SERMONS
SERMON TEXT
48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
SUMMARY
Pastor Pett's Holy Trinity Sunday sermon explores the profound nature of our relationship with Jesus Christ and, through Him, with God the Father. It emphasizes the importance of truly knowing and keeping God's Word, not just in obedience, but in a deep, intimate relationship of faith, trust, and love. Pastor Pett contrasts the unbelief of the Jews who argued with Jesus against the faith that recognizes Jesus as the eternal "I AM," highlighting the transformative power of genuine faith in Christ.
KEY POINTS
- True faith goes beyond intellectual understanding to a heart and soul relationship with Christ
- "Keeping" God's Word involves cherishing it deeply, not just obeying it
- Jesus desires us to know the Father as intimately as He does
- Unbelief often stems from relying on human reason rather than faith
- Jesus' claim "Before Abraham was, I am" reveals His divine nature
- The Holy Spirit leads us into a deeper relationship with Jesus and the Father
- Only Jesus can fill the God-shaped hole in our lives
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Scripture references mentioned or alluded to:
- John 8:57-58 - A portion of the main text for the sermon, which includes: "You are not fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."
- Acts 2:22 - From Peter's Pentecost sermon, mentioned in the sermon: "Men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know."
- John 8:48-56 - Various parts of this passage are discussed throughout the sermon.
- Exodus 3:14 - Alluded to when discussing God's name "I AM" given to Moses at the burning bush.
- John 10:30 - Alluded to when pastor mentions "Jesus said, I and the Father are one."
- John 14:6 - Jesus as the way to the Father
- Hebrews 11:1 - The nature of faith
- 1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual truths discerned through the Spirit
- John 17:3 - Knowing God as eternal life
- Philippians 3:10 - Knowing Christ deeply
- John 1:1-14 - The deity of Christ and His relationship with the Father
- Colossians 1:15-20 - The supremacy of Christ
QUOTES FROM PASTOR PETT
- Their problem was they didn't want to believe it because their eyes and their reason told them not to believe it.
- Jesus said, "It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say he is our God. But you have not known him. I know him."
- Jesus said, "If I were to say that I do not know him, I'd be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word."
- Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death."
- Jesus said, "I do not have a demon, but I honor my father and you dishonor me."
- Each and every one of us is born with a God-shaped hole in our life, and there's only one way to fill it. Only Jesus fits.
- The Holy Spirit wants to lead us into that deep kind of relationship with Jesus.
SERMON TEXT
23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. 25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. 28 You heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
SUMMARY
In Pastor Pett's Day of Pentecost message, we're invited to explore the profound relationship between love, fear, and our connection with God. The central theme revolves around Jesus' words in John 14, where He speaks of the Holy Spirit as our Helper. We're challenged to consider: which is stronger, love or fear? As believers, we're called to have both love for God and a reverent fear of Him. This isn't about terror, but rather awe, respect, and submission to His will.
Pastor's message emphasizes that our relationship with God isn't based on perfect obedience, but on His grace and love for us. We're reminded that God desires a close, family-like relationship with us, and that His love, demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice, is immeasurably great.
As we face life's challenges, we're encouraged to let the Holy Spirit teach us, remind us of God's truths, and grant us peace that surpasses worldly understanding. This message urges us to deepen our faith, trust in God's love, and face the future without fear, knowing that the Helper is always with us.
Pastor's message emphasizes that our relationship with God isn't based on perfect obedience, but on His grace and love for us. We're reminded that God desires a close, family-like relationship with us, and that His love, demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice, is immeasurably great.
As we face life's challenges, we're encouraged to let the Holy Spirit teach us, remind us of God's truths, and grant us peace that surpasses worldly understanding. This message urges us to deepen our faith, trust in God's love, and face the future without fear, knowing that the Helper is always with us.
KEY POINTS
- Love is stronger than fear, but both have a place in our relationship with God
- The love of Jesus, manifested in God's grace, fills the gap in our imperfect obedience to God's word
- God desires a close, family-like relationship with believers
- The Holy Spirit acts as our Helper, teaching and reminding us of Jesus' words
- True peace comes from our reconciliation with God through Christ
- Christians should not be troubled or afraid because of the Holy Spirit's presence
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
- John 14:26 - "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
- John 14:23-24 - "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and my Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words."
- John 14:25-26 - "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
- John 14:31 - "But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father."
- John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
- Philippians 1:21 - "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (alluded to)
- 1 Corinthians 15:55 - "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (alluded to)
- John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (alluded to)
QUOTES FROM PASTOR PETT
- [Jesus said]: "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him and will come to him and make our home with him." He's desiring a family relationship that is close, familiar, endearing, with strong bonds of love and a desire to preserve the relationship.
- Believers have both love for God and fear of God. Fear in the form of respect, reverence, awe, amazement of God and submission to God.
- Not of our love for Him, but out of His love for us. And when we look at the cross, this is everything that we see in His love for us.
- We learn through Jesus' pain how much God loves us. He wants to teach us not only the Father's relationship with the Son, but the enormity of that love and what it cost Him to love us in this way.
- [Jesus said}: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives to I give to you." He's referring to the peace that removes the conflict between us and God, giving us that intimate, familiar, comforting family relationship that He wants to have with us.
- "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Because the Holy Spirit, the Helper, is with you. No matter what comes our way in life, the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Comforter, the Counselor, is with us.
- All the stupid, ignorant stuff that comes out of my mouth, that's me. All the good stuff that's worth keeping, that's all from Him. I can't take credit for a word of it.
SERMON TEXT
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
SUMMARY
In today's reflection, we dive into the profound concept of our spiritual family tree. Just as we can trace our physical lineage, we're encouraged to consider our spiritual heritage. Who has influenced our faith journey? How far back can we trace these spiritual connections?
This contemplation leads us to Jesus' powerful prayer in John 17, where He prays not just for His immediate disciples, but for all future believers - including us. This prayer emphasizes three key themes: unity, glory, and love. We're called to a unity so deep that it mirrors the relationship within the Trinity itself. This unity isn't just for our benefit, but serves as a powerful witness to the world.
As we ponder this, we're challenged to see all Christians as allies in faith, breaking down denominational barriers and focusing on our shared love for Christ.
This contemplation leads us to Jesus' powerful prayer in John 17, where He prays not just for His immediate disciples, but for all future believers - including us. This prayer emphasizes three key themes: unity, glory, and love. We're called to a unity so deep that it mirrors the relationship within the Trinity itself. This unity isn't just for our benefit, but serves as a powerful witness to the world.
As we ponder this, we're challenged to see all Christians as allies in faith, breaking down denominational barriers and focusing on our shared love for Christ.
KEY POINTS
- Our spiritual family tree can be traced back to Christ
- Jesus prays for unity among believers that mirrors the unity of the Trinity
- The goal of Christian unity is to witness to the world and lead others to Christ
- Perfect unity will be achieved in heaven when all divisions are wiped away
- Love for God and for one another is the key to achieving unity in the present
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Here are the scripture references mentioned or alluded to by Pastor Pett:
While not directly quoted, the sermon touches on several biblical themes. Here are some relevant verses that align with the main themes discussed:
- John 17:20-26 - This is the main text for the sermon, with special attention given to verses 20-23, which are quoted directly.
- Mark 9:40 or Luke 9:50 - The sermon alludes to Jesus saying "whoever is not against us is for us."
While not directly quoted, the sermon touches on several biblical themes. Here are some relevant verses that align with the main themes discussed:
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - On the unity of the body of Christ
- Ephesians 4:3-6 - On maintaining the unity of the Spirit
- John 13:34-35 - On loving one another as Christ loved us
- 1 John 4:7-12 - On God's love and our love for one another
- Revelation 7:9-10 - On the unity of believers in heaven
- Matthew 28:19-20 - On the Great Commission and sharing the Gospel
- Romans 8:38-39 - On nothing separating us from the love of God
- 1 Peter 3:15 - On being ready to give an answer for the hope within us
QUOTES FROM PASTOR PETT
- A physical family tree is one thing. And it's interesting. But what about our spiritual family tree?
- We should be able to trace our spiritual genealogy all the way back to Christ. Because otherwise we're not believers in Christ.
- Our relationship with Christ should be as close as what? According to Jesus in his prayer. As the Godhead to themselves.
- Do you consider other Christians of other denominations allies or adversaries? Shouldn't we all consider all of them allies? Because who really is the only adversary? The devil.
- What's the goal in all of this? Eternal life, heaven, the joy of being with Jesus in the place that he has prepared and seeing him as he now is in the fullness of his glory because of all that he did, all that he's given, all that he is.
- The unity of all the saints, the holy Christian and apostolic church, heading for the glory to be with Christ in eternity. How do we make it happen here? Love.
- We live in a world that grows hostile toward Christianity and the Christian faith. But we still have each other. And we still have the Gospel message.
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