Grace Church
Secrets of the Vine - #1 Famous Last Words
A Study of John 15
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
For the next four weeks we are going to look at one chapter from the Gospel of John. This is one of the chapters where Jesus is speaking to His followers during the week that He's going to be arrested, beaten, and crucified. If we read, study, and wrestle with this chapter, we should see change in our life.
There are many movies where a character delivers a final speech just before everyone runs into battle or onto the sports field.
You would think that Jesus, in His last week, on His last night, just before He is arrested would give a speech such as this...but He does not!
You would think that Jesus, in His last week, on His last night, just before He is arrested would give a speech such as this...but He does not!
John 15 is a part of the speech that He gives. They have left the Upper Room from the Last Supper and are walking toward the Mount of Olives.
We'll look at Chapter 14 (John 14:1-3 & 15-17) for context and to gain a foundation for these "last words." Then we'll focus on the last part of John 15 (John 15:12-15).
We'll look at Chapter 14 (John 14:1-3 & 15-17) for context and to gain a foundation for these "last words." Then we'll focus on the last part of John 15 (John 15:12-15).
Today we are going to look at what Jesus commands His friends to do. We can see that in these last words from Jesus that He does 4 huge things:
- He gives CLARITY to His followers.
- He gives COMFORT to His followers.
- He gives COMMAND to His followers.
- He gives COMMUNITY to His followers.
- He gives CLARITY to His followers.
- He gives COMFORT to His followers.
- He gives COMMAND to His followers.
- He gives COMMUNITY to His followers.
John 14:1-3 CLARITY
Jesus makes it clear that He is leaving, He is sending a Helper, and that this Helper will always be with them. He doesn't want His followers to be troubled by this...He wants them to trust.
He also makes very clear that He is preparing a place for them and He will come back and take them with Him.
Jesus makes it clear that He is leaving, He is sending a Helper, and that this Helper will always be with them. He doesn't want His followers to be troubled by this...He wants them to trust.
He also makes very clear that He is preparing a place for them and He will come back and take them with Him.
John 14:16-17 COMFORT
Jesus shares that He is sending a Helper who is the Holy Spirit.
- Ever present Helper
- Spirit of Truth
- Comforter
Jesus shares that He is sending a Helper who is the Holy Spirit.
- Ever present Helper
- Spirit of Truth
- Comforter
John 15:12-13 COMMAND
"Love one another as I have loved you." What does it mean to love one another? The greatest form of love is to lay down your life for your friends...giving of yourself and being selfless. This is how the world would know that the Spirit was in us.
We see this first talked about in John 13:34-35. People will know we are His disciples if we love one another!
"Love one another as I have loved you." What does it mean to love one another? The greatest form of love is to lay down your life for your friends...giving of yourself and being selfless. This is how the world would know that the Spirit was in us.
We see this first talked about in John 13:34-35. People will know we are His disciples if we love one another!
John 15:14-17 COMMUNITY
Jesus gives a definition to community here. His followers are His friends. He loves His friends and His friends love Him. There is a relationship! If there is a relationship with Him, the evidence is that we would love Him and love others.
Jesus gives a definition to community here. His followers are His friends. He loves His friends and His friends love Him. There is a relationship! If there is a relationship with Him, the evidence is that we would love Him and love others.
What Jesus did for the followers then is the same that He does for us today!
- He gives CLARITY to His followers.
- He gives COMFORT to His followers.
- He gives COMMAND to His followers.
- He gives COMMUNITY to His followers.
- He gives CLARITY to His followers.
- He gives COMFORT to His followers.
- He gives COMMAND to His followers.
- He gives COMMUNITY to His followers.
His CLARITY - He is preparing a place for us and He is coming back! Do you believe this? Is this where you put your hope and trust?
His COMFORT - He sends the Holy Spirit to be in us and comfort us! The Spirit of Truth will lead us back to the truth. Are you in the truth? Are you listening to the truth?
His COMMAND - He said to love one another! Are we loving our way and in our time...or are we loving His way? Are we seeking to serve and share Him with one another? Are we opening our door?
His COMMUNITY - He said we are friends!
What are you living for? As His followers, are we seeking to be with one another?
What are you living for? As His followers, are we seeking to be with one another?
Challenge:
Read John 15. Write out any questions, interesting thoughts, and words that need clarity.
You will be challenged to read John 15 each week this month.
Read John 15. Write out any questions, interesting thoughts, and words that need clarity.
You will be challenged to read John 15 each week this month.
Giving Link
https://gc3.org/giving/Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/cjs/The Greenhouse Project
https://gc3.org/tgp/2024 Bible Reading - Grace Journals
If you haven't already, you can pick up your 2024 Grace Journal in CJ's coffee shop. You can find an at-a-glance list of the reading each week at the link below. We are excited for you to grow in your faith as we read and study through the writings of Paul together!
https://gc3.org/bible/Meet and Greet
Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet is April 28th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions (leslie@gc3.org).
CJ's Gift Cards
You can now purchase CJ's Gift Cards in either $10 or $20 amounts at the counter in CJ's. These cards are good for anything purchased in CJ's (not for online purchases). This is a great way to bless someone as well as supporting the Samaritan Fund to help those in need in our community!
Vermontville Clean-Up Project
Grace Church is heading to the streets of Vermontville for the annual clean up to help the village prepare for the Vermontville Syrup Festival.
Join us on April 24th, at 6:30 pm at the park in downtown Vermontville where Ryan will give you an area of town to work on. Bring work gloves if you can.
This is a great opportunity to get out into the community and serve alongside your Grace Church family members. Contact Ryan Hickey if you have any questions (ryan@gc3.org).
Join us on April 24th, at 6:30 pm at the park in downtown Vermontville where Ryan will give you an area of town to work on. Bring work gloves if you can.
This is a great opportunity to get out into the community and serve alongside your Grace Church family members. Contact Ryan Hickey if you have any questions (ryan@gc3.org).
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Saturday, April 6th - Addison Van De Moortel
Sunday, April 7th - Finley Justice
Tuesday, April 9th - Naomi Yenger, David Smith
Wednesday, April 10th - Deseray DePyper, Tony & Linsey Wright
Thursday, April 11th - Nate Flikkema
Friday, April 12th - Tracy Nelson, Ellis Bolinger
Sunday, April 7th - Finley Justice
Tuesday, April 9th - Naomi Yenger, David Smith
Wednesday, April 10th - Deseray DePyper, Tony & Linsey Wright
Thursday, April 11th - Nate Flikkema
Friday, April 12th - Tracy Nelson, Ellis Bolinger