Scripture to Meditate On

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10.10-11

This, I am sure, is a bit of Scripture that is familiar to most of you. It is a great promise that Jesus has made to all who are His. He gives us life, real life, and that to overflowing. This is a great blessing of the Gospel.

There have been some who have seen this blessing as limited to only some Christians, to those who have done something extra. But the fact is that the gift of life belongs to us all.

One problem here is that too many are not clear on what this life actually is. What helps is to consider the Bible's definition of death. That's when things just don't work. The curse of death meant that Adam and Eve were at odds. Their relationship to creation was twisted. And God was at a distance. Day to day living didn't work.

Life is the opposite of that. It's where day to day living actually does work. And that's what Jesus has come to provide for us. That's what eternal life, the abundant life, is about.

Now, it is true that we don't all enjoy it as much as we can. But there is no reason why that cannot be changed. It is as we heed the Spirit as He points out our sin, the sin of unbelief of some aspect of the Gospel, that we will grow in our enjoyment of the life that Jesus has gained for us.

These words also remind us of what it took so that we could enjoy this blessing of life. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, lay down His life. He sacrificed His experience of the life of eternity so that we could gain it. Just a little meditation on what He has done will result in deep devotion to Him.

The Gift of Advent: Life

In a couple of days, we will celebrate Christmas, the coming of Jesus. And for most of us, that is something that we have done more than just a few times. And that’s good and right. There are many good things to celebrate, and Jesus’ advent is certainly one of them. And doing this year after year also makes sense because there is always more about His coming for us to grasp and enjoy.

So, with the goal of helping you to grasp and enjoy more about Jesus’ coming, let me ask a question. Why did Jesus come? And as is the case with ‘why’ questions, there are quite a few good answers to that question. Here is one that Jesus, Himself, mentions.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10.10

What I’m going to do today is take a look at this life that Jesus has come to give to us. It is my hope that this will help you to grasp and enjoy more of what Jesus’ advent is about.

Sent

It was my intention to return to Paul’s letter to the church at Rome for today’s sermon. However, the Spirit made it clear to me that there was something else that He wanted me to talk to you about. The last time I preached to you was on Pentecost Sunday, the day we remember the coming of the Spirit. I told you that on that day the nature of the Church was changed. On that day, the Church was given a new goal. The Church became a missionary Church. Today, I hope to explain a little more of what the Holy Spirit expects of you as His missionary Church.

The bit of Scripture that I’m going to use is a section of what has been called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. It’s in John 17. Listen.

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ​I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. ​They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ​Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ​As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:13-19

Life!

Today, we come to the end of the sermon series on the Gospel of John. I thought it would be good to end it by considering one of the key themes of this book: life. John wrote,

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20.30-31)

John wrote his Gospel so that you might have life. This life is a gift of Jesus. He gives it to all who believe in His name.

There are many times that John speaks of life as eternal life. This isn't about how long this life continues. No, he's telling his readers that the life that Jesus gives has a certain quality to it. It's the life of eternity. It's the life of God. And that gets us to the heart of this life. It's has to do with relationships. The life of God is all about how the Father and the Son and the Spirit exist together in deep relationships of love. That's the life of God. And that's the life that Jesus gives, a life of deep relationships of love.

When does He give life? It's not at some point in the future, like when you get to heaven. Those who believe receive it now. Jesus said,

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. 

You have this life now.

Jesus was also quite clear that those who believe would not have just a little bit of this life.

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

So, you see, the Gospel of John is about the life of God that Jesus has given to you, and He has given to you in abundance. You have this life now, and having this life changes everything. And that is one thing that makes the Gospel amazing.

I remember this one afternoon, way back in my college days. I was reading a little booklet about prayer. I was still a very young disciple who knew very little about the ways of God. The point of the booklet was simple. Because of the promises of God I could pray for anything - anything - and God would most certainly grant my request. All I needed to do was ask. I was really excited by what I had read, never having heard anything like it before. I was sure that my prayer life was going to be revolutionized. My memory of that moment is still quite vivid. I was so very excited.

And then, reality hit.

There have been many who have gotten really excited about this life that Jesus gives and gives so abundantly. They are sure that their Christian lives will be completely revolutionized. And then, reality hits. Some have their faith completely destroyed by the disappointment they experience. Others just become skeptical of any real change ever happening to them. They settle for the same old, same old. Then, of course, there are those who deny reality and live as if their lives actually have been revolutionized.

So, what are we to do with this idea about the abundant life of God promised to us? Should we really believe it, or is it just hype that reality will expose?

I have to tell you that I don't think that it's hype. Not at all. I think that the life of God that Jesus has given to us is real. Or better, it is reality. However, I also think that there are obstacles that get in the way of our enjoying it as abundantly as we might.

One big obstacle is the simple fact that our lives are still afflicted by death. Remember that death isn't primarily about biology. It's actually more about relationships than about how your body is doing. When Adam and Eve started out there was no death. They enjoyed the life of God. They enjoyed perfect relationships. Abundantly. But their sin changed all of that. And just as God had warned, death entered the picture. And relationships have never been the same.

But Jesus has come, and He gives life, the life of God. But even though death no longer has the stranglehold it once did, it is not completely removed. And so, we have Paul writing,

For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ... For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

What is this but an expression of the battle between life and death in Paul's experience. And I dare say that you've experienced the same thing. You really do have the life of God as a gift from Jesus. But there are still remnants of death and you find yourself fighting against it. This remnant of death is a major obstacle when it comes to enjoying this life of God.

Having said that here's something I really want you to get: you don't have to settle. You can enjoy more of this life - now. I honestly believe that. And I believe it for two reasons: the Scriptures teach it, and I have experienced it. 

And that brings us to the big question: What do you do to grow in your enjoyment of the life of eternity? God has provided ways to deal with it. These ways of God boil down to three things: the Word, the sacraments and prayer. All I'll say about the first two is this: be here on Sundays. Worship together is the primary way for you to benefit from the Word and the Sacraments and thus come to enjoy more of this life. What I want to do now is spend a little time on the third of these: prayer.

Let's go back to that booklet on prayer I mentioned. What do you think? Can we ask God for anything - anything - and expect Him to give it to us, just like that? No, I don't think so either. But could it be that the man who wrote that booklet was just trying to communicate the great power that there is in prayer? The author had a reputation of being a man of serious prayer. And because of that he was able to begin a Christian organization that God has powerfully used. He was Bill Bright who started Campus Crusade for Christ, now known as Cru. Maybe he went overboard with the way he wrote that booklet, but maybe he also knew something about the amazing power of prayer.

So, let me ask you. Would you like to experience more of this life? Do you think that that would be something worth asking God for? Do you think that He would grant such a request?

Here's a favorite bit of Scripture on prayer,

You do not have, because you do not ask.

Consider the things that you do ask God for. In this culture there is a great danger of falling into the problem that James rebukes.

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

So, what are the top few things on your prayer list, the things that you pray about most often? Where does growing in your enjoyment of the life of God (however you label it) rank on that list? Some of you can say, ‘Yep, it’s there on my list’. I hope that what I will say will encourage you in your efforts. But some of you don’t pray about this. I hope that what I say will change that.

So, let's get into the nitty-gritty. So, what do you ask for when it comes to enjoying more of this life? Well, it's always safe just to say, 'Father, there is more to experience when it comes to the life Jesus has given to me. Please give me more of it.' That will work quite well as a starting point. And I think that that will lead you to pray for some specifics, things like, 

'Father, help me to love the people around me. I can be so self-centered at times.'

'Father, help me not be so afraid. Help me to trust You, instead, when life gets hard.'

'Father, the goals that I'm aiming at cause me such stress. Help me to set better goals, wiser goals and grant me the ability to make progress toward them without the stress.'

'Father, help me to be like Jesus, responding gently to those who need a gentle touch, knowing when to say 'Yes' and when to say 'No', and always ready and willing to do whatever You command.'

Each of these is a prayer about experiencing some aspect of eternal life. What do you think? Will the Father grant prayers like this?

So, here's a take away question. How are you doing at praying for a greater experience of eternal life for yourself and those around you? Let me encourage you to pray for this, but not as a duty. It's just that there is so much more of life for you to enjoy, and I would really like it if you did enjoy it - and so would the Father.

Now, I need to say that even as you pray for more life and God grants your requests, you will still have remnants of death. That is the nature of living in this age. And, truth be told, there will be times when the shadow of death will cover you in such a way that your experience of the life of eternity will feel very small. And this will be the case even if you do everything right. In fact, I think that I can say that the more that you experience the life of God the more you will be aware of the shadow of death that is all around you. The contrast becomes more striking and thus harder to miss.

The only time that this won't be the case is in the age to come, after Jesus comes back. That's when we will enjoy life the way it was in the Garden. That's when there will be no death. None. So, along with a lively prayer life you will need to develop a lively hope in the age to come. It is that hope that will keep you going when the darkness of death becomes almost too much to bear. It makes a difference knowing that even the evil of death now will produce an experience of life later that is almost beyond belief. And it's when you know that that you are able to say, 'Father, I still trust You' even in the midst of deep darkness of death. So, a lively hope about later really is important in your efforts to enjoy more of life now.

The Gospel is not complicated. It's actually quite simple. Jesus has come so that you might have life, and have it abundantly. You can have more and more of that life now.

A Glorifying Death

Last week we looked at Jesus' conversation with Peter and how He restored him to ministry. But Jesus isn't done with Peter. He has more to tell him. This time it isn't about his past. Having restored him, Jesus can now talk about his future. Listen.

'Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.' (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) (John 21:18-19)

So, what do we have here? Jesus is prophesying. He is telling Peter some things about his death. And did you notice John's commentary about what Jesus said.

This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.

Restoration

We return to John this morning. We've worked through the terrible events at the end of Jesus' life which bring about such amazing good in His resurrection. But there is some unfinished business that needs to be taken care of. Today, we look at Jesus' sobering conversation with Peter.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep." (John 21.15-17)

This must have been so very uncomfortable for Peter. It must have also been pretty uncomfortable for the others sitting there.

Seeing Things

Well, here we are at the last chapter of John's Gospel. The chapter covers a morning that Jesus spent with His disciples before He ascended into heaven. What happens here isn't all that odd. Jesus does a miracle. He's done that before. And yet, it is a little odd. There is no comment on the miracle. Raising Lazarus gave Jesus the opportunity to teach something.

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.

That miracle set up a teaching from Jesus. But there is no comment here, no teaching. And that makes it stand out a bit. 

In past sermons I've used Thomas as an example. I've also used Jesus as an example. Today, I'm going to use this event as an example. But first, you need to know what happened. So, listen as I read our text, John21.1-14.

My Lord and My God

We're still looking at Thomas. Today, we'll consider his most famous words. Once he sees the risen Jesus face to face, Thomas admits more than what you'd expect. Instead of simply admitting that Jesus has indeed been raised, as the others told him, Thomas says to Jesus,

My Lord and my God.

What do those words mean? It's so easy to read them and move on. Let's not do that. Let's spend a little time unpacking what's here. I'm persuaded that doing that can be very helpful.

Waiting

Every once in a while, as you're reading a bit of Bible, you come upon something that doesn't stand out as crucial, but you wonder why it's there. We have one of those in John's account of Thomas meeting the risen Jesus. Listen.

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The non-crucial but interesting item is at the beginning of the paragraph.

Disbelieving Thomas

Today, we're going to look at one of the more familiar stories that John included in his Gospel. We're going to look at 'doubting Thomas', though as I will show you, that's actually not what he should be called. First, let me read what John wrote to refresh your memory (John20.24-31).

John's account is pretty straightforward. Thomas wasn't with the others when Jesus appeared to them on the evening of that first Easter. And when they told him that they had seen the Lord, he didn't believe them. He demanded tangible proof. So, a week later Jesus shows up again. And along with offering him tangible proof, Jesus gently rebukes Thomas.

Mission

If someone asked you what's in the Gospels what would you tell him? Here are some things that would be on most people's list: the miracles, Jesus' teachings, and certainly His death and resurrection. You'll find all those things in each of the Gospels. But there is something else that you'll also find in each of them: Jesus giving His Church a mission. You've all heard sermons on the Great Commission about making disciples. It's at the end of Matthew. Jesus does the same sort of thing in Mark's Gospel except there He talks about proclaiming the Gospel to all creation. You'll find the same mission in Luke where Jesus commands that repentance and forgiveness is to be proclaimed to all the nations. Each one is a different perspective on the same mission.

Did you know that John follows the same pattern? He also has Jesus giving His Church a mission. And that's what we're going to look at this morning. Listen as I read it (John 20.19-23).

Let's start off with a little honesty. This sounds odd. In fact, it sounds wrong.

If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.

Resurrection

Imagine that you are the proverbial fly on the wall. There you are, inside that tomb when two men carry in the body of a third man. You hear them grunt as they carry the body. You smell the spices that were applied to the body. You see them gently lay the body down and leave the tomb. Then, there is a grating noise as the mouth of the tomb is covered over with a stone. And then, there is complete stillness, complete darkness and complete silence.

But unlike all the other times, after a few days something happens. It startles you. At first, you don't know what it is. But then you recognize it. Someone has taken a deep breath. And then, he slowly lets it out. And you can almost feel a sense of satisfaction in that breath. Then, the earth shakes a bit, the stone at the mouth of the tomb is moved away and the once-dead body stands up and walks out.

Something astounding has just happened, and you witnessed it all. Someone once dead is now alive, never to die again. Jesus’ resurrection.

But so what? Jesus has been raised from the dead. An oddity has occurred. So? Does that make any difference, any real difference, for you? That's what we're going to look at this morning. Listen as I read John's account of what happened, in John 20.1-18.

How to Die

I'm hoping that it isn't news, but you're going to die. There's going to be that day which will be your last. You are going to go through the process of ending life here. It's not something that most people think about these days, but we all really should. One reason why people don't think about it is that death is something that our culture hates. So, most folk avoid the topic. Others try to redefine it. They talk about death as a friend, as a part of the natural way of things or something like that - all of which is a lie. Death is no friend. It is an enemy. It's the last enemy that Jesus will destroy. But until He does that, it is something that you all will have to face. So, it seems wise to prepare for that. 

No King But Caesar?

Every once in a while you come across something in Scripture that just takes your breath away. There are times when you are struck with wonder at the beauty of God as you see His holy love in action. But there are other times, sadly, when you are struck with wonder at the ugliness of human sin. This morning we're going to take a look at one of those ugly times. We're going to look at somebody's sin. But the goal is not to judge others but to understand ourselves better.

Jesus is before Pilate who is in the process of deciding His fate - though not really. The Jewish leaders are pressing him to condemn Jesus. In that context we read these amazing words.

King Jesus

Today, we take a look at the crucifixion of Jesus. This event, along with Jesus' resurrection, is why John has written his Gospel. And while it is familiar to all of you, there is always more to see. This morning I'm going to look at it from a different perspective so that you can grasp more of what actually was going on there. Listen as I read. (John 19.16-30)

Let's start with this question. What's not here? What did John leave out?

Fearless Jesus

We're going to take another look at John's account of Jesus standing before Pilate. Once again you'll see how Jesus is an example for you. This time we're going to start by looking at Pilate. Please listen as I read from John's Gospel. (John 19.1-16)

So, what do we know about this Pilate fellow? Well, he governed Judea as part of the Roman Empire. He was appointed to that post by the Caesar, so he had the authority of Rome behind him. But he also had a goodly number of Roman soldiers who would make sure that that authority was obeyed. So, Pilate is someone with a good bit of clout.

But there is a problem. Pilate is afraid. Listen again.

Jesus, the Dying Grain of Wheat

We return to John this morning. We are approaching the climax of John's Gospel, Jesus' resurrection. Things are coming to a head. This morning we will take a look at Jesus before Pilate and some of what was going on there. Listen as I read what John wrote. (John 19.1-16)

Barabbas

When someone writes a book there are things that are included and things left out. That's true if the book you are writing is a novel, a science text or a bit of history. There are things that have to be left out, or the point of the book would be lost in the overflow of information. The decision about what is included and what is left out depends on the author's goals and audience. So, when you are reading something it is, at times, good to ask, 'Why is this part included?' That's especially true when you are reading the Bible. You've noticed that there are differences between the four Gospels. The different authors included some things and left out others. And they didn't always agree on what to include or exclude. They made those decisions based on different goals and different audiences. This morning we're going to take a look at something from John's Gospel and ask the question, 'Why is this part included?' This morning we’re going to look at Barabbas. Listen.

After Pilate had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

King Jesus

One important goal of being a Christian is to develop some wisdom. That isn't easy when you live in a pragmatic culture like ours where what's important is just being able to do the next thing. And yet, you cannot have a life that works well without some wisdom. One part of wisdom is being able to see the big picture. There is more to life than the particular events of your day and your efforts to be successful in dealing with them. If someone does not understand the big picture of this life he will not do well when it comes to understanding the little picture that is his own life. Becoming wise is important. After He is arrested, Jesus has a conversation with Pilate, the Roman governor. Looking at that conversation will give us an opportunity to grow a bit in wisdom, to see more of the big picture, so that we can lead lives that work. Listen as I read this conversation in John 18.33-36.

God's Story

Back in eighth or ninth grade my classmates and I studied the novel. We were told that there is a list of elements that describe important aspects of any novel. The elements are characters, plot, setting, theme and style - though back in the day 'style' was labelled 'tone'. Characters is who's involved. Plot is what is happening. Setting is where it's all happening. Theme is the point that the author is trying to make. And style is how the author expresses himself. In the high school class that I teach for Sunday school we are using those elements to understand the Gospel of Mark. I realize that the Mark isn't a novel, but it is literature and it is a story. This list of elements has proven helpful as our class has worked our way through a bit of Mark's account of the ministry of Jesus. I'd like to do that sort of thing this morning, applying that list to John 18. As I read the chapter, think about those elements: characters, plot, setting, theme and style. Listen as I read John 18.