Freedom Follows Following: 50 Days to Freedom
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Sermon Notes
John 18:26,27 26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Emotions of Crisis
Fear
Doubt
Disappointment
1. (FEAR) In Regard to Opposition Don’t Be Surprised, Trust!
John 15:18-21 18
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.
3 Historical Cultural responses to Christianity, Church and Christians
- Not Right
- Not Relevant
- Not Safe
Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 56:11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 29:5 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Key Point: Don’t let fear create distance, let trust close distance!
2. (Doubt) In Regard to Difficulty Don’t Be Alarmed, Take Heart!
John 16:33. 33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 teaches us…
- Jesus is proactive – I have told you these things so that when they happen you can have peace in me.
- Jesus shoots straight – we will experience trouble in this world.
- Jesus leads with power – I have overcome the world
Key Point: Don’t lose heart in doubt, take heart in His overcoming.
3. In Regard to Disappointment Don’t Give Up… 3 Days too soon.
Isaiah 55:8
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Key Point: The best thing God does is resurrections!
Jesus’ Resurrection Changes Everything
John 20:1-10
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
John 20:19-22 19
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Counters Fear with Presence & Peace.
Jesus Replaces Confusion/Doubt with Purpose and Commission.
Jesus Recreates Hope by giving the Holy Spirit.