Sermons on John
Friend of the Bridegroom
This message explores John the Baptist’s words about being a friend of the bridegroom, and “he must become greater, I must become less.” (John 3:22-36) Sermon Outline “The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” (John 3:29) Gift: Our Life is a Gift from God (John 3:27) John’s life and ministry was a gift Jesus’ life and…
Born From Above
This message explores Jesus’ midnight conversation with Nicodemus. (John 3:1-21) Sermon Outline Built by Human Hands Nicodemus’ four pillars Identity Religion Politics Wealth Jesus’ Invitation Just Let Go Is it a point in time decision or a pattern for life? What we see in Scripture Born from Above Curiosity for what God is doing DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Reflect or share about a time that you put a lot of effort and work into building something or planning something, only for it…
Clearing the Way to God
This message explores Jesus cleansing the Temple. Why does John place it here when the other gospels place it later? What is the writer trying to tell us? (John 2:13-25) Sermon Outline “So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.” (John 2:15) Frustration about Cluttering God’s House John’s framing of Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple The heart…
The First Sign: Water Into Wine
This message explores the first sign of John’s Gospel, where Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding of Cana in Galilee. (John 2:1-12) Sermon Outline “. . . but you have saved the best till now.” (John 2:10b) Seeing Jesus Mary Saw Disciples Saw Cana Saw Invited by Jesus Mary Invited Disciples Invited Cana Invited Come and See Provision Purification Proof DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Have you ever hosted a gathering where you ran out of food? How did that feel?…
Come and See
This message explores the first calling of the disciples, who leave John the Baptist to follow Jesus. They may not know what they are getting into but they still follow. (John 1:35-51) Sermon Outline “They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’ ‘Come,” he replied, ‘and you will see.’” (John 1:38b-39a) Seeing John the Baptist sees Jesus Andrew and another disciple see Jesus, and Jesus sees them Andrew leads Simon Peter to see Jesus, and Jesus sees Peter…
Look Over There
This message explores the witness of John the Baptist, who knows he is not the Messiah, but the one running ahead of and pointing to the Messiah, who is the Lamb of God. (John 1:19-34) Sermon Outline “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29) John the Baptist Knew Who He Was Not and Who He Was (John 1:19-23) Not the Messiah…
Made Known
This message will talk about the glory of God revealed in Jesus, with an aside to give attention to the Holy Spirit as the revealer of truth. (John 1:18) Sermon Outline “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (John 1:18) How do you know you know God? There’s a difference between knowing God and knowing information about God. How…
Grace and Truth
Here we savor the grace upon grace given in Jesus, the grace and truth revealed in Him that exceeds the law given through Moses. (John 1:15-17) Sermon Outline For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ..” (John 1:17) Pointing to Who is Greater: John the Baptist (John 1:15) The Fullness of Jesus (John 1:16) Grace and Truth Exceeding the Law (John 1:17) Living into the Fullness DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: DIG DEEPER Exploring Faith Growing in…
The Tangible, Glorious Word
Looking at this powerful verse, dwelling in it, and explicating what it means that Jesus tabernacled among us. (John 1:14) Sermon Outline “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Jesus Became Human: The Word Became Flesh (Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 2:9) “flesh” σάρξ (sarx): the mortal, physical nature of humanity If Jesus isn’t…
The True Light
This message explores themes of Jesus as “the true light that gives light to everyone”, with further light/darkness in John’s gospel. (John 1:9-13) Sermon Outline “The True light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” (John 1:9) Jesus, the True Light (John 1:9) Jesus is the true light. Jesus’ light is available to everyone. Jesus is the light of the world. Darkness can neither comprehend the light nor overcome it. Jesus as the true light means there is false light. Satan disguises himself as the angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14). Jesus can help you discern truth…
Bearing Witness
A look at the life of John the Baptist and what it means to ‘bear witness’ to Jesus the Word and the Light. (John 1:6-8) Sermon Outline “There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.” (John 1:6-7) John the Baptist Knew Who He Was: Sent from God (John 1:6) John the Baptist’s identity –John “is” from God; sent from God…
The First Word
An exploration of the concepts in the first 5 verses of John 1, with particular attention to Jesus as the Word, plus some mention of themes in John. (John 1:1-5) Sermon Outline “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Jesus the Divine and Preexistent Word (John 1:1-2) Jesus at the beginning: echoes of beginning of all things in Genesis 1:1-2 and the ancient wisdom of God in Proverbs…