Paul comforts Christians with the assurance of God's peace. I. The Content of Peace A. Peace with God 1. God is at war with man, because of sin 2. Reconciliation with God through the cross of Christ B. Peace within one's soul C. Peace with family and church members Observations A. There are other types of peace 1. Peace with others 2. Peace among nations—Isaiah 2; Revelation 22 3. Peace in the cosmos—Ezekiel 34:25; 37:26; Romans 8 B. All manifestations of peace are based on peace with God Application: Do you have peace with God?

Theme: Jesus tells His disciples of the fullness of His joy. I. The Foundation of Joy—"These things have I spoken to you" II. The Fact of Joy—"in order that My joy may be in you" III. The Fullness of Joy—"and that your joy may be made full" A. Various Scriptures: John 3:29f; I John 1:3-4; Luke 6:38 B. Giving us full joy is Jesus' desire, and is also His provision C. This fullness of joy is in fulfillment of the OT 1. Many figures of speech which teach us about that joy a. Psalm 65:8-13; 96:12; 98:7-9; Prov. 27:9 b. Isaiah 12:3; 62:5 c. I Kings 8:65-66; Esther 8:17 2. The abundant life comes because Christ has come a. He has loaded us down with His benefits b. He has provided us with all that we need for salvation 3. The coming of the kingdom would bring with it great joy a. Isaiah 35:10; 55:12; 65:18-19 b. Luke 2:8-14 Observations A. Joy is spiritual in nature B. In the NT, the OT symbols of joy have been fulfilled C. It is Jesus' joy that we need D. Ultimate sorrow and joy—hell and heaven Application—what should you do if you don't feel too joyful? A. James 5:13—pray; sing praise B. Look, with clear-eyed realism, at Christ

Theme: The Lord instructs us regarding church leadership. I. How—Ordination A. Ordination in the OT (Exodus 29; Numbers 8) 1. Priests—garments; sacrifices; cleansing 2. Levites—cleansing; laying on of hands B. Ordination in the NT 1. Based on Jesus' sovereign calling—Ephesians 4:7-12 2. Confirmed by inward and outward calling C. Ordination involves ceremony 1. A setting apart of someone from among the people 2. Prayer and laying on of hands 3. Elders perform the ordination (Acts 6:3c, 6; 13:3) II. What—Eldership A. What is an elder? Mature; dignified; godly; knowledge B. He rules; teaches/preaches; leads worship; counsels III. Why—Needful A. To protect B. To edify C. To discipline D. To administer—bishop = overseer IV. Where—Everywhere the Church Is A. The body needs a skeleton = its governmental structure B. Local authority is extraordinarily important Observations A. Presbyterianism enables the church to function well B. Elders must be qualified—only men; not self-appointed Application A. Pray—for more elders; for their protection B. Gladly submit to your elders (Hebrews 13:17) 1. Jesus paid for the church with His blood 2. Submission to elders honors His sacrifice and sovereignty

John 15:11 "Joy" (Part 2) Jesus tells His disciples of the fact of His joy. I. The Foundation of Joy—"These things have I spoken to you" A. Speech—rational foundation; communication B. What things? 1. Chapter 14 and throughout chapter 15 2. Overview—both objective and subjective basis II. The Fact of Joy—"in order that My joy may be in you" A. This is something is designed, even guaranteed, by Christ B. What is Christ's joy? 1. He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief 2. Yet, He had joy a. In His inner life—in the secret recesses of His heart b. In His ministry—Psalm 40 c. In the prospect—Heb. 12:2; Ps. 2:8-11; Zeph. 3:17 C. Nature of this joy which we are to have 1. Not plain "happiness" 2. It's a deeper sense of contentment Application A. Will you be joyful no matter what hardship you may face? B. Be joyful by looking to eternity C. Be joyful by looking to Jesus

Jesus tells His disciples of the foundation of His joy. I. The Foundation of Joy—"these things have I spoken to you" A. Speech—rational foundation; communication B. What things? 1. Christ's promises—eternal life; provision; presence 2. The presence of the Holy Spirit 3. The love of God 4. The divine life of Christ imparted to the soul 5. Abiding in Christ 6. Bearing fruit 7. Keeping Christ's commandments 8. Joy is in contrast to what the world offers Application—focus on Christ Jesus A. You cannot have true joy apart from Christ B. You couldn't have that joy without Jesus' sorrow

Theme: The Lord Jesus suffers denial by one of His disciples. Introduction A. A rooster is often found on a church steeple B. The focus here is on Christ and His suffering I. The Beginning of Denial A. Peter begins with good intentions B. Another disciple has let him into Caiaphas' house II. The Initial Temptation A. It comes through a little maid B. Peter's reaction III. The Subsequent Denials A. Notice the place of temptation 1. Spiritual darkness—the dark of night and cold 2. Bad company B. The succumbing to temptation C. The reminder—the cock crowed IV. Jesus' sufferings A. The focus of Passion Week is on Jesus' suffering B. How did Jesus suffer through Peter? C. The blood of Jesus is pictured Application A. Consider whether you have denied your Lord B. Love the Lord for suffering via Peter's denial C. Thank God that Jesus brings the elect home

At the organizational service for Atlanta Reformed Presbyterian Church, Rev. Colin Samul preached from Psalm 133.

Paul teaches the church the never-failing character of love. I. Nature—patience, humility, joy, goodness II. Necessity A. With respect to miracles B. With respect to sacrificial service C. Results if there's no love—noisy only; nothingness III. Never-failing Character A. Love never fails 1. Love will go on and on—reflecting God's love 2. Love never fails also in that it works effectively B. Temporary character of the Spirit's spectacular gifts 1. All revelation is temporary and will pass away 2. Having these gifts is not so great if there is no love 3. " Don't rejoice that the demons are subject to you" C. Analogies 1. Child—man 2. Mirror—face-to-face D. "the greatest" 1. Loves is the greatest of these three things 2. In what way can we say that faith and hope abide? Application A. Prepare for eternity by focusing on love B. Guard your heart against the enemies of love C. Look forward to the joy and love of heaven

Paul teaches the church about the necessity of love. I. Necessity A. With respect to miracles 1. In general 2. The particular items a. Tongues of men—glossolalia b. Tongues of angels c. Gift of prophecy d. Understand all mysteries, and all knowledge e. Have all faith B. With respect to sacrificial service 1. To man 2. To God 3. If I engage in truly sacrificial service C. Results 1. Noisy only 2. Nothingness Application A. Love, though necessary, is never meritorious B. In order truly to love, you must experience God's love 1. He has come to you in love 2. You must respond to Him in love 3. And that can only be done by faith