Friday, March 07, 2014

Outline of John 13-17

Tomorrow I will be preaching a sermon on John 13-17. These chapters contain some of Jesus’ most concentrated teaching and were among the last things he said before he went to the cross. They contain some of the most important teachings about what the church is supposed to be and what the essence of the Christian life is. The bottom line of what Jesus is saying is that the essence of the Christian life is an intimate connection with the Trinity (in the way the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are connected) through Jesus. What Jesus did through his connection with the Father we also can do through the connection with the Father and Jesus that we have in the Spirit. The evidence of this intimate connection with God is acts of loving service done for God’s people that produces a unity which attracts the world to Christ.

Here is the basic outline I will distribute in church tomorrow…...

Sermon Outline John 13-17

  • Example of Service – Love! 13
    • Loneliness/Trouble/Belief 14.1-14
      • Holy Spirit – Sent for Truth 14.14-31
        • Relationship 15.1-17
          • Vine and Branches (Remain) 1-10
            • Goal – Complete Joy –Connection  11
          • Love One Another as I have Loved You 12-17
      • Holy Spirit - Sent  15.18-16.15
    • Loneliness Temporary 16.16-33
  • Prayer for Unity 17

As you can see the center of the passage structure is the relationship of the believer with God that Jesus makes possible through the Holy Spirit. It is an intimate connection with God based on love that results in love for one another. The structure is bounded by Jesus’ example of loving service and his prayer for the unity of all believers. Granted that Jesus had a perfect relationship with the Father and we don’t. Nevertheless I would question anyone who says they have a relationship with the Father and there is no evidence of the serving love that Jesus demonstrated or the unity with all believers that Jesus prayed for – no matter how good their doctrine is.

I am working on an extended outline which I will post later.

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