Restoring Love
John 21:15-19
Rev. Bruce Brown
May 23, 2021
I. A Place of Humility (verses 15-17)
II. A Position of Ministry (verses 15-17)
III. A Path of Adversity (verses 18-19)
"What, after all, is the great secret of loving Christ? It is an inward sense of having received from Him pardon and forgiveness of sins. Those love much who feel much forgiven. He who has come to Christ with his sins, and tasted the blessedness of free and full absolution, he is the man whose heart will be full of love towards his Savior. The more we realize that Christ has suffered for us, and paid our debt to God, and that we are washed and justified through His blood, the more we shall love Him for having loved us and given Himself for us. Our knowledge of doctrines may be defective. Our ability to defend our views in argument may be small. But we cannot be prevented feeling. And our feeling will be like that of the Apostle Peter--"You, Lord, who know all things, You know my heart; and You know that I love You.""
~ J.C. Ryle
A Fish Breakfast with Jesus
John 21:1-14
Rev. Bruce Brown
May 16, 2021
I. The Moment that Jesus Reveals (verses 1-3)
II. The Mission that Jesus Commands (verses 4-8)
III. The Meal that Jesus Serves (verses 9-14)
“The fishermen, a picture of the church toiling on the restless seas of life, found it was Christ who brings the increase and that apart from him they could do nothing. They also found that his resources were sufficient, whatever the catch… With Christ in the midst directing the work the resources are never overstrained. Nothing, in a person or a group of persons, is beyond his power and grace. Serving Christ in our own strength, trying to do it our own way, is like going after Moby Dick with a pickle fork. But led and sustained by Christ’s strength, the net will never tear.”
~ Kent R. Hughes
Don’t Doubt but Believe
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 20:24-31
I. Thomas’ Doubt (verses 24-25)
II. Faith and Sight (verses 26-28)
III. Faith Not by Sight (verses 29-31)
“The noble exclamation which burst from the lips of Thomas, when convinced that his Lord had risen indeed; the noble exclamation, "My Lord and my God"--admits of only one meaning. It was a distinct testimony to our blessed Lord's divinity. It was a clear, unmistakable declaration that Thomas believed Him, whom he saw and touched that day, to be not only man, but God. Above all, it was a testimony which our Lord received and did not prohibit, and a declaration which He did not say one word to rebuke… Forever let us bless God that the divinity of our Lord is taught everywhere in the Scriptures and stands on evidence that can never be overthrown. Above all, let us daily repose our sinful souls on Christ with undoubting confidence, as one who is perfect God as well as perfect man. He is man, and therefore can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He is God, and therefore is "able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him." That Christian has no cause to fear, who can look to Jesus by faith, and say with Thomas, "My Lord and my God." ~ J.C. Ryle
Through Closed Doors
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 20:19-23
April 25, 2021
I. A Remarkable Phrase (verses 19-21)
II. A Remarkable Proof (verse 20)
III. A Remarkable Purpose (verses 21-23)
"According to the New Testament, the Spirit’s power is absolutely essential to the work of the church in the world. Sin’s reign in our lives is so overwhelming that no one can turn in faith to Christ without God’s supernatural working (see 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1–5). Therefore, without the Spirit, churches may do many things, some of them worthwhile, but they cannot bring anyone into Christ’s new creation through a living faith. For sinners to believe, the Holy Spirit must attend the ministry of God’s Word with power (see 1 Peter 1:23; John 3:5). This highlights the importance of a regenerate ministry, going forth in a spirit of faith and prayer, relying on Christ to be faithful in sending the Holy Spirit to empower his trusting servants." ~ Phillips, Richard D.
From Sorrow to Indestructible Joy
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 20:11-18
I. The Weeping of Genuine Love (verses 11-13)
II. The Workings of a Sorrowful Heart (verses 14-17)
III. The Worship of Indestructible Joy (verse 18)
“Let us leave the passage with the comfortable reflection that Jesus Christ never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As He dealt with His erring disciples in the morning of His resurrection, so will He deal with all who believe and love Him, until He comes again. When we wander out of the way He will bring us back. When we fall He will raise us again. But he will never break His royal word--"Him that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37.) The saints in glory will have one anthem in which every voice and heart will join--"He has not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." (Psalm 103:10.)” ~ J.C. Ryle
A Closer Look at the Tomb
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 20:1-10
April 4, 2021
I. The Personal Touch of the Tomb (verses 1-2)
II. The Eyewitness Details in the Tomb (verses 3-8)
III. The Foundation of our Faith (verses 9-10)
“Today we need not think of Jesus as the vulnerable Jesus of history. Jesus died, but he died once for all. He was buffeted and spat upon and cursed, but that will not be repeated. We pray today to a powerful Lord, to an exalted Lord. And this Lord will return one day to take his own to be with him in glory.” ~ James M. Boice
I Thirst
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 19:28-30
April 2, 2021
I. Thirsting in Fulfillment of Scripture (verse 28-29)
II. Thirsting as a Curse (verses 28-30)
“Jesus was proved to be really man, because he suffered the pains which belong to manhood. Angels cannot suffer thirst. A phantom, as some have called him, could not suffer in this fashion: but Jesus really suffered, not only the more refined pains of delicate and sensitive minds, but the rougher and commoner pangs of flesh and blood.” ~ Charles Spurgeon
“Friends though fallen humanity is burning up with thirst. Though we look for broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jesus offers us rivers of living water. He says in John 6:35 - “whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Will you seek His refreshing stream? Because He thirsted for us, He is the only one who can satisfy your thirst.” ~ Anonymous
Dead and Buried
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 19:31-42
March 28, 2021
I. The Certainty in Jesus’ Death (verses 31-37)
a. The Fulfillment of “No Bone Broken” (verses 31-33, 36)
b. The Fulfillment of “Piercing and Looking” (verses 34-35, 37)
II. The Consequences of Jesus’ Death (verses 38-42)
a. The Preparation (verses 38-40)
b. The Placement (verses 40-42)
““In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and uncleanness." (Zech. 13:1.) When was that fountain so truly and really opened as in the hour when Christ died? What emblem of atonement and purification was so well known to the Jews as blood and water? Why then should we hesitate to believe that the flow of "blood and water" from our Lord's side was a significant declaration to the Jewish nation, that the true fountain for sin was at length thrown open, and that henceforth sinners might come boldly to Christ for pardon, and wash and be clean?... Faith in Christ is the one thing needful. "He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son of God has not life.” (1 John 5:12).” ~ J.C. Ryle
Under the Cross of Jesus
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 19:23-30
March 21, 2021
I. The Soldiers and Jesus’ Clothing (verses John 19:23, 24)
II. The Women and Jesus’ Provision (verses John 19:25-27)
III. The Scripture and Jesus’ Fulfillment (verses John 19:28-30)
“The Prophets who foretold the particulars of the crucifixion, were inspired by Him who foresees the end from the beginning; and the books they wrote under His inspiration ought not to be read as human compositions, but Divine. Great indeed are the difficulties of all who pretend to deny the inspiration of the Bible. It really requires more unreasoning faith to be an unbeliever than to be a Christian. The man who regards the repeated fulfillments of minute prophecies about Christ’s death, such the prophecies about His dress, His thirst, His pierced side, and His bones, as the result of chance, and not of design, must indeed be a gullible man.” ~ J.C. Ryle
Behold Your King!
Rev. Bruce Brown
March 14, 2021
John 19:12-22
I. The King’s Rejection (verses John 19:12-15)
II. The King’s Response (verses John 19:16-18)
III. The King’s Royalty (verses John 19:19-22)
“It is for this moment that the whole of the Bible has been preparing us. From the time of the Fall, throughout the whole Old Testament revelation, God was leading his people towards that day when he would send a Saviour and through him bring about salvation for all time. Similarly, from the moment of the conception of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary, right through to the climax of his ministry in Jerusalem, the Gospels have been preparing us for this—his death, and everything that it would achieve. ~ Mark Johnston
Christ and Government
Christ and Government
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 18:33-38; 19:5-11
I. The Kingly Office of Christ (verses John 18:38; Psalm 2; Matt. 28:19)
II. The Authority of the State (verses John 19:11; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17)
III. The Responsibility of the Church (verses 19:11; I Timothy 2:1-4)
"Let us carefully hold fast the true meaning of our Lord's words in these latter days. Let us never be ashamed to maintain that no Government can expect to prosper which refuses to recognize religion, which deals with its subjects as if they had no souls, and cares not whether they serve God, or Baal, or no God at all. Such a Government will find, sooner or later, that its line of policy is suicidal, and damaging to its best interests. No doubt the kings of this world cannot make men Christians by laws and statutes. But they can encourage and support Christianity, and they will do so if they are wise. The kingdom where there is the most industry, temperance, truthfulness, and honesty, will always be the most prosperous of kingdoms. The king who wants to see these things abound among his subjects, should do all that lies in his power to help Christianity and to discourage irreligion." ~
J. C. Ryle
Pilate and the King
February 28, 2021
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 19:1-12
I. The King in His Humiliation (verses 1-6)
II. The King with His Authority (verses 7-11)
III. Friends of the King (verse 12)
“We see the Savior of mankind scourged, crowned with thorns, mocked, smitten, rejected by His own people, unjustly condemned by a judge who saw no fault in Him, and finally delivered up to a most painful death. Yet this was He who was the eternal Son of God, whom the Father's countless angels delighted to honor. This was He who came into the world to save sinners, and after living a blameless life for thirty years, spent the last three years of His time on earth in going about doing good, and preaching the Gospel. Surely the sun never shone on a more wondrous sight since the day of its creation!” J.C. Ryle
Pilate and the Kingdom of Christ
February 21, 2021
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 18:28-40
I. The Accusation: A Kingdom of Righteousness (verses 28-32)
II. The Question: A Kingdom of Truth (verses 33-38a)
III. The Substitute: A Kingdom of Grace (verses 38-40)
“Our LORD did not come (in His first advent) to win a kingdom with the sword, and to gather adherents and followers by force. He came armed with no other weapon but "truth." To testify to fallen man the truth about God, about sin, about the need of a Redeemer, about the nature of holiness--to declare and lift up before man's eyes this long lost and buried "truth,"--was one great purpose of His ministry. He came to be God's witness to a lost and corrupt world. That the world needed such a testimony, He does not shrink from telling the proud Roman Governor. And this is what Paul had in view, when he tells Timothy, that "before Pontius Pilate Christ witnessed a good confession." (1 Tim. 6:13.) … If we love life, if we would keep a good conscience, and be owned by Christ at the last day, we must be "witnesses.”” J.C. Ryle
The Faithful One
John 18:12-27
February 14, 2021
Rev. Bruce Brown
I. Jesus Bound: Apparent Failure (verses 12-14)
II. Peter’s Denials: Actual Weakness (verses 15-18, 25-27)
III. Jesus’ Trial: Amazing Strength (verses 19-24)
"One thing at any rate is very clear. The love of Christ to sinners is "a love that passes knowledge." To suffer for those whom we love, and who are in some sense worthy of our affections, is suffering that we can understand. To submit to ill-treatment quietly, when we have no power to resist, is submission that is both graceful and wise. But to suffer voluntarily, when we a have the power to prevent it, and to suffer for a world of unbelieving and ungodly sinners, unasked and unthanked--this is a line of conduct which passes man's understanding. Never let us forget that this is the peculiar beauty of Christ's sufferings, when we read the wondrous story of His cross and passion."
~ J.C. Ryle
An Arresting Lord
John 18:1-11
February 7, 2021
Rev. Bruce Brown
I. Jesus’ Lordship of the Circumstances (verses 1-3)
II. Jesus’ Lordship in the Confrontation (verse 4-9)
III. Jesus’ Lordship Through Consuming the Cup (verses 10-11)
"Nothing shines clearer in this account than the fact that Jesus goes willingly to his arrest. He who might have summoned twelve legions of angels, whose regal majesty could send his enemies reeling to the ground, accepts his arrest, trial and death in willing submission. His words to Peter unveil his heart: Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? The cup is the symbol of the judgment of God; it is the cup of the wrath of God against human sin. In the strange mercy of God the cup of His righteous wrath is given into the hands, not of his enemies, but of his beloved Son. And He will drink it, down to the dregs until the moment comes when "I thirst" gives place to "It is finished."
~ Bruce Milne
Jesus Prays for the Church
Rev. Bruce Brown
July 19, 2020
John 17:20-26
I. Jesus’ Request for Unity (20-23)
II. Jesus’ Desire of Glory (verse 24)
III. Jesus’ Commitment to the Church (verses 25-26)
“We do not see Christ now. We read of Him, hear of Him, believe in Him, and rest our souls in His finished work. But even the best of us, at our best, walk by faith and not by sight, and our poor halting faith often makes us walk very feebly in the way to heaven. There shall be an end of all this state of things one day. We shall at length see Christ as He is and know as we have been known. We shall behold Him face to face, and not through a glass darkly. We shall actually be in His presence and company and go out no more. If faith has been pleasant, much more will sight be and if hope has been sweet, much more will reality be. No wonder that when Paul has written, "We shall ever be with the Lord," he adds, "Comfort one another with these words." (1 Thess. 4:17, 18.) ~ J.C. Ryle
Jesus' Prayer for His Disciples
Rev. Bruce Brown
July 12, 2020
John 17:6-19
I. Jesus’ Prayer in Grace (verses 6-8)
II. Jesus’ Prayer of Protection (verses 9-15)
III. Jesus’ Prayer for Holiness (verses 16-19)
“The special intercession of the LORD Jesus is one grand secret of the believer’s safety. He is daily watched, and thought for and provided for with unfailing care, by one whose eye never slumbers and never sleeps…. They never perish, because He never ceases to pray for them, and His prayer must prevail. They stand and persevere to the end, not because of their own strength and goodness, but because Jesus intercedes for them.” ~ J.C. Ryle
Jesus' Prayer for Glory
Rev. Bruce Brown
July 5, 2020
John 17:1-5
1. Glory in the Cross (verses, (1, 4)
II. Glory in the Heavenlies (verse 5)
III. Glory in the Church (verses 2, 3)
“As Jesus prays in the shadow of Calvary we learn what are his deepest concerns. In fact, he has only one, and one that does not surprise us, the glory of his Father. The means to that is his own glorification, ‘Glorify your Son’, since it is in his exaltation and obedience unto death that the Father will be supremely honored.” ~ Bruce Milne
Peace in Jesus' Victory
I. Jesus’ Victory Provides Assurance (verses 25-28)
II. Jesus’ Victory Promotes Humility (verses 29-32)
III. Jesus’ Victory Promises Peace (verse 33)
Let us lean back our souls on these comfortable words, and take courage. The storms of trial and persecution may sometimes beat heavily on us; but let them only drive us closer to Christ. The sorrows, and losses, and crosses, and disappointments of our life may often make us feel sorely cast down; but let them only make us tighten our hold on Christ. Armed with this very promise let us, under every cross, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Let us often say to our souls, "Why are you cast down, and why are you disturbed?" And let us often say to our gracious Master--"Lord, did not You say, Be of good cheer? Lord, do as You have said, and cheer us to the end." ~ J.C. Ryle
Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing
Rev. Bruce Brown
John 16:16-24
June 14, 2020
I. Mounting Sorrow in a Fallen World (verses 16-20)
II. Transformed Sorrow After the Cross (verses 20-22)
III. Joy for the Asking (verses 23-24)
“If the disciples’ joy comes from a reunion with Jesus, their position in him, and his promises to them, then what weapons could the devil possibly level against their joy?... Jesus didn’t only conquer betrayal and persecution; he turned them into the agents that brought about the disciples’ joy. And of course, the ultimate fear, the ultimate weapon, the ultimate joy stealer is death, but Jesus disarmed death. Jesus conquered every enemy! If we find our joy in him, we have nothing to fear. Our joy is impervious to all attacks leveled against it. Jesus’s resurrection guarantees he can never die again, and those who follow him will never experience separation from him in death. We may leave our physical bodies, but Jesus will never leave us (John 11:25-26).” ~ Matt Carter