JOHN 13:21-38 ”FIRE IN THE HANDS OF CHILDREN” Mark Kolbe

I. John 23:21-30 A Controlled Burn

1) Judas’ plan to betray Jesus was not a deterrence to Him. Jesus i________________ used Judas’ bad intentions to bring His mission on earth to an end.

2) News of this betrayal was s_____________ and upset the disciples.

3) Jesus was t______________ in the way he exposed His betrayer.

4) This is the only instance in scripture that describes Satan e___________ a human.

II. John 13:31-32 Revealing the Glory of God

1) The best definition of the word glory in this context is “to cause the dignity and worth of some person or thing to become k__________ and acknowledged” (see John 1:14-18).

2) Jesus revealed the glory of the F________. The Father revealed the glory of the S________.

3) The world around us explains that there is a Creator; the Bible explains the mind and heart of God; but Jesus was born as a man to explain God in the most p____________ way possible.

4) The most impactful way Jesus explained (glorified) God was through His a_________.

III. John 13:33-35 Commanding Children to Start a Fire

1) How are the disciples like children?

· They lack k______________.

· They will become f______________.

· Their j_______ and exuberance will be advantageous.

· They will need to d___________ on God.

2) Godly love (“Agape”) is the deepest form of love. Jesus’ life is the s_____________ by which it is defined.

3) Godly love:

· is a m______________, not a suggestion.

· is a c_______________ between eternal family members.

· is directed towards o__________ and not self-seeking.

· is p_____________.

· promotes H___________, not comfort (1 Corinthians 13:6, Galatians 6:1-2, Hebrews 3:13).

· is tangible, visible and p________________.

· Is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, not self-confidence.

What Did We Learn?

1. N____________ can stop God’s redemptive plan. The selfishness of Judas, the plans of Satan, and the weakness of Peter are no match for what Jesus is going to do. He will go to the cross and He will be raised again.

2. God’s g__________ shines brightest in the darkness. Dark days lie ahead for the disciples. But, in many ways we are also living in dark times. If we love like Jesus did, we can also glorify God and become a beacon of spiritual light for those around us.

3. Jesus even loves people who f_________ Him. Remember that He washed the feet of Judas, His betrayer and of Peter, His denier.

4. We should r____________ of Judas-like self-interest, Satan like pride, and Peter-like presumption. Replace those tendencies with acts of love.