During Jesus' earthly ministry, it's not unlike today. There were those who believed, but many did not or could not believe. There were others who believed but did not confess. Jesus said that He came into the world not to judge the world but to save it. But He does tell us there is something that we'll judge. Come and listen to what that has to be said. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 12:37 Even though He performed so many signs and yet they didn’t believe John 12:38 – 41 The unbelief was not a surprise, Isaiah prophesied it John 12:42 & 43 Yet many of the rulers believed in Him, but were afraid to confess that John 12:44 – 46 To believe and see Jesus is to see and believe in the Father John 12:47 & 48 He came to save the world, not to judge it, but if you don’t believe His teachings will judge you John 12:49 & 50 He did not come on His own initiative, but the Father command Him what to say and did just as the Father told Him

Now that we're in the Advent or Christmas season, we're going to take a look at Matthew's Gospel talking about the events that took place after Jesus's birth. It's interesting that in our culture we have a number of traditions. Some of those traditions aren't exactly what the Scriptures say, so we're going to take a look at that. But what I'm going to more take a look at is the importance not of what the tradition is right or wrong, but the most important aspect of that narrative that Matthew talks about, how these magi, these wise men, come see Jesus and why. Come and listen. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes Matthew 2:1a Jesus born in Bethlehem during Herod the Greats reign Matthew 2:1b & 2 Magi came to worship the king of the Jews (Jesus) Matthew 2:3 Herod and the people of Jerusalem troubled by the news Matthew 2:4 – 6 It is determined that the King would be born in Bethlehem Matthew 2:7 & 8 Herod tells the Magi secretly and wants them to report back to him after they find Him Matthew 2:9 Magi are led by the same star and it stands over the place where Jesus is Matthew 2:10 They rejoice Matthew 2:11 They went into the house and worshiped Him and presented Him gifts Matthew 2:12 Warned by God not to go back to Jerusalem, but go another way

As Jesus is in Jerusalem, He's going to be confronted with a decision that will change history one way or the other. But He makes His decision based on a particular principle. Now there are times when we are faced with critical decisions that may not change history but will probably change the course of our lives. I think it would be good to see what type of principle Jesus uses when we're confronted with such decisions. Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 12:27 He is troubled by what is to come, but that is why He came John 12:28 Jesus asks the Father’s name be glorified. The Father responds He has and will John 12:29 & 30 The Father spoke audibly, but some are confused John 12:31 – 33 Jesus foretells the kind of death He will suffer John 12:34 Crowd believes the Messiah will never die John 12:35 & 36a Jesus says walk and believe in the Light John 13:36b Jesus hids Himself

There are a lot of people who will give you different advice on how to live a wonderful, valuable life. Some people will tell you that you should have as much fun as you can. Others will say get as much fame or fortune or power as you can. Jesus has a very different approach to this than advice. Come listen to what Jesus has to say about life and how to live it forever. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 12:20 – 22 Greek believers want to meet Jesus John 12:23 Jesus tells them it is time for Him to be glorified John 12:24J Jesus’ death is necessary to bear much fruit John 12:25 A seeming oxymoron, Loving your life, you will lose it – Hate your life keeps it to eternal life John 12:26 Serving Jesus is to follow Him and if you do that the Father will honor you

Tradition, some people dislike it, want to eliminate all tradition. Other people will hold on tradition whether there's any real reason to have it or not. There's a lot of tradition that has been involved around the triumphal entry of what we call Palm Sunday and the Passion Week. Let's take a look at that tradition and to see what's actual and what has been misunderstood. Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 12:12 – 18 A great crowd is there to meet Jesus as He enters Jerusalem bringing palm branches and shouting Hosanna! John 12:19 The Pharisees are concerned their plans are not working John 12:20 – 22 Greek Jews want to meet Jesus and go to Philip John 12:23 Jesus tells them now is the time for Him to be glorified John 12:24 Jesus’ death is necessary to bear much fruit John 12:25 Love your life, then lose it John 12:26 To serve Jesus is to follow Him and if you do the Father will honor you

There are times when people give an extravagant offering or a gift. They don't see many of those, but when they do happen, oftentimes the gift giver. And the gift is criticized by others. We're going to see such an incidence in the life of Jesus and his ministry. Let's see what the offering is, what the criticism is and what Jesus and response to it. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 12:1 & 2 A supper is prepared for Jesus, Lazarus eats, Martha serves John 12:3 Mary anoints Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair John :12:4 – 6 Judas upset about the offering and we are told why John 12:7 & 8 Jesus tells them to leave her alone John 12:9 A large crowd came to see Jesus and Lazarus John 12:10 & 11 Chief Priest planned to put Jesus and L:azarus to death

Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 11:47 & 48 Priests and Pharisees convene a Council about Jesus because they were concerned about their place John 11:49 & 50 Caiaphas the High Priest states it is expedient for one man to die John 11:51 – 53 An explanation of the statement John 11:54 – 57 Jesus stays out of Jerusalem until Passover

The Glory of God Many Christians, when they're discussing with other Christians going through difficult times or circumstances, will tell them, to encourage them, that God will show up timely. It may be just the nick of time that God will show up in their circumstances. We're going to take a look at scriptures today, where God doesn't show up timely. As a matter of fact, He waits a few extra days. It's not because He didn't care about the situation of the people. As a matter of fact, the scriptures will tell us He loved them. But He did so because there was a greater reason for Him to delay. So let us take a look at sometimes when it seems like God is not showing up right when we expect Him to, that there might be a greater reason. But also, this will show us that even if God shows up late, He doesn't show up too late. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 11:1 – 3 Word is sent to Jesus that Lazarus, one He loves is sick John 11:4 The sickness end is the glory of God John 11:5 & 6 Even though Jesus loves the family He stays 2 more days John 11:7 -10 Jesus tells His disciples that it is time to go to Lazarus, but they are concerned for Jesus because people want to stone Him John 11:11 – 15 Jesus tells them Lazarus is dead John 11:16 Thomas tells the other disciples that they should go with Jesus and die with Him John 11:17 Lazarus has been dead 4 days John 11:18 – 22 Martha meets Jesus before He arrives at her house and said to Him if He would have been there her brother would not have died John 11:23 & 24 Martha has a theological discussion with Jesus John 11:25 – 27 Jesus tells her He “Is the Resurrection and the life” John 11:28 - 31 Mary responds and goes to meet Jesus, other morns think she is going to the tomb to mourn go with her John 11:32 -38 Jesus is deeply moved and wept John 11:39 – 41 Jesus tells them to remove the stone, but they are concerned because Lazarus has been dead 4 days and would stink John 11:42 – 44 Jesus prays out load for the benefit of those present and L:zarus is raised from the dead John 11:45 & 46 Some believe and some told on Jesus

As I announce each week before I begin the message, the message will come from the Gospel of John chapter 10, starting with verse 1, which I expect you to have your Bibles and open there too, because I want you to make sure what I say is the Scriptures, is actually the Scriptures, because sometimes I throw you a curve ball. Now Jesus, one of Jesus' teaching styles, especially when it came to the general public, was to teach in parables. Now parables is kind of like metaphors, except not only does it compare something, it has spiritual significance. And so Jesus is going to present two parables, parables in this accounting of the Gospel, and we're going to see the first parable they just don't get, which is not unusual, because most of the people never seem to get his parables. Even his own followers oftentimes would say, "Jesus, what did you mean by that?" And so hopefully we'll be able to understand what the parables are and to appreciate his teaching. Sermon Notes John 10:1 – 6 Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He enters and sheep hear His voice and follow Him, but not the voie of another John 10:7 – 10 Jesus is the door and those who came before Him are thieves and robbers John 10:11 – 13 As the Good Shepherd He will lay down His life for the sheep, but a hired hand would not John 10:14 & 15 He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him John 10:16 He has other sheep, which are not in this fold John 10:17 & 18 The father loves Him because He lays down His life for the sheep John 10:19 – 21 There is a division over who Jesus is

As I announce each week before I begin the message, the message will come from the Gospel of John chapter 10, starting with verse 1, which I expect you to have your Bibles and open there too, because I want you to make sure what I say is the Scriptures, is actually the Scriptures, because sometimes I throw you a curve ball. Now Jesus, one of Jesus' teaching styles, especially when it came to the general public, was to teach in parables. Now parables is kind of like metaphors, except not only does it compare something, it has spiritual significance. And so Jesus is going to present two parables, parables in this accounting of the Gospel, and we're going to see the first parable they just don't get, which is not unusual, because most of the people never seem to get his parables. Even his own followers oftentimes would say, "Jesus, what did you mean by that?" And so hopefully we'll be able to understand what the parables are and to appreciate his teaching.