Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Matthew 25:31 "When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:" We continue our series, Gathering in the Name of Jesus, exploring Jesus's promises to be with us. Last week, in John's Gospel, we were encouraged by Jesus's words: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” We closed with Paul's declaration in Romans that salvation is God's work from start to finish—eternally secure. No sin, trial, or attack can undo what Christ has accomplished. Believers are secure now and forever. Today we turn to Matthew 25 for another perspective on Jesus's presence with us. As events build toward the crucifixion, Jesus assures His disciples that He will return to make all things right for eternity. We love hearing this promise. Jesus calls Himself the “Son of Man,” a title from Daniel 7:13 denoting divine authority and kingship. His first coming was in humility; His second will be in full di...

Romans 8:38&39 "38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." In John 14, as Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure, Thomas asked, "How can we know the way?" (v. 5). Jesus answered: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." The way: Access to the Father comes only through Christ's sacrificial death, resurrection, and ongoing mediation (1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 4:12). The truth: He fully reveals God's nature, will, and character (John 1:14, 17). The life: He is the source of physical, spiritual, and eternal life. (See yesterday's devotional for key implications.) Today, Paul's words in Romans 8 add unshakeable confidence to Jesus' declaration. Paul declares, "I am persuaded"—a settled certainty bor...

John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." Thomas asked, "How can we know the way?" (John 14:5). Jesus used this question—seemingly unsolvable to the disciples—to draw out their confusion and lead them to deeper understanding. He answered: "I am the way" Jesus is not merely showing a path to God—He is the path. Access to the Father comes only through His sacrificial death, resurrection, and ongoing mediation as the exclusive mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5; Acts 4:12). "the truth" Jesus is not just a teacher of truth—He embodies divine truth, fully revealing God's nature, will, and character (John 1:14, 17). In a world of spiritual confusion, He is the ultimate revelation of God. "the life" Jesus is the source of all life—physical, spiritual, and eternal. He conquered death and offers eternal life to believers (John 11:25; 1 John 5:12). Union wi...

John 14:5 "Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?" "How can we know the way?" Jesus seemed to assume the disciples understood His destination and the path there, based on His prior teaching. Though His statement in verse 4 appears contradictory, it's a masterful setup—like a teacher posing a problem the students think unsolvable, only to reveal the answer was standing right in front of them. Jesus isn't evading; He's drawing out their confusion to lead them to deeper understanding. In today's verse, doubting Thomas perfectly sets up Jesus' lesson. Speaking for all the disciples, he voices their shared confusion and limited earthly perspective. Jesus emphasized "the way," but Thomas fixated on "the where," underscoring their need for something tangible. Do we today have a better grasp? We benefit from centuries of Christian teaching. Yet, like Thomas and the disciples, we remai...

John 14:4 "And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." Jesus lovingly prepares His disciples for His departure. He knows they will see it as final, yet He assures them it is not the end, but the beginning of God’s plan to bring His followers into eternal glory. In this week’s verses we see three key truths: Hope: Death and separation are temporary. Promise: His return is certain, not speculative. Presence: The ultimate goal is unbroken relationship with Christ, not merely a destination. In today’s verse, Jesus assumes the disciples understand His destination and the way there, based on His prior teaching. Yet the statement appears contradictory: The disciples clearly do not know where He is going (to the cross, resurrection, and ascension to the Father), nor do they fully grasp “the way” to the Father’s presence. This is a masterful setup—like a teacher posing a problem the students believe they cannot solve, only to reveal the answer was already before them. Jesus is not...

John 14:3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." We seek to deeply understand the Holy Scriptures—the clearest record of God’s presence with us. In this passage, Jesus speaks at the Last Supper, shortly after predicting His betrayal and Peter’s denial. The disciples are anxious and confused; despite Jesus’ efforts to prepare them, they cannot fully grasp this history-shattering moment. Knowing His crucifixion is imminent and the disciples distressed by His departure, Jesus promises a future reunion and an eternal home. He appeals to His integrity: “if it were not so, I would have told you” (John 14:2). “If I go and prepare a place for you” refers to Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension. His departure is not abandonment but a necessary step to secure eternal life for believers. “I will come again” points to Christ’s Second Coming—a future, visible return to earth. “Receive you unto ...