This psalm is an exhortation to “Shout for joy in the LORD.” The body of the psalm give many reasons for joy in the Lord and the ending is a confession of hope that is based in the Lord. It is an amazing contrast to the hopelessness of so many in our society.
Read Psalm 33
In this passage, Jesus tells his disciples not to be troubled because he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house and he will come back to take them to be with him. He will prepare a place for them by suffering and dying for them.
Read John 14:1-3
This is a unique Psalm in that there is no note of hope at the end. It is meant to teach that there are not always happy endings in life. The psalmist expresses his faith by continuing to pray in spite of no answer. From the rest of the Bible we know that the ultimate answer to such prayers is the blessedness of eternity with Christ.
Read Psalm 88
Peter was a genuine and zealous disciple of Jesus, yet he fell into the terrible sin of denying the Lord. This passage is a warning for all Christians that it is possible for any of us to fall as Peter fell. We need to be aware of our own vulnerability and depend on the grace of God to uphold us.
Read John 13:36-38
This passage gives a powerful perspective on futility of all opposition to God. Through his Son, the son of David, God will overcome all who continue in their rebellion. There is, however, a gracious opportunity to repent and take refuge in the Lord’s Anointed.
Read Psalm 2
In all of the accounts of the institution of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus makes the connection between his blood and the new covenant. This sermon explores the covenant idea in Scripture and how it relates to the Lord’s Supper.
Read Exodus 24:1-11; Mark 14:22-25
Three topics are covered in this passage and in the sermon. Jesus speaks of he and his Father being glorified in the cross, the coming separation from his disciples and calls his disciples to love one another as he has loved them.
Read John 13:31-35
This passage contains both encouragement and warning. The encouragement is conveyed by the way that Jesus tells his disciples that one of them is going to betray him. He shows that the betrayal will happen in fulfillment of Scripture and thus in accordance with God’s plan. The warning is conveyed by the fact that Judas was not suspected by the other disciples as a traitor, showing that it is possible to be a respected member of the community of faith without being a genuine believer.
Read John 13:18-30
This sermon considers David’s cry for help and description of his situation, his prayer for God to punish his enemies, how parts of the psalm are fulfilled in Jesus Christ and David’s expression of praise and thanksgiving at the end of the psalm.
Read Psalm 69
This passage emphasizes the love of Jesus for his people and calls us to imitate him by humbly serving others.
Read John 13:1-17
