Reverberate: A Berean Bible Church Podcast | Knoxville, TN

Title: Psalm 40
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Psalm 40
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.
Blessed is the man who makes
the LORD his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
O LORD, make haste to help me!
Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the LORD!”
As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God! (ESV)
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Jed Gillis' sermon on Psalm 40 explores the journey from despair to worship, highlighting the cyclical nature of human life filled with ups and downs. David begins in a "pit of destruction," representing deep personal struggles and sin. He cries out to God, not with formal pleas but with a child's desperate call for help. The act of waiting on God is portrayed as an intense longing for deliverance, akin to a diver's need for air. God's rescue is described as setting David's feet upon a rock, symbolizing stability and security amidst chaos.
David's response to God's deliverance is one of praise and proclamation. He emphasizes that God’s mercy isn't earned through sacrifices or good works but is a result of His steadfast love and faithfulness. This realization leads David to openly declare God's faithfulness and salvation to others, fostering a community of trust in the Lord.
The sermon encourages believers to cry out to God in their own pits of despair, wait patiently for His deliverance, and respond with heartfelt praise. It underscores that this cycle—crying out, waiting, being rescued, and praising—is ongoing in the Christian life until the ultimate day when all tears and sins are wiped away.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: John 17
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In this sermon, Jed Gillis delves into the profound passage of John 17, where Jesus prays the longest recorded prayer in Scripture. The central theme is glory—specifically, the glory of God revealed through Jesus Christ. Jesus begins by asking the Father to glorify Him so that He may, in turn, glorify the Father. This glory isn't just a heavenly radiance but a deep-seated value and worth that Jesus embodies and reveals through His life, death, and resurrection.
Jesus prays for His disciples, emphasizing their unity and sanctification. He asks the Father to keep them in His name—a plea for protection rooted in God's character and essence. This divine guarding ensures that believers are united, reflecting the oneness of the Father and Son.
Moreover, Jesus highlights eternal life as knowing the only true God and Himself, whom God has sent. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but relational and experiential. It’s about seeing God's glory and responding with faith.
Jesus also extends His prayer to future believers, including us today. He desires that all who follow Him be one, reflecting His relationship with the Father. Through this unity, the world might believe in Christ's divine mission. 
The sermon encourages us to seek God's glory daily, allowing it to protect, unify, guide, and commission us for His purposes. We are reminded that Jesus' prayer for our sanctification and unity is not just a wish but a reality He bought with His blood.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: John 16:16–33
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John 16:16–33
“A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV)
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In this sermon, Jed Gillis delves into the profound message of John 16:16-33, where Jesus speaks to His disciples about His impending departure and return. Jesus reassures them that although they will experience sorrow and confusion when He leaves, their grief will transform into joy upon His return. This promise underscores the central thesis: knowing and being loved by Jesus, who can turn grief into joy despite worldly opposition, grants everlasting peace.
Gillis emphasizes that this passage serves as an invitation. For those who do not yet know Christ, it is a call to come to Him and find eternal peace. For believers, it is a reminder to deepen their worship, abandon fears, and embrace the peace that only Jesus offers. By using the analogy of childbirth, where pain transforms into joy with the arrival of new life, Jesus illustrates how their sorrow will lead to profound joy.
Gillis highlights three aspects of the joy promised by Jesus: deeper understanding of Him, fuller relationship through prayer, and secure love from God. He encourages believers to seek joy in these areas rather than in worldly desires or material gains.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: John 16:1–15
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John 16:1–15
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (ESV)
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In this sermon, Jed Gillis delves into John 16:1-15. He explores the profound sorrow the disciples experience as Jesus foretells his departure and the subsequent arrival of the Holy Spirit. Despite their grief, Jesus assures them it is beneficial for him to leave so the Helper, or Holy Spirit, can come. The Holy Spirit will convict the world regarding sin, righteousness, and judgment. This conviction reveals true sin as disbelief in Jesus, true righteousness as seen through Jesus' return to the Father, and true judgment as Satan's defeat through Christ's crucifixion.
Gillis emphasizes that believers must understand these truths to prevent sorrow from controlling their lives. The Holy Spirit not only convicts but also guides believers into all truth by revealing the full significance of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension. This understanding transforms sorrow into a deeper joy rooted in Christ’s completed work and ongoing presence through the Spirit. By focusing on God’s purpose through Christ, believers find solace and strength amidst life's sorrows, enabling them to live boldly and faithfully.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: John 15:18–27
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John 15:18–27
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. (ESV)
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In his sermon on John 15:18-27, Jed Gillis delves into the reality of being a follower of Jesus in a world that often stands in opposition to Christian values. Jesus forewarns His disciples that the world will hate them because it first hated Him. This hatred stems from Jesus’ exposure of their evil deeds and self-righteousness, which challenges their desire to define right and wrong on their own terms. 
Gillis emphasizes that Jesus' followers, chosen out of the world, will face persecution because they no longer conform to its values. Just as Jesus was persecuted for His message and works, so too will His disciples be opposed for bearing witness to the same truths. This animosity isn't limited to overtly godless individuals but includes those who appear religious yet reject the core teachings of Christ.
Additionally, Gillis explains that believers are called not to retaliate with hatred but to out-love those who oppose them. By bearing witness through the Spirit's work within them, Christians testify to a life transformed by God's grace, challenging the world's self-centered ideologies. The sermon concludes by reassuring believers that despite inevitable persecution, Jesus remains sovereign, having endured such opposition first and promising to sustain His followers through it all.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: John 15:9–17
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John 15:9–17
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (ESV)
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In his sermon on John 15:9–17, Jed Gillis delves into the profound relationship between love and obedience in the life of a believer. The passage emphasizes Jesus' command to abide in His love by keeping His commandments, mirroring His obedience to the Father. This abiding isn't just about following rules; it's an invitation to experience full joy through a deep connection with Christ.
Gillis highlights the transformative power of Jesus' love, noting that it surpasses all human understanding. The greatest love is exemplified in laying down one's life for friends—a foreshadowing of Jesus' own sacrifice. Through this ultimate act of love, believers are no longer mere servants but friends who share in the divine knowledge and purpose.
The sermon also focuses on the chosen status of believers. Jesus’ choice and appointment of His followers to bear lasting fruit underscores the grace that underpins their relationship with Him. This divine selection ensures that whatever they ask in Jesus' name will be granted, further cementing their bond with God.
Gillis emphasizes two critical truths: Jesus is both Lord and love. Recognizing Jesus as Lord means submitting fully to His authority in every aspect of life. Meanwhile, understanding that Jesus embodies perfect love assures believers of His unwavering care and commitment.
The dual identity of Christians as both obedient servants and cherished friends encapsulates the essence of discipleship. True obedience flows from a heart transformed by Christ's love, while genuine love manifests in faithful adherence to His commands. This dynamic interplay between love and obedience defines the believer's journey, shaping their view of God and their practice of faith.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: John 15:1-8
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John 15:1–8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (ESV)
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In his sermon on John 15:1-8, Jed Gillis explores the metaphor of the vine and branches to emphasize the necessity of staying connected to Jesus for a spiritually fruitful life. Jesus identifies Himself as the true vine and His followers as the branches, underscoring that apart from Him, they can achieve nothing of lasting significance. The sermon highlights two types of branches: those that bear fruit and those that do not. The latter are removed by God, while the fruitful ones are pruned to yield even more. Gillis stresses that any spiritual growth or impact is only possible through a continual, life-giving connection with Christ. He urges believers to abide in Jesus by remaining in His Word and engaging in prayer, thereby allowing God to work through them to produce meaningful fruit. This connection is essential for glorifying God and experiencing true joy. 
Gillis also addresses common theological concerns, reassuring believers that fear of inadequacy should not overshadow their reliance on Jesus. Instead, they should trust in God's commitment to help them grow spiritually. The key takeaway is clear: one must remain deeply rooted in Jesus to lead a life that glorifies God and bears enduring fruit.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: John 14:25–31
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John 14:25–31
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. (ESV)
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In his sermon, Jed Gillis emphasizes the constant spiritual battle believers face against Satan, God's enemy. He highlights that Satan's primary aim is to undermine God's glory by clouding our vision of Jesus's worthiness. Gillis uses vivid metaphors to illustrate the spiritual warfare we encounter in everyday situations. He underscores the importance of recognizing this battle and preparing for it with the right spiritual tools.
Gillis then turns to Jesus's words in John 14:25-31, where Jesus assures his disciples that although he is leaving, he will send the Holy Spirit as a Helper and Teacher. The Holy Spirit will guide them through all things and help them remember Jesus's teachings. Jesus also leaves his peace with them—a peace unlike any the world can offer. This divine peace transcends circumstances and provides comfort even in the darkest times.
The sermon encourages listeners to rely on the Holy Spirit and embrace the peace that Jesus offers, especially when facing spiritual challenges. Gillis stresses that true peace comes from Jesus's completed work on the cross and not from worldly sources. He calls believers to deepen their love for Jesus by appreciating him for who he is and what he has accomplished, rather than for what they want him to be.
Gillis reminds us that while battles are inevitable, victory is assured through Jesus Christ. By holding onto the gifts of the Holy Spirit and divine peace, believers can face any spiritual warfare with confidence and strength.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: John 14:15–24
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John 14:15–31
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here. (ESV)
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In this sermon, the speaker delves into Jesus' profound message in John 14:15-31. Jesus starts with the statement, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." This isn't a threat but a promise. It's an assurance that genuine love for Jesus naturally results in obedience to His commands. The sermon emphasizes how this love is not self-generated but enabled by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus calls the Helper or Paraclete.
Jesus reassures His followers that they won't be left as orphans; the Holy Spirit will dwell within them, guiding and teaching them all things. This divine presence offers peace unlike any the world can give and helps believers remember Jesus' teachings. The sermon encourages listeners to focus on loving Jesus genuinely, which naturally leads to following His commandments.
The speaker also addresses common feelings of inadequacy when failing to keep God's commands and highlights Peter's story as a relatable example. Despite Peter's denials, his love for Jesus remained, showcasing that genuine love often coexists with human failure.
Ultimately, the sermon underscores that loving Jesus isn't about ticking off a list of rules but cultivating a heartfelt relationship supported by the Holy Spirit. This love empowers believers to live out their faith authentically and joyfully.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: John 14:8–14
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John 14:8–14
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (ESV)
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In his sermon on John 14:8–14, Jed Gillis addresses the challenges of communication, both among humans and in understanding God's Word. Philip's request to see the Father prompts Jesus to explain that seeing Him is equivalent to seeing the Father. Jesus emphasizes that His words and actions are not His own but are from the Father. He assures believers that they will do His works and even greater ones because He is going to the Father. This promise extends to all believers, not just a select few.
Gillis delves into what it means to do "the works" of Jesus, suggesting that these works encompass more than miracles; they include actions that testify to God's glory. He explains that believers' works should point to the reality of who Jesus is and glorify God, just as Jesus' works did. The concept of doing greater works is interpreted as having greater scope due to Jesus' exaltation and the global spread of His influence through believers.
Prayer is highlighted as essential for believers to align their actions with Jesus' will. When asking in Jesus' name, it must be for His glory and as His representatives on earth. Gillis encourages believers to view their godly actions as part of Jesus' ongoing work in the world, emphasizing that growth in godliness, evangelism, loving difficult people, and other good deeds are manifestations of Christ working through them.
The sermon concludes with a call for prayerful reflection, urging the congregation to seek God's help in doing the works of Jesus in their daily lives for His glory.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.