Wednesday, March 26, 2008

NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION

NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
It has been said that there are pastors in churches today that are not born-a-gain Christians in our denominational churches. Some are in it as a profession. Others under deceptions like many who sit in pews and feel because they have gone to church all their lives that they are Christians, or that they are because they feel they are a good person. Some even think doing good works gets them into heaven and they therefore must be a Christian. None of which causes a person to become born-a-gain. Some churches you could walk into are simply dead because the pastor and the people have not pursued the word of God and walked in the light of that word. Others are dead because lost people are running the church. SOUNDS HARD TO BELIEVE. I was listening to a minister that once taught in a Bible School. Over the years he taught many people of various ages and backgrounds. One group that came was made up of pastors that had been pastors for 20, 30, 40 years in denominational churches and decided to go to Bible school to learn more about the Word of God. Within that group over the years several were shocked to realize that they had never confessed Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives and gave their lives to Christ at Bible School. SO NEVER ASSUME THAT ALL WHO ATTEND CHURCH REGULARLY ,OR EVEN MINISTER, OR SAY THEY ARE CHRISTIANS REALLY ARE BORN-A-GAIN. THEY MAY THINK THEY ARE, THEY MAY BELIEVE THEY ARE, BUT UPON WHAT HAVE THEY BASED THAT BELIEF.

I do not know who is or is not Saved. I do not know if any here tonight believe they are saved and are not. Whether any have based salvation on being a good person, church attendance, good works, or the simple fact that their parents were Christians. I do not know all the reasons that sidetrack people into following an idea that takes them down a wrong path, for there are many. I do not know who is over hearing this message, or the state of their lives, or upon what that state is based.
THIS IS WHAT I DO KNOW. THE REAL QUESTION IS, "WHAT HAVE WE DONE WITH JESUS?"
JOHN 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
WE MUST BE SO WATCHFUL ABOUT HOW WE LOOK AT THINGS. JESUS IS THE WAY, NOT A WAY. WE HEAR SO MANY SAY WE ARE ALL TRYING TO GET TO THE SAME PLACE, ONLY WE ARE ALL TAKING DIFFERENT PATHS TO GET THERE. NO THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY. I WAS IN A CHURCH AND A MAN WAS TEACHING, WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A GREAT REVELATION ABOUT THE SONG, " AWAY IN A MANGER." THE WORD AWAY IS USED AS AN ADVERB OR AND ADJECTIVE. IT MODIFIES A VERB OR A NOUN. THIS MAN SPENT THE HOUR CHANGING THE WORD AWAY INTO A WAY. A WAY IS A NOUN. HE SAID THERE WAS A WAY LYING IN THAT MANGER AND MADE IT SOUND SO GOOD, HOWEVER WHAT HE WAS TEACHING WAS WRONG. FOR IF JESUS WAS A WAY, THEN THAT MEANS THERE ARE OTHER WAYS. WHAT YOU MUST SETTLE IN YOUR HEART AND MINDS IS THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY, OR YOU CAN BE LEAD ASTRAY, AND LEAD OTHERS DOWN A WRONG PATH.
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD PEOPLE SAY TO CONFESS YOUR SINS. SOME EVEN SAY GET THEM ALL OUT EVERY ONE OF THEM. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE SINS YOU HAVE COMMITTED BEFORE YOU COME TO CHRIST, IT’S ABOUT YOUR SIN NATURE, AND BEING A LOST SINNER. IT’S ABOUT BECOMING A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST. WHEN JOHN SAID THAT IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE OUR SINS HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE CHURCH. HE WAS SPEAKING TO BORN-A-GAIN PEOPLE NOT LOST PEOPLE WHO NEEDED TO BECOME A NEW CREATION. HE WAS SPEAKING TO ONE’S THAT NEEDED TO BE KEPT IN RIGHT STANDING AND FELLOWSHIP. WHOLE DENOMINATIONS HAVE HARPED ON LOST PEOPLE TO COME TO THE ALTER AND CONFESS YOUR SINS, YES GET THEM ALL OUT, HOWEVER IT IS NOT ABOUT GETTING THE SINS OUT. IT IS ABOUT GETTING THE SIN NATURE OUT. IT IS ABOUT BECOMING A NEW CREATION IN GOD. IT IS ABOUT THE OLD MAN PASSING AWAY , AND A NEW MAN BEING BORN.
1 John 1:1-10 KJV.
1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 KJV.
1. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT NOW IS THE TIME.
OCTOBER 8TH, 1871 IS A DATE MANY PEOPLE RECOGNIZE. IT IS A DAY IN HISTORY THAT A MAJOR EVENT TOOK PLACE. I’LL TELL YOU WHAT THAT WAS, BUT FIRST I WANT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NOT AS WELL PUBLICIZED AND VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS TEACHING THAT HAPPENED ON THAT DATE IN HISTORY. THERE WAS A YOUNG MINISTER PREACHING THERE IN CHICAGO, AND GREAT CROWDS WERE COMING. ON OCTOBER THE 8TH IT WAS THE BIGGEST CROWD HE HAD EVER SPOKEN TO IN HIS LIFE. THIS MINISTER WAS DWIGHT L. MOODY, AND HIS MESSAGE THAT NIGHT WAS " WHAT SHALL I DO WITH JESUS?" AFTER THE ALTER SONG Mr. MOODY TOLD THE CONGREGATION, " I’LL GIVE YOU A WEEK TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH JESUS." THAT VERY NIGHT WAS THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE OF 1871 THAT DESTROYED THE CITY AND MANY WHO WERE IN THAT MEETING PERISHED THAT NIGHT NEVER TO GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR AND LORD. Mr. MOODY SAID, " I LEARNED THAT NIGHT WHEN I PREACH, TO PRESS CHRIST UPON THE PEOPLE AND TRY TO BRING THEM TO A DECISION ON THE SPOT."
BACK IN 2003 MY FATHER-IN-LAW SPOKE TO ME OF LOST OPPORTUNITY AND HOW IT BOTHERED HIM THAT HE NEVER OBEYED THE LORD ONE NIGHT. THE LORD INSTRUCTED HIM TO WITNESS TO A MAN WORKING AT A GAS STATION AND HE PUT IT OFF SAYING I’LL DO IT LATER THIS WEEK. THAT NIGHT THE MAN WAS KILLED IN A CAR WRECK. MY FATHER-IN-LAW CARRIED THAT WITH HIM THE REST OF HIS LIFE WONDERING WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, AND WAS HE THE LAST ONE THAT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THAT MAN FOR CHRIST BEFORE HIS TIME ON EARTH WAS NO MORE. LOST OPPORTUNITIES ARE HARD REGRETS TO CARRY. IF WE CARRY REGRETS LIKE THAT WE NEED TO TAKE THEM TO THE LORD AND REPENT FOR NOT DOING WHAT WE SHOULD OF , AND RECEIVE FORGIVENESS, AND THEN GRASP EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT PRESENTS ITSELF TO US, AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE SITUATION FOR CHRIST. OPPORTUNITY IS A RESTLESS THING IT DEMANDS ATTENTION RIGHT NOW, OR IT DEPARTS.
GOD LOVES YOU AND HAS PROVIDED THE WAY TO ENTER INTO HIS FAMILY.
Passage John 3:16 KJV.
16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
GOD IS NOT COUNTING UP SINS
2 COR. 5:17-19 KJV.
17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation
ROMANS 10:1,8-19,13 KJV.
Romans 10
1. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
ARE YOU SAVED OR ARE YOU NOT, AND DID YOU BASE THAT DECISION ON JESUS AND JESUS ALONE?
Question: "What is the Romans Road to salvation?"
Answer: The Romans Road to salvation is a way of explaining the good news of salvation using verses from the Book of Romans.
The first verse on the Romans Road to salvation is Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent. The second Scripture on the Romans Road to salvation, Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The punishment that we have earned for our sin is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!
The third verse on the Romans road to salvation picks up where Romans 6:23 left off, "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus Christ died for us!
The fourth stop on the Romans road to salvation is Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins - and we will be saved! Romans 10:13 says it again, "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
YOU HEAR SOME SAY YOU HAVE TO STAY TILL YOU PRAY THROUGH, WELL THAT IS TRUE, ONLY ONCE YOU CONFESS HIM AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR YOU HAVE PRAYED THROUGH
ALL YOU NEED TO DO AFTER YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE A LOST SINNER AND NEED RECONCILED TO GOD IS TO SIMPLY SAY LORD JESUS I SEE I AM A LOST SINNER AND NEED YOU, AND I BELIEVE IN MY HEART THAT YOU DIED AND GOD RAISE YOU FROM THE DEAD FOR ME, AND I CONFESS YOU AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR, AND I GIVE MYSELF OVER TO YOU. I AM NOW ONE OF GOD’S CHILDREN...I AM NOW SAVED.. AMEN

Friday, March 14, 2008

FACING THE CROSS PT. 1

FACING THE CROSS ....New Living Translation Passage Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. King James Version Passage Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Amplified Bible Passage Romans 11:29For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] New Living Translation Passage Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly.He delights in every detail of their lives. King James Version Passage Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. We all have been gifted and called to a destiny unique to each of us. If we or our gifts don’t seem to fit, then we are either out of step or in the wrong place. If that is the case we need to seek God’s wisdom and direction in our lives and get back on track. I have a joke that uses animals to illustrate this the difference being animals are in the wrong places many times because of men, and they can't do anything about their situation.. Camel Joke A mother and a baby camel are talking one day when the baby camel asks, " Mom , why have I got these three-toed feet?" The mother replies,"Well, son, when we trek across the desert your toes will help you to stay on top of the soft sand." "Ok,"said the son. A few minutes later the son asks, "Mom, why have I got these great long eyelashes?" " They are to keep the sand out of your eyes on those trips through the desert." "Thanks, Mom" replies the son. After a short while, the son returns and asks, "Mom, why have I got these great big humps on my back?" The Mother, now a little impatient with the boy, replies,"They are there to help us store fat for our long treks across the desert, so we can go without water for long periods." "That’s great , Mom. So we have huge feet to stop us from sinking, and long eyelashes to keep sand from our eyes, and these humps to store water, but Mom.." "Yes, son?" "Why are we in the San Diego zoo?" Sometimes we are like those camels. We are in the wrong place for the gifts and call on our lives. Not much the camels could do about it, however we can do something about our situation. Jesus came into this world gifted and called. His steps were ordered of the Lord. He had a race to run, goals to reach, before he went back to heaven, and on to his other ministries. He had many things to teach, reveal, and fulfill. The Last Supper was one of these steps in His race towards the Cross. There are four gospels. Not every event was recorded in all four. The events that are recorded in more than one will give us different views of the same event through the eyes of the recorder. Different things will stand out to each individual and they will record those things. The Last Supper was one of those events, which was recorded in all four gospels. We will never know, this side of heaven, what all took place that night, at that supper. This was the last time Jesus would have all the disciples together with him before the cross. Jesus had many things to teach and reveal to them that evening. Each writer speaks of the bread and the wine representing the broken body and blood of Jesus except John, however he recorded much more of what Jesus said that night, that the others did not record.. Many things took place that night and each writer also spoke of things that stood out to them. Just as tonight each of you here in this room will have different things which stand out to you. Same event seen through many different eyes and heard through many different ears. When we listen to and read about the event through many different people, we get a more rounded view of what took place. Let’s look at the night through the eyes, ears, and writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus was teaching, revealing, and fulfilling scripture. Passage Matthew 26:17-54: 17Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. 21And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I? 23And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said. 26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 27And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. 30And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. [ Matthew notes that they sang a hymn before they left to go to the mount of olives] 31Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 32But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. 33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. 34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. [ Jesus gave a word to them about how all of them would be offended because of Him.] 50. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him. 51. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54. But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? [ also one of them sliced off the ear of the High Priest’s servant. And Jesus reveals that all of heaven is at His call. And that if he would make that call twelve legions of angels would come and defend him, however the scripture would go unfulfilled. So it must be so that He go to and through the cross.] ( These are some of the things that stood out to Matthew ) Passage Mark 14:15-31.47 (KJV.) 15. And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. 16. And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 17. And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18. And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. 19. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? 20. And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. 21. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. 22. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. 23. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. 24. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. 25. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. 26. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. 27. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. 47. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. [ MARK pretty much follows Matthews account. ] Passage Luke 22:15-32: 15. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16. For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18. For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. 21. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. 22. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! 23. And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. (24. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.) [ Luke picks up on some strife among the disciples as to which of them should be accounted the greatest] (25. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. 26. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.) [Jesus explained how Kings of the gentiles exercise lordship. How they exercise authority over the people. How it’s not to be so in the kingdom of God. The the Chief should be the servant.] 28. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. 29And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30. That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.) [ Luke gives us some more of what Jesus spoke to Peter that night,which Matthew left out.](51. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.) [Luke noticed that Jesus healed the servants ear that one of them cut off. He noticed the miracle of the healing Jesus worked. Matthew and Mark noticed the cutting off of the ear. Luke noticed the healing of the ear by Jesus.]

FACING THE CROSS PT. 2

FACING THE CROSS PT. 2

This was an eye and a heart opener as I was reading what John recorded about the goings on of the evening of the Last Supper. John chapter thirteen verse one until John chapter seventeen verse 26 are the things that stood out to John. Chapter 18 verse one they depart and go to the garden.
John 13
1. Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3. Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
(4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
[7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. ]
8. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's
feet.
15. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent
greater than he that sent him.
17. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.)
[We never see foot washing mentioned again. Never by any of the apostle’s or anyone else. Why? Because it was never intended to be a custom, but rather an example of serving the needs of others no matter the title of office you hold. It was to show us to be humble and serve, rather than demand to be served. We must be watchful that we don’t become high-minded and think we are the ultimate, and everyone should run to our beckon call and fulfill our needs and desires. In the world and sorry to say in the church world there are some also that as they gain notoriety, popularity, wealth, and a title, you see them change. They are riding in limo’s, and have people carry their bags, and people to do almost everything for them. Jesus was bringing this out the first thing after they ate supper, so it was very important. They key to being great, the key to being a leader, is being a servant. We should be looking for how we can serve and lift others up. As we do that God will have others looking to serve our needs as we give and serve others. It’s a sowing and reaping principal, as well as being humble. Jesus knowing that this will be his last time together with them tells them many things they will need to know. He starts with the example of being a servant so this must be very important and key to everything else. Let’s continue reading the rest of what John records happened and look at the amount of revelation Jesus shared that night.]
18. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
19. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21. When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26. Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
31. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
33. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
36. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
37. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
38. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
John 14
1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him,
and have seen him.
8. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10. Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
13. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
15. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
25. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
29. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
30. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
31. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
John 15
1. I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17. These things I command you, that ye love one another.
18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
22. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.
23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
24. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
25. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
27. And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16
1. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
4. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
5. But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?
6. But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.
7. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9. Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10. Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11. Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things
to come.
14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
16. A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
17. Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?
18. They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith.
19Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
21. A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
22. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
23. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
24. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
25. These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
26. At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
27. For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
28. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32. Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
John 17
1. These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21. That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
John 18
1. When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
[Those chapters sure contained a huge amount of teaching and I have heard 100's of sermon topics that came from those chapters, but never realized till now that it was all spoken at the last supper.