Athey Creek | Audio Podcast Brett Meador

A Bible teaching titled “Should I Love the Church?” from John 13:34-35 by Brett Meador.

After a discourse on who He is and why He came, Jesus begins celebrating Passover with His disciples by washing their feet in John 12:44-13:17. As we watch this scene unfold, we see what Jesus was demonstrating by this act, the importance of being cleansed by the water of the Word, and how we can have a servants heart like Jesus.

Jesus tells the multitude how He will die on the cross and the purpose of His death, leaving them to debate and decide what they will believe about Him. As we study their decision point in John 12:32-43, we see what prevented them from following Jesus, learn why salvation may not always be an option, and examine our own hearts as we choose what decision we will make about Jesus.

A series of events unfold in John 12:1-33 that point to Jesus as the Messiah and foreshadow His coming death on the cross. As we watch Mary anoint His feet with costly perfume, see how He perfectly fulfills Old Testament prophecy, and hear Jesus directly predict His death on the cross, we learn about true worship, God’s glory, salvation, and the defeat of Satan.

In Jesus' final "I Am" statement in John 15:1-5, He declares He is the true vine, His Father is the vinedresser, and we are the branches. As we examine all the elements of this symbol, we learn what it means historically, prophetically, and presently, as well as the importance of staying connected to the vine so that we may bear good fruit.

Mary and Martha are mourning the loss of Lazarus as they wonder why their brother had to die and why Jesus delayed coming to them in John 11. As Jesus shows up on the scene and brings Lazarus back to life, we see the importance of waiting on God's timing, how this miracle was for God's glory, and how this would become the catalyst that begins Jesus' journey to the cross.