John’s Account of Jesus

Core Values Love, Unity, Faith, Commitment, Freedom, Change God is a God of change New Heaven and New Earth New Heart “New Thing” (Isaiah 43:19)

Core Values Love, Unity, Faith, Commitment, Freedom, Change New Covenant New Song “His mercies are new every morning”

Core Values Love, Unity, Faith, Commitment, Freedom, Change Principles and Methods MethodolatrySpirit-led Change for the sake of change?

Core Values We are committed to following Jesus as he leads, knowing it means holding our ways of doing things loosely for the sake of King Jesus Disciple- one who denies self, carries a cross and follows Jesus

Gods and Stones "Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade…

Gods and Stones “…The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly”- vs

Gods and Stones EvidenceMiracles Deity Statements: “Before Abraham was born, I AM”- John 8 Can’t seem to arrest or kill him

Gods and Stones Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep- vs

Gods and Stones 2 Evidences: words and deeds Both are necessary

Gods and Stones 2 Evidences: words and deeds Both are necessary. Why?

Gods and Stones Do you have to believe to become sheep, or be sheep in order to believe? “…you do not believe because you are not my sheep…”

Gods and Stones “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand….

Gods and Stones “…My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one”- vs

Gods and Stones Those who belong to Jesus: Listen to his voice (scripture, prayer, fellowship, worship)

Gods and Stones Those who belong to Jesus: Are known by him Follow him

Gods and Stones There’s a big difference between action in Christ’s name and following Jesus “Lord, Lord…” “I never knew you…”

Gods and Stones I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand… Eternal life is not the result of ancestral descent, but belief

Jews: Overthrow the Romans and rule in this world Safety and security Jesus: Overthrow our sinful hearts and rule in our lives Eternal security

Gods and Stones “All of God’s resources are committed to the eternal preservation of his people”- EBD

Gods and Stones Christians who look for security and protection in the things of this world miss the point How?

Gods and Stones Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me…?”

Gods and Stones “…We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God”- vs

Gods and Stones When we rule out truth, we’ll accept any reasonable lie

Gods and Stones Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods…'?

Gods and Stones …If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken— what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world…?

Gods and Stones …Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'?- vs Problem?

Gods and Stones "I said, 'You are "gods"; you are all sons of the Most High.' But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler"- Psalm 82:6-7 “gods”= “sons,” “rulers” who will die “like mere men/every other ruler”

Gods and Stones Are we gods?

Gods and Stones And there is no God apart from me- Isaiah 45:21 "See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand- Deut. 32:39

Gods and Stones You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other- Deut. 4:35, 39

Gods and Stones Mormon- “you are gods” Jehovah’s Witnesses- John 1:1

Gods and Stones Perspicuity of Scripture- always interpret scripture with scripture

Gods and Stones 1. What does it tell me about God? 2. What does it tell me about me? 3. What does the overall witness of scripture say?

Gods and Stones Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does… Children are marked by their resemblance to their spiritual fathers

Gods and Stones …But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father...”

Gods and Stones …Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp- vs

Gods and Stones Our actions are always the foundations for our words God is looking for a generation of men and women with integrity

Gods and Stones Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days…

Gods and Stones …Here he stayed and many people came to him. They said, "Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true." And in that place many believed in Jesus- vs

Gods and Stones

What is my stone of remembrance?

Takeaways: Do my deeds line-up with my words? Do my words give evidence of and witness to Jesus?

Takeaways: Actions in Jesus’ name are not the same as following Jesus Do I know the difference? Am I following Jesus? If not, am I willing to repent?

Takeaways: Am I looking for security and protection in the things of this world? Do I spend a lot of time trying to protect my things in this world? Am I willing to “seek first his Kingdom” and trust that he’ll meet my needs?

Takeaways: What is my stone of remembrance? When was the last time I visited?