Text: John 3:14-21 Just as Moses Lifted Up the Serpent (v. 14-15; cf. Numbers 21:4-9) Necessary because of sin God had a remedy for sin The people were responsible to take advantage of God’s remedy Demonstration of God’s Love (v. 16-17) This was God’s plan God’s love was extended to the world We deserve punishment [...]

Text: John 2:13-22 What Is Zeal? – “Enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance” (American Heritage Dictionary) Misplaced Zeal Led the Jews to establish their own righteousness (Romans 10:2) Led Paul to persecute the church (Philippians 3:6) Zeal for God’s House Not mix business with our worship Purity [...]

Text: John 1:29 Clues John gave about Christ: Jesus Was Perfect - The lamb for the sacrifice had to be perfect (Exodus 12:5) Jesus Would Have to Die - He was a sacrifice (Matthew 16:21; Isaiah 53:7) They Were in Bondage to Sin - The sacrifice began the deliverance from bondage (Exodus 12; John 8:32-34) Sacrifices Were Ending - [...]

[This was a follow-up lesson to the one previously posted, "The Testimony of Jesus' Enemies"] Chief Priests – Pride (John 11:47-48); Envy (Matthew 27:17-18) Judas – Greed (Matthew 27:3-4) Pilate – Opposition (John 19:12-16) The Centurion – Duty (Luke 23:47; Matthew 8:8-9)

Chief Priests & Pharisees – “this man is performing many signs” (John 11:47-53) Judas – “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:1-5) Pilate – “I find no guilt in Him” (John 19:4-6) The Centurion at the Cross – “innocent/righteous” (Luke 23:46-47), “Son of God” (Matthew 27:54)

Thievery – John 12:1-8 Betrayal – Matthew 26:47-49 Suicide – Matthew 27:3-5

Walking on Water (Matthew 14:25-31) – Doubt Hearing of Jesus’ Death (Matthew 16:21-23) – Tried to stand in the way of God’s plan Jesus’ Arrest (Matthew 26:51-56) – Misunderstood the nature of the kingdom and Jesus as Messiah (cf. John 18:36) Outside Jesus’ Trial (Matthew 26:69-75) – Denied Christ Paul’s Rebuke (Galatians 2:11-14) – Feared [...]

Text: John 11:47-53 Jesus’ Miracles were Undeniable – His enemies acknowledged the miracles. Miracles Do Not Guarantee Faith – Some say they’d believe if they could see a miracle. These men with first-hand knowledge didn’t believe. Difficult to Give up Power and Influence – These men were more concerned about losing power than recognizing the [...]

Text: John 3:13-17; Numbers 21:3-9 The Coming Sacrifice – John 12:27; Acts 2:22-23 The Need for a Sacrifice – Romans 3:23; 6:23 The Nature of the Sacrifice – Universal (2 Corinthians 5:14-15); atonement, delayed the wrath of God (Romans 2:4-6)

Text: Luke 23:39-43 Things the thief recognized: The Need to Fear God – Proverbs 1:7; Acts 10:34-35 That which is Just – Romans 2:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:6 The Innocence of Christ – 1 Peter 2:22 The Certainty of God’s Plan – Proverbs 30:5; Matthew 16:18-19