John 12:37-50
SERIES: The Gospel of John SERMON: Believing Is More than Seeing SCRIPTURE: John 12:37-50 SPEAKER: Brad Harper DATE: April 18, 1993 Introduction: In the mid-1920’s, America seemed to be on the way to its greatest hour. There had been some tough times during the First World War, but spirits were soaring as the economy seemed impervious to decline. For many, there was hope for a bright future as the stock market soared and the conventional investment wisdom seemed to prove that you really could get…
John 13:18-38
SERIES: The Gospel of John And It Was Night SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: The Apostle John was a relatively simply man. A fisherman by trade, he was not well-educated. His writing employs simple grammar, short sentences, and elementary vocabulary. But simple though he was, John was not ignorant. The concepts he conveyed were profound and he knew how to use subtle literary devices to impress upon his reader the pathos of a particular moment. Nowhere is this done more skillfully than in John 13, where…
John 13:1-17
SERIES: The Gospel of John Who Needs a Bath? SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: I’d like to begin with a question this morning: “How many of you took a bath or a shower last night or this morning?” Good! That’s encouraging, but some of you are probably thinking, “that’s an awfully personal question to be asking in church.” Well, I guess it is, but bear with me if you will. If you took a bath last night, did you take another one this morning? I doubt…
John 14:1-14
SERIES: The Gospel of John The Cure for Heart Trouble SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: The Devil, according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly shaped tool which was labeled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the Devil answered, “I can spare all my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement I have. It is called, ‘Discouragement,’ and with it I…
John 14:15-31
SERIES: The Gospel of John Home Alone 3: Send the Holy Spirit SPEAKER: Brad Harper Introduction: In one of the most popular pairs of movies over the past couple of years, “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” child actor Macaulay Culkin has captured the national spotlight through his humorous adventures as a boy who is accidentally abandoned by his family and must fend for himself. Culkin’s panicked reaction is not unlike the sentiments of the disciples as they…
John 15:9-16:4
SERIES: The Gospel of John No Greater Love; No Greater Hate SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: I don’t know how long it has been since you purchased a diamond. For me it was over 29 years ago. But I remember well how the jeweler sold me on it. He pulled it out of a box, flipped it up in the air and slapped it on his wrist, saying, “How do you like that baby!” No, you know better. He did what every jeweler does. He picked it…
John 15:1-8
SERIES: The Gospel of John The Secret of Bearing Fruit SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: During our current exposition of the Gospel of John, which began last September and will temporarily conclude next Sunday (we’ll return to finish the book early next year, Lord willing), we have heard Jesus make six great claims in the form of “I AM” statements. I am the Bread of Life. I am the Light of the world. I am the Door. I am the Good…
John 16:5-11
SERIES: The Gospel of John Just Who Is the Holy Spirit? SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: The Holy Spirit has sometimes been called “the forgotten member of the Trinity.” That’s strange, because the Apostles’ Creed, affirmed by every branch of the Christian Church—Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant—clearly affirms, “I believe in the Holy Spirit.” But to many who profess Christianity that affirmation is little more than words. People speak today of the Spirit of God in the same way they talk of the “spirit of…
John 16:12-15
SERIES: The Gospel of John The Believer’s Spirit Guide SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: In John 16 we find ourselves listening in on an intimate chat Jesus is having with His disciples in an Upper Room the night before He is to be crucified. One of His greatest concerns is to convey to His disciples the fact that while He is going to leave them, He is not going to leave them alone. He will send the Holy Spirit to be their permanent and…
John 16:16-33
SERIES: The Gospel of John Truth for a Time of Transition SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: It is Thursday night, just hours prior to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He meets with His eleven disciples in an Upper Room to prepare them for what He knows will be the most traumatic day of their lives. For three chapters in John’s Gospel we have examined the Lord’s careful instruction to these men. He has spoken of their union with Him, of the world’s sure and…
John 17:1-5
SERIES: Gospel of John The Real Lord’s Prayer, Part 1: Jesus Prays for Himself SPEAKER: Michael P. Andrus Introduction: In the third chapter of Exodus, Moses is winding up a 40-year stint as a shepherd in Midian when he comes across a burning bush on Mount Horeb. He decides to check it out to ascertain why it isn’t being consumed. Much to his surprise a voice comes out of the bush, calling him by name and saying, “Moses, do not come near here; remove your sandals from…
John 17:6-19
SERIES: The Gospel of John The Real Lord’s Prayer, Part 2: Jesus Prays for His Disciples SPEAKER: Brad Harper Introduction: The axiom that it’s not what you know, but who you know that counts may be the most universally true statement among old adages. Do you know what a great feeling it is when someone you know, who happens to be rather influential, says encouraging and supportive things about you to other even more influential people? I have experienced that occasionally in my life, often…