May 25th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"AT HOME WITH GOD" (John 14:23-29)

Lectionary Readings — Sixth Sunday of Easter — May 25, 2025

Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10,22-22:5; John 14:23-29

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Call to Worship (based on John 14:23-29)

Leader: Jesus says, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them."

People: We come to worship in love, seeking to keep God's word in our hearts and lives.

Leader: "My Father and I will come to them and make our home with them."

People: Our hearts are open to receive God's presence among us.

Leader: "The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything."

People: We come, eager to learn and be reminded of all that Jesus has taught.

Leader: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives."

People: We receive Christ's peace with grateful hearts.

Leader: "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."

People: In God's presence, we find courage and hope. Let us worship together!

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Opening Prayer (based on Acts 16:9-15)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father,

Like Paul who saw a vision of a man pleading for him to "come over to Macedonia and help us," open our eyes to see where You are calling us to serve. Guide our steps as You guided Paul and his companions across the sea to Philippi.

As they sought a place of prayer by the riverside, so we gather now in Your presence, seeking to hear Your voice and receive Your wisdom.

Lord, we remember Lydia, whose heart You opened to respond to Paul's message. Open our hearts today to receive Your Word with joy and understanding. Like Lydia, who responded with generous hospitality, may we respond to Your grace with faithful action.

Unite us as Your people, just as You brought together diverse individuals in the early church. May our worship honor You, our fellowship strengthen each other, and our service reach into our community with Your love.

In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

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Sermon Outline: [NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon].

[Note: All Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.]

Sermon Outline: “AT HOME WITH GOD" (John 14:23-29)

Introduction:

• Context: Jesus's farewell discourse to his disciples before his crucifixion

• The disciples are anxious about Jesus's impending departure

• Theme: How God continues to dwell with believers through Christ's absence

I. COMMANDMENTS: Loving Obedience (vv. 23-24)

A. The mark of love is obedience

B. The motivation for obedience is love

C. The source of the commandments

II. COHABITATION: Divine Indwelling (v. 23)

A. The promise of divine presence

B. The intimacy of God's presence

C. The communal nature of this indwelling

III. COUNSELOR: The Holy Spirit (v. 26)

A. The identity of the Advocate

B. The instruction of the Spirit

C. The recollection prompted by the Spirit

IV. CALM: Christ's Peace (vv. 27-29)

A. The legacy of peace

B. The distinction from worldly peace

C. The antidote to anxiety

CONCLUSION:

• Summary of the four C's: Commandments, Cohabitation, Counselor, and Calm

• Application: How do we cultivate these aspects in our lives?

• Assurance: "I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe"

• Challenge: Will we let Christ's words transform our troubled hearts?

Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers