Heritage Baptist Church of Frankfort IL

Paul wanted to defend to the congregation at Corinth from the "super" apostles that had shown up. He gives them three reasons why they should pay heed to him. He was their initial pastor, though he had not taken pay from them. His desire was for them to listen to his reasoning and reject the shallow and often false teachings of the new teachers at Corinth.

For many, the book of Hebrews is mysterious and distant. This is due to many of the OT references. The institutions and the people are not familiar to modern ears. However, this book serves the vital purpose of making people see that Jesus is better than anyone or anything. This book keeps people from giving up in their following of Christ.

John presented his gospel to ultimately show that Jesus was Messiah and God. He did this in many different ways. His purpose for believers was to encourage them as they were in a world that would persecute them. His purpose for unbelievers was to believe on Jesus and born again as sons and daughters of God.

Chapter 21 is an epilogue to the events that came previously. Thomas' declaration was what John wanted his readers to believe. This chapter gives us a few extra things that might be on the mind of the reader. How was Peter restored to ministry? Was John never going to die? John gives us this epilogue to give some of those answers.

The gospel of Christ was going to the new regions of Samaria. Phillip the evangelist saw many converted and baptized. One person was Simon the Sorcerer. He did what everyone else had done. However, it seems like later he may not have been saved. How does one figure out whether he was saved or not?

God serves as an example of a good father. When He is near, his children have no fears. He is forgiving and does not bring up past faults. He is a Father worthy of praise.

The false teachers in Corinth had taken up the common rhetorical tactic of comparing themselves to Paul and boasting of their accomplishments. Paul addresses the foolishness of comparing people and ministries. It was something Paul had previously addressed in 1 Corinthians. Paul will find his boast in the Lord and what the Lord had done with and through him.

John recorded two appearances of Jesus to His disciples immediately after the resurrection. Each one of these accounts served a purpose. In the end all of what John recorded served the purpose of pointing to Christ, the Son of God. The hoped for result is that you might believe on the Son.

Paul starts this section of his letter to the Corinthians with a statement of being prepared to battle. Paul was being questioned by some in the congregation about his Gospel qualifications for ministry. Paul declares that he is ready to tear down the strongholds of the false apostles and teachers that have crept into the congregation at Corinth.

John includes two stories about the resurrection that confirm two things. First confirmation was that there was an empty tomb. Second confirmation was that someone had seen the risen Christ.

At the conclusion of his section on the collection for the Jerusalem church, Paul gives several principles related to giving in general and some of the blessing of giving to others.

Pilate had to make decisions about the person of Jesus Christ. Was He a king? Was He God? Pilate faced these questions that every human being must grapple with. A failure to accept the truth will lead to tragic decisions.

Paul gives instructions to the church for the collection and sending of their offering to Jerusalem. By his instructions Paul leaves the church an example of how to make the gathering and distributing of offerings honest. Churches want to be above reproach when it comes to the collecting, counting, and distributing of funds.

The crucifixion for many believers can be a too familiar event. They don't pay attention to the details because they have heard it so many times. John give us a view of the cross that reminds the believer that His work of salvation was finished.

The Apostle starts a section in which he challenges the gather offerings for the church at Jerusalem. The Corinthians had promised before to start the process. Now Paul moves them along to reflect the grace given to them by showing that grace to others.

Jesus' arrest leads to a series of trials and interrogations. John only considers the interrogation of Annas when dealing with the religious trials. At the same time John gives the interrogation in the courtyard of Peter. While Jesus is faithfully facing His death, Peter fails to stand against the lowliest elements of society. John goes back and forth between the two men. The Lord restores Peter later but this story highlights the faithfulness of Jesus and the oft failure of His followers.

Arrests are often chaotic and the one arrested has no real control over what happens. John records Jesus' arrest, but notes that Jesus is the one who controls His arrest. As revealed in the story, He is God and only allows what He has determined.

This familiar passage is often ignored by preachers, because everyone seems to have some knowledge of the story. However, it is important for believers to look at this passage with new eyes. We can often miss the details and ignore the reason the story was given in the Scripture.

This is the Day that the Lord hath made was a prophesy. Many individuals quote this verse daily to remind themselves to rejoice. However, this verse was speaking of the Day of Jesus' resurrection. His resurrection gives us reason to rejoice.

Mark's account of the Triumphal Entry of Christ is different than the other Gospels. It records the fullest statement of the crowds. It also records that Jesus did not clear out the Temple on the day of His entry. All of the details point to the fact that though Jesus had this great entry, he still had work and service still to do before His true triumph.

In Jesus' prayer before the events of the Crucifixion, He took time to pray for Himself, the apostles, and then, at the end, for future believers. His desire was believers to be unified, glorify Him, and display His love to all.

These seven directions lay out a framework for battling sins with which you struggle. This framework can be used for both "acceptable" sins or sin habits you cannot break.

Paul's harsh letter to the Corinthians had it's intended effect. He desired for them to challenge a sinning brother. They had not done it until they received his letter. Their response to Paul's challenge is a model of true repentance.

Jesus was leaving the disciples. He had been with them full-time for several years. Before He goes, He prays for their protection as they are left in a world that hates God and thus hates His followers.

The believer is not left to battle sin alone. The Holy Spirit does many things to help the believer to leave or overcome sin.

This passage has been a comfort for believers throughout the years. Jesus prays for His glorification, His apostles, and His future followers. In this passage Jesus prays to be glorified on the cross and eventually in heaven. His glorification will display the Father for many to see. Ultimately by His glorification many will believe.

In battling sin, the believer must first recognize the salvation that he or she has been given. The forgiveness at salvation is something that God extends throughout life. A believer must realize that God forgives sin and will help us battle sin.

In Jesus' last discussion with his disciples, he reminds that that the event of the cross is going to change everything. Before the cross the disciples were still confused and immature. After the cross their relationship with God will be strengthened by Christ's work.

Paul ends his defense of his gospel ministry by challenging the Corinthians. He wants them to live a clear testimony for the gospel. Some had not complete severed ties with their former religious practices and organizations. Their failure was hindering others vision of who God was.

Sin is like cancer. Our whole nature is permeated by sin. In certain places it looks to be dormant but in other areas is causing destruction. Sin that is left unhindered will eventually impact the whole of a person and has the ability to infect other people.

Paul in this passage commends his ministry of the gospel. The items he highlights are not what the world would expect from a successful ministry. Paul recognized that gospel ministry was difficult but worth the effort.

Jesus need to go away. His work would be moved forward by the Holy Spirit. He would do a work of conviction in the world, a guidance into stating the truth for the Apostles, and a strengthening for believers.

Society at large has chosen to ignore sin. Even in churches sin is a delicate topic. In churches that talk about sin, they often refer to sins outside the church. The church needs a reminder that sin is an expression of the rebelliousness of the heart.

After His encouraging discussion of the true vine, Jesus now warns His followers that the world will hate them. Just as believers will be identified by their love, the world will be identified by its hate. They hated Christ, and His followers will experience the same.

All believers are saints. This means that we have been called from sin to serve God. The believer has a responsibility to live and look like a saint.

Paul went through much during his ministry. He suffered greatly. However, he was able to function as a Christian because he looked forward to eternity. He serves as a pattern for believers today as they go through difficulties. The believer needs to be focused on eternity

Jesus previously talked about the believers connection to the vine. Jesus as the vine can bring life to many areas in believers' lives. He can bring forth fruit in believers that evidence a relationship with Him.

The believer has no fear of being separated from God. He has begun a good work in us. He is looking to display His love by getting us to heaven and finishing His good work.

Jesus is the one who gives life. An individual not attached to Him does not have life. A believer remains connected to Jesus and finds strength especially by remaining in the words which Jesus spoke. A believer will display fruit from his or her connection to Jesus.

As human beings we think of ourselves as strong and impressive. However, the Scriptures remind us that we are like clay pots that are fractured, chipped, and near breaking. The gospel of Christ shines every greater when it is seen contained in earthen vessels.

Jesus upcoming departure upset His disciples. He gave them several items to help them once He was gone. The most important was the Holy Spirit who would come alongside them and be in them to help them.

The Gospel ministry must be boldly given. It is something that has greater glory than anything that the Old Covenant could accomplish. Moses displayed God's glory but its power was temporary, while the Gospel has glory for eternity.