John 18:1-11 – Jesus Arrested

Recap:

Chapters 13-16…  where Jesus gives some of the most profound teaching and instruction for His Disciples & Followers. (My Opinion.)

Then Jesus Prays in John 17…  

Vs. 1-5 – Jesus prayed for Himself…

Vs. 6-19 – Jesus prays for His Them…

Vs. 20-26 – Jesus prays for “future” Disciples, His Church.  For all of those who would Believe in His name.  That’s Us…

Today we’re in John 18:1-11 – They come to Arrest Jesus.  

John 18:1-11 - 18 After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. (Mount of Olives, the Garden at Gethsemane.  Gethesemane means oil press.) 2 Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. 

It’s here that Jesus prays again.

Note: John doesn’t record the account of Jesus prayer in the Garden.  John was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about the deity, and glory of Jesusas the Son of God, rather than His humanity.  

Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42 and Luke 22:39-53 all record details of Jesus prayer in the garden the night He was arrested. (Go back and read all three accounts along with John to get a complete picture of what took place the night Jesus was arrested.) Today I’m going to be bouncing back and forth from John to Matthew and Luke.  

Matthew 26:36-38 - 36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” (Luke 22:41 He withdrew about a stones throw from them and knelt down and prayed.) 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed.38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”  (Stay here a pray with me.)

Jesus was fully God and He was also fully man.  In His “humanity”Jesus struggled with what was about to take place.  

Not only was it the most outrageous act of Physical, Emotional and Mental suffering… but it was also a place Jesus had never been Spiritually!  

Jesus gave His life on the Cross… no one took His life.   And in doing so He would take on himself all of God’s Wrath, Anger, & Hatred for sin. ALL SIN.  

Isaiah 53:4-5 - “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 - “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God”

On the cross Jesus cried, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matt. 27:46

Jesus had never known sin, never experienced sin, never knewseparation from God the Father.  As God’s Sacrifice and ours Heexperienced death, the grave, hell (separation from God) and the Wrath of God for all sin and all of Humanity.  He did that for us that we could be restored to God!  

THAT is why Jesus was in such agony, stressed out and troubled tothe point of death… to the point He’s sweating drops of blood and anAngel comes to strengthen Him. (Luke 22:43-44 - Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. 44 Being in anguish, he prayed more fervently, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.)

Hematidrosis – Blood Sweat.  A very rare situation due to extreme stress where the capillaries that feed the sweat glands rupture and your blood mixes with sweat.

NOTE:  Something to think about…  If the thought of experiencing God’s Wrath, being separated from God, paying for sin drove Jesus to the point of death and sweating drops of blood… should we not be as fearful (maybe more so!?)

Jesus had asked those closest to Him, Peter, James & John,

John 17: 20-26 – Jesus Prays

 

Recap:

Vs. 1-5 – Jesus prays for Himself…

Vs. 6-19 – Jesus prays for His Disciples…

Vs. 20-26 – Jesus prays for “future” Disciples, His Church.  For all of those who would Believe in His name. 

 

John 17:20-26 NLT - 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

 

Vs. 20-21 - 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples (Original 11) but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.

 

Back up a few verses to John 17:18 -  Jesus prayed… 18 Just as you (God) sent me (Jesus) into the world, I am sending them (My Disciples) into the world.

 

In Christ, the Holy Spirit SENDS us to SERVE and SHARE the Gospel of Jesus Christ for SALVATION! 

Matt. 20:28 – … the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”  As it was His mission, it’s also our Mission!

Mark 16:15 – And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

1 Peter 3:15 - … Respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have, but answer in a gentle way and with respect.

1 Peter 4:10-11 - 10 Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace. 11 Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 – 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Witness = Testify on someone’s behalf!

 

IF we are a Disciple of Jesus Christ, one of HIS Followers then in some way, shape, form or fashion HE equips us through the Holy Spirit…  WE are SENT out to SERVE and SHARE the Gospel for SALVATION!   

 

IF we aren’t SERVING and SHARING then we aren’t SURRENDERED to Him and we...

S.O.S. Salvation or Satan? Ask your neighbor……

Ask your neighbor on both sides of you, “Do you have Salvation or Satan?”

Salvation is only found in a relationship with Jesus Christ

With that said…….My view of Church and preachers prior to Salvation was..

I have heard you preach all my life about what you are against, when will I hear about what you are for?

Have you ever had something turn out completely different than you expected?

Have you ever learned something about your bike you had no idea about?

Most people are flabbergasted when I tell them there are 6 different oils you check/change on the new HARLEYS……Engine, Trans., Primary, Brake, Clutch, Forks…………or seven if you count your helmet!

Have you ever studied something, thought you knew it, but found out it was not like you pictured, thought, or was convinced of?

I thought of the Bible as a bunch of rules I didn’t need, a bunch of traditions I didn’t observe and a bunch of laws I was not going to obey.

I knew it would cost me more than I was willing to pay!

Story of Dyna Defender restoration….

When you open Gods word for yourself and read it for yourself, God reveals himself and relates to your every need. He encourages you, protects you and gives you boldness through KNOWING Him. He rocks your world!

John 17 is this scripture in my life and I want it to be in yours. Let’s take a look

KEPT

JOHN 17:13-19 Read aloud

v13- Coming to you, repeated from v11

also contrast to verse 12.. He assures them……and He is giving their care over to the Father

He told them many things ….so they “would be filled with my joy” NLT

So their joy is fulfilled-KJV NKJV

Full measure of my joy- NIV

No doubt He meant FULL TANK of Joy!!

If we leave hear today and go on a 250 mile ride and we ask if everyone is full on gas and you decide you are good because you filled up a couple days ago……You aint gonna make it like the ones who filled up

Is your Joy full?

v14- why does it say the world hates us?

God gave us the answer in Revelation through this same John

Revelation 12    (17) an event of great significance, he starts…..read aloud the account of satan thrown from heaven and defeated by Christ

When we do not share in the worlds sinfulness and desires and DECEPTION, our lives attest to the Spirit of God in us that worldly folks don’t have.

We are ambassadors for Christ and NOT satan if we are indeed children of God

John 1519

The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world so it hates you.

v15- Jesus prays protection for His disciples…..that they are KEPT from the Evil one- Ref. Job ….and the hedge of protection God had around him

Job 9:33 Job needs a DAYSMAN……A mediator we see him looking for Christ

v16- Repeating of v14 but in a direct comparison to himself!!

Romans 8:17 And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.

v17- Know him

John 17:3 And this is the way to have eternal life-to know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ the one you sent to earth

John 1:1 In the beginning the word already existed. The word was with God, and the word was God

John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

In Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39,

Jesus Prays for His Disciples Pt 1 John 17:6-12

Last week JD got into John 17

Known as “High Priestly Prayer” (The REAL “Lord’s Prayer”)

Longest prayer recorded in the bible

Prayed for Himself, His Disciples, and for US!! (those who would come after)

Prayed that the things He had just taught the disciple would be fulfilled.

“Glorify your Son so He can give glory back to You.”

​

V3: And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

Eternal life isn’t our retirement plan from God… It about our Relationship with God which starts at Salvation.  When JESUS become your LORD and your sins are forgiven!  Eternal life with God has begun!!!

We’re on a MISSION FROM GOD!

 

Just as Jesus completed the mission the Father gave him to do, we’re tocomplete our mission while we’re on this earth.

Our lives should be about knowing God and bringing Glory to God, as we Live, Love, and Obey God’s Word through the power of the Holy Spirit!  

 

Heaven is going to be awesome!

But until that time, we live out His Word and tell others about His Word(Jesus), which brings Glory to the God!

 

Jesus put it like this in V6: I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

 

That’s where I want to pick up with today as Jesus prays for the disciples.

 

What is a disciple?

One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.

 

A committed learner and imitator of Jesus Christ.  

 

A personal follower of Jesus during his life, especially one of the twelve Apostles.

 

Bill ~ A surrendered follower of Jesus, who knows and is known by Him. That shares Jesus with others through their actions and their words.

 

As modern-day disciples, we have common ground with the original Disciples / Apostles.

They followed in His steps ~ They followed his plan and purpose. They were just people who met Jesus.

 

See through His prayer for the Disciples, who God uses.

The Disciples were:

People whom He has given to the Son for His Glory,

People who have kept His Word, and

People whom He keeps, to reach the world for Himself.

 

John 17:6-12 nlt ~ 6 “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you,8 for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

Just as the disciples were given to Jesus from the Father,

God uses People whom He has given to the Son for His Glory.

V6 “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

John 17: 1-5 – Jesus Prays…

Last week we wrapped up John 16…  John 16:1 - I’ve told you these things so that you will not (Stumble, Falter, Fail and Abandon) your faith.

 

In Chapters 13-16 Jesus has shared with them (and us)… “All We Need” to:

* To live in the right Relationship with Him… Obedient to Him… To be His Witness.

* To make Disciples of Christ, who make Disciples of Christ… To be the HIS Church.

* To fulfill the Mission He gave us, so that the World will believe in Him and surrender to Him.

He even gave us the Method to follow: Acts 2:42-47 - 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

 

John 16:33 – I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart (be encouraged, stand firm, be confident) I have over-come the world!

 

John 17:1-5 – Jesus Prays… There’s no way to cover John 17.   At best all I can do is share what I believe God has revealed to me and the more I read God’s word the more He reveals and it’s always something new.  As I always say… YOU need to read it and let God speak to you. 

 

John 17:1-5 - After saying all these things, (These Things…  Jesus prays a summary of the things He shared from Chapter 13-16.  A prayer for God to fulfill all that Jesus has promised and shared with them.)

Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began. 6 “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

 

* We’re not at the Garden yet, this is His prior to the Garden. John 18:1 - After Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

* John 17 is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the Bible, and only in the book of John.

* John 17 is real “The Lord’s Prayer.” (Or as most call it, the “High Priestly Prayer.”)  The Lord’s Prayer is really the Lord’s Model prayer for us.

 

It’s a prayer meant for the Disciples to hear in order to strengthen their Faith, Trust, and Belief and to give them courage to face what was to come…   His crucifixion and then His resurrection.

 

In John 17, we see the intimate relationship between the Jesus and God the Father.  We see the intimacy and what we’re supposed to have in our own relationship with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

 

SIDE BAR:  Jesus was always praying…  He modeled the importance of Prayer for the Disciples.  He was constantly rising early, staying late or slipping off someplace to Pray.  If Jesus, the Son of God needed to pray… and found time to pray… and spend time with God the Father..  HOW MUCH MORE SHOULD WE!

 

Prayer is CRITICAL!  It’s our Battle Plan!

Ephesians 6:10-18 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world,

John 16:16-33  - All That You Need…

Recap…

John 16:1 - I’ve told you these things (Chapter 13 – 15) so you won’t abandon your faith (Stumble).

 

It’s getting very close to Jesus arrest and things are going to go from bad to worse, to worst (Worstestest!)    

 

I’m going away…  And you’re going to be hated, persecuted, kicked out of the Synagogue, your own people are going to try and kill you, because of me….  thinking they’re doing a holy service for God.

 

It’s a good thing I’m going away because if I don’t go… the Advocate, the Spirit of Truth won’t come.  HE will help you…  He will be in you so don’t give in, give up!

 

Just as we have a Mission from God… for Christ  The Holy Spirit has a Mission from God… for Christ.

* To Minister to the World…

Vs. 8-11 - And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.  9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. (Jesus was God, sinless and the perfect sacrifice, in HIM we are righteous before God!) 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. (In Jesus death and resurrection satan has been defeated!)

 

* To Minister to Followers of Jesus to help us become like Him (So we can fulfill Our Mission!)

* A Relationship with Jesus, Obedience to Him and to be a Witness for Him in the world… To make Disciples who make disciples to advance God’s Kingdom on earth.

* To Follow HIS method of Advancing His Kingdom. Acts 2:42-47

 

 

The Holy Spirit’s Ministry includes and involves us, Followers of Jesus!

We “DO LIFE TOGETHER” in Christ - for Christ  - as a Witness to Christ so the world would come to know Him!   

 

 

The Greatest Gift God gave us is Jesus… the Greatest Gift Jesus gave us is the Holy Spirit…

 

* Convicts the world of Sin, God’s righteousness and the coming judgement - John 16:8

* Guides us into all Truth. - John 16:13

* Indwells in those who repent and surrender their life to Christ. - John 14:16-17

* Gives us a new heart (Ez. 36:26-27)

* We’re Sealed as His… - 1:13

* Teaches us, guides us, instructs, leads, reminds us. - John 14:26

* As HE rules and reigns in us and through us Fruit is produced in our life. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…  - Gal. 5:22-23

* Comforts, Encourages - John 16:7

* Equips us with Spiritual Gifts. - 1 Cor. 12:4-7

* He fills us. - Eph 5:18

* Gives us Strength. - Eph 3:16

* Gives us Power. - Acts 1:8

* Transforms us into the image of Christ… 2 Corinthians 3:18

* Sanctifies us… (Set apart for special use.) 2 Thess. 2:13

* Helps us deny the natural man… Gal. 5:16

* Helps us in our weakness… Romans 8:26

* Give us Joy… 1 Thess. 1:6

* Unites us together as one body… Eph. 4; John 17:21

* Helps us to pray… even when we don’t know what to pray… intercedes for us… Romans 8:26

* Sets us Free… Romans 8:2, John 8:31-36

* Gives us direct access to the Father… Eph. 2:18

* Removes all guilt, and condemnation… and gives us REAL LIFE! Romans 8:1-2, 11

* Gives us HOPE! Romans 15:13

Think about those first Followers of Jesus…  40 days after the Resurrection Jesus goes back to the Father…  NO Church Blueprint to follow…  No Association, No Bapt. State Convention…  Didn’t even have the New Testament! (That came 40 years later.

John 15:28-16:15  "We’re on a Mission From God" - Bill Johnson

Ch 15 What it looks like to be (evidence of) True Disciples

Vs 1-15

• Intimacy with Jesus

• Obedient

• Produce MUCH fruit

• His JOY

• Love as Christ loved

• Lay down their lives for each other

• Producing LASTING fruit

• True Disciples love God and love each other.

Vs 18-25 The World’s Hatred

• 5:18 If the world hates you remember it hated me first.

The world hates true disciples because:

• True disciples have the Spirit of Christ living in them.

• True disciples are not part of the world… Separate, set apart from the world.

• The world doesn’t know God. ~ Unless a person has surrendered through repentance to Jesus Christ and have His Spirit living in them, they can’t really know God.

• The more we become like Christ the more hostility and hated the world will have for us!

Remember, this is Jesus last opportunity to pour into His disciples before He is crucified…

He’s preparing them for what is to come!

His death – resurrection – coming Holy Spirit and the work they are to continue after he is gone.

The disciples, and us, we have something to do!

Have you ever asked yourself, “What is God calling me to do?”

1. He’s calling you to HIMSELF!

2. He’s calling us to something BIGGER THAN Our self!

Video - "We're on a Mission From God"

We REALLY are on a Mission from God…

Today’s scripture in a nutshell:

Jesus is telling the disciples (and us): Times are going to be tough. Don’t you fall away from Me!

You’re on a mission from God and I’m sending you the Supernatural Help that you’ll need to complete it!

SCRIPTURE

John 15:26-27 ~ 16:1-15

26 But I will send you the Advocate — the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

1“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me.4 Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.

5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’

Walk Through…

15:26-27 Your Power & Your Mission

26 “But I will send you the Advocate — the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.

That’s WHO our power comes from! Ch’s 14,

John 15:18-27 – True Disciples…    

Recap…

True Disciples…

* Have an Intimacy with Jesus. We Remain in Him and He is us…

* Are Obedient to His commands. As Jesus was obedient to the Father, we are obedient to Jesus.

* Produce much fruit. In our Relationship with Him, Obedience to Him, and as a Witness for Him… we produce much fruit.

* Have Overflowing JOY! Joy that we are restored to God the Father and we have PEACE with God through Jesus Christ!

* Love as Christ loved… there’s an extraordinary love for the body of Christ. Our love for each other proves to the world we are HIS Disciples!

* Lay down their lives for each other… Real Friends, Brothers lay down their lives for each other.

* Produce lasting fruit. Everything else will be burned up one day but our Relationship in Him, our Obedience to Him, and our Witness for Him. 13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:13   The Greatest commandment will last forever – Love of God – Love of others.

 

True Disciples Love God and Love each other…  They aren’t isolated, disconnected…  they’re involved, connected… “DOING LIFE TOGETHER” just like our body is connected.  Loving God, loving each other and helping each other become more and more like Christ!  

* Devoted to the Word of God…

* Devoted to Fellowship…

* Devoted to the Breaking Bread…

* Devoted to Prayer…

 

 

There’s also something else that’s evident of True Disciples…  and it’s a stark contrast to what Jesus has been telling them. 

John 15:18-21 - 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.

 

The World… Referring to a system of evil, the dominion of darkness, the kingdom or spiritual forces of evil...  ruled by Satan.

 

The World… Referring to people…  Just as God uses people to carry out His plans on earth, Satan uses people to carry out his plans.   Those living in the world who are not part of God’s family… No repentance, living for themselves, doing their thing…  Or coming to God on their terms… in a way that seems right to man.  (Satan disguises himself as an angel of light…) and it’s all a part of satan’s kingdom.

 

In the world (In that System and with those who are not part of God’s Family) there will be a animosity, hostility and a hatred for True Disciples of Christ! 

 

 

Why does the world hate True Disciples:   Jesus tells them…

* True Disciples of Christ have the Spirit of Christ living in them.

John 15:18 - 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

IF we Remain in Him and He in us… If we’re Obedient to Him and His commandments… If we’re a Witness for Him…  we have CHRIST inside… and BECAUSE THE WORLD HATED JESUS THEY WILL HATE US!

 

NOTE: Most People aren’t going to come out and say “I hate Jesus.”  “I love the devil…”  They don’t have to say it, it shows in their rejection and denial of Him…

 

Matthew 10:22 - "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”

John 3:16-20 - 16 For God loved the world in th...

John 15:12-17 – True Disciples

 

Recap: John 15:1-11 – True Disciples….

* Jesus is the Vine!

 

* God is the Gardener…

 

* People are the Branches…

 

* There are only two types of Branches (People) Those who produce Fruit and those who don’t!  

 

Pick it up in Vs. 5 - 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. (Not might, maybe, or someday, but because we’re in HIM we WILL produce Fruit.) For apart from me you can do nothing.  6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

 

Fruit we can expect to see in our life... 

Galatians 5:22-23 – The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our life…  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

2 Peter 1:5-8 – We supplement our Faith with a generous provision of… Moral excellence, Knowledge, Self-control, Patient Endurance, Godliness, Brotherly Affection, and love for everyone.   

 

As a TRUE DISCIPLE OF Christ we should see those “increasing in measure” in our life!  

 

John 15:9-11 -  9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

 

Obedience is critical to our Relationship with Jesus.  IF we aren’t willing to Obey His commandments, we have a Relationship issue!   Obedience to Him is directly proportional to our Relationship in Him.

 

IF we love someone deeply, passionately, and we’re devoted to them then we want to do what pleases that person. Obedience is the “natural response/result” of loving someone and being devoted to that person.

 

John 15:11 - 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

 

In our Relationship, in our Obedience we experience the Joy of Jesus Christ and HIS Joy becomes OUR Joy, and not only that, but it overflows in our life!  (If your JOY isn’t overflowing check the Relationship and your Obedience!)

 

Today, John 15:12-17 – True Disciples…

12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

 

Twice now, Jesus has given the command to Love each other in the same way He has loved us.

John 13:34-35 – 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

John 15:12-13 - 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

 

It’s impossible to command someone to Love…   UNLESS we have the Relationship in Christ we can’t love like Jesus loved!  You MUST have the Holy Spirit of God in you before you can love like Christ!

WE may not always agree, we may not have very much in common, but because of our RELATIONSHIP in Christ… The Holy Spirit ...