Sunday Sermons

Jesus had already promised the coming of the Helper to the disciples earlier in his teaching. However, now he makes clear to them that the disciples will be better off once he goes away! How could he make this bold statement? It is because of the work that the Helper will do when he comes. He will bring conviction in relation to sin, righteousness, and judgment. In other words, the Spirit will do the work in people’s hearts that will hopefully result in belief. Further, Jesus promises that the disciples themselves will be guided into all truth as he declares all that Jesus had said rather than adding new material. This is to our full advantage.

With his departure drawing ever closer, Jesus wants to make sure his disciples know what to expect after he is gone. They can anticipate the world hating and persecuting them—just as he was hated and rejected. However, he makes clear that their rejection isn’t personal; they will be hated because of him. That is why he is sending the Helper: to bear witness about him through the disciples. Why does Jesus tell them all this? So they don’t fall away, but instead are not surprised when the hard times come. His words should comfort us as we bear witness of Jesus—even if it leads to hatred and persecution.

Jesus’ declaration that he was soon going away from them dramatically impacted the disciples.. Their leader, teacher, and friend. How would they continue on in his absence? How would they remain faithful to walking in the teachings he had instilled in them? In the previous section Jesus promised that a Helper, the Holy Spirit, would soon be sent to them. Now, Jesus will teach them how and why they should abide in him even after he is gone.

Jesus has made it clear to the disciples that he is going away, yet he clearly still has much to teach them. What is also clear is the disciples’ confusion about where Jesus is heading. In the second half of John 14, Jesus gives great encouragement to the disciples. Though he is going away from them, there will be One that will come to help them as they keep walking the path he laid out for them—One that will enable them to keep his commandments, to remember his word, who will be the very presence of Christ with them, and who will bring an everlasting peace. The question we should be asking is, “Can we get this same help in our own lives?”

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” declares Jesus in John 14:6. This verse, along with John 3:16, are among the essential verses that capture the essence of the gospel. In these words we can rightly declare that Jesus is the way one receives salvation; this we embrace as the truth that will give us life—the life that is without end… eternal life. Yet, as we look closer at this section in John’s Gospel we will see that, while these things are true, there is much more that lies at the heart of this passage that greatly impacts how we live our lives in Christ.

Throughout John’s Gospel we have read about God’s love for the world, the Father’s love for the Son, and even Jesus’ love for his friends and disciples. But how well do we really understand what love truly is? On his final night with his disciples, Jesus will impart a new command to them: they should love one another as he has loved them. Seems like a simple instruction. However, once the disciples witness how he demonstrates his true love for them—that is, by going to the cross for them—that is when they will learn what true love looks like and why it’s so important that love be witnessed through our lives as believers.

After the astonishing washing of the disciples’ feet, Jesus makes known that one of his chosen disciples will betray him in fulfillment of Scripture. Even more surprising is that Jesus declares that his betrayal will confirm who he truly is, hopefully resulting in the disciples’ belief. How is it that his betrayal will bring about these results? Seeing the impact of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus should stir our own hearts to hold fast to Christ, but also watch out for those near to us.

Message from Pastor Mike Matheson on January 3, 2021

Message from Pastor Chris Amundson on December 27, 2020

Christmas Eve 2020