Day 2: When There is a Change of Plan,
God always Prepares
John 14:25-16:4
Reviewing Important Concepts Before the Big Change
Now that Jesus has laid out that He is going away and leaving us with the Helper from God who will remind us of all that Jesus said, Jesus goes on to remind us of things we have heard before, but now seem to be burning in His heart to tell us again. In shock, we absorb most of this, but it is still raw that He is leaving. Oh, that there was another way! So He makes the case for why this is supposed to be good and gives us those things that are on His heart that we are to remember.
“My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not be troubled or fearful in your heart.” 14:27
This is not peace. Yet there hasn’t seemed to be peace in recent weeks as there have been so many confrontations by the Pharisees. The cloaks on the road, waving palms, hosanna and the donkey ride into Jerusalem was really cool, but the mood seems to be shifting. Flipping the tables and the money in the temple didn’t help.
“You heard Me say, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father,
for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.” 14:28,29
Thanks for that! I do believe (mostly). How can you say that You going to the Father is good and expect us to rejoice?
Since we love You, we want You here!!
“I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me, but so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.” 14:30,31
Yes, we know the world needs to know You are from the Father. I’m not sure I understand why Satan has anything to do with limiting what you say to us. Please give us the essentials again.
Jesus’ Last Teachings: Spoken to us to make His joy full, and ours. 15:11
Jesus is the Vine, we are the branches John 15:2-10
Love your brothers in Christ John 15:12-17
1. Abide in the vine or else you will shrivel.
2. Shriveled, dead branches are taken away, dry up,
3. Without attachment to Jesus, you can do nothing.
4. Fruitful branches are pruned to produce more.
5. Abide in the vine and you will bear fruit.
6. Abide in Jesus and His Word abide in you
…your prayers will be answered
7. Bearing much fruit glorifies God and proves
…we are His disciples.
8. Abide in Jesus’ love; like He abided
in the Father’s love and obeyed.
1. Love each other the same as Christ loved us.
2. Lay down your life for your friends, no greater love.
3. Jesus’ friends listen and obey Him.
4. We are no longer slaves, but friends of Jesus.
a. He tells us what the plan is.
b. This radical shift by the Master—what great love!
5. He chose us, not visa versa.
6. Our fruit, produced by Him will remain.
He appointed this.
7. The Father gives whatever we ask in Jesus name.
8. We are commanded to love one another.
The World John 15:18-232
Our Mission John 15:26-16:4
1. The world hated Me first.
2. I chose you out of the world; hence, they hate you. 15:19
3. The world would love you if you followed the world. 15:19
4. The world persecuted Me. They will persecute you. 15:20
5. If the world keeps My word, they will keep yours. 15:20
6. The world does not know the One Who sent Jesus. 15:21
7. Jesus’ teaching: world has no excuse for their sin. 15:22
8. He who hates Jesus, hates the Father. 15:23
9. They saw My works and rejected the Father and Me. 15:24
10. Psalm 35:19;69:4—“They hated Me without a cause.” 15:25
1. When the Helper comes from the Father,
the Spirit of truth, He will testify of Me.
2. We will testify of Jesus because we have
been with Him from the beginning.
3. Be faithful, remember, even when they persecute you,
I have told you this to keep you from stumbling.
4. They will think their persecution of you is a service to God because they do not know the Father.
Questions:
1. How is Jesus’ peace different than the peace given by the world?
2. Describe what it’s like when you are doing “all the stuff “ except for abiding in the vine.
3. How are you laying down your life for your brothers? Is that even a thing in the US?
4. If we were led by the Holy Spirit, would we (or should we) sell our stuff or quit our job or be
willing to move to help brothers who are in dire need?
How far does this go?
5. In the last month, what do you see your mission being?
How often have you consciously checked in with the Holy Spirit on this?