7. The most shocking verse in the Bible (John 3:16-21)

Preached on Sunday 3rd April 2022, by Rupert Hunt-Taylor

The seventh sermon of our series in the Gospel of John: From the Father’s Heart

1. “For” | The shocking result of God’s love (16a)

The giving over to death of his only Son

2.“World” | The shocking reach of God’s love (16a)

This entire, dark, God-hating world

3. “Whoever” | The shocking reason for God’s love (16b-17)

The salvation of anyone… who looks with faith at the cross

• A very moral man? (3:1-15)

• A very immoral woman? (4:7-42)

4. “Loved” | The shocking response to God’s love (18-21)

The rejection of goodness, or the embrace of exposure

6. What Jesus sees in our hearts (John 2:23-3:15)

Preached on Sunday 27th March 2022, by Rupert Hunt-Taylor

The sixth sermon of our series in the Gospel of John: From the Father’s Heart

1. Whoever we are, the night claims us 2:23 – 3:3

Our heart, mind and will are darker than we know

2. Only Christ’s Spirit can change us 3:4-8

We cannot give birth to our own spiritual life

3. So cry to the one sent to save us 3:9-15

Jesus alone knows the way to new life, and makes it possible

• Guide

• Guarantee

5. Love that Burns: What Makes Jesus Angry? (John 2:13-22)

Preached on Sunday 20th March 2022, by Rupert Hunt-Taylor

The fifth sermon of our series in the Gospel of John: From the Father’s Heart

1. Consumed by zeal: 13-17

Jesus burns for his Father’s honour

• Malachi 3:1-3 (A God who will purify Israel’s sacrifices)

• Psalm 69:9 (A king rejected through his zeal for God’s temple)

2. Consumed for zeal: 18-22

Jesus’ body is the place we can honour him

• A demonstration: Jesus has authority to judge his temple

• An invitation: Jesus is the true and final temple (Rev 21:22)

4. The Bringer of Joy (John 2:1-12)

Preached on Sunday 6th March 2022, by Rupert Hunt-Taylor

The fourth sermon of our series in the Gospel of John: From the Father’s Heart

What sort of God shows his glory like this? (v11)

1. The Crisis: a people starved of joy (v1-5)

• Where is the Bridegroom?

• How things should be in the promised land (Song of Songs 5:1)

• “My Hour” (4:21,23; 5:25,28; 7:6,8,30; 8:20; 12:23,27; 13:1; 16:2,21; 17:1)

• “That Day” – a promised messianic banquet (Isa 25:6-9; Amos 9:11-15)

Follow the Sign:

2. Rich rejoicing waits for the Bridegroom’s hour (v6-12)

The sign itself (6-8)

• Lavish provision

• Water and cleansing (1:33; 2:6 3:5; 4:10; 5:7; [6:19]; 7:38)

• Fulfilment: from watery washing to potent rejoicing

The glory it points to (9-11)

• A true bridegroom and bringer of joy (made explicit from 3:29)

• Just a taste: we are saved in hope of a wedding feast to come