Introduction A. Children will ask their parents for a lot of things, but not always the things that they really need. B. Around birthdays parents start to think about good gifts that they could buy for their children. Let’s think about some good gifts that we can give them year-round. Discussion I. We can give them security.
A. Financial security is a good gift for children (Proverbs 13:22). B. Our love is an essential gift that our...
What a Friend We Have in Jesus!
Introduction A. Friends that you can really count on are rare, and we should be thankful for every one we have. B. As great as our friends may be, the fact is that there is not a friend anywhere in this world like Jesus. I. Jesus was always a friend to the friendless. A. He was a friend to lepers (Mark 1:41; Matthew 26:6). B. He was a friend to sinners (Matthew 9:11-12; 11:19). C. He was a friend to the poor (Luke 4:18...
“Love One Another”
Introduction A. In His final instructions to the disciples, the one commandment that Jesus chose to emphasize was that they continue to love one another as He had loved them (John 15:12). B. Jesus knew that the disciples would need one another to weather the storms ahead, and nothing could hold them together like love. I. Why was brotherly love so important to Jesus at this moment? A. Jesus saw love...
The Marks of Jesus
Introduction A. Scars are difficult to get rid of and often are worn forever. B. When Paul told the Galatians, “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (6:17), they knew what he meant (cf. Acts 14:19). C. Do we bear the marks of the Lord in our body today? I. Jesus’ resurrected body bore many marks for our sakes. A. He bore the marks of a whip (Matthew 27:26). B. He bore the marks of thorns and a reed (Matthew 27...
Don’t Give Up Now!
Introduction A. When Jesus offered the bread of life to a crowd with an appetite that only literal bread would appease, many refused to walk with Him another step. B. When the Christian life becomes difficult, there are many who will give up when God’s greatest gifts are yet to come. I. Jesus reminds us that any hardships we endure are only temporary. A. In the garden He asked for just one hour (Matthew 26:40)...
Failing to Live Up to It
Introduction A. Everyone knows the feeling of making a commitment and then failing to live up to it. Can you imagine how Peter felt after he forsook the Lord in the garden and then denied Him? B. When we fail to live up to the commitment that we have made to the Lord, what should we do? I. The disciples’ faith failed more than once. A. Their faith failed them on the Galilee Sea (Luke 8:22-25). B. Peter’s faith failed him on...
“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled” (Part 2)
Introduction A. In spite of the troubling circumstances that the disciples faced, Jesus told them, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1). B. We live in troubled times, but we needn’t have troubled hearts. I. It is encouraging to know that there is room for everyone in our Father’s house. A. Jesus told His disciples that there are many dwellings in His Father’s house (John 14:2). B. Jesus went to prepare a place for us...
“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled” (Part 1)
Introduction A. Never has there been a time void of troubles. B. In spite of the troubling circumstances that the disciples faced, Jesus told them, “Let not your heart be troubled” (John 14:1). C. Even though we may be living in troubled times, there is no need for us to have troubled hearts. I. In troubled times, we must keep the faith. A. Jesus told His disciples, “You believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1). B. Although...
Jesus’ Commitment
Introduction A. Both in His life and in His death, Jesus showed a firm resolution and commitment to the mission He came to fulfill. B. Jesus’ commitment should stand as an inspiration for us to remain committed to our very last breath (1 Peter 2:20-25). I. Jesus’ commitment is evident in His planning. A. Jesus said that His suffering was His very purpose for coming into the world (John 12:27; Matthew 20:28). B. Jesus...
Counting the Cost of Following Jesus
Introduction A. The signing of the Declaration of Independence and the crossing of the Rubicon were both points of no return, moments when the parties involved committed their very lives to their cause. B. What did Jesus have to say about commitment to His cause? I. Instead of hiding the cost, Jesus urged everyone to count it. A. Jesus was always honest about the hardships that His disciples would have to endure (Luke...