The purpose of this lesson: To emphasize our need to continue Gods mission through Christ.
The gospel of John gives significant emphasis to this: (a) Jesus came from God, and (b) Jesus work/mission was determined by God, not by Jesus.
The gospel of John declares much about Jesus relationship with God the Father.
In regard to the fact that Jesus came from God, read the Gospel of John 1:14-18; John the baptizers (Baptist) statement in 1:29-34; and also the conversation between Nathanael and Jesus in 1:49-51. John 3:16 speaks of God giving Jesus, and 1 John 4:9, 10 speaks of the giving of Jesus as a manifestation of Gods love because God sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins. Jesus is spoken of as Gods sent in passages such as John 3:34; 4:34; 5:23, 24, 30, 36; 6:29, 38, 39, 44, 57; 7:16-18, 28, 29, 33; etc. Note Jesus is presented as the unique son of God, the lamb of God, Gods messenger, Gods representative and spokesman, the one who explains God, and the one who will return to his sender, but never the one who is Gods brother.
John consistently presented Jesus in a subordinate relationship with God the Father. Jesus always surrenders to the Father to do the Fathers will.
Jesus stressed the fact in John that he was Gods spokesman who surrendered himself to Gods will. Therefore God determined what Jesus said, what Jesus did, and the focus of Jesus ministry. Consider statements in John declared by Jesus in 3:34; 5:19, 30; 6:38; 8:28; 12:49, 50; 14:10; and 17:9-13. Paul wrote about Jesus surrender to God (as an example of humility for the Christians at Philippi) and Jesus glorification by God (as a declaration of the trustworthiness of Gods assurances) in Philippians 2:5-11. Note Paul emphasized the significance of Jesus name as the God-raised Christ -- to Christians, the resurrected Jesus is King. The position and work of a king was something the first-century Christians understood.
According to Jesus, Jesus did not design his ministry, his teachings, or his words. All that Jesus did was God-designed.
The study of how things will be after death or at the return of the resurrected Jesus is called eschatology. There is no clear, definite explanation of all eschatological matters given in one scripture in the Bible. Though some people are quite definite in their eschatological views, most of those views have selected a particular scripture or a specific hypothesis as a basis for their eschatological views.
Be sure your students know a general definition for eschatology. Basically, eschatology focuses on what occurs after death. Most Christian eschatology statements are New Testament statementsthe Old Testament does not say much about after physical life experiences. Commonly, many peoples eschatological views are based on a scripture the person regards as foundational, or is based on a view that is primarily speculation. To evaluate eschatological views, start by looking for the foundation scripture or the basic speculation.
The New Testament presents the resurrected Jesus as a king who ascends to a temporary rule of Lord at Gods right hand (a place of great honor, but not on Gods throne itself [Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69; Acts 7:55, 56; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22]). Jesus Christ rules now. His rule will continue as Lord until he defeats everything that opposes God. When that is accomplished, the resurrected Jesus will return all things to God (including himself) that God may rule as the all in all (see 1 Corinthians 15:24-28). At the moment Jesus is Lord as he continues to defeat Gods enemies. After judgment is completed, God will rule.
Hopefully, these views are based on statements from scripture. These views are intended to be a general view, not a specific eschatology.
Allow Jesus last words to eleven of his twelve disciples [John 13:31-16:33] to emphasize his mission. In this conversation, Jesus (a) calls to God [14:1-3, 6]; (b) calls to Gods work (values) [14:11, 12]; (c) calls to Gods glorification [14:13; consider also 13:31-35]; (d) calls to obedience [14:15, 21, 23; 15:1-10]; and (e) calls to be witnesses for him [15:27] These words were directed to the men he called, not to us. We cannot be the kind of disciples in the same sense as were these men Jesus personally selected. You are challenged to see Jesus mission in Jesus last recorded conversation with these mencome to the Father; do the Fathers work; bring glory to the Father; obey the teachings; and be witnesses to Jesus identity.
The premise is this: the last recorded statement of Jesus to the disciples would mention what Jesus considered essential. Thus, the conversation might provide some noteworthy insights.
Carefully note the context. Jesus came only to the Jewish people. There is very little evidence that Jesus traveled outside of Jewish territorysuch trips were infrequent and brief. Very few gentiles benefited from Jesus miraculous acts. Within 24 hours the religious leaders of the Jews will manufacture Jesus death. The Roman soldiers actually killed Jesus after Pilates (the Roman governor) condemnation of Jesus (see Matthew 27:22-26, 27-31; 33-36; Mark 15:10). Ironically, the people who were supposed to know God the best and who represented God to a nation were the people who insisted on Jesus crucifixion.
The point: those who thought they knew God best rejected Gods son. Those who declared they understood God the most did not understand God at all. That is a frightening realization that challenges the certainty of our conclusions about God.
The challenge confronting us is the challenge to continue Jesus ministry 2000 years later. How do we do that? (a) We call people to God. (b) Those that come to God are urged to accept Gods work in this world. If we accept the call to God, we live by (exist in) Gods values. That means we have to know what Gods values are and how to exhibit those values in the way we live. (c) We exist to give glory to God. God is not shamed by what we say or how we act. In fact, people who seek God or more likely to come to God if such people have contact with us. (d) We do not exist to tell others what to do, but to show others what to do. We do not exist to find fault with the lives of the ungodly and unrighteous, but we live to obey God. We do not seek to earn or deserve anything (there is nothing to earn or deserve), but we seek to show appreciation for what God through Jesus Christ has done for us. Jesus showed us how to surrender to Gods will. By obeying Jesus, we yield to Gods values. One of the ways we give expression to our love for God and for Jesus is by being obedient. (e) We can be witness. We cannot be witnesses of what we did not see. However, we can be witnesses of the way God has touched our lives, and the peace and joy God has brought us through Jesus. We can verify who Jesus is by the impact Jesus has on who we are.
Make certain all five factors are understood. Christians need to know their purpose as they commit to Gods mission in Jesus.
For Thought and Discussion
1. The gospel of John gives emphasis to what two things?
a. Jesus came from God.
b. Jesus work/mission was determined by God.
2. The gospel of John presents Jesus as what six things?
The son of God, the lamb of God, Gods messenger, Gods representative and spokesman, the one who explains God, and the one who will return to his Sender.
3. The gospel of John never presents Jesus as what?
Jesus is never presented as the brother of God.
4. Jesus stressed the fact that he was Gods spokesman who did what?
Jesus surrendered himself to Gods will.
5. God determined what?
God determined what Jesus said, what Jesus did, and the focus of Jesus ministry.
6. Basically, what is eschatology? One scripture does not clearly, definitely do what?
Eschatology is a study of what happens after physical death.
One scripture does not clearly, definitely explain all Christian eschatological matters.
7. Most people who are definite about eschatological views do at least one of what two things?
a. They select one specific scripture to be the foundation of their view.
b. They have a specific hypothesis that serves as the foundation for their view.
8. The New Testament presents the resurrected Jesus as what? When and how long will he be that king?
He is presented as a king. He will be king until all that opposes God is defeated.
9. What is John 13:31 to John 16:33?
It is Jesus last recorded conversation with eleven of the disciples he selected.
10. List five things Jesus emphasized about his ministry.
a. The call to God.
b. The call to Gods work (values).
c. The call to Gods glorification.
d. The call to obedience.
e. The call to be witnesses.
11. Discuss the context of the conversation in the gospel of John.
The discussion should include two facts: (a) Jesus ministry was primarily to the Jews, and (b) the Romans actually killed Jesus.
12. What challenge confronts us?
a. Call people to God.
b. Call people to Gods work in the world.
c. Call people to glorify God.
d. Be examples of the call.
e. Be witnesses of the peace and joy God gives us through Jesus.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 6