Quarter Four: Themes in the Gospel of John

Jill Morikone
Lesson 13—Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word
Sunday: Meeting in Galilee
December 22, 2024

• Last Week: “The Hour of Glory: The Cross and Resurrection””

o John 18, 19, 20
o Trial, crucifixion, death, & resurrection of Jesus
o Initial appearances to disciples

• This Week: “Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word”

o John 21; also 4, 8, 11 & 15

• 4 sections of John
o Prologue: John 1:1 – 18
o Book of Signs: John 1:19 – 12
o Book of Glory: John 13 – 20
o Epilogue: John 21

• Review of Quarter
o Prologue: John 1:1 – 18
§ Intro – Jesus as divine, preexistent, the Word become flesh
• John’s prologue is one of most influential passages in the NT with regard
to the church’s understanding of the deity of Christ
§ Discussion of light & darkness choice we all must make

o Book of Signs: John 1:19 – 12

§ Why were the signs given?
• John 20:30, 31 – “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence
of His disciples, which are not written in this book; (31) but these are
written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and
that by believing you may have life in His name.”
o That we would believe Jesus = the Christ, the Son of God
o That we would have eternal life through Jesus

§ 7 signs that point to Jesus as the Messiah

• Water turned to wine in Cana – John 2
• Nobleman’s son – John 4
• Paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda – John 5
• Feeding of the 5k – John 6
• Calming of the water – John 6
• Man born blind – John 9
• Raising Lazarus from the dead – John 11

§ 7 theological discourses in John

• The new birth – John 3
• The water of life – John 4
 • The divine Son – John 5
• The Bread of Life – John 6
• The life-giving Spirit – John 7
• The Light of the World – John 8
• The Good Shepherd – John 10

§ 7 “I Am” sayings in John

• Form the bridge between book of signs & book of glory
• I am the Bread of Life – John 6
• I am the Light of the Word – John 8
• I am the Door of the Sheep – John 10
• I am the Good Shepherd – John 10
• I am the Resurrection & the Life – John 11
• I am the Way, the Truth, & the Life – John 14
• I am the True Vine – John 15

§ Witnesses to Jesus
• Multiple people testifying who Jesus is

o Book of Glory: John 13 – 20

§ First book encompasses 3 ½ years
• This book encompasses 1 – 2 weeks
§ Farewell Discourse
• Last testimony to His disciples
§ Trial, death by crucifixion, resurrection & appearance to disciples

o Epilogue: John 21
§ This week’s study: mtg of Jesus & His disciples in Galilee
• 3rd appearance by Jesus to the disciples
§ Transition for us – from head knowledge to heart knowledge
• Taking Him at His Word
• Not to make the same mistake as the Pharisees or even disciples
o Refusing to take Jesus at His Word

Memory Text: “‘You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are
they which testify of Me.’” (John 5:39, NKJV)

The week in brief:

• 1. Sunday: Meeting in Galilee (Jill)
o John 21:1 – 19 – miracle with catching the fish; Jesus’ restoration of Peter
• 2. Monday: Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus (Ryan)
o John 21:20 – 25 – follow Jesus – not other people
• 3. Tuesday: Light & Darkness (Daniel)
o John 1; 3; 5; 8; 9; 11; 12 – choosing to walk in light (follow Jesus, as the Light); don’t
build truth on a faulty foundation; rest everything on Jesus as the Light
• 4. Wednesday: Theology from “Above” or from “Below” (James)
o John 4 – submitting to and accepting the authority of the Word of God
• 5. Thursday: Abiding in Jesus (SQ)
o John 12 & John 15 – the secret of spiritual growth is to remain connected to Jesus
Sunday: Meeting in Galilee
John 21:1 - 19

• Meeting in Galilee: renamed – “The restoration of Peter”

• John 21 = Epilogue
o John 20:30, 31 – “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples,
which are not written in this book; (31) but these are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”
§ That we would believe Jesus = the Christ, the Son of God
§ That we would have eternal life through Jesus
§ Last 2 verses of chapter 20

• Jesus’ miracle & appearance to disciples – Vs 1 – 14

o Jesus’ 3rd appearance to the disciples
§ Met them (minus Thomas) the night of the resurrection (John 20)
§ Met them (including Thomas) one week later

o Details of the miracle

§ Location: Sea of Tiberias (Roman name for the Sea of Galilee)
• Indicates the Passover week is over and they’re out of Jerusalem, back in
Galilee
§ 7 disciples together (Vs 2)
• They returned to their pre-Jesus occupation
§ Fished at night – caught nothing
§ Jesus appeared – “cast net on right side of the boat”
• Goes against best fishing practice (would’ve been in the sun, & should
net fish either at night, or in the shadow of the boat)
§ How far from the shore = 200 cubits (about 300 feet)
§ Caught 153 fish
§ John recognized Jesus first
• Vs 7 – “Therefore the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the
Lord!’…”
§ Peter jumped overboard & swam to Jesus
§ Jesus had already prepared breakfast
• Fire with fish on it, and bread

o Purpose of story
§ Reminded of miracle when He first called them (Fishers of men)
§ Renewal of the disciple’s commission to follow Him
• Death of their Master didn’t lessen their obligation to work for Him

• The Denial of Peter

o John 13:37 – “Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down
my life for Your sake.’”
§ Said after the foot washing, the very night of Jesus’ arrest
§ Conveys Peter’s self-dependance & arrogance
• Lack of self-awareness; lack of need of Jesus; lack of humility

o All 4 gospels discuss Peter’s denial of Jesus

§ All 4 gospels mention Peter denied Jesus 3 times & that the rooster crowed
 § Matthew & Mark said Peter denied Jesus with cursing & swearing

§ When the rooster crowed

• Luke 22:61 – “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter.”
o Even in Jesus’ pain & Peter’s sin, Jesus cared for Peter’s
salvation

• Matt 26:75 – “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who said to him,
‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So he went out
and wept bitterly.”
o Bitterly = violently, bitterly – used twice – both with Peter’s
denial of Christ

o 3 points of Peter’s denial

§ 1. Peter’s sin began with arrogance & pride
• Lack of self-awareness
• Lack of dependance on Jesus

§ 2. Peter’s sin was public

• The disciples / apostles all knew
• The servants & common people knew
o Servant girl who asked Peter

§ 3. Peter’s sin turned into his conversion

• He went out and wept bitterly

• The Restoration of Peter (Rafferty – “SOD”)

o 3 times Jesus ask Peter, “Do you love Me?”
§ Jesus = Two Agape; one Phileo
§ Peter = 3 Phileo
o 3 times Jesus instructs Peter, “Feed My lambs (1st); then feed My sheep (twice)

o 3 points of Peter’s restoration

§ 1. Peter’s restoration began with recognition of his need
• Before he said, “I’ll lay down my life for You”
• Now, he says “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You”
o Peter doesn’t express his own opinion of his devotion
o Peter doesn’t boast that his love is greater than other disciples
o Peter appeals for Jesus to know and read his heart

§ 2. Peter’s restoration was public

• Jesus restores Peter in front of the disciples – he had dishonored Christ &
incurred the distrust of the other disciples – must show his repentance
before all
o Peter himself felt that he had forfeited any right to be a disciples
• 3 times Jesus asked – Jesus showing to the other disciples the depth of
Peter’s repentance
• He could still be useful in ministry – still be a leader in the NT Church

§ 3. Peter’s restoration turned into his ministry

 • Without love for Jesus, the work of any Christian minister or disciple of
Christ is a failure
• Jesus predicts how Peter would die for Him, after giving his whole life to
ministry
• Vs. 19 – “This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.
And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’”
• Jesus: “I can still use you. Work in my vineyard. Follow Me.”

• 3 points to restoring others to ministry

o 1. Restore with humility
§ Gal 6:2 – “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual
restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be
tempted.”
• Trespass = Gk, “mistake, falling away, slip-up, non-deliberate”
• But for the grace of God, so go I
• Amp: “…restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense
of superiority or self-righteousness],…”

o 2. Respond with love

§ Gal 6:3 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
• What is the “law of Christ?”
o Rom 13:10 – “….love is the fulfillment of the law.”

§ We often respond with

• Judgment, criticism; arrogance, superiority

o 3. Recognize the fruits

§ Gal 6:7, 8 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows,
that he will also reap. (8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap
corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
• The fruits of the heart will eventually be seen
• Not judges of the heart; simply fruit inspectors
Lesson 13: Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus
Monday, December 23, 2024
Ryan Day

Read John 21:20–22. What question led Peter down a wrong path? How did
Jesus straighten the path?

20 Then
Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved
following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said,
“Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to
Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I will
that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”—
John 21:20-22

Jesus had just restored Peter to ministry and told him, “Follow me” (John
21:19). It was probably an actual physical following of Jesus down the beach. And
that is because Peter turns and sees John following Jesus as well, and he inquires
about John. “ ‘But Lord, what about this man?’ ” (John 21:21, NKJV).
In restoring Peter to ministry, Jesus had predicted Peter’s manner of death
(John 21:18). It seems Peter was curious about John’s death, as well. Jesus
redirects Peter’s attention instead to the issue of following Him, not worrying
about what will happen to another disciple.

Read John 21:23–25. How was Jesus’ statement misunderstood? How did the
apostle John correct that misunderstanding?

23
Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple
would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die,
but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” 24 This is
the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and
we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other
things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I
 suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that
would be written. Amen.—John 21:23-25

People misunderstood what Jesus meant when He said, “ ‘If it is my will

that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’ ” (John 21:22,
ESV). They thought it meant that Jesus would come back before John died. As
time passed and John grew old, it would become a crisis if he were to die (which,
of course, he did) and Jesus had not returned. John corrects this misconception by
indicating that it was a matter of Jesus’ will, not a prophecy of what would
happen. The idea of focusing on Jesus, instead of on other people, is a powerful
lead into the rest of the week’s lesson. Jesus, and Jesus alone, is our Savior.
People will inevitably disappoint you, perhaps even hurt you, as well.
The truths covered for Tuesday through Thursday will pick up on the theme
of understanding the Word of God, with the aim of knowing and following Jesus,
who alone should be our Master and Guide—regardless of the help, counsel, and
guidance that others might give us.

How often have others, whom you might have looked up to, disappointed you?
What lessons, however hard, did you learn from that experience?

8
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.—Psalm 118:8

37 He
who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of
Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not
worthy of Me.—Matthew 10:37, 38

Peter on Water

25
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking
on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea,
they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for
fear.
 27 But
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It
is I; do not be afraid.”
28 And
Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me
to come to You on the water.”
29 So
He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the
boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that
the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he
cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And
immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and
said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when
they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then
those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying,
“Truly You are the Son of God.”—Matthew 14:25-33

Promises/Counsels
3 You
will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.—Isaiah 26:3

5 Trust
in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.—Proverbs 3:5, 6

8
But my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord;
In You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute.—Psalms 141:8

13 Andyou will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all
your heart. 14 I will be found by you…—Jeremiah 28:13, 14
 14 And
as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must
the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have eternal life.—John 3:14, 15

32 And
I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to
Myself.”—John 12:32

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of

witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before
us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for
the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.—
Hebrews 12:1, 2
29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!—
John 1:29

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There's light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
 Daniel Perrin – Lesson 13: Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word – Tuesday, December 24: Light and Darkness

1. Light and Darkness

a. So simple, we take it for granted
● Light is a moment-by-moment reality WOVEN into our experience
● Even a young child can understand
○ With light, you can see / Without light, you can’t see
○ The ability to FIND (right tool / right path) — simplified by Light
○ The power to CHOOSE is enhanced by light (what color shirt…) — That’s DISCERNMENT
○ The ability to appreciate beauty is intensified by light
○ Recognizing distance is reinforced by light
○ You need illumination to work – Light or darkness
○ You want to dispel fear – Light or darkness
○ All of these things I’m saying are spiritual object lessons – filled with meaning
● Everything we see is light
● Color – coming at you – Color is light
○ Hues / Brightness / Saturation / Contrast / Tint / & Shade —
○ Ways of DESCRIBING our sensitivity to Light
○ That color is an essential part of how we interpret the world
b. Darkness ISN’T even a thing.
● There is Light (Light EXISTS) – and Darkness is just NO light
● 1 Corinthians 2:6 – However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of
this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
c. What a thorough illustration God has given us – integrated into every experience we have

2. The illustration of Light was built into this world from the first day of Creation
a. Genesis 1:2-3 – The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And
the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there
was light.
● First ingredient called forth by the voice of God – Light
○ In Genesis 1, God’s Word speaks, and Light is seen

3. From the first chapter of John Jesus is introduced in these two ways
a. 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
b. LIGHT: 1:5 – And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
● LIGHT you SEE / the WORD you HEAR
● God reveals Himself in a way we can sense AND comprehend — so we can know Him.

4. Light is useless without eyes to see

a. Matthew 6:22-23 – “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will
be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that
is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
● In John, Blindness is a theme
● We can become Intentionally Blind by CLOSING OUR EYES to the light
● Thinking we are illuminated, but stumbling in darkness
5. We can get all philosophical about Light and Darkness, but here is the Practical Take-Aways that a child can
understand
a. No one can change darkness to Light
● There is no source of light INSIDE of me
b. God is the source of Light
● Daniel 2:22 – He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.
● 1 Timothy 6:16 – …dwelling in unapproachable light…
c. The Light is God’s Word
● Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
● Psalm 19:8 – The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
● Proverbs 6:23 – For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light;
d. The Light is Jesus – who embodies in flesh the truth of God’s Word – the Word made Flesh
● Isaiah 9:2 – The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land
of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.
● John 8:12 – Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me
shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
● John 12:46 – “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in
darkness.
● Matthew 17:2 – He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes
became as white as the light.
e. Are YOU taking Light for Granted — How to dwell in the Light?
● PHYSICALLY – to get your biorhythms in a correct pattern – you need to place yourself in bright
natural light as soon as you wake up – open your eyes to the light
○ SPIRITUALLY – Study the Bible and have sweet communion with Jesus FIRST THING IN THE
MORNING
● PHYSICALLY – Cave dwelling damages your eyes and health / Continue to expose yourself to natural
light throughout the day
○ SPIRITUALLY – Keep a Bible with you / use your free time to read it and pray
○ Live in the Light
○ Romans 13:12 – Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of
light.
JAMES RAFFERTY
2024
Q4
L13
Theology From “Above” or From “Below”
Dec. 25

Lesson 13: Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word (Wednesday) December 21-27
Wednesday December 25

Theology From “Above” or From “Below”

Read John 4:46–54. What problem brought the official to Jesus, and what was the
real underlying issue here?

46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where He made

the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son
was sick at Capernaum.
47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into
Galilee, he went unto Him, and besought Him that He would come
down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.
48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and
wonders, ye will not believe.
49 The nobleman saith unto Him, Sir, come down ere my child
die.
50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the
man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he
went his way.
51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and
told him, saying, Thy son liveth.
52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to
amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the
fever left him.
 53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which
Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his
whole house.
54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he
was come out of Judæa into Galilee.

This man came to Jesus, the Light of the world, but he had made up his mind to believe
only if Jesus healed his child. We could say this man’s theology was a “theology from below.”
Theology from below sets rules and standards for God and His Word. Human ideas, as flawed
and as limited and as subjective as they are, become the final authority on how people interpret
the Word of God. What a dangerous trap to fall into!
Theology “from above,” in contrast, responds by faith, with belief in God and His Word
first (John 4:48; John 6:14, 15; 2 Tim. 3:16). When the Bible is accepted by faith, it becomes its
own interpreter. The worldview of Scripture, rather than the philosophy of the age, is the guide to
understanding and interpreting Scripture. Human views must be subjected and subservient to the
Word of God, and not the other way around.

THERE IS SUCH A SUBTLE DIFFERENCE HERE THAT WE CAN EASILY MISS IT.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF PROFESSED CHRISTIANS ERR ON THIS ONE POINT.

We must believe the words of Scripture if we are to believe the words of Jesus (John 5:46, 47).

46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have

believed Me: for he wrote of Me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye
believe My words?

“ ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples

indeed’ ” (John 8:31, NKJV).

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on

Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My
disciples indeed;
 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free.
They answered Him, We be Abraham's seed,
(BORN BELIEVERS) and were never in bondage to
any man (ADDICTIONS LIKE OTHERS): how sayest
thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
35 And the servant abideth not in the house for
ever: but the Son abideth ever.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye
shall be free indeed.

John 1:1, 12–

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by Him; and without Him
was not any thing made that was made.
4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man
that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made
by Him, and the world knew Him not.
11 He came unto His own, and His own received
Him not.
 12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He
power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on His name:

In every command and every promise of the word of

God is power, by which the commandment can be
realized and the promise ful lled. He who by faith
receives the Word of God receives the very life and
character of God.
If we doubt God’s Word, His Word cannot abide in us (John 5:38).
AND IF GODS WORD DOES NOT ABIDE IN US WE HAVE NO POWER. THEREFORE GODS
WORD CANNOT DO IN US WHAT GODS WORD SAYS THAT IT CAN DO IN US. SO YOU
SEE HOW IMPORTANT IT OS TO BELIEVE [LIVE BY] EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS
OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.
TO REJECT GODS WORD IS TO REJECT GOD, AS JESUS SAID:

“ ‘He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word
that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but
the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak’ ” (John
12:48, 49, NKJV).
To hear God’s Word is more than a passive intake of information. It means also to do God’s will.
And this is the active response to hearing the Word. “ ‘If anyone wills to do His will, he shall
know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority’ ”
(John 7:17, NKJV).
And this hearing, and doing, of God’s Word is an expression of love for 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’ ” (John 14:23, NKJV).

What is the relationship between our love for Jesus and obedience? Why is any kind
of “obedience” not based on love in danger of being legalism?
SE-4Q-2024, Themes in the Gospel of John, by E. Zinke & T. Shepherd 2
fi
 Shelley Quinn-2024-Q4-L13-Abiding in Jesus-December 26
Lesson 13—Thursday—Abiding in Jesus
Page 1 of 4

THURSDAY Abiding in Jesus

• Synoptic Gospels = Matthew/Mark/Luke = describe similar

events of Christ’s life/ministry = for different target audiences
• John’s Gospel unique=greater emphasis on signs/conversations
rather than making Christ’s preaching main focus

John 20:30–31 30And truly Jesus did many other signs in the
presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 12:32–33 32And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw

all peoples to Myself.” 33This He said, signifying by what death He
would die.
• Lifted up = refers to cross
• Self-sacrificing love of God = demonstrated on cross = magnet
• 1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us
• God demonstrated His love by dying for us while we were
sinners to justify us by His shed blood of everlasting covenant =
made righteous by faith/ acquitted / brought into right
relationship with God
• This quarter = have seen many who encountered Jesus
o made choices about the truth / light He brought
o either accepting His love / or rejecting His love
• Secret to spiritual growth / health = abide in Christ
o What does it mean to “ABIDE” in Christ ?
o How do we know we’re ABIDING in Christ?
o What assurance do we have if we’re abiding in Christ?
 Shelley Quinn-2024-Q4-L13-Abiding in Jesus-December 26
Lesson 13—Thursday—Abiding in Jesus
Page 2 of 4

• John 15:1-11 = ten times Jesus uses word abide/abides

• Abide = REMAIN / DWELL / CONTINUE IN

John 15:1–11 1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the

vinedresser. 2Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes
away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may
bear more fruit. 3You are already clean because of the word which
I have spoken to you. 4Abide in Me, and I in you. [COVENANT
TERMINOLOGY = GOD DWELLING AMONG US = IN US] As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine,
neither can you, unless you abide in Me. [FRUIT/PROOF OF
ABIDING = CONTINUE IN SERVICE TO HIM] 5“I am the vine, you
are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much
fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not
abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they
gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
[FIRE = SYMBOL OF DIVINE JUDGMENT = APOSTATE CHRISTIAN
WHO DOES NOT ENDURE TO THE END= NOT SAVED]
7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, [MUST REMAIN

IN HIS TEACHINGS] you will ask what you desire, and it shall be
done for you. 8By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much
fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9“As the Father loved Me, I also
have loved you; abide in My love. [TRUE LOVE = SELF
SACRIFICING] ] 10If you keep My commandments, you will abide in
My love, [TO ABIDE = CONTINUE IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS
COMMANDS] just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and
abide in His love. 11“These things I have spoken to you, that My
joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
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Lesson 13—Thursday—Abiding in Jesus
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1 John 5:11–13 11And this is the testimony: that God has given us
eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12He who has the Son has
life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of

the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and
that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

• Salvation = absolutely secure for those who remain “in Christ”

o living in covenant relationship w/Him.
• BUT = if we allow something to destroy our union w/ Him,
o we die spiritually = become barren branches that
produce no fruits of righteousness
• Final fate of dead branches = is to face divine judgment at end
of time = be cast into hell-fire to suffer the second death and
perish (Revelation 21:8)

1 John 2:3–6 3Now by this we know that we know Him, if we

keep His commandments. 4He who says, “I know Him,” and does
not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in

him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6He who says he abides
in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

1 John 4:12–16 12No one has seen God at any time. If we love one
another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
13By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He

has given us of His Spirit. …16And we have known and believed

the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in
love abides in God, and God in him.
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Lesson 13—Thursday—Abiding in Jesus
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The secret is to stay connected to Jesus. He is the Word of God,

the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the Door of the sheep,
the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way, the
Truth and the Life, and the True Vine.