Series Details
During our Lord’s last days on earth, all eyes were on the Lamb of God—watching as He reacted to His illegal trials, mockery, immense suffering, and crucifixion. And all ears were tuned in to His tender voice as He lovingly prepared His closest followers for the tumultuous time to come.
Join Chuck Swindoll as he walks us through this harrowing period of the life of Christ, which ushered Him toward His final victory over death. With each message in this penetrating series, you’ll grow deeper in your devotion to the exalted Savior who bore your sin and accomplished your salvation through His death on the Cross.
During the final days of His earthly life, all eyes were on Jesus. As the “Lamb of God,” He moved toward a destiny that would change the world forever. In this penetrating series, Chuck Swindoll walks us through the harrowing and triumphant events of John chapters 15 through 21. From the intimate farewell discourse in the Upper Room to the agony of the Cross and the glory of the empty tomb, we see a Savior who is both tender toward His followers and resolute in His mission. This study is an invitation to grow deeper in your devotion to the One who bore your sins and secured your eternal victory.
Message 1: Abiding
Sermon Summary Hours before His death, Jesus used the vivid imagery of a vine and its branches to explain the essential nature of the Christian life. This message explores what it means to “abide” in Christ. We discover that spiritual fruitfulness isn’t the result of human striving, but of a deep, dependent connection to the Source of life.
Key Facts & Themes
- Dependence: The branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it must remain attached to the vine.
- Pruning: Understanding how God uses discipline and life’s “cutting” moments to increase our capacity for fruit.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 15:1–11: The allegory of the True Vine.
Message 2: Qualities of a Friend
Sermon Summary Jesus elevated the status of His disciples from “servants” to “friends.” This message identifies the hallmarks of biblical friendship as modeled by the Savior: transparency, sacrifice, and shared purpose. We learn that being a friend of Christ involves both a high privilege and a commitment to obey His commands.
Key Facts & Themes
- Sacrificial Love: Laying down one’s life as the ultimate expression of friendship.
- Chosenness: Finding security in the fact that Christ chose us before we chose Him.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 15:12–17: Jesus’ command to love one another.
Message 3: The Promise of Persecution
Sermon Summary Following Christ does not guarantee an easy path. Jesus was honest about the hostility His followers would face from a world that first hated Him. This message prepares believers to stand firm in the face of rejection, reminding us that suffering for His name is a sign of our identification with Him.
Key Facts & Themes
- Identification with Christ: Why the world’s hatred is often directed at those who reflect the Savior.
- Strength in the Struggle: The role of the Holy Spirit in sustaining us during trials.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 15:18–27: Warnings about the world’s hatred.
Message 4: Functions of the Holy Spirit
Sermon Summary As Jesus prepared to depart, He promised to send “another Helper”—the Holy Spirit. This message outlines the vital work of the Spirit in the life of the believer and the world: convicting of sin, guiding into truth, and glorifying the Son.
Key Facts & Themes
- Conviction: How the Spirit awakens the world to its need for a Savior.
- Guidance: The Spirit’s role as our internal compass for understanding God’s Word.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 16:1–15: Jesus’ teaching on the Work of the Helper.
Message 5: Four Words That Keep Us Going
Sermon Summary In times of sorrow and confusion, we need anchored truths to keep us steady. Jesus provided His disciples with words of hope—reminding them that their grief would turn to joy and that He had already “overcome the world.” This message identifies the foundational truths that provide peace in the midst of tribulation.
Key Facts & Themes
- Temporary Sorrow vs. Permanent Joy: The perspective needed to endure difficult seasons.
- Triumphant Peace: Finding courage in Christ’s victory over the world’s systems.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 16:16–33: Overcoming the world through Christ.
Message 6: Divine Intercession
Sermon Summary In John 17, we are invited to listen in on the most intimate conversation in history: the Son praying to the Father. This message focuses on Jesus’ prayer for Himself and His immediate disciples, highlighting His desire for God’s glory to be revealed through the completion of His mission.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Definition of Eternal Life: Knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
- Sanctification by Truth: The power of God’s Word to set believers apart for His use.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 17:1–19: The beginning of the High Priestly Prayer.
Message 7: When Jesus Prayed for You
Sermon Summary The High Priestly Prayer concludes with a remarkable section where Jesus looks down the corridors of time to pray for all future believers—including us. This message explores His heart for our unity and our eventual presence with Him in glory.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Power of Unity: How the love between believers serves as a witness to the world.
- Future Glory: The promise that we will one day see and share in Christ’s majesty.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 17:20–26: Jesus’ prayer for all future believers.
Message 8: Arrest and Trial
Sermon Summary The transition from the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane marks the beginning of the Passion. This message examines the betrayal by Judas and the initial religious trial of Jesus. We see the Lamb of God maintaining total composure and authority even as He is led away in bonds.
Key Facts & Themes
- Sovereign Submission: Jesus’ voluntary surrender to His captors.
- The Failure of Men: The contrast between Christ’s faithfulness and the disciples’ flight.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 18:1–27: The arrest and the trial before Annas and Caiaphas.
Message 9: Rush to Judgment
Sermon Summary The scene shifts to the Roman headquarters where Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate. This message analyzes the political maneuvering and the “rush to judgment” by the religious leaders. We are challenged by Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” as we see the King of Kings standing before an earthly judge.
Key Facts & Themes
- A Kingdom Not of This World: The nature of Christ’s authority vs. earthly power.
- The Silence of the Lamb: Jesus’ dignity in the face of false accusations.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 18:28–19:16: The civil trial before Pilate.
Message 10: A Crack in the Rock
Sermon Summary While Jesus stood firm, Peter faltered. This message looks at the devastating moments of Peter’s denial. It serves as a sober reminder of human frailty, but also sets the stage for the incredible grace and restoration that God offers to those who fall.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Danger of Overconfidence: Learning from Peter’s struggle with pride.
- The Look of Grace: How Christ responds to our moments of failure.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 18:15–18, 25–27: The narrative of Peter’s denial.
Message 11: Death on a Cross
Sermon Summary This is the central moment of human history. Chuck leads us through the crucifixion of the Lamb of God, reflecting on His final words: “It is finished.” We explore the physical and spiritual weight of the Cross and what it meant for Christ to pay the full price for our redemption.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Finished Work: The total completion of the plan of salvation.
- Substitutionary Atonement: Christ taking our place and bearing our curse.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 19:17–42: The crucifixion and burial of Jesus.
Message 12: A Miraculous Resurrection
Sermon Summary Death could not hold the Lamb. This message celebrates the glory of the empty tomb on Easter morning. We examine the evidence of the resurrection and the profound hope it brings to every believer—proving that Christ has indeed conquered the grave.
Key Facts & Themes
- Victory over Death: The resurrection as the “receipt” that our debt has been paid.
- The Power of the Empty Tomb: The foundational truth of the Christian faith.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 20:1–10: The discovery of the empty tomb.
Message 13: Reactions to the Resurrected Lord
Sermon Summary The news of the resurrection met various reactions—from Mary Magdalene’s grief-turned-joy to Thomas’s doubt. This message looks at how the resurrected Jesus met individuals in their specific needs, providing comfort, proof, and peace.
Key Facts & Themes
- Personal Encounter: How Jesus calls us by name.
- Moving from Doubt to Faith: The patience of Christ with those who struggle to believe.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 20:11–31: Appearances to Mary and the disciples.
Message 14: Coming to Terms with Your Calling
Sermon Summary On the shores of Galilee, Jesus restored the fallen Peter. This message focuses on the “breakfast by the sea” and the three-fold question, “Do you love Me?” We see how Christ restores us for service, refocusing our lives on the mission of feeding His sheep.
Key Facts & Themes
- Restoration: The beauty of God’s grace in giving “second chances.”
- The Motivation for Ministry: Why love for Christ must be the primary engine for our service.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 21:1–17: Jesus’ appearance at the Sea of Galilee.
Message 15: “. . . And What about This Man?”
Sermon Summary It is easy to get distracted by God’s plan for others. When Peter questioned Jesus about John’s future, Jesus gave a pointed reply: “What is that to you? You follow Me.” This message is a call to personal, focused obedience without the trap of comparison.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Trap of Comparison: Why looking at others’ journeys can hinder our own.
- Individual Accountability: The personal nature of the call to follow Christ.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 21:18–23: Jesus’ words concerning Peter and John.
Message 16: Many Other Signs . . . Many Other Things
Sermon Summary John concludes his Gospel by noting that the world itself could not contain the books that could be written about Jesus. In this series finale, Chuck summarizes the purpose of John’s writing: so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing, we may have life in His name.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Purpose of the Gospel: A final call to faith and life.
- The Infinite Savior: Reflecting on the inexhaustible majesty of the Lamb of God.
Primary Scripture Reference
- John 20:30–31; 21:24–25: The conclusion of the Gospel of John.
