Peace Restored

Passage: John 20:19-23 Guide for Group Discussion or Personal Reflection Sermon Overview One of the many breathtaking effects of Jesus’ resurrection is the fact that we can now have deep and durable peace. This is the peace that Jesus extended to his disciples, when he appeared to them on Easter morning, and it’s the same…

Courageous Joy

Passage: John 16:16-33 Guide for Group Discussion or Personal Reflection Sermon Overview On Jesus’ final night, when all seemed grim, he pointed his disciples towards a new and indestructible joy that would soon be theirs. Though they would soon “have sorrow”, he told them, “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and…

The Lord’s Floodlight

Passage: John 16:4b-15 Guide for Group Discussion or Personal Reflection Sermon Overview On Jesus’ final night, he told his disciples that “it is to your advantage that I go away” (16:7). How could this be? How could the disciples possibly be better off without Jesus’ physical presence with them? Jesus could speak this way because…

Keep Christianity Weird

Passage: John 15:18-16:4a Guide for Group Discussion or Personal Reflection Sermon Summary During Jesus’ final night, he sought to prepare his disciples for the hard reality that soon awaited them: that they would be “hated by the world” on his account. The more their lives were transformed by Jesus, the more out of step they…

The Giving Tree

Passage: John 15:1-17 Guide for Group Discussion or Personal Reflection Sermon Summary On Jesus’ final night, he sought to reframe his disciples’ view of growth, assuring them that they could continue to grow, and flourish in his work, even after he left to go to his Father. The key to their continued growth would be…

Another Counselor

Passage: John 14:15-31 Guide for Group Discussion or Personal Reflection Sermon Summary On Jesus’ final night, he sought to reframe the perspective of his anxious disciples, so that they could have courage for the mission that would soon be theirs. In John 14:15-31 in particular, he sought in to reframe their perspective on his departure…

Courage, Dear Heart

Passage: John 14:1-7 Guide for Group Discussion or Personal Reflection Sermon Summary On the night before Jesus’ death, all seemed dark for his disciples. Jesus’ impending betrayal loomed over them, as well as his unsettling reminder that he would soon be “going” away from them. Into this troubling context, Jesus spoke words of courage to…

X