John 12:12-13; 19:38-42; 20:11-22

On this Palm Sunday we continue our journey with the book, "40 Days of Decrease." Our current readings in the book of John have brought us past the events of Palm Sunday to describe scenes of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.

As we see various characters begin to understand the nature of Jesus' Kingship, we start to see responses that appropriately proclaim Him as King, not just through waving palm branches and mouthing words, but through real actions.

To Truly Proclaim Jesus as King...

"God's desire for representatives, unity, and relationship" - John 17

John 17 is very important in our understanding of what Jesus sacrificed through His death as this passage records a beautiful prayer of Jesus and gives us a glimpse into what was going through His mind right before His death.

Jesus' prayer in John 17 reveals to us God's heart for how we are to live in the world, how we treat one another, and how He desires to be in relationship with us.

God's heart for us is that we would be sent into the world as carriers of His truth (17:14-19). Jesus does not want us to be taken out of our struggles and circumstances. Rather, He 'sends us' into the world with His truth (truth as reality, not just rightness). God's heart for us is that we would be united to the Father and one another (17:20-23). Jesus prayed for unity between believers as Jesus wants to see us get caught up into the relationship between Him and His Father. God's heart for us is that we would be in relationship with Him. (17:24-26) "Desire is at the heart of the cross..." (Corey Russell) Father, I Desire that they would be with me where I am. Jesus gets His prayers answered - this is the Eternal prayer of the ages - I want my church where I am, in full unity, fascinated with me...

John 18:1-11

On this fourth Sunday of Lent, we continue our journey with the book, "40 Days of Decrease." Our current readings in the book of John have brought us to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus is arrested. The story paints an amazing scene in which trained, rugged soldiers fall back on the ground at the sound of Jesus' voice.

The irony in this account is thick. Jesus is the one arrested, yet we're left with the clear picture that He is firmly in control. He is not forced to go to the cross but goes willingly, having affirmed with the words "I Am He" that He is God in the flesh.

John has previously described a number of "I AM" declarations which Jesus willingly embraces and fulfils as He makes His way to the cross.

Jesus said...

I Am the Bread of Life (John 6:30-35)

Those who heard Jesus make this declaration would have known God fed His people miraculously in the desert during the Exodus and that Jesus had very recently miraculously fed a crowd.

As God's people were sustained in the wilderness by God, so followers of Jesus are provided His sustaining presence. As we turn intentionally to "feast" on God's presence, He brings vitality to our faith and hope.

I Am the Gate for the Sheep (John 10:7-10)

Jesus declares that He is the entrance to restored life with God. Beyond entrance, He is also our protection against those who want to steal our experience of God's life.

We embrace Jesus as the Gate when we believe He is the source of True Life and follow His lead.

I Am the True Vine

By using this statement, Jesus is declaring that He is the True Israel, the One through whom God's purposes are fulfilled on earth.

As a branch cannot thrive in isolation so, as followers of Jesus, we cannot thrive without vital connection to Christ and His people.

March 7, 2021 - LENT: LIFE BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE "WORLD"

John 13:1-17; 14:1-6

On this second Sunday of Lent, we continue our journey with the book, "40 Days of Decrease." Our current readings in the book of John have us in the Upper Room, where Jesus washed His disciples' feet and began to explain His soon coming departure.

In John 14:1-6, Jesus talked of going away to make available the kind of life He came to offer, not just in the future, but for now as well.

Jesus is the True Way to Eternal Life with God...which begins NOW!!! (Jn. 14:1-6)

The language of the Father's "house" has connotations not only of a place, but also of a household or family. Jesus provides a way to a restored relationship with God, the Father. We are promised a place of meaningful and intimate relationship with God in His family.

Thus, Jesus is not only the Way to a destination, He offers a whole new Way of Life.

The story of the foot washing reveals key facets of this amazing way of life restored to God.

We are Given a Secure Identity (Jn. 13:1-5)

Jesus could move forward toward the cross and engage in the menial and gracious task of washing the feet of those who would desert Him because He knew He was God's loved Son.

The identity we receive in Christ can ground us in the midst of all the voices calling us to prove ourselves.

We are Invited to Deeping Growth in Character (Jn. 13:6-10)

Jesus' interaction with Peter anticipated how His death would ultimately provide for cleansing from our sin, with a promise of continued deepening work of growing us in Christ-like character.

As forgiven followers of Christ, we can continually bring the real issues of our lives to Christ for His transforming touch.

We are Challenged to Meaningful Service (Jn. 13:12-17)

As Christ has served us, He sends us to serve one another, and as His family to serve the world for His sake.

As Christ's followers, we are invited to be part of the significant work God is doing in His church and in the world.

John 12:24-26

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. As we begin a journey with the book, "40 Days of Decrease," the messages during this season will come from the daily readings in John 12-21 that are recommended in the book.

We begin today with Christ's words in John 12:24-26, where Jesus provides His certain response to the awareness that His impending crucifixion was near. This response appropriately addresses the question...

How can we prepare for the new life and growth made possible by Christ's resurrection?

For new life to emerge, some old ways need to die. (v. 25)

When Jesus spoke about how a single kernel of wheat needs to die to give birth to much more life, He was alluding to the coming reality of His death and resurrection.

This truth, however, implies that our deeper experience of life will come as we, in God's strength, put to death that which stands in the way of His life springing more fully in us.

The preceding stories John tells provide very practical examples of what needs to die...

Empty Religious Ritual (Jn. 11:45-53)

The religious leaders checked all the right religious boxes, but remained blind to all the signs Jesus performed to reveal who He was.

Let us ask God to open our eyes to His loving truth and not be content with "going through motions."

Lack of Authenticity (Jn. 12:4-6)

Though Judas had spent much time with Jesus, He had many unanswered questions and was hiding some very real struggles with sinful behaviour.

The reality of our questions and struggles need to be brought from dark hiding places to the light of God's love and truth.

Surface Solutions (Jn. 12:12-13)

The crowd that praised Jesus as God's Saviour was expecting a political and military Messiah, not One who would deal with their much deeper root need for forgiveness and restoration with God.

Let us enter this Lent season with a willingness to let God deal with root issues in our lives.

Isaiah 42:1-9

Last week, we began a journey through this passage in which Christ is prophesied as the Coming Servant of the Lord. As those served by Him, we are now sent to serve as He served (Jn. 20:21-22).

Today, we'll see what this prophecy has to say about how and who Jesus came to serve.

If we are sent to serve as Jesus came to serve...

How are we to serve?

Rather than draw attention to ourselves, we are to serve God's purposes faithfully as He provides opportunity and let Him determine the scope. (v. 2,8)

Rather than impose Christ's reign by force, we are to serve with compassion. (v. 3, 1 Peter 3:15)

Rather than try to control results, we are to serve expecting God to do new things in His time and way. (v. 9, Mt. 13:31-32)

Who are we to serve?

We are to serve those worn down by life's circumstances and injustices. (v. 3, Mt. 12:20)

We are to serve those who are ethnically different than us. (v. 4, Mt. 12:21)

We are to serve those who are spiritually distant. (v. 6, Acts 1:8)

***WARNING: WE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE MICROPHONE AND THERE IS SOME HIGH-PITCHED RINGING THROUGHOUT THE SERMON. ***

Isaiah 42:1-9

We live in a culture that is quick to serve itself. This "self" focus runs quite counter to the challenge of many references we find in Isaiah to "the servant of the Lord."

God called His people, Israel to be His servant (41:9), yet they failed to serve His purposes (42:18-19). As such, God said He would raise up another servant (42:1) who would bring His just order to the world. Jesus came as this Perfect Servant and now we who follow Him are sent out as His servants (Jn. 20:21).

"Because He (Jesus) is the Perfect Servant, He is also the Model Servant, the true pattern for all who, through Him, are the Lord's servants today." - JA Motyer

As those restored by Jesus' service, we are sent to the world as His servants. This implies that...

We are Loved by God.

God "delights in" His servant. We do not serve from a place of needing or earning love, but from a place of being loved. (1 Jn. 4:19, 2 Cor. 5:14)

As we grasp God's love and service toward us, we gain freedom to love and serve others without resentment or need to receive anything in return.

We are Empowered by God's Spirit.

The Holy Spirit that was promised to God's servant in Isaiah is the same Spirit given to us who follow Jesus today. (Jn. 20:21-22)

Rather than be overwhelmed by situations and needs around us which often leads to to self-protective inactivity, we can move forward knowing God is actively, purposefully and powerfully with us.

We are sent to Restore Order to Broken People and a Broken World.

The word "justice" has the sense of restoring God's good and right order (His Kingdom reign). (Mt. 6:9-10)

We have been given the incredibly significant task of being the hands, feet and voice of Christ in His work of bringing restored order to people around us and to the world in which He has placed us.

Discussion/Reflection Questions

When you look at the brokenness in our world, how do you tend to respond? With fear and protection or with a sense of wanting to serve in bringing God's meaningful hope and restoration? Where are you on the spectrum between these two responses?

How can our service actually be quite self-motivated and self-serving? Why is it important that we increasingly serve out of knowing we are loved and restored by God?

How can a deepening awareness of the presence of God's Spirit move us toward meaningful service?

Where is God placing a burden in your heart regarding the need in a person or group of people? What might it look like for you serve God's purposes in the lives of this person or group?

God is Our Trusted Source of Hope (Psalm 121)

We start by lifting up our eyes to God (1-2)

God's presence is active (3-4)

God's presence offers us protection (5-8)

He promises to be with us in difficult times (Isaiah 43:1-4)

Moving Forward in Hope

Cultivating the hope that we have in God

Prayer

Scripture

Telling stories of God's faithfulness (Joshua 4:21-22)

Sabbath

Stewarding our selves

Maintain healthy habits

Steward our attention and thoughts (Philippians 4:8)

Avoid escapism

Walking in community

Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Look outward

Maintain connection

Resources:

McKernan Baptist Church

(780) 436-0611

Alberta Mental Health Helpline

1-877-303-2642

Help in Tough Times Website

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/page16759.aspx

As Isaiah continues to address the situation of God's people exiled in Babylon, he addresses the fear that will certainly threaten them, especially when Persia overtakes Babylon (41:10). Not only does Isaiah call the exiles not to fear, He offers them solid truth that speaks to their (and our) fear.

When fear threatens to control us, God assures us with these truths...