JESUS’S GIFT OF PEACE
John 14
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.

• Shalom means wholeness, completeness, health, security, even prosperity in the best sense.
• The world bases its peace on its resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships.
• How do you get that peace?
• Yielding to His life
• It’s not by knowing the Word
• You cannot generate the peace Jesus is talking about.
• The Scripture is not our life… It is Jesus who is revealed through the Word.
• The Spirit uses the Word to give us His peace (John 14:27), His love (John 15:9–10), and His joy (John 15:11). If that does not calm a troubled heart, nothing will![1]
• We have to live by His life.
• You have to know this… but it is not by knowing that you have peace… it is by living your life by another source.
• Christ in you.
• Police Chief Thompson

I do not give to you as the world gives.

• There will always be only two responses:
• 1) From the world (based on circumstance) – Condemnation
• 2) From Jesus – Grace, comfort and peace.

Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard (not understood) me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father,
 - If they only knew what was to come!
 - He returned to the Father different than when He came from the Father.
 - Came as a prophet but left as a high priest.
 - He had to have blood to offer.
 - He will return as King!
because the Father is greater than I.
 - Not in deity but in the limitations of human flesh.

• Hebrews 10:20 - He has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)[2]
• Philippians 2:5-8 - 5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. 7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. [3]

29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe.
 - “Oh, wow!!!!”
30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me.

• Two things: The evil one is the ruler of the world.
• The evil one has no power over Jesus Christ.
• The safest place to be is “in Christ”.
• The evil knows no Truth – He told the 1st lie.
• No Truth = No wisdom
• No wisdom = No discernment
• Truth possesses wisdom
• With wisdom there is discernment
• Jesus and the evil one can’t even be compared.
• No authority over Jesus.

31 On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.
Get up; let’s leave this place.” [4]
 
Matthew 26:30  - After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.[5]
 
    14. Hallel: The singing of the Psalms 113-118Current practice:

• These Psalms sung over the 4th cup (cup of praise)

    15. Nirtzah: Current practice: Nirtzah means “accepted”

• Modern day addition
• Someone states that God is pleased with how the Seder was performed

Since 600 AD, scholarly Jews have debated whether there were 4 or 5 cups.

• A 5th cup was poured but never consumed
• They agreed to leave it that way until Elijah comes and settles the dispute.
• It is now named the Elijah cup.
• The door is opened to accommodate his return.

 
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.

• Who is responsible for producing fruit?
• The gardener.

2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes (lifts up – Olive Trees), and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain (abide) in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain (abide) in me.

• Abiding is learning to live your life by another.
• Read your Bible? Go on a mission trip? Praying?
• NO!
• Living your life in Christ. Letting Him doing those things for you.
• You have heard us say you either do things by the Spirit or do things by the flesh.
• You realize you can do “religious things” in your own flesh and it is sin.
• Figure out how to “rest”… a Sabbath Rest is to come.
• Relax, breathe, enjoy Jesus. Abide!
• Take a break from Christianity!
• Just be…

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.

• The branch cannot produce its own life; it must draw that life from the vine.
• It is our communion with Christ through the Spirit that makes possible the bearing of the fruit.[6]

6 If anyone does not remain (abide) in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. [7]

• 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 - 12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.[8]
• Judgment Seat of Christ – Is for believers and is a judgment of their works based upon done by self or “in Christ”.
• It’s the fruit that burns… not the believer.

Video from Becky Novakoski

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 354). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Heb 10:20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Php 2:5–8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 14:6–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 26:30). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 355). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 15:1–6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 3:12–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

ANOTHER COUNSELOR PROMISED
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.
 - Last week…
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with (abide) you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains (abides) with you and will be in you.

• Old Testament – The Spirit follows and rests upon them.
• After Acts 2 – The Spirit comes and dwells in the believers.

 
THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too.

• How did Jesus live? Father through the Son.
• John 10:10 – “I came that you might have life… abundant life.”

20 On that day (Pentecost) you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you.

• Envelopes

21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

• Believe & love – Spirit through the Son through the Father.
• I John 3:22-24 - and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight. 23 Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us. [1]
• “As you go…”
• I said if you want to know how to make your marriage better… believe/know Him
• If you want to grow churches… believe/know Him
• If you want to change a particular behavior… believe/know Him
• If you want to impact the world – believe/know Him
• Knowing Christ is our only goal.

And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

• What does it mean to live by His life? - John 14:10 - The Father who lives in me does his works.[2]
• Romans 6:6 - For we know that our old self was crucified with him[3]
• Romans 6:11 - So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.[4]
• Romans 6:13 - But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God,[5]
• The goal is to believe and love… when we do this, God reveals himself to us.

 
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

• Judas is still thinking from a physical perspective.

23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

• This sounds like LAW.
• How do you keep the Word?
• Just as Jesus did… You live your life by the source of another. Jesus did by the Father… we do by Jesus.
• Romans 8:4 - in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.[6]
• We are no longer under the Law but under the Spirit.
• All 3 of the Trinity come and make a home in us.

24 The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

• It was an act of mercy that He did not manifest Himself to the world, because that would have meant judgment.[7]
• We get emotionally charged when we see people sin.
• As we grow in Spiritual maturity we get less emotional about others sin.
• We understand it is natural for a sinner to sin.
• We understand that believers are making a choice to walk in their flesh (even if they think they are free).
• Does this mean we are light on sin?
• Absolutely not… It’s not my issue… unless the Spirit makes it my issue.

25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

• The Spirit will never tell us to do anything that contradicts God’s Law.
• The Spirit’s revelation will always align with the Word of God.
• Who wrote this book of “John”?
• Acts 4:13 - When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.[8]
• Yet they were the one who wrote the New Testament books.
• They would have to know the Old Testament word for word for their writings to align with the law, history and prophecy.
• Luke 2 – Jesus is referenced as “The Glory” – The Glory of the Lord shown around about them.
• Ezekiel 11 – Not
• Exodus 3 – Glory was in the bush
• Exodus 19 & 20 - on Mt. Sinai
• Exodus 40 – The Glory was in the Tabernacle
• 2 Chronicles 5 – King Solomon’s Temple
• Ezekiel 11 – Gone back to heaven
• Then Jesus has to be crucified at a specific day and time.
• Jesus has to be raised in 3 days
• “they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
• Being with Jesus makes all the difference.

 
JESUS’S GIFT OF PEACE
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.

• Jesus’ peace before He goes to the Garden of Gethsemane.
• Worst thing He could ever face in His life and yet He still had peace.
• This family that drowned in Branson. How does this lady survive?
• My friend, Becky Novakoski, is laying in a hospital in Knoxville, TN clinging to her life but I know that Jesus has given her His COMPLETE peace.
• My friend, Todd, is in the back of the room… and Jesus gives you HIS peace.

I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.[9]

• You have to know that peace.
• It has been made available to you.
• It is accessible.
• It is a fruit of the Spirit.
• You’re probably not going to experience unless you can figure out what Sabbath Rest is.
• We learn about peace through pain.
• We even learn through other’s pain.
• I’m taking notes on Becky & Todd

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Jn 3:22–24). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 14:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 6:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 6:11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 6:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 8:4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 353). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 4:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 14:15–27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

As we move through the Gospels, we have watched Jesus come as a prophet and is now entering His time as a priest and will eventually get to Jesus as a king.

​JESUS REVEALS THE FATHER
John 14
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way,
 - The only way to the Father.
the truth,
 - Not his philosophies
and the life.

• Christ’s life in us is the difference.
• Jesus becomes your life.
• Not just as Savior that gets you out of hell.
• Jesus wants an intimate relationship with each believer.
• Not only will the Spirit come live in you, but Jesus and the Father will also.
• Colossians 3:4 – When Christ, who is your life…
• Romans 5:10 - … having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.[1]

No one comes to the Father except through me.
 - Exclusivity – Just like all other faiths.
7 If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

• They will always give the same answers.
• You ever experience identical twins were they finish each other sentences?

8 “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

• “Observe the Master”

10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?

• Envelopes

The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own.

• The Father speaks through the Son.
• Three individual persons who are one.

The Father who lives (abides) in me does his works.

• Jesus performed no works
• Jesus didn’t perform any miracles.
• Jesus allowed the Father to LIVE His life through Him.
• The Father does life through the Son who does it through me.
• How does that look? How does that work?
• God never saved you for you to do things for Him.
• God saved you so that He could live through you.

 

• When Adam was placed in the Garden he was given a choice to eat from two trees: 1) The Tree of Life or the 2) Tree of Knowledge and Good and Evil.
• Adam chose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
• If Adam would have eaten from the Tree of Life he would have roamed this earth with God living His life out through Adam.
• Jesus came along and showed us what that would have looked like. For the Father to live out life through Himself.
• Jesus died so that the Father could live out His life through Jesus and Jesus through us.
• We don’t imitate… we actually live out life.
• Adam missed out on living life through the Father.
• We now live a life through another.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe because of the works themselves.

• Only the Father could have done the Messianic Miracles:

1. Healing a Jewish leper
2. Healing a blind man born blind
3. Casting demons out of a mute

 
PRAYING IN JESUS’S NAME
12 “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do.

• As a pastor for the majority of my life, I have seen people saved, healed and walk in freedom.
• It definitely was not because of me.

And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

• The Fathers works will be multiplied through the many believers.

13 Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

• Understanding God’s will is understanding His person.
• His name determines His will.
• God’s will is derived (originates) from His name.
• Know the Father.
• What is God’s Truth and will for my life? Know Him and you will know God’s will.

 
ANOTHER COUNSELOR PROMISED
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.

• Which commandments?
• We teach that you are no longer under the Law.
• The 10 commandments were not even given to the Gentiles.
• Romans 5:20 – The Law came along to increase sin.
• I John 3:22-24 - and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight. 23 Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us. [2]
• How do we love one another?
• Only the Father working through Jesus and Jesus working through us.
• It’s the only way it works.
• I will never understand how to “love” Michelle properly.
• But the more I know my Father, the more I learn to live my life by another who is able to love Michelle through me.
• If I am not loving to my wife… what does that say about me?
• Momentarily selfish… focused on me.
• The only way to love one another is by allowing the Father/Son to work through me.
  
  

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Col 3:4, Ro 5:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Jn 3:22–24). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Mark 14:29-31
29 Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away, I will not.”
30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”
31 But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And they all said the same thing. [1]
 
BE READY FOR TROUBLE
Luke 22:35-38
35 He also said to them, “When I sent you out without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Not a thing,” they said.
36 Then he said to them, “But now,
 - This is an annulment of Jesus’ previous command.
whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one. 37 For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in me: And he was counted among the lawless. Yes, what is written about me is coming to its fulfillment.”
38 “Lord,” they said, “look, here are two swords.”
“That is enough!” he told them. [2]

• One in the front and one in the back for protection against things besides human opponents.
• Personal protection… not against persecution.

 
THE WAY TO THE FATHER
 - Still in the Upper Room.
John 14
1 “Don’t let your heart be troubled.

• Remember last week, where we talked about them taking the Lord’s Supper and immediately they began arguing between themselves about who was the greatest?
• Jews were taught they received a certain rank and the rank determines where they will live when they get to heaven.
• They were arguing who had accumulated the most wealth.

Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms;
 - One house! Many rooms (dwelling places).

• We are all going to be living together!

if not, I would have told you.
 – Jesus tells them the Truth but He also exposes any error.
I am going away to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.

• Reference to the “Rapture of the Church”
• “I am” – NOT “where I will be.”
• John 14:10-11 - 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.
• Jesus had the ability to live in two places as once (in Spirit).
• Ephesians 2:6 - He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus[3]
• Colossians 1:27 - God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.[4]

4 You know the way to where I am going.”

• Jesus is the way to the Father in heaven
• You know Jesus

5 “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?”
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way,

• Colossians 3:4 -  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.[5]
• “Exclusivity”
• How do you get to heaven?
• Christianity has taken a hit on “exclusivity.”
• Mohammed, Buhda, Krishna all have determined ways to heaven… but don’t get pinned with “exclusivity”.
• Because their way is based upon ways of living and philosophies.
• Jesus said, “I am the way.”

John 1
47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said about him, “Here is a true Israelite; no deceit is in him.”
 - In reference to Jacob, he was an Israelite who deceived his father, Isaac to steal the birthright of Esau.
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.
 - Jewish tradition was that students sat under specific trees to study… that being fig trees.
 - Jesus even referred to the person Philip was thinking about.
 - He not only told him where he had been but what he was thinking.
- Genesis 28:10-12 - 10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. 11 He reached a certain place and spent the night there because the sun had set. He took one of the stones from the place, put it there at his head, and lay down in that place. 12 And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the ground with its top reaching heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down on it.[6]
49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael replied, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe only because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then He said, “I assure you: You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”[7]
 - Nathanael was going to see greater things than Jesus just reading his mind.

• Jesus has determined that He is the “absolute” way to heaven.
• Absolutes are being minimalized in today’s society.
• There has to be more than one way.
• One might argue that the sun always rises in the east. An astrophysicist might confidently counter that the sun never rises in the east; it stays put, and Earth does the moving.
• Often when we use superlative forms (those that usually boast an -est ending), it’s a matter of opinion or hyperbole: “Best coffee in town!” or, “That was the worst rendition of ‘I Can Only Imagine’ ever,”
• ““She exaggerates more than anyone else in history.”
• You can't logically argue against the existence of absolute truth. To argue against something is to establish that a truth exists.
• Society does not want absolutes controlling their lives and it causes them to rebel against them.
• You cannot argue against absolute truth unless an absolute truth is the basis of your argument.
• “There are absolutely not absolute truths.” – ha!
• "No one knows what the truth is." The speaker obviously believes his statement is true. 
• We live in a world of…  "Truth is relative! There's no right and there's no wrong! We should be able to do whatever we want!"
• See where this gets you.
• Today, Truth is based upon, science/reason, popular opinion and feelings.
• It’s like we have walked into an endless cave of thought and now we are lost.
• I believe in Jesus and Jesus said, “I am…

the truth,

• Sometimes we need assistance out of the cave…
• Psalm 40:11 - "Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me."
• Psalm 86:11 - "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."
• Psalm 119:45 - "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts [truths]."
• Zechariah 8:16 - "These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts."
• John 8:31-32 - "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• John 16:13 - "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."
• John 17:17 - "[God's] word is truth."
• Romans 1:18 - "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness."
• 1 Corinthians 13:6 - "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth."
• Ephesians 6:14 - "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place."

and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 14:29–31). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 22:35–38). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 2:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Col 1:27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Col 3:3–4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ge 28:10–12). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Jn 1:35–51). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

12. Tzafun (sa-foon): The eating of the afikoman; Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper or Communion

• Judas was not present at this point

 13. Bareich (Ba-ray): The grace said over the third cup 

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. [1]
 
2 Elements of Communion

1. Juice/wine – represents Jesus’ blood – Forgiveness of sin
2. Bread – Represents Jesus’ body -
    - Romans 7:1-4 - 1 Since I am speaking to those who know the law, brothers and sisters, don’t you know that the law rules over someone as long as he lives? 2 For example, a married woman is legally bound to her husband while he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law regarding the husband. 3 So then, if she is married to another man while her husband is living, she will be called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law. Then, if she is married to another man, she is not an adulteress.
3. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in relation to the law through the body of Christ so that you may belong to another. You belong to him who was raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.[2]
    - We were born with a sinful nature.

• We were born under the law (married to it)
• We were crucified on the cross with Jesus
• Something in us had to die (sinful nature)
• It is our nature that condemns us… not our sin.
• Once our nature is brand new we are forgiven of our sin.
• Therefore, the body (bread) is taken before the blood (juice/wine).

 
THE DISPUTE OVER GREATNESS
Luke 22:24-30 -
24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.
 - This immediately follows the 12th & 13th ceremony of the Passover Meal (Lord’s Upper)
25 But he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who have authority over them have themselves called ‘Benefactors.’ 26 It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest, and whoever leads, like the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28 You are those who stood by me in my trials. 29 I bestow on you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.[3]

• Mystery Kingdom (Church Age) – Acts 2 to “the Rapture”
• Messianic Kingdom – Jesus returns (Rev 20) – 1,000 reign on earth.
• The disciples gave up everything (died martyrs’ death) but they were promised great things.
• Change your theology because they were raised believing it was necessary to collect wealth to get to heaven.

 
THE NEW COMMAND
John 13:31-35 -
31 When he (Judas) had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

• What event are we talking about?
• Crucifixion, burial & resurrection.

33 Children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

• They couldn’t go to the cross.

34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” [4]

• Jesus was born under the Law and lived it perfectly.
• Jesus died for the purpose of the Law.
• Why would He put the disciples back under the Law?
• How do you love one another perfectly?
• Allowing Jesus to do it through you.
• 36 kids and 18 adults to camp… it is easy to love some… but odds are… not all… unless Jesus is doing it through you.
• It is also easier to love in the midst of crisis.

(Beth Speckman lost her father this week… Todd didn’t get the greatest of news this week…)

• Keeping this passage in the context of 66 books… we are now living under the law of Jesus Christ.
• He will do this through us!

 
PETER’S DENIAL PREDICTED
Matthew 26:31-35 - 31 Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written:
I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.
 (Zechariah 13:7)
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
 - The disciples were so distracted with the accusation of scattering they never heard the second part of what Jesus said.

• They never heard “Go to Galilee”.

33 Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away.”
34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
35 “Even if I have to die with you,” Peter told him, “I will never deny you,” and all the disciples said the same thing. [5]
 
PETER’S DENIALS PREDICTED
John 13:36-38
36 “Lord,” Simon Peter said to him, “where are you going?”
Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.”
37 “Lord,” Peter asked, “why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38 Jesus replied, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly I tell you, a rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times. [6]
 
PETER’S DENIAL PREDICTED
Luke 22:31-34
31 “Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

• Jesus knew that Peter was going to be the ROCK.
• Peter had been given the keys to the Church.
• Who is the first person that Jesus returns to? Peter

33 “Lord,” he told him, “I’m ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”
34 “I tell you, Peter,” he said, “the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me.” [7]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 11:23–26). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 7:1–4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 22:24–30). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 13:31–35). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 26:31–35). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 13:36–38). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 22:31–34). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.