‘The moment Jesus knew that the time had come’ (John 12:20-36)

The text of John 12:20-36 is a very significant moment in the life of Jesus – especially in relation to his impending death. It happened when some Greeks appeared and sought and audience with him. This was the signal for Jesus that his ‘time had come’…but what did that mean? What did he know? And what significance did it have to his death and resurrection? On this Good Friday, perhaps here are some answers!

Message

Outline

o It’s not over until….
o The Greeks who sought a meeting with Jesus..
o The setting of the text
o What did this mean for Jesus? He knew…

  1. The time for His suffering had come (v.23-30)
  2. The time for His victory had come (v.31)
  3. The time for salvation had come (v.32-36)

There’s more to the story!
‘Now is the day of salvation…’ (2 Corinthians 6:1)

‘The resurrection of Jesus: facts met with faith’ (John 20:1-18)

John’s account of the resurrection traces the conclusions that Mary Magdalene reached over the moved stone and the missing body of Jesus. Even though Peter and John also visited the tomb and saw all that Mary had described, it wasn’t until Jesus spoke to her that Mary knew he was alive. The evidence for the resurrection abounds. It is not a lack of evidence that cause people to disbelieve the gospel accounts, but a lack of faith in the testimony of God’s Word, even though God promises salvation to those who do believe! (Romans 10:9-10)

Message

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Jesus Christ Is Risen
00:20 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
Song: Low in the Grave
04:41 Bible reading: John 19:16-42
Song: In Christ Alone
07:58 Bible reading: John 20:1-18
Song: Never Alone
Sermon: John 20:1-18
Song: Thine Be the Glory
10:44 Closing

Outline

‘The resurrection of Jesus: facts met with faith’

• Believe it or not!
• The same issue
• John describes the scene at the empty tomb
• He tells us of….

  1. Conclusions over a moved stone (v.1-2)
  2. Confusion over a missing body (v.3-10)
  3. Confirmation for a mourning believer (v.11-18)

John’s eyewitness testimony
Three responses to Paul’s message
Romans 10:9-10

‘Promised gifts’ (John 14:1-31)

In this message preached by Steve Blyth in September 2013, Steve spoke from John 14 about Jesus’ love of others – even hours before his own death. With the crucifixion in view, Jesus promised to send his Spirit to prepare them to live well in the world. A selfless bucket-list, but if he could give them anything, why not world peace or an end to poverty? All these things require a change of heart that only the Spirit of truth can bring. As we receive the truth, it brings assurance of peace, a joy in all circumstances and faith in a God who is in control.

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Holy Holy Holy
00:20 Introduction
00:36 Prayer
Song: My Worth Is Not in What I Own
05:04 Bible reading: John 14:1-14
Song: Amazing Grace
07:04 Bible reading: John 14:15-31
Song: My Heart Is Filled
Sermon: John 14:1-31
Song: May the Mind
09:32 Closing

‘It’s time!’ (John 12:20-39)

In this message from September 2022, Rev Keith Bell explores the time marker in the ministry of Jesus – something found all through the gospel of John and something so prominent in John 12:20-39, explaining the purpose and the timing of His death for sinners.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Immortal Invisible
00:19 Introduction
00:36 Prayer
Song: See Him Coming
07:26 Bible reading: 1 Kings 10:1-7
Song: My Jesus I Love Thee
08:31 Bible reading: John 12:20-39
Song: By Faith
Sermon: John 12:20-39
Song: And Can It Be
10:42 Closing

Outline

Introduction
• Passages of the Bible are …
• Consider what had been happening in the lives of Jesus and His disciples:
• Some Greeks came and they wanted to see Jesus.
• Jesus says, “It’s Time …”

  1. To Fulfil the Prophecies
    Everything is falling into place.
  2. To Persevere
    I’m here for the long haul and I will persevere to the end.
  3. To Effect My Purpose
    a. Judgment on the world
    b. Satan cast out/defeated
    c. Salvation for God’s people
  4. To Believe in Me
    “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

So What?

  1. Be encouraged
  2. 2nd hand knowledge must be replaced by 1st hand encounter with Jesus
  3. A great theological mystery

Conclusion
The incident we have been considering is exciting and thrilling and lifts our spirits and gives us hope.

‘Christmas in just 4, no… 5 words’ (John 1:14)

There have been a lot of words written and spoken about the central meaning of Christmas. The Apostle John, in his prologue to his gospel (John 1:1-18), hits the nail on the head in just 4 words from verse 14. These words are so deep and profound that we need to get our heads around them… and it will take 5 words for us to do just that!

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Come All You Faithful
00:23 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
Song: Angels We Have Heard on on High
Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem
05:22 Bible reading: Isaiah 11
Song: Hark the Herald Angel
Song: Joy to the World
07:33 Bible reading: John 1:1-18
Sermon: John 1:14-18
Song: Who Is He in Yonder Stall
09:29 Closing

Outline

  • Doublespeak… deliberately hiding what you don’t want to say!
  • John’s precise message in just 4 words
  • The ‘Prologue’ of his gospel – all his themes revealed
  • See something of the span of his words by 5 words!
  • Consider these…
  1. Condescension
  2. Humiliation
  3. Transition
  4. Incarnation
  5. Association

The great question…why?
The hymns’ answers…for His people!
Behold your God!

‘That question of supreme importance’ (as asked by Jesus of Peter) (John 21:1-19)

Jesus appeared to his disciples on a number of occasions following his resurrection. Perhaps the most signficant of these is recorded in John 21:1-19 where Jesus specifically took time to speak to Peter. He did this, because in the lead up to the cross, Peter had failed Jesus so badly, denying him three times. So, as they met on the beach, by the fire, the scene that John records unfolds and centres around the question Jesus asked Peter, ‘Do you love me?’

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Rejoice the Lord Is King
00:19 Introduction
00:42 Prayer
05:41 Bible reading: John 13:21-38
Song: Jerusalem
08:07 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:35 Catechism Questions 38-42
11:50 Bible reading: John 21:1-19
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Revelation 2:18-29
Song: More Love to Thee
15:49 Closing

Outline

  • Questions on the internet
  • Life’s unanswerable questions…
  • John 21 – after the resurrection before the ascension
  • Note the question Jesus put to Peter was asked…
  1. In a setting that Peter could recognise (v.1-14)
  2. In a manner that Peter could consider (v.15-17)
  3. For a purpose that Jesus intended (v.18-19)

That question! What about you?

‘Meeting Jesus’ (John 4:1-42)

Guest preacher, Rev Len Pearce, looks at John 4:1-42 where Jesus has an appointment to pass through Samaria, but the woman he meets needs that meeting. This passage about the woman of Samaria is all about Jesus and his character – he did not see people as others did. How do we see people? Do we offer hope? Jesus asks the women for a drink from the well but offers her living water (compare with John 7). This living water is his Holy Spirit, that Jesus’ saving work at the cross might be applied to our lives. As the passage goes on, we learn more about who Jesus is and the woman – of low standing and bad reputation – realises that Jesus is the Christ, she has received forgiveness and forgets her task at the well to tell the whole town. Be sure that you have met Jesus. Like Jesus, be no respecter of persons (looking up or down on anyone). Drink deeply of that living water that you cannot help but speak of it!

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
00:14 Introduction
00:39 Prayer
06:07 Bible reading: John 4:1-26
Song: Grace Unmeasured
09:21 Devotional Spot
Song: Consider Christ
10:57 Bible reading: John 4:27-42
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
13:02 Sermon: John 4:1-42
Song: Have Thine Own Way
41:44 Closing

‘Resurrection’ (John 20, Rev Peter Phillips)

The resurrection is central to Christianity. Without it our faith in futile (1 Corinthians 15:17-18) and we have no hope (1 Peter 1:3). Reason says that dead people don’t rise but that was known in the first century AD as well as now. Scripture records the careful eyewitness of such a surprising event and even 50 days afterward (Pentecost, Acts 2) there was already a debate about the resurrection! It was testified so that you may “believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead” (Romans 10:9). “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

‘Jesus is the Bread of Life’ (John 6:25-40, Oliver Blythe)

There are so many things and gadgets and possibilities around us that seem to offer the much elusive satisfaction to life. But sadly, none of them really satisfy. In this message on John 6:25-40, Oliver Blythe from PTC looks at the claims Jesus made to provide that ultimate satisfaction in Himself and not in anything created.