Redemption Bible Church of New Braunfels, TX

Vertical faithfulness and fruitfulness matter most to God.

Faithfulness = consistently stewarding the responsibility God gives us.

Fruitfulness = faithfully multiplying the responsibility God gives us.

1. We love one another sacrificially. (9-10)

Do I want to know them?

Can I see beyond the obvious differences to understand their heart?

Will I put their interests ahead of mine?

Do I desire their spiritual growth?

Am I willing to do what I can if asked?

2. We live among one another simply. (11)

3. We walk among outsiders properly. (12)

We must be tethered to, hemmed in by, and led forward by the steadfast love of God.

His steadfast love…

-is an anthem for everyone. (Psalm 118:1-4)

-is an anthem for every circumstance. (Psalm 136)

-is an anthem for every morning. (Psalm 143:8 and Psalm 90:14)

-is assaulted in times of trouble. (Psalm 77:8)

-anchors us when tempted to sin. (Psalm 107)

-is an anthem of our adoration. (2 Chronicles 7:3,6)

-adds strength when difficulty awaits. (2 Chronicles 20:21)

-anchors our hope when life is messed up. (Jeremiah 33:11)

-is an anthem for times of restoration. (Ezra 3:11)

Jesus continues to offer grace despite unbelief.

1. Unbelief comes from a hard heart. (37-41)

2. Weak faith comes from fear of man. (42-43)

3. Jesus came for us to have eternal life. (44-50)

John 12:44 = John 5:24

John 12:45 = John 6:40

John 12:46 = John 1:4

John 12:47 = John 3:17

John 12:48 = John 6:39

John 12:49 = John 3:16

Jesus was glorified through His sacrificial death.

1. Jesus’ death brings… Life. (20-26)

2. Jesus’ death brings… Glory. (27-30)

3. Jesus’ death brings… Judgement. (31-34)

4. Believe in The Light. (35-36)

There is nothing we can have that is greater than Jesus

1. What you value on this Earth, shows what you believe. (1-3)

2. A self-serving heart = death. A humble and sacrificial heart = resurrected life that Glorifies God. (4-8)

3. You are living a life inviting others to see the value of Christ or plotting to raise your own value. (9-11)

4. Value the One who fulfills life-giving prophecy above all else! (12-19)

Jesus’ life and death divides and unifies.

As Jesus moves toward the cross it…

1. Causes division of belief among people. (45-46)

2. Exposes the motives of people. (47-50)

3. Creates unity in His people. (51-54)

4. Fulfills the Passover for His people. (55-57)

The Key to living loved is understanding how I have been adopted into the family of God.

1. See the beauty of my adoption into God’s family. (Deut. 33:12)

The beauty of adoption is…

Security

Confidence

Enjoyment

Application:

Clarify the distortions of my adoption into God's family

2. Trust the offer of adoption. (Galatians 4:4-7)

He redeems

He adopts

He gave us his Holy Spirit

He teaches us intimacy of relationship

He made us his child (co-heir)

Application:

Believe in Jesus

3. Embrace the intimacy of adoption

"Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God'."

John 20:17

" In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.

Ephesians 1:11

"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

Luke 11:13

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:14-17

Application:

Rest in your position in God's family

The true and living God has not only forgiven you and Justified you, but most wonderful of all is that...

He has adopted you!

Jesus receives glory when we believe in His resurrection power…

Even when we don’t know how He is going to do it. (vs 1-16)

Even when we think we know better. (vs 17-22, 32, 37)

Even when the timing does not make sense to us. (vs 23-27)

Even when our emotions run strong. (vs 28-38)

Even when it seems impossible. (vs 39-44)

The Eternal One is the only one that gives eternal life.

1) The Eternal One is the only one that keeps us safe. (vs 24-29)

2) The Eternal One is the best and forever hero. (vs 22-23, 30-38)

3) The Eternal One is the one we must respond to. (vs 39-42)

It is the priority of every believer to maintain and protect the gift of freedom given through Jesus Christ.

1. Rise Up for Freedom (v. 1)

2. Trust the Source of Freedom (v. 2-6)

3. Avoid the Threats to Freedom (v. 7-12)

4. Fulfill the Purpose of Freedom (v. 13-15)