Sunday, April 18, 2021 ~ The Book Of John ~ Series: LOVED BY JESUS ~ Message: The Troubled ~ Scripture: John 13:14-38 ESV ~ Pastor Philip Miller

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

One of You Will Betray Me

21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

A New Commandment

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

SERMON NOTES

Sunday, April 18, 2021

The Book Of John

Series: LOVED BY JESUS

Message: The Troubled

Scripture: John 13:14-38 ESV

Pastor Philip Miller

The Troubled: Jesus Loves Us Into Loveliness

When a film director wants the audience to focus in on the magnitude of what’s happening in a scene, they will often bring the shot in close and slow everything down. That’s kind of what John is doing for us in chapters 13-17.

Jesus is in the upper room with his disciples just hours before his crucifixion the following day. John wants us to focus on the magnitude of what’s happening, and to see everything. By doing so, we're able to reflect on three astonishing realities:

Jesus’ Full Awareness

• Jesus sees the pain that’s coming and faces it head on.

• Takeaway: Jesus knows how hurtful life is.

1) Jesus' Full Awareness: In this account, it's easy to notice just how fully aware and in command Jesus appears. He knew Hew was going to be betrayed and crucified; He sees the pain that's coming and faces it head on. This is astonishing courage. Have you ever stopped to think that Jesus really knows how painful and broken this world really is? Jesus knows how hurtful life really is.

Jesus’ Family Resemblance

• Jesus commands of us what He then works in us.

• Takeaway: Jesus loves us into loveliness.

2) Jesus' Family Resemblance: At the very heart of this passage in John is Jesus' commandment to the disciples to love one another. There's nothing news about the command to love one another, but what is new is how Jesus defines it: "just as I have loved you." This models the love we are to have as selfless, sacrificial service. Jesus serves His disciples in love; the disciples are to serve one another in love; and this example cascades down to all people. It is also reflective of Trinitarian love: the son serves the Father in love, the Father serves the Son in love, and in doing so glorify one another. This loving service that Jesus commands of His disciples is a "family resemblance" of how the Father and Son love one another. Loving, selfless service flows from the heart of God through Jesus into His children so that all people everywhere might know that we belong to the Family of God. Even knowing our weakness, Jesus commands us what He then works in us. Jesus is loving us into loveliness.

Jesus’ Faithful Pursuit

• Jesus relentlessly pursues those who betray Him.

• Takeaway: Jesus will never give up on you.

3) Jesus' Faithful Pursuit: Isn’t it astonishing how Jesus pursues these disciples faithfully in love? Even though many of them flee, deny, and betray Him, there's not a hint of anger or distance on Jesus' part. Instead, He draws close to them, washes their feet, shares a meal, opens His heart. Jesus relentlessly pursues those who betray Him. Even when we fail, Jesus will never give up on us.

“The Troubled”

Sermon Q&A with Pastor Philip 2021-04-18