Prelude
Welcome/Announcements
Praise
Less Like Me
Lenten Reading
Communion
Offering
Called Me Higher
I Surrender All
Prayer
Message
Build My Life
Closing Blessing

Before I Go…A Life Laid Down
John 13:9-38, 15:13
February 18, 2024

John 13:1
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.

The Farewell Discourse
John 13-17

Wrong Assumption:
People will know we are Christ’s disciples by COMPARISON

John 13:21-22
Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.

Wrong Assumption:
People will know we are Christ’s disciples by COMPARISON

Wrong Assumption:
People will know we are Christ’s disciples by COMPARISON

Truth:
Disciples compare themselves to Jesus, not Judas.

John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Wrong Assumption:
People will know we are Christ’s disciples by our CLAIMS

John 13:37
“I will lay down my life for you.”

Wrong Assumption:
People will know we are Christ’s disciples by our CLAIMS

Truth:
Disciples align their lives with their lines

Wrong Assumption:
People will know we are Christ’s disciples by our CONFRONTATION

John 18:3-8
So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.
Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

John 18:10-12
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus.

Wrong Assumption:
People will know we are Christ’s disciples by our CONFRONTATION

John 18:26
One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”

Wrong Assumption:
People will know we are Christ’s disciples by our CONFRONTATION

Truth:
Disciples don’t defend Jesus but surrender to Jesus.

If people construct their view of Jesus based on the actions of his disciples, who does the world believe Jesus to be?

Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
John 13:1