GateWay Church of Visalia
The Day Before the Day
A new benchmark. Pastor Lance Ainsworth February 8 & 11, 2024
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Thursday 6:45 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction
John 13:18-38 NASB
18 I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
21 When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”
18 I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
21 When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”
The pain of betrayal.
22 The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. 23 There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.”
25 He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
28 Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. 29 For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.
Don’t be like Judas, proximity without transformation.
31 Therefore, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man 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 immediately. 33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
A new benchmark, love like Jesus.
36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” 37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.
Don’t be like Peter, following Jesus on our terms.
The Day Before the Day
John 13:18-38, Pastor Lance Ainsworth
February 8th & 11th, 2024
A new benchmark.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What is the best meal you have ever eaten?
Read Aloud: John 13:18-38
1. v. 21 “When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit.” In today’s message we see the human nature of Jesus being “troubled” or distraught from the betrayal of Judas. The betrayal of a close friend or family member can bring an immense amount of emotional pain. Can you relate to Jesus in this way? What happens to us spiritually/emotionally when we face betrayal? How can we let God heal our wounds of betrayal? What happens if we don’t heal?
2. v. 27 “After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” Judas had the best example, witnessed miracles, and listened to the most excellent teachings, but did not accept Jesus as Lord. What does this mean for us? Does proximity equal transformation? What is the difference between a spectator and a participator? Which one are you?
3. v. 34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The old commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself, but now Jesus ups the benchmark to love others as He has loved us. Is this possible? What makes it possible? Is being able to love each other like Jesus a miracle? How is this a sign to not yet believers?
4. v. 38 “Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.” Read John 21:15-17. What lesson did Peter learn from denying Jesus? What can we learn from Peter’s denial and restoration?
John 13:18-38, Pastor Lance Ainsworth
February 8th & 11th, 2024
A new benchmark.
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: What is the best meal you have ever eaten?
Read Aloud: John 13:18-38
1. v. 21 “When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit.” In today’s message we see the human nature of Jesus being “troubled” or distraught from the betrayal of Judas. The betrayal of a close friend or family member can bring an immense amount of emotional pain. Can you relate to Jesus in this way? What happens to us spiritually/emotionally when we face betrayal? How can we let God heal our wounds of betrayal? What happens if we don’t heal?
2. v. 27 “After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” Judas had the best example, witnessed miracles, and listened to the most excellent teachings, but did not accept Jesus as Lord. What does this mean for us? Does proximity equal transformation? What is the difference between a spectator and a participator? Which one are you?
3. v. 34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The old commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself, but now Jesus ups the benchmark to love others as He has loved us. Is this possible? What makes it possible? Is being able to love each other like Jesus a miracle? How is this a sign to not yet believers?
4. v. 38 “Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.” Read John 21:15-17. What lesson did Peter learn from denying Jesus? What can we learn from Peter’s denial and restoration?