First Alliance Church ATL

08-19-18 Kevin Goins - Introduction to the Spirit, part 3

“Introduction to the Spirit”  John 7:37-52 (Pt 3)

John 7: 37-52 is Jesus’ introduction to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. What do these verses tell us about the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

I First, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is the alternative to religion (7:37a).
II Second, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is essential to everyone (7:37b).
III Third, the ministry of the Holy Spirit excludes no one (7:37c).
IV Fourth, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is for those who are thirsty.

V Fifth, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is only for those who are willing to t_______ a___________ of it (7:37d)

A. If we want what Jesus is offering us, there are ____ things we must do:

1. First, we must _______ to Jesus.
2. Second, we must ________.

B. There are three kinds of people:

1. Those who do ____ have the Spirit.
2. Those who are m_______ by the Spirit.
3. Those who s________ be led by the Spirit, but they are ____.

C. All Christians ______ the Spirit, but not all drink d________ of the Spirit.

VI Sixth, the ministry of the Holy Spirit gives life __ us and _______ us (7:38).

VII In verse 39 John makes sure we know that by “living water” Jesus means the ______ _______ (7:39).

VIII Seventh, the ministry of the Holy Spirit calls forth _______ different responses (7:40-52):

A First, there is c___________.

B. Second, there is c___________.

C. Third, there is c___________.

08-12-18 Kevin Goins - Introduction to the Spirit part 2

“Introduction to the Spirit”   John 7:37-52 (Pt 2)

John 7: 37-52 is Jesus’ introduction to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. What do these verses tell us about the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

I First, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is the alternative to religion (7:37a).
II Second, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is essential for everyone (7:37b).
III Third, the ministry of the Holy Spirit e_________ no one (7:37c).

A. It is easy to think that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is only for s________ people --

1. -- If we look at the h______ in Acts.
2. -- If we look at the s______ in church.

B. But “If anyone….” means more than simply that the Holy Spirit is meant for every b_________ - It means the Holy Spirit is for e__________ p_________.

IV Fourth, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is for those who are t__________.

A. There are two main mechanisms for maintaining our water balance: (1) the sensation of t__________ and (2) the k_________.

B. The simplest symptom of dehydration is thirst, but there are other symptoms:

1. difficulty thinking c_________
2. halitosis (b_____ b__________)
3. food c__________
4. f________ or lethargy
5. r________ heart
6. s____________.
7. j_______ or m________ pain
8. h__________ or d_________.
9. k_______ problems
10. s_______, d______ skin or lips

C. Thirst is not only the key to physical health, it is also the key to _________ health:

D. How can we tell if we are thirsty for the Holy Spirit?

1. Do we have spiritual h__________?
2. Are we spiritually l___________?
3. Do we have cravings for things we know we do n____ n______?
4. Do we have h_______ problems?
5. Do we have b_______ aches and pains?
6. Do we have difficulty t________ c_________?
7. Are we d_______ u____?

07-29-18 Kevin Goins - Introduction to the Spirit

“Introduction to the Spirit”  John 7:37-52 (Pt 1)

Our text today begins John’s introduction to the Spirit. Jesus will have a great deal more to say about the Holy Spirit in chapters fourteen through sixteen, but this is his introductory statement and it comes at the Feast of Tabernacles. What do these verses tell us about the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

I First, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is the a__________ to r____________ (7:37a).

A. Jesus stands up to speak at the very time the Jews are celebrating a f________, and taking part in a ceremonial feast is a p_________ of religion.

1. We can use the word “religion” simply in the s___________ sense.

2. Religion is about whether or not people have some space in their life for _____ and for the s____________.

B. But there is also a sense in which Christianity is _____ a religion. In fact, there is a sense in which Christianity is _______-religion.

1. First, in no religion except Christianity does God become a ________ ________ in order to save human beings by __________ in our place.

2. Second, only Christianity tells us that the way to God is not by d________ s____________.

a. Religion is about doing - doing the things religion says will make God a_______ us.

But Christianity says there is _________ we can do to make God accept us.

b. Religion is about m__________ the religious looking things religious people do.

Christianity is about having our own p_________ relationship with God.

II Second, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is for e__________, especially a believer (7:37b).

A. First, it is important that Jesus s__________.

B. Second, it is important that Jesus spoke “In a _________ voice.”

III So, we can have religion, and religion makes ___ feel good about _____________, or we can have a _______ relationship with God.

07-22-18 Kevin Goins - Attacked At Church

“Attacked at Church”  John 7:14-36

Church is not supposed to be a place where people are attacked, but it happens. In fact, it happened in Jesus’ day, and it happened to Jesus himself! The multiple attacks Jesus faced were actually accusations made against him. But the purpose of these allegations was to pave the way for his arrest and death, and so the word “attack” is not unwarranted. Let’s look at these attacks:

I First attack: Jesus lacks the c_____________ to be a spiritual leader (7:15-18).

A. All the people were a________ at this teaching – for two reasons:

1. He knew how to i_________ Scripture like the rabbis, but he had never attended rabbinic s________.

2. He taught as one who had a____________.

B. People can a_________ their credentials; they can assume their credentials make them an authority on e___________.

II Second attack: Jesus is d________-p___________ (7:19-20).

A. Any time we use labels, even labels like “__________” or “_____________,” we are treating people as things or ideas, not as human beings.

B. They called Jesus demon-possessed because they needed to get their minds off the g_______ Jesus had done so they could h______ and even k______ him.

III Third attack: Jesus disregards the S_________ L____ (7:21-24).

A. Here Jesus proves his point by using a famous rabbinic principle of interpretation called Qal Wahomer, which means “from the l_______ to the h________.”

B. When the letter of the law overthrows the Law of Love, God is not h________ and life is made c________.

IV Fourth attack: His o________ proves Jesus is not the Messiah (7:25-29).

V Our text ends with Jesus telling them the c________________ of their decision to reject him.

05-28-18 - Kevin Goins - Dealing with Doubt part 2

“Dealing With Doubt, part 2” John 6:60-71

We all struggle with doubt, but sometimes our doubts seem so insignificant we think nothing of them. Or, they may be hiding
beneath the surface so we are not even aware that they are there. But if not dealt with, doubts tend to grow until something happens and we realize our confidence in God is not as strong as we thought it was. What can we do to stop our doubts from growing? What does the Bible teach us about doubt?

I First, doubt isn’t about not believing , doubt is about not obeying (6:60).
II Second, doubt so clouds the present that it keeps us from seeing the future (6:61-62).
III Third, doubt often focuses on the physical while ignoring the spiritual (6:63).

IV Fourth, doubt thinks it has p_________ over us, but it does not (6:64-65).
-Doubt thinks it has power over us in two ways:
1. Doubt thinks it is in c_________.
2. Doubt thinks that its presence can d_________ faith.

V Fifth, our doubt h______ Jesus (6:66-67).

VI Sixth, doubt can be o____________ (6:68-69).
-Two things in these two verses we cannot overlook:
1. This is not _________’s confession.
2. The answer to doubt is not b_________ alone; there is k_________ which supports our faith.

VII Seventh, doubt, if left unchecked, leads to d__________(6:70-71)

05-06-18 Kevin Goins - Eating Flesh and Drinking Blood

“Eating Flesh and Drinking Blood”   John 6:53-59

Christians make it our practice to regularly participate in the Lord’s Supper. Some of us, however, have been doing this for so long that we may have forgotten what it is all about. The text we’re looking at today gives us a refresher course in the theology of the Lord’s Supper.

I First, we need to begin by pointing out that not all Christians see the Lord’s Supper in the s____ w____.

A. T________________
B. R________ P___________, or Consubstantiation
C. R_______________ view

II Second, we need to point out that despite what some churches and traditions believe, John 6:53-59 is not focused on the Lord’s Supper.

A. First, John does not ____ what he could easily have _____ to show us that this text is about the Lord’s Supper.

1. John, of all the Gospels, gives ___ account of how Jesus established the Lord’s Supper.

2. John uses language in chapter six which, though it s________ a bit like Lord’s Supper language, is _____ the language of the Lord’s Supper.

B. Second, a focus on the Lord’s Supper would not fit the c_________ of the chapter.

C. Third, a reference to the Lord’s Supper at this point in time would be an a__________.

III Third, what can we learn about the Lord’s Supper from John six?

A. First, when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we r__________ how Jesus gave his life to take away the sin and shame of the world.

B. Second, when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we a_________ that Jesus’ death is what gives us life _____ and life _________.

C. Third, when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we p________ that we will stay with Jesus no matter what.

04-29-18 Kevin Goins - Rejection, Part 2

“Rejection” (Pt 2)  John 6:33-51
No human being finds rejection easy.  Imagine, then, what it was like for Jesus.  He was the long-awaited Messiah, but when he came to this earth most of the nation of Israel rejected him.  The
early church was also challenged because while some accepted their preaching, others rejected it. As the church today we must also deal with rejection.  But while Jesus experienced rejection, he was not undone by it. What did Jesus know that enabled him to keep going in the face of rejection?
I Jesus knew that it is all about God (6:37).
II Jesus knew that while it’s all about God, he also has a crucial part to play, and Jesus knew he would do his part (6:38-40).
III Jesus knew that even those who reject him cannot u___________ God’s plan, because God is in c________ (6:41-51)

A. This is predestination:  God acts to bring into his Kingdom those he c_________.

B. What can we say about predestination?  
1. Both the w______ and the t__________ are found in the Bible.
a. Ephesians __:___-___
b. Romans __:___-___

2. It is a controversial topic both i________ and o________ the church.
a. Calvin said we become believers by God choosing ___.
b. Arminius said we become believers by our choosing ________.

3. It’s a topic which people tend to discuss with a great deal of p_________.

4. It’s a topic people tend to argue about without fully exploring the c_____________ of their position.

5. It’s a topic that does not fit with our western fondness for “_______/____” statements of truth.

C. So, the Bible teaches both that we are _________ by God and that we have ______ ______.  How can both be true?

04-22-18 Kevin Goins - Rejection

“Rejection”  John 6:33-51

No human being finds rejection easy. Imagine, then, what it was like for Jesus. He was the long-awaited Messiah, but when he came to this earth most of the nation of Israel rejected him. The early church was also greatly challenged in knowing that the one they preached as God’s answer to the needs of people was refused by many. The rejection of Jesus was hard to explain then and it is hard for us to explain today. Fortunately, the Bible has an answer.

I. We need to understand that the rejection of his people ______ Jesus. But Jesus was not u__________ by their u__________.
-What did Jesus know that enabled him to keep going the face of unbelief? What did he know that gave him victory in facing rejection?

II. First, Jesus knew that it is all about _______(6:37).
-What do I mean by “It’s all about God?”
A. First, it’s all about God because God is the s_________ of everything.
B. Second, it’s all about God because God is the one who is responsible for everyone who c_______ to f_______ in Jesus.
1. Jesus says, “Those who come into the Kingdom are God the
Father’s g_______ to ____.”
2. This is a different emphasis than we are used to: Normally we talk as if salvation is all about ________.
3. Everyone who belongs to God’s Kingdom is a l______ g______ given by the Father to the Son.
C. Third, it’s all about God because we are not responsible for m________ people come to Jesus.
-There are two things here that are important:
1. First, Jesus takes the l______ of ______ off our backs.
2. Second, Jesus directs our attention to the f________.

III. Second, Jesus knew that what God asked him to do, he w________ do, and n_________ could keep him from it (6:38-40).

 

04-15-18 Kevin Goins Understanding the Crazy Crowd

“Understanding the Crazy Crowd”  John 6:22-32

It is often difficult for Christians to understand the crowd that surrounds us as we go about our daily lives. On the one hand, the crowd seems to be getting less religious, but, on the other hand, there is evidence that the crowd is getting more religious, though not according to the way that word used to be understood. But as hard as it is to understand the crowd today, it was just as unfathomable in Jesus’ day. Nevertheless, Jesus understood the crowd and in our text this morning he gives us insight which helps us understand our crowd. What does Jesus teach us about the crowd?

I First, not everyone in the crowd is on the s_______ s______ (6:22-24).

A. So, we have two groups: Jesus, with his own s______ crowd of twelve disciples, and the h______ crowd which had been fed by Jesus.

B. Crowds today are not only separated spiritually, we are p_________ in other ways as well.

II Second, not everyone is even a_______ the right q____________ (6:25).
-If the crowd had asked the right question, it could have r________ c_________ the way they looked at Jesus.

III Third, not everyone w________ the same thing (6:26-27).

IV Fourth, not everyone is willing to b_______ the t_______ when they encounter it (6:28-31).

V Fifth, not everyone wants a p__________ S__________ (6:32).

02-18-18 Kevin Goins - How Bad Can It Get? - conclusion

“How Bad Can It Get?” (Conclusion)
John 6:16-21

All of us know what it is like to face problems. Sometimes, however, problems come in bunches, either one right after the other or all at once. What does this text teach us about troubles that come in bunches?

I. Bunches of trouble often come without warning (6:16).
II. Not only can bunches of trouble come without warning, they can also come without any explanation (6:17a)
III. A bunch of troubles can overwhelm us with darkness (6:17b).

IV Bunches of trouble often arouse feelings of f______ and a____________ (6:16-18).
     A. What the disciples face is a bunch of troubles:
          1. First, d________ was falling.
          2. Second, “a strong w____ was blowing.”
          3. Third, “the w_______ grew rough.”
     B. It was the a_______ of Jesus that made the fear and the aloneness so horrible.

V Bunches of trouble often find no relief until the danger reaches its h________ p________ (6:19-20).

VI Bunches of trouble can only be survived when we are willing to b_______ Jesus into our b_______ (6:21).

VII Bunches of trouble can h_____ us by l_______ us where we need to go (6:21-22).

VIII We have a lot of troubles, but the Gospel tells us that Jesus s_________ and e_________ those troubles with us.