John 17:20-26

“The Unimpeachable Community: Convincing the World”

The Ultimate Community ... Corresponding to the Trinity

The Unique Community ... Connecting with Christ

The Undergirding Community ... Cohering to the Church

The Unimpeachable Community ... Convincing the World

Introduction:

I. The Community Conforms us to the Character of Christ (11, 15, 17)

II. The Community Compels Conviction & Conversion to Christ (20-21)

III. The Community Conveys the Concreteness of Christ (22-23)

IV. The Community is Consummated in Closeness to Christ (24-26)

Acts 2:42-47

“The Undergirding Community ... Cohering to the Church”

Introduction:

Marks of a healthy, maturing, Spirit-filled church:

I. Learning (42, “the apostles teaching”)

II. Connecting (42, “Fellowship”;44, 46)

III. Worshipping (42, “the breaking of bread”; 46, 47a)

IV. Praying (42)

V. Sharing (45)

VI. Reaching (47b)

Acts 2:42-47

“The Undergirding Community ... Cohering to the Church”

Introduction:

Marks of a healthy, maturing, Spirit-filled church:

I. Learning (42, “the apostles teaching”)

II. Connecting (42, “Fellowship”;44, 46)

III. Worshipping (42, “the breaking of bread”; 46, 47a)

IV. Praying (42)

V. Sharing (45)

VI. Reaching (47b)

John 15:1-11

"The Unique Community ... Connecting with Christ”

Introduction: Enjoying union with Christ by communion with Christ

Principles of Connecting (Abiding) in Christ

1. What happens to non-fruit bearing branches? (2a, 6)

2. What happens to those who do bear fruit? (2b, 3, 8)

3. Why and how is ‘abiding’ the key to fruit-bearing (4, 5)

Synonyms: “sit, stay put, settle down”

• Rely ... “Sit”

• Remain ... “Stay Put”

• Reside ... “settle Down”

5. How do we abide in Christ?

1. Rely on Christ’s Words (7)

2. Rest in Christ’s Love (9)

3. Respond to Christ’s Commandments (10, 12-14)

4. Request in Christ’s Name (7, 16)

5. Results in Bringing Glory to the Father (8)

John 15:1-11

"The Unique Community ... Connecting with Christ”

Introduction: Enjoying union with Christ by communion with Christ

Principles of Connecting (Abiding) in Christ

1. What happens to non-fruit bearing branches? (2a, 6)

2. What happens to those who do bear fruit? (2b, 3, 8)

3. Why and how is ‘abiding’ the key to fruit-bearing (4, 5)

Synonyms: “sit, stay put, settle down”

• Rely ... “Sit”

• Remain ... “Stay Put”

• Reside ... “settle Down”

5. How do we abide in Christ?

1. Rely on Christ’s Words (7)

2. Rest in Christ’s Love (9)

3. Respond to Christ’s Commandments (10, 12-14)

4. Request in Christ’s Name (7, 16)

5. Results in Bringing Glory to the Father (8)

Revelation 21:1-8- Making All Things New

Problem: The Beauty of Creation is regularly overwhelmed and crushed by the Brokenness of our World.

I. Why is the NH/NE a necessary part of the Gospel?

a. Full Redemption was always meant to be PHYSICAL. (Is. 65:17-19)

b. If not physical, then redemption would be a FAILURE. (Rom. 8:19-22)

II. What will the NH/NE be like?

a. All PEOPLES with God Forever (.v3)

b. The EXTINCTION of Distress (v.4)

c. A RENEWED Cosmic Order (v.5)

d. Eternal SATISFACTION of the Soul (v.6)

III. What difference does the NH/NE make to me today?

a. The PRESENT benefits of Christianity can’t conquer my sinful practices (v.7-8)

b. Heaven on Earth is future…so accept being an EXILE today. (Heb. 11:13-14,16)

c. Creation governed for God’s glory is a PREVIEW of what’s to come. (Matt.5:14-16)

Revelation 21:1-8- Making All Things New

Problem: The Beauty of Creation is regularly overwhelmed and crushed by the Brokenness of our World.

I. Why is the NH/NE a necessary part of the Gospel?

a. Full Redemption was always meant to be PHYSICAL. (Is. 65:17-19)

b. If not physical, then redemption would be a FAILURE. (Rom. 8:19-22)

II. What will the NH/NE be like?

a. All PEOPLES with God Forever (.v3)

b. The EXTINCTION of Distress (v.4)

c. A RENEWED Cosmic Order (v.5)

d. Eternal SATISFACTION of the Soul (v.6)

III. What difference does the NH/NE make to me today?

a. The PRESENT benefits of Christianity can’t conquer my sinful practices (v.7-8)

b. Heaven on Earth is future…so accept being an EXILE today. (Heb. 11:13-14,16)

c. Creation governed for God’s glory is a PREVIEW of what’s to come. (Matt.5:14-16)

The Ultimate Community

The Trinity (Vs. 5)

A. Reveals Perfect Relationship (Vs. 1,2,5,24)

B. Reveals Perfect Unity (Vs. 3,4)

C. Reveals Perfect Diversity (Vs. 2)

D. Reveals Perfect Love (Vs. 24)

The Ultimate Community

The Trinity (Vs. 5)

A. Reveals Perfect Relationship (Vs. 1,2,5,24)

B. Reveals Perfect Unity (Vs. 3,4)

C. Reveals Perfect Diversity (Vs. 2)

D. Reveals Perfect Love (Vs. 24)

Psalm 73

“A Longing for Solutions”

Introduction:

I. The Perspective that Enables us to Probe the Problems of Life (1, 2)

II. The Perplexity Produced by Lost Perspective (3-16)

A. Perplexed by the Peace and Plenty of the Wicked (3-5)

B. Perplexed by the Pride and Impiety of the Wicked (6-12)

III. The Place Where Perspective is Regained (17)

IV. The Punishment of the Wicked (18-20, 27)

V. The Peace that Regained Perspective Brings (21-26)

A. View of Personal Puniness (21-22)

B. A View of God’s Provision (23ff)

1. His Presence (23a, 28)

2. His Path (24)

3. His Portion (25-26)