? Through his disciples--agents of the Holy Spirit.

        • In John 15, Jesus tells his disciples to join him in his mission followed by his reminder that the Holy Spirit will bear witness through them.

        • In John 16, Jesus warns them of the opposition and persecution that they will face that will be so difficult they'll need the power of the Holy Spirit to bear witness in the midst of that.

        • In summary, "The Spirit convicts the world by empowering the disciples to bear witness about Jesus. The Spirit brings conviction to the world through the message of the disciples."  -Carter

        • Our role is to "faithfully bear witness to Jesus, and the role of the HOly S;Iris is to make that witness spiritually effective." - Carter

      • Maybe we don't realize that the Spirit's power is in you because we're not busy doing things that only he can accomplish. Things like:

        • Love people who are like you

        • Go to church

        • Go to home group or bible study

        • Give some money

      • Maybe try something that requires the Spirit's power like

        • Love someone antagonistic to the gospel

        • Be on call 24/7 for a person in need

        • Meet weekly with a brother or sister to help bear their burdens

        • Plead with your unbelieving friends or family to repent and believe

        • Give your hard-earned money when there's not much left

        • Move your family around the world for the sake of the gospel

      • We need the Holy Spirit to carry out his mission!

B. The Holy Spirit will guide the disciples into truth (16:12-15). "Jesus describes a mission that will take an entire lifetime and might require them to give their lives. He unfolds a new community unique in the way it lives together." -Carter

      • They have many questions. Jesus doesn't give them answers.

      • Jesus gives them a promise. The Holy Spirit will guide them (12-15). That's where their answers will come from.

      • The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth.

        • He only speaks the truth.

        • He only speaks what God wants spoken.

        • He passes the truth on to his disciples on mission with him.

        • He will guide his disciples with the truth that sets us free.

C. It's good that Jesus is leaving to go to work at his Father's side...

“It’s like a newly elected president saying on election night, ‘This is great — let’s just stay at the party forever.’ His supporters would respond, ‘No, you have to go to Washington — that’s where the real work begins!’ In the same way, Jesus had to go—not to a capital city, but to the right hand of God—so He could send His Spirit to us. His leaving wasn’t the end of His ministry; it was the beginning of ours.”

“All of us, even the most pious Christians among us, are overwhelmingly influenced by the cultural customs and conventions of the societies in which we live. It starts in school, where popularity means “being with it,” that is, being in line with the morality of the society, even if that morality includes things of which God does not approve. That’s what our innate struggle with sin is all about. We listen every day to the voices of the culture around us that tell us what’s politically correct and what isn’t, what is socially acceptable and what isn’t. Then, for a few minutes on Sunday morning, we hear the law of God. We know they don’t match up, but unless or until the Holy Spirit takes the law and pierces our souls with it and convicts us of sin, we don’t really pay attention to it.Real conversion is an experience of repentance and forgiveness before God. It is not merely praying a prayer, joining a Christian church, or receiving a sacrament. It is being brought to our knees by the conviction of God the Holy Spirit. The Spirit then convinces us of what true righteousness is and shows us we[…]”

Excerpt From

John - An Expositional Commentary

R.C. Sproul

This material may be protected by copyright.

“Just imagine if he were to say: “Hey, this is great. Let’s stay here. This celebration is so much fun, I don’t think I’ll ever go to Washington.” The candidate’s supporters would be sure to say: “Oh, yes, you will. That’s why we elected you. We want you in Washington to work for us.”Jesus was going to a much more important place than Washington. He was going to the right hand of God. It was far better for Him to go there than to stay in Jerusalem. There He would be in a position of power, and one of His first acts would be to send the Holy Spirit to minister to the disciples.”  -RC Sproul

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?

🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

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

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

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

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

ChatGPT AI

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipDarien Gabriel, Ladson, SC, non-denominational church, bible-believing church, Grace Christian Fellowship, Signs and Glory, John, Jesus
What to do When You're Canceled for Being a Christian | John 15:18-16:4 | Darien Gabriel
What to do When You're Canceled for Being a Christian | John 15:18-16:4 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: What to Do When You’re Canceled for Being a Christian

Scripture: 📖 John 15:18-16:4 NIV

Cf. Matthew 10:16-25

Bottom Line: Because the world hated Jesus, it will also hate & oppose his followers. But the Holy Spirit empowers us to stand firm and bear witness in the face of persecution & rejection.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. 📖 SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

  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

“The Student Who Spoke Up”

A few years ago, a high school student in California stood up during a class discussion on morality. The teacher asked what determines right and wrong, and the student quietly said, “For me, I believe what Jesus teaches in the Bible.”

The class went silent. Then came laughter. Someone videoed it and posted it online. Comments poured in — “bigot,” “brainwashed,” “religious nut.”

The student didn’t argue back. He just said later, “It hurt, but I’d rather be known for following Jesus than for fitting in.”

We live in a world where you can be canceled just for believing what Jesus said.

That’s not new — Jesus told His disciples 2,000 years ago, “If the world hates you, remember it hated Me first.”

Transition: Jesus wasn’t shocked by this. He prepared His disciples for it. The night before His crucifixion, He told them what to do when the world turns against them.

So the question for us today is: What do we do when the world turns against us for following Jesus?

Bottom Line: Because the world hated Jesus, it will also hate & oppose his followers. But the Holy Spirit empowers us to stand firm and bear witness in the face of persecution & rejection.

CONTEXT

In the wake of teaching the disciples about the coming community of faith he was building in and through them, he warned them that the world would hate and oppose them because they hated and opposed him. This would rattle them but also prepare them from what was to come. This was why Jesus was telling them.

SERMON OUTLINE (w/ help from ChatGPT, Matt Carter, Hughes, Johnston)

What do we do when we're being canceled for following Jesus Christ?

1. Expect Opposition, Not Acceptance 📖 John 15:18–20

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first… If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

➡️ Jesus prepares His followers by showing that persecution is not a sign of failure but of faithfulness. The world’s hatred is rooted in its rejection of Him.

2. Remember Your Identity and Mission 📖 John 15:19

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.”

➡️ Our calling and identity come from Jesus’ choice of us, not the world’s approval. This gives courage to stand firm when we’re misunderstood or opposed.

3. Rely on the Holy Spirit for Strength and Witness 📖 John 15:26–27

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father… he will testify about me. And you also must testify.”

➡️ The Spirit empowers believers to bear witness even in hostile conditions. We are never alone in our suffering or mission.

4. Persevere in Faithfulness 📖 John 16:1–4

“All this I have told you so that you will not fall away… They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God.”

➡️ Jesus’ warning is meant to build resilience. Opposition will come—even from religious people—but forewarning strengthens faith rather than fear.

“The Quiet Faith of Coach Joseph Kennedy”

High school football coach Joseph Kennedy used to kneel and pray for 15 seconds after each game. No speeches, no shouting — just quiet thanks to God. When the school district ordered him to stop, he refused. They fired him. The story made national news, and years later the Supreme Court ruled in his favor.

But when asked what he learned through it all, Coach Kennedy said:

“Faithfulness is never wasted. Even if I’d lost everything, I’d still do it again — because I wasn’t kneeling for the crowd. I was kneeling for Christ.”

That’s what Jesus was preparing His disciples for — not comfort, but courage. When the world cancels you for following Him, you don’t lose your value — you prove your loyalty. You may be canceled by culture, but you are chosen by Christ. And that’s what matters most.

Tertullian

The famous quote from Tertullian (early church father, c. 160–225 A.D.) is:

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

Tertullian wrote this line in his work Apologeticus (Apology), Chapter 50. He was defending Christians against Roman persecution and pointing out that the more Rome tried to destroy the Church through violence, the more it grew.

Here’s the fuller context from his argument:

“We multiply whenever we are mown down by you;

the blood of Christians is seed.”

(Apologeticus, ch. 50)

In essence, Tertullian was saying: Persecution doesn’t stop the Church — it strengthens it. Every act of violence against believers becomes a testimony that draws more people to faith.

Have we not witnessed this in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination?

“Canceled Before Cancel Culture”

In 1555, two men were chained to a stake in Oxford, England — Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley. Their “crime”? Preaching that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone.

As the flames were lit, Latimer cried out to Ridley, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England as I trust shall never be put out.”

The world tried to cancel them, but God used their courage to ignite revival.

Cancel culture isn’t new. The world has been trying to silence faithful followers of Jesus since the first century. Jesus told His disciples this would happen — not to frighten them, but to prepare them.

“The Backlash and the Blessing”

In 2017, when a Christian baker in Colorado refused to design a custom cake celebrating something that violated his Biblical convictions, he faced lawsuits, death threats, and nationwide scorn. He lost income, reputation, and peace of mind — but he didn’t lose his faith.

Years later, he said, “If I had to do it all over again, I would still follow my conscience. I would still follow Jesus.”

Jesus said, “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.” When the world cancels you, don’t crumble — stand firm, speak truth, and trust the Spirit. The world may cancel you, but Christ has already chosen you. And that can never be undone.

Bottom Line: Because the world hated Jesus, it will also hate & oppose his followers. But the Holy Spirit empowers us to stand firm and bear witness in the face of persecution & rejection.

  • Jesus didn’t call us to comfort; He called us to courage.

  • The same Spirit who empowered the disciples empowers us today.

  • When you’re “canceled” for Christ, remember — He chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last.

Challenge:

Don’t retreat. Reveal Jesus. When the world cancels you, keep pointing people to the cross — because that’s where true freedom begins.

Closing Line:

You may be canceled by the world, but you are chosen by Christ.

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

None

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?

🎥 YOUTUBE DESCRIPTION

Title: What to Do When You’re Canceled for Being a Christian

Scripture: John 15:18–16:4 NIV

Preacher: Darien Roger Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

When you stand for Jesus, don’t be surprised if the world stands against you.

In this message, Pastor Darien Gabriel unpacks Jesus’ words from John 15:18–16:4, where He warned His disciples about opposition, rejection, and persecution — and gave them the key to stand strong through it all.

Bottom Line:

Because the world hated Jesus, it will also oppose His followers — but the Holy Spirit empowers us to stand firm and bear witness in the face of rejection.

If you’ve ever felt misunderstood, mocked, or “canceled” for following Christ, this message will remind you that you’re not alone, and you’re not without help.

Watch now and learn what it means to stay faithful, courageous, and Spirit-empowered when the world pushes back.

👉 Subscribe for more messages and short clips from Grace Christian Fellowship.

📍 Visit: gracetoday.net

#John15 #Persecution #Faith #HolySpirit #Jesus #Discipleship #DarienGabriel #GraceChristianFellowship

🖼️

Thumbnail Text Ideas

(Choose one bold main line with a short subline)

  1. CANCELED for CHRIST

    How to Stand Strong When the World Turns Against You

  2. When Faith Costs You

    Jesus Warned Us About This

  3. Rejected — But Not Alone

    The Spirit Gives Courage When the World Hates You

  4. Following Jesus Isn’t Always Popular

    But It’s Always Worth It

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg

The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce

John, RC Sproul

John, Köstenberger

The Gospel According to John, DA Carson

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

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

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

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

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

Claude.ai

ChatGPT AI

Grok AI

Perplexity.ai

Google Gemini AI

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, non-denominational church, bible-believing church, Darien Gabriel, JOhn, John, Signs & Glory, Grace Christian Fellowship
How Do I Live as a Disciple of Jesus Today? Part 2 | John 15:7-17 | Darien Gabriel
How Do I Live as a Disciple of Jesus Today? Part 2 | John 15:7-17 | Darien Gabriel

Series: Signs & Glory

Title: How do I live as a disciple of Jesus today?

Subtitle: Part 2

Scripture: John 15:7-17 NIV, Isaiah 5, Psalm 80

Bottom Line: A disciple of Jesus today is growing to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.

  1. INTRODUCTION

  2. CONTEXT

  3. SERMON OUTLINE

  4. CONCLUSION

  5. NOTES

  6. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  7. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  8. 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

What does a disciple of Jesus look like today? Well, these examples are a good place to start. They loved their enemies and forgave them.

Bottom Line: A disciple of Jesus today is growing to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.

CONTEXT

Jesus's disciples are deeply troubled because they have just heard 3 things:

  1. One of them will betray Jesus,

  2. Jesus is about to leave them and go where they cannot go, and

  3. Peter will deny Jesus 3 times that night.

  4. He's taught them again to love each other as he has loved them

  5. He's told them his spirit will come and empower them to do all that he's taught them to do

  6. He's coming back (resurrected, as his spirit, second coming)

They leave the upper room where they've had their feet washed, heard all of this, and now they're heading to the garden of gethsamene to pray and be arrested.

Sub questions for today:

Q. What does spiritual fruit look like?

Q. How do I bear spiritual fruit that will last?

OUTLINE (w/ help from Matt Carter & ChatGPT)

Transition: This passage breaks down into 2 sections: 1) True disciples bear fruit, and 2) What that fruit looks like. Today we'll focus on part 2: What does true spiritual fruit look like and how do we bear it?

Let's ask some questions:

Q. What do I want you to know today?

A. What the fruit of a true disciple of Jesus Christ looks like.

Spiritual fruit

  • Is from God through his spirit

  • Lasts forever

What does this fruit look like according to this passage?

  1. Answered prayer. God tells us to ask whatever we want in Jesus' name and it will be given to us. (15:7, 16)

  2. Proof that we're true disciples of Jesus. (15:8, 14)

  3. Glorify God (15:8) which is why we were created.

  4. Overflowing with his joy (> happiness, which is based solely on circumstances). (15:11)

  5. Love of God (in obeying his commands) and people (in obeying his commands). (15:10, 12, 14, 17)

  6. Friendship with God through Jesus. (15:14-15)

  7. Security in your salvation:

    1. "Already clean" (15:3)

    2. "I chose you" (15:16)

Q. Why do I want you to know this?

A. Because you will know where you stand as a disciple of Jesus Christ: true or false; fruit-bearing or not.

Q. What do I want you to do?

A. Bear spiritual fruit that will last forever.

Q. Why?

A. Because Jesus says this is why he chose you and me. Therefore, we should do this.

Q. How?

A. By training to remain in Christ. Here are 4 training regiments that will help:

  1. Know, believe, and obey God's word.

  2. Pray bold, specific, and believing prayers in Jesus' name.

  3. Love each other sacrificially ("As I have loved you").

  4. Recognizing and embracing the principle of pruning requires suffering, trials and testing.

Conclusion

Bottom Line: A disciple of Jesus today is growing to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him, and leading others to do the same.

When we train to remain/abide in Christ, we will grow in the character and competencies of Jesus Christ, in his power (not ours), and we will lead others to do this as well.

Q. How do I know I'm doing this?

A. You'll multiply yourself.

  1. You'll lead people to Christ deep and wide.

  2. You'll help others lead people to Christ deep and wide.

  3. You'll see God's love spread through his word in you.

Q. What's next?

A. Commit to getting a good grip on God's word by reading it daily, praying it daily, and obeying it daily.

B. Consider H.E.A.R. Method. https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/bible-journaling-method-to-hear-god-speak

INVITATION

What about you?

Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:

““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭36‬-‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:

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

  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

Outline with help from Matt Carter and ChatGPT

II. Spiritual Fruit in a Disciple of Jesus today looks like this: (15:7-17)

A. Answered prayer--this happens because of the union with Jesus. The "sap" is the back and forth communication. "My words remain in you" (7)

      1. Jesus speaks through his word. God prunes and cleans through his word (3).

      2. We respond in prayer. Where there is prayer, there are answers. God listens to his people.

      3. It looks like breathing. "When the Holy Spirit is pulsing through you, you pray without thinking. You just talk to God." -Carter

      4. Prayer is as important to the soul as breathing to the body.

B. Obedient love--we obey because we love.

    • Our love flows from our obedience. Obedience is the evidence of love.

    • A persistently, willfully, disobedient person is not a Christian.

    • What's cool here is that even though Jesus is our King and has every right to demand our obedience, he doesn't treat us like slaves. He sees us as friends. Slaves are given commands without explanation. Jesus invites us into his inner circle. He shares his friendship and explains what he's doing. Not always as much as we'd like but he tells us what the Father says to him. (14-15)

C. Inexhaustible joy--Jesus, who fills our Dixie cup/cone cup with joy, immerses our Dixie cup of joy into his ocean of joy.

    • Happiness is dependent on your circumstances. Joy transcends your circumstances.

      • Examples

        • Paul in Prison (Philippians 1:12–21; 4:4)

        • Happiness: No one would be happy about being chained up, falsely accused, and awaiting trial. His circumstances were bleak.

        • Joy: Paul still wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). His joy was rooted in Christ being proclaimed and in knowing that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” His joy transcended his imprisonment.

      • The Apostles Beaten (Acts 5:40–42)

        • Happiness: After being flogged by the Sanhedrin, they weren’t happy about the pain or humiliation.

        • Joy: They “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Joy came from sharing in Christ’s sufferings and being faithful witnesses.

      • Jesus on the Cross (Hebrews 12:2)

        • Happiness: The cross was excruciating, shameful, and horrific—nothing about it was happy.

        • Joy: Yet Hebrews says Jesus endured it “for the joy set before him”—the joy of redeeming us, glorifying the Father, and sitting down at His right hand.

      • Job Loss

        • Happiness: Losing your job doesn’t make you happy. The stress, loss of income, and uncertainty feel heavy.

        • Joy: A believer can still have joy by trusting God’s provision, remembering His past faithfulness, and resting in His promises. Joy looks like saying, “This is hard, but I know God is still with me and will provide,” even while updating your résumé.

      • It's no coincidence that Jesus follows, "If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love" (10) with, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in your and that your joy may be complete." (11) "Joy comes through obedience." -Carter

    • 👉 In short: Happiness is when circumstances go your way. Joy is when your heart goes God’s way—even when circumstances don’t.

D. Sacrificial love--how is this demonstrated? Well, in a way that costs us.

    • Jesus loved his Father as demonstrated in his perfect obedience to go and die on the cross for the sins of the world.

    • Jesus calls us to love one another in this way--as he has loved us.

    • An apple tree bears apples.

    • An orange tree bears oranges.

    • A follower of Jesus Christ bears loves, prays and obeys Jesus.

E. Friendship with Jesus. No longer slaves.

F. Desire to bear fruit that will last forever.

III. How do we bear spiritual fruit that will last?

  • We train to remain (abide) in Jesus Christ by:

    • Leaning into his pruning (2)

    • Remembering he picked me!

    • Obeying his word

      • Hear it regularly

      • Read it daily

      • Study it (reading with a pencil/pen or highlighter)

      • Memorize it (Ps 119:11)

      • Meditate on it (focused thinking)

    • Loving Jesus obediently

    • Loving Jesus sacrificially

    • Praying with confidence that he hears and answers our prayers

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

Let's Study John, Mark Johnston

The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin (TLHC)

The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner (TVW)

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

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

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

Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee (TTB)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org

The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com

Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion

Claude.ai

ChatGPT AI

Grok AI

Perplexity.ai

Google Gemini AI

Read More
Darien GabrielGrace Christian FellowshipLadson, SC, non-denominational church, bible-believing church, Darien Gabriel, John, Grace Christian Fellowship