Depression

Where do you turn when your heart is troubled?

In John 14:1-6, with the cross just hours away, Jesus comforts His fearful disciples. Dr. Toby Holt opens some of the most reassuring words in all of Scripture.

The disciples are shaken — Jesus has spoken of leaving, of a betrayer, of Peter's denial. Into that fear He says, "Let not your heart be troubled," promising a prepared place in His Father's house. When Thomas admits they don't know the way, Jesus answers: "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

Questions this study answers:

1. How does Jesus comfort troubled hearts? He points beyond the present trouble to a prepared place with the Father and to Himself as the sure way there.

2. What did Jesus mean, "I am the way"? He is not one path among many; He is the only way to the Father. Salvation is found in Him alone.

3. Why does this passage still speak to us? Because we, like the disciples, face fear and loss. Jesus' promise of a home and a way home steadies anxious hearts.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." — John 14:6 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Unthinkable.

In John 13, the Creator washed the feet of people that He created.

And moments later, one went out to betray Him.

The Lord Supper was filled with several shocking moments like these.

We’ll consider two of them in today’s study of John 13:1-17.

God’s voice boomed from Heaven.

Did the people listen and obey?

No. They dismissed it as ‘thunder.’

Many say they’re waiting for proof of God and His plan, asking for a clearer revelation from on high. Yet when He answers, guess what? They ignore Him.

What about you?

This will be the focus of today’s study in John 12.

Jesus wept on Palm Sunday.

While others shouted ‘Hosanna’ and laid down palm branches, Jesus wept.

But why?

Because He knew something the others did not.

In today’s study, we’ll consider what that was.

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Toby Holt

Text: John 12:12-19

Motives matter.

For example, some people pursued Christ with good, positive intentions.

But others (like Judas Iscariot) had selfish or wicked motives.

What are your own motives in coming to Christ?

Is it for His glory and interests, or for yours?

That will be the focus of today’s study in John 12.

He let him die.

That’s what the people were thinking.

Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, and rather than go to him, He let him die.

But that’s not what happened, was it?

Instead, Jesus permitted a difficult situation in order to bring about a miraculous outcome. We will consider that outcome in today’s study of John 11.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus wait so long to go to Lazarus?

B) Where is Jesus when His people need Him?

C) How does God bring good out of evil?

website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons

What makes a ‘good’ shepherd?

He doesn’t run when the wolves come.

In John 10, Jesus faced all sorts of ‘wolves.’ From Pharisees, to Romans, to the Devil himself, Jesus was always in grave danger.But so were His sheep! And so, instead of running, Jesus faced the evils of this world on their behalf. Then, He drank down the cup of God’s wrath on Calvary. Truly, there has never been a Shepherd like Jesus of Nazareth – the One who gave His life to save His flock.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What two jobs do shepherds have?

B) Why did Jesus refer to ‘sheep not of this fold?’

C) What are the implications of being a ‘sheep?’

website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons

She was guilty. No doubt about it.

As the woman stood before Jesus, no one defended her actions – not even her. She was guilty.

So what would Jesus do?

That’s what they all wondered.

The Pharisees had set this whole encounter up to trap Jesus. How would He deal with her sin and her guilt? Would He condemn her and risk the wrath of Rome? Would He free her and reject the law’s demands? What would He do? They were not ready for His answer.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What is the ‘divine dilemma?’

B) What was the trap set in John 8?

C) How can a holy God forgive sinners?

website: www.fpcgulfport.org

Some things are hard to believe. Others are hard to accept.

At the start of John 6, thousands pursued Jesus. By the end, few remained. What happened to the rest?

The short answer: they heard Jesus talk, and they didn’t like what He said. They could not accept His difficult teachings, and so they left.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What drew people to Jesus initially?

B) What caused His disciples to remain?

C) What does this say about us?

website: www.fpcgulfport.org

It was late. The people were hungry.

Thousands had followed Jesus out of desperation. They were sick, hurting, and now starving. And as Jesus looked out at the crowds, He had compassion. In today’s study, we’ll see how He responded.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did the people follow Jesus?

B) Why didn’t they bring food?

C) What sign did Jesus perform, and why?

website: www.fpcgulfport.org