On Trial:

Context:

• Jesus was led to Caiaphas, the high priest.

Matthew 26:59-60 “...Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward...”

Mark 14:55-57 “...Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree...”

What were the chief priests and whole council trying to accomplish?

• The chief priests and the whole council wanted to put Him to death?

Why?

How far were they willing to go to accomplish their agenda?

• They didn’t even care if the testimony they used was false.
• They weren’t seeking truth.
• They were seeking to validate the position they had adopted, regardless of whether it was right or wrong.

How far are people in our culture willing to go to remove Jesus from their presence?

• They have no trouble discarding truth to accomplish their preferences.

What happens to truth when people are intent upon validating their preferred position?

• Isaiah 59:14-15 “...Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice...”

• Truth stumbles in public places.
• The LORD, who sees all, is displeased.

Jesus remained silent while a witness testified that He intended to destroy the temple of God. Finally Jesus is asked, whether he is the Christ, the Son of God.

Matthew 26:64 “...Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven...”

Mark 14:62 “...And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven...”

What information was Jesus relaying to the council?

• Talk is easy. People can say Jesus is or isn’t the Son of God.
• Reality is reality. Being the Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus will be seen for who He is.

Matthew 26:65-68 “...Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?...”

Mark 14:63-65 “...And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” And the guards received him with blows...”

How well did the high priest receive the Real Truth?

• Religious people are prone to judging, and Jesus was quickly judged.

Then, beyond the inaccurate accusation of blasphemy, they proceeded to abuse the Son of God, spitting in His face and slapping Him.

Does anyone spit in the face of Jesus now?

Did Jesus get a fair trial at the hands of man?

Will you get a fair trial at the hands of man?

Will you get a fair trial at the hands of God?

Betrayal:

Context:

• While Jesus was still speaking, Judas came, with a crowd with swords and clubs.
• He greeted Jesus and gave Him a kiss.
• The “kiss of death” was later used by Mafia Dons to signal someone’s upcoming death.

Matthew 26:50 “...Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him...”

Luke 22:48 “...but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?...”

John 18:4-9 “...Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one...”

What response did Jesus have to the kiss of death?

• He called Judas friend.
• He knew what was happened.
• He questioned, or at least made a comment, about betraying with a kiss.
• He asked the crowd “Whom do you seek?” and then said “I am He”.

What was the crowds response “I Am He”?

• They drew back and fell to the ground.

What happens to people who come face to face with Jesus?

• They are facing the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
• Is it mandatory to bow down in His presence?
• Those belong to Him are taken care of.

Matthew 26:51-54 “...And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?...”

Mark 14:47 “...But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear...”

Luke 22:50-51 “...And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him...”

John 18:10-11 “...Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?...”

Who cut of the servant’s ear?

• Peter.

What was Jesus response?

• Jesus healed the servant.
• Jesus said He could defend Himself with twelve legions of angels.
• Jesus said He was prepared to do His Father’s will (drink the cup).

Who was the servant?

• Malchus, the servant of the High Priest.

What story do you think was later relayed to the home of the High Priest?

• The servant had his ear cut off, then healed.
• He likely had quite a testimony about his encounter with Jesus.

What type of story do people who mean you harm have about you?

Matthew 26:55-56 “...At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled...”

Mark 14:48-50 “...And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled...”

Why did this event take place?

• To fulfill scripture.

How did the disciples respond?

• They all fled.

Gethsemane Prayer:

Matthew 26:36-38 “...Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me...”

Mark 14:32-34 “...And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch...”

Luke 22:39-40 “...And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation...”

Why was Jesus on the Mount of Olives in the garden of Gethsemane?

• It was a customary place for Him to go to pray.
• He was sorrowful, greatly distressed, and troubled.

What do you do when you’re distressed and troubled?

• John 14:1 “...Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me...”
• John 14:27 “...Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid...”

Can you avoid being troubled, given that Jesus was troubled?

• John 16:33 “...I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world...”

What instructions did Jesus give His disciples?

• Most were asked to sit while Jesus went off to pray.
• Peter, James, and John were taken further, then asked to remain and watch.
• The Luke account reveals Jesus advising them to pray that they wouldn’t enter into temptation.

Matthew 26:39 “...And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will...”

Mark 14:35-36 “...And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will...”

Luke 22:41-44 “...And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground...”

Did Jesus have a preference?

• He wanted the cup removed.

Why didn’t Jesus push more aggressively for His preference?

• He wanted the will of the Father more than He wanted His own preference.
• Do we?

What additional things did the Luke account reveal about the garden event?

• An angel from heaven strengthened Him.
• He then prayed more earnestly.
• His sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground.

Do you ever get help to pray more earnestly?

• Romans 8:26 “...Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words...”

Matthew 26:40-41 “...And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak...”

Mark 14:37-38 “...And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak...”

Luke 22:45-46 “...And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation...”

How well did the disciples follow the instructions of Jesus?

• They fell asleep on the job.
• They couldn’t last one hour in prayer.

How often do you spend just an hour in prayer?

Why is it important to watch and pray?

• The flesh is weak.
• Temptation is much to easily entered into.

Matthew 26:42-46 “...Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand...”

Mark 14:39-42 “...And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand...”

Why was the prayer in the garden important?

• Jesus was about to face a terrible ordeal.
• Jesus prepared for the ordeal by talking with His Father, and being strengthened from heaven.

Unified in Love:

John 17:20-21 “...I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me...”

What does Jesus ask for believers?

• Unity.
• A oneness that matches the unity of Father and Son.

Why does Jesus want this unity?

• It’s the oneness of believers that allows the world to believe that Jesus was sent by the Father.

John 17:22-23 “...The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me...”

What does Jesus give to believers?

• He shares His glory.

Why does Jesus give believers the glory that the Father gave Him?

• So they can achieve oneness.
• So that the world may know of the Father’s love.

John 17:24 “...Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world...”

What does Jesus desire for believers?

• To be with Him and see His glory.

How long has Jesus been loved by the Father?

• From the foundation of the world.

John 17:25-26 “...O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them...”

What does Jesus know that the world doesn’t know?

• The Father.

What will Jesus continue to do? Why?

• Make the Father known.
• That there will be a unification in love.

Summary:

• Jesus asks for unity.
• Jesus gives glory.
• Jesus desires for oneness with believers.
• Jesus shares the love of the Father.

Sanctified in Truth:

Context:

• Jesus continues His prayer, His talk with the Father.

John 17:6-8 “...I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me...”

To what people had God’s name been manifested?

• The people given to Jesus out of the world.

Does someone own these people?

• “...yours they were...”
• The Father has entrusted them to the Son.

Have you been given to Jesus?

What distinguishing truth did Jesus reveal about these people?

• “...they have kept your word...”
• They embraced the truth that Jesus was sent by the Father
• They have a belief in the Father because of the Son.

How have the words of Jesus helped you to know the truth?

John 17:9-11 “...I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one...”

What is about to change?

• Jesus is about to return to the Father.
• Jesus will no longer be present in the world.

What is Jesus prayer for the people the Father has given to Him?

• Unity.
• The Son and the Father are united as One.
• Jesus is praying that believers will be one with them.

John 17:12-19 “...While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 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...”

What did Jesus do for the believers?

• He kept them.
• He guarded them.

What is Jesus expecting for believers?

• That they will have joyful fulfillment in Jesus.
• That they have His words and will be hated.

Why will they be hated?

• Because they are not of the world.

What is the alternative to being of the world?

• To be unified with God.
• To be set apart (sanctified) in the truth.

Where is Jesus sending believers?

• Into the world, just as He was sent by the Father.

Talking to the Father:

Context:

• Jesus doesn’t want His followers to fall away.
• It is to their advantage that He goes away.
• The big plus is that the Holy Spirit will be sent.
• There will be sorrow before the big plus.
• The hour is coming.
• Jesus provides access to the throne of grace and mercy.
• Now He starts His never ending intercessory prayer.

John 17:1-5 “...When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed...”

To whom has Jesus been talking previously?

• His followers.

What has he been discussing with them?

• The coming events.

To whom is Jesus now talking?

• The Heavenly Father.

How does a person lift their eyes to heaven?

• Is it more than gazing at the sky?
• Is it a focus beyond the realities of this world?

What does Jesus proclaim about the Father?

• He has sent the Son Jesus.
• He has given the Son authority over all flesh. (And yet He is about to die a cruel death at the hands of man) 
• The Son’s authority includes the giving of eternal life.

How does Jesus describe eternal life?

• Not as living forever and ever.
• Knowing the Father and the Son is eternal life.

• 1 John 5:20 “...And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life...”

• Ephesians 3:17-19 “...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith - that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God...”

What did Jesus accomplish on earth?

• He glorified the Father (...I glorified you on earth...)
• He did the work that the Father gave him to do (“...having accomplished the work that you gave me to do...”)

Did Jesus understand glory?

• He shared the glory before this earth was even created (...the glory that I had with you before the world existed...)

Tribulation Scatter and Overcoming Peace:

Context:

• Jesus doesn’t want His followers to fall away.
• It is to their advantage that He goes away.
• The big plus is that the Holy Spirit will be sent.
• There will be sorrow before the big plus.
• The hour is coming.
• Jesus provides access to the throne of grace and mercy.

The disciples say “Ah, now you are speaking plainly”, “Now we know”, and “we believe that you came from God.”

John 16:31-33 “...Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world...”

What did the disciples believe and how grounded in belief were they?

• They were pretty sure Jesus came from God.
• They didn’t know how unstable their situation was.

What was coming and what would happen?

• The crucifixion was coming.
• They would be scattered.
• They would abandon Jesus.

Would Jesus be alone?

• The Father would be with Him.

What does the world offer people?

• Trials and tribulation.

What did Jesus accomplish?

• He overcame the world.

What does this mean for followers of Christ?

• In the world there will be tribulation.
• In Christ there is peace.

Do you think you are immune to Tribulation Scatter?

How can a person have Overcoming Peace?

Access:

Context:

• Jesus doesn’t want His followers to fall away.
• It is to their advantage that He goes away.
• The big plus is that the Holy Spirit will be sent.
• There will be sorrow before the big plus.
• The hour is coming.

John 16:25-28 “...I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father...”

How had Jesus been speaking to His disciples?

• Figuratively. Not directly.
• In parables, riddles, and difficult to understand references.

How was this going to change?

• There was to be plain discussion about the Father and the Kingdom of God.

• Acts 1:3 “...He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God...”
• John 14:26 “...But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you...”

What would be different regarding the Father?

• No longer speaking to Jesus who spoke to the Father.
• It would become speaking to the Father in Jesus name.

Why would this be possible, and even necessary?

• Possible because the Father himself loves you.
• Possible because the death and resurrection of Jesus was to provide access.

• Romans 5:2 “...Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God...”

• Necessary because Jesus was going to be with the Father.
• Jesus came from the Father. Jesus entered this world. Jesus returned to the Father.

Was this establishing a different kind of relationship with the Father?

• No longer just priestly access on behalf of the masses.

• Hebrews 8:13 “...In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away...”

• Hebrews 9:15 “...Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant...”

• Hebrews 10:19-22 “...Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water...”

• Hebrews 4:14-16 “...Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need...”

How and when do you avail yourself of access to the throne of grace?

What is available at the throne of grace?

• Grace - Unmerited favor. Getting what we don’t deserve.
• Mercy - Unmerited forgiveness. Not getting what we do deserve.

All Things:

Context:

• Jesus doesn’t want His followers to fall away.
• It is to their advantage that He goes away.
• The big plus is that the Holy Spirit will be sent.

John 16:12-15 “...I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you...”

Why were there still things that Jesus hadn’t told His disciples?

• They couldn’t bear them.
• They didn’t have and couldn’t receive all truth.

Why was it beyond their ability to understand?

• Is there truth beyond what you know? Beyond what you can understand?

How were the disciples to receive all truth?

• The Spirit would guide them to all truth.

On what authority would the Spirit speak?

• The authority of heaven.
• The authority of the Godhead.
• Just as Jesus relayed what He heard from the Father.

What does the Spirit declare that is beyond current reality?

• He will declare to you the things that are to come.

What do you think this means?

What is the ultimate goal of the Spirit?

• To glorify Jesus.

What does Jesus say “...is mine...”?

• All that belongs to the Father.

What is shared with the disciples of Jesus?

• All that is His, which is all that is the Father’s.

How would you describe what Jesus offers through the Spirit?

• Full participation with the Godhead.

John 16:16-18 “...A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about...”

What sequence does Jesus describe?

• Time passes and He won’t be seen.
• Time passes and He will be seen.
• He is going the the Father.

What was confusing the disciples?

• What is ‘a little while’?

Can you describe why this would be confusing?

• Are heavenly plans difficult to understand with worldly thinking?

What would make it clear?

• His death, resurrection, and ascension.

Revelation 1:7-8 “...Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty...”

What sequence is being described in the Revelation to John on Patmos?

• He is coming with the clouds.
• Every eye will see Him.
• All tribes of the earth will wail.
• He was, He is, and He is to come.

Do you think that the current disciples of Jesus understand this clearly?

• We vaguely understand.

• 1 Corinthians 13:12 “...For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known...”

What will make it clear?

• When the event occurs.

John 16:19-24 “...Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full...”

What was the initial emotion that Jesus knew was coming?

• Sorrow - weeping and lamenting.

How did this compare to the world’s emotion?

• The world would be rejoicing.

How do disciples of Jesus experience life differently than the world?

• Situational assessments are different for the Christ centered.

What emotion would come later?

• The unfolding of God’s perfect plan turns sorrow to joy.

How safe is that joy?

• No one will take your joy from you.

What brings fullness of joy?

• Fully embracing, and participating in God’s perfect plan.
• As it unfolds, even our asking aligns with God’s intentions.

Holy Spirit Conviction:

Context:

• Jesus explained the importance of abiding in Him.
• He then warned the disciples that they would be hated.
• He also assured them that the Helper would be sent.

John 16:1-4 “...I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you...”

Why was Jesus telling the disciples about abiding, persecution, and the Helper?

• He didn’t want them to fall away.

Why was there a danger of them falling away?

• They would be put out.
• They would be killed.

Who would mistreat the disciples, and why?

• Do people who don’t know the Father or the Son mistreat those who do know them?
• How could they possibly think that they are “...offering service to God...” by killing people?

Who mistreats disciples today, and why?

What does Jesus expect His followers to remember when they are persecuted?

• That He was killed.
• That He warned them that they would face the same treatment.
• He never instructed them on how to escape persecution.

John 16:5-6 “...But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart...”

What was the result of Jesus explaining His end and the disciples future?

• Jesus was to be taken, and things would change.
• Sorrow filled their hearts.

Did the disciples understand what was to take place?

• They didn’t even know the right questions to ask.

Do we even know the right questions to ask?

John 16:7-11 “...Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged...”

What was the advantage of the departure of Jesus?

• The coming of the Helper

What does the Helper do for the world?

• Convict the world of sin.
• Convict the world of righteousness.
• Convict the world of judgment.

How are people helped to believe in Jesus?

• It starts with conviction of sin.
• The Holy Spirit is an expert at convicting the world of sin.

What did Jesus resurrection and ascension accomplish?

• He was crucified on a cross as one who was unrighteous.
• His resurrection and ascension proved His righteousness.
• The Holy Spirit convicts the world of His righteousness.

What did judgment on the ruler of this world accomplish?

• Jesus took judgment upon Himself on the cross.
• Death was thereby defeated.
• The Holy Spirit convicts the world of its upcoming judgment.

Acts 17:30-31 “...The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead...”

Can you convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment?

Have you tried?

Love Hate Existence:

Context:

• Jesus had just explained that abiding in Him produces fruit that remains.
• He then commanded that His followers to love one another, as He had loved them.

John 15:18-19 “...If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you...”

Does following Jesus insure love?

• Abiding in Jesus allows believers to love one another.
• Abiding in Jesus allows believers to love the world like the Father loves His world.
• Abiding in Jesus brings forth the world’s hatred.

Who and how does the world love?

• The love of Jesus and his followers is agape - unconditional concern for the welfare of others. No hooks.
• The love of the world is phileo - the love of friends, or brothers. With conditions.
• The two types of love are not the same.

Why does the world hate (miseo) the followers of Jesus?

• They have been rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of the beloved son.
• They are not friends of the world’s brotherhood.

John 15:20-21 “...Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me...”

Why should followers of Jesus expect persecution?

• Jesus was perfect, and yet was persecuted.
• Those who despise Jesus, will also despise His followers.
• Persecution comes from those who simply do not know the Father, who sent Jesus.

What changed Saul the persecutor to Paul the proclaimer of gospel truth?

• He met Jesus.
• He came to know the Father who sent Jesus.

John 15:22-25 “...If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ ...”

Why didn’t the haters and persecutors of Jesus’ day have an excuse for their sin?

• They had observed the works that no one else did.
• They saw, yet hated both Jesus and the Father, without a cause.

Do current haters and persecutors have an excuse for their sin?

• Have they seen kingdom works?
• Do they hate both Jesus and the Father without a cause?

John 15:26-27 “...But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning...”

Who sends the Spirit of truth?

• Jesus sends Him from the Father.

How does the Holy Spirit cause current haters and persecutors to have no excuse?

• The Holy Spirit bears witness.
• The Holy Spirit helps followers of Jesus bear witness.
• People are exposed to the Kingdom, therefore having opportunity to move from phileo to agape.

Fruit that Remains:

Context:

• Jesus is the Way the Truth, and the Life.
• The Holy Spirit is the Helper sent to “dwell with” and “be in” believers.
• Those who love Jesus keep His commandments.
• Disciples are to relate to Jesus, each other, and the world.
• Fruitfulness is not just desired, but expected.

John 15:1-2 “...I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit...”

What three characters are present in these verses?

• The true vine - Jesus.
• The vinedresser - the Father.
• The branches - those connected to Jesus.

What happens to those who bear no fruit?

• They are taken away. NIV says they are “cut off”. 
• What do you think it means to be taken away from the vine?

What happens to those who bear fruit?

• They are pruned.
• Why? To bear even more fruit.

What do you think pruning feels like? Uncomfortable?

Is pruning a one time project? Ongoing. Regular.

John 15:3-5 “...Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing...”

What makes a person clean?

What is the word of Jesus that makes a person clean?

What makes bearing fruit possible?

• Abiding in the vine.

What does abiding in Jesus produce?

• MUCH fruit.

What can be accomplished apart from Jesus?

• Nothing? Nothing of importance? Nothing good? Nothing that should be?

John 15:6 “...If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned...”

To what does failure to abide in Jesus lead?

• Withering, gathering, burning.

John 15:7-10 “...If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love...”

What glorifies the Father?

• Bearing much fruit.
• Proving to be disciples.

How does abiding in Jesus affect a person’s prayer life?

• To dwell with Jesus is dwell with His words. 
• An abider wishes appropriately, asks appropriately, and it is done. 
• To be properly connected to Jesus is to bear much fruit.

How does keeping the commandments of Jesus affect a person’s love life?

• To dwell with Jesus is to pray appropriately.
• To act appropriately is to dwell in the love of Jesus.

John 15:11 “...These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full...”

Why is Jesus discussing fruitfulness and abiding?

• Jesus wants His joy to be in His disciples.
• Fullness of joy comes from the fruitfulness of abiding.

John 15:12-17 “...This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another...”

What is the greatest display of love?

• To lay down your life for your friends.

What does this look like? More concern for others than self?

How did Jesus display His love?

• He calls His disciples friends.
• He laid down His life for His friends.

What does Jesus offer His disciples?

• Everything He hears from the Father.
• The opportunity to bear fruit THAT LASTS.
• Brotherly love.