Sermons from Grace Baptist Hutto

Take Courage John 16:25-33

Jesus concludes this lengthy teaching by commanding them to take courage and be of good cheer. How can they do that?  How can we do that?  Because the Father himself loves us and because Jesus has overcome the world!

From Sorrow to Joy John 16:16-24

Jesus uses the pain of childbirth to help His disciples understand the sorrow and the joy that will follow.  He is hours away from being crucified and weeks from returning to heaven.  They will be sorrowful at both events but their sorrow will turn to joy because of His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of Truth John 16:1-15

Jesus is preparing the disciples for His departure.  He's preparing them for ministry – bearing fruit. He's preparing them for community – love one another. He's preparing them for the response of unbelievers – prepare to be hated.  He encourages them with the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit.  The "Helper" will come from heaven and aid Jesus' followers in our mission.  John 15:26-27 (ESV) “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.”

Prepare to Be Hated John 15:18-25

Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure.  He's preparing them for ministry – bearing fruit. Preparing them for community and leadership – love one another. Preparing them for the response of unbelievers – prepare to be hated!  As Paul wrote, All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. The history of the church beginning in Acts is a story of persecution and hatred by the world.  Why do they hate us and what do we do in response?

Christlike Love John 15:9-17

Jesus spoke about love more than any other topic or doctrine.  What is the greatest commandment? Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. In John 15, Jesus tells us to love other Christians even more than we love ourselves.  Jesus commands His followers to love one another in the same way that He loves us.