CVPC Sermons

The Big Takeaway: Thomas' doubt about Jesus' resurrection wasn't a rejection of him but the sign of an aching faith that was hurting and longing to believe again. And Jesus, ever merciful toward is own, did not scold him for it. He drew near and gently gave Thomas exactly what his weary heart needed. Yet in that same moment of kindness, Jesus also pointed us toward an even deeper joy:...

The Big Takeaway: When our world is deteriorating or declining, we tend to take ownership of the whole problem, or at least carry the anxiety that accompanies the problem. Thankfully, all the Lord asks of us is to be faithful to our calling in him, a calling for which he provides strength. And often, through that modest goal of faithfulness, he accomplishes great things.

The Big Takeaway: Jesus gave us glory, even his own glory (v. 22). Jesus' glory was tied to that "hour," to his death and crucifixion, to his gift of eternal life (17:1 ff.). How does the gift of his glory define you? Your joy is tied to that glory and the conscious embrace of all that it represents. Your joy is tied to the oneness shared in our unity.

The Big Takeaway: Jesus' mission on earth was to consecrate himself (v. 9), meaning that he is preparing to die on the cross, so that we may be sanctified. Stated differently, our sanctification was Jesus' primary mission on earth.

The Big Takeaway: Calvin stated that Jesus' prayer reveals the depths of the Savior's heart. This accurately describes John 17. By praying for his glorification (vs. 1-5), the sanctification of present believers (vs. 6-19), and the unity of future believers (vs. 20-26), Jesus' High Priestly Prayer reveals the heart of the Savior for his covenant people.

The Big Takeaway: The disciple's joy is directly related to both the method and the end that your Master designs. The promise of complete joy is yours! The journey is yours as well. Prize your Lord's wisdom, ways, and wishes!

The Big Takeaway: Discipline, trials, and affliction not only have the power to transform our lives, but they bind us to Christ, who was himself a man acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3), whose work was "made perfect" through suffering (Hebrews 2:10).

The Big Takeaway: Abiding in Jesus is the work of the Spirit that causes us to be united with Christ and receive all the blessings and privileges that come with this union. Believers, as a result of union with Christ, are called to bring glory to God by bearing fruit in season and out of season!

The Big Takeaway: The apostles reveal the Holy Spirit in a beautiful, powerful, and compelling way. He wants us not only to know him intellectually but also to know him experientially by communing with him. As we commune with the Spirit, we will find that he is our helper (John 14:16-17), teacher (14:26), comforter (15:26), advocate (16:7-11), and guide (16:12-15).

The Big Takeaway: The apostles reveal the Holy Spirit in a beautiful, powerful, and compelling way. He wants us not only to know him intellectually but also to know him experientially by communing with him. As we commune with the Spirit, we will find that he is our helper (John 14:16-17), teacher (John 14:26), comforter (John 15:26), advocate (John 16:7-11), and guide (John16:12-15).

The Big Takeaway: The apostles reveal the Holy Spirit in a beautiful, powerful, and compelling way. He wants us not only to know him intellectually but also to know him experientially by communing with him. As we commune with the Spirit, we will find that he is our helper (John 14:16-17), teacher (John 14:26), comforter (John 15:26), advocate (John 16:7-11), and guide (John 16:12-15).

The Big Takeaway: The apostles reveal the Holy Spirit in a beautiful, powerful, and compelling way. He wants us not only to know him intellectually but also to know him experientially by communing with him. As we commune with the Spirit, we will find that he is our helper (John 14:16-17), teacher (John 14:26), friend (John 15:26), advocate (John 16:7-11), and guide (John 16:12-15).

The Big Takeaway: Some have eyes but do not see. You must process what glory actually is if you are going to see Jesus. Jesus is glorious beyond compare! There is no more majestic nor more powerful visage than the sight of Jesus in his glory! See, behold Jesus!

The Big Takeaway: At the heart of this passage is a powerful promise: "I go and prepare a place for you. I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." This promise provides comfort and hope to the believer. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the proof that the one who made the promise has the power and authority to deliver on this promise!

The Big Takeaway: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the answer to every terror in this parable. The rich man's suffering is real, his separation from God is real, and the finality of his situation is real. Yet, for those who are in Christ, this parable is not a word of condemnation, but a cause of adulation to the Father for delivering us from death and Hell.

The Big Takeaway: When we are called by the gospel of God's grace, it powerfully changes us from the inside out. Those changes ripple out from us individually and corporately as we increasingly understand and live out the gospel. So our response to God's missional call is not motivated by guilt or panic or duty but by the transforming nature of the gospel.

The Big Takeaway: By washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus serves them as though he were a slave on the night before he dies the death of a slave. John describes the Lord’s service as love (v. 1) and quotes the Lord as saying, “you also should do just as I have done to you” (v. 15). In this way, humility, service, and love are bound together, essential to Christian character, and foundational i...

The Big Takeaway: Jesus's pre-burial anointing demonstrates that Christ is supremely worthy — and the elect, transformed by grace, will recognize it. Mary's extravagant worship is not irrational; it is right reason, sanctified by the Spirit. The redeemed heart sees what Judas's corrupt heart could not: that Jesus is worth everything.

The Big Takeaway: Jesus' words to Martha (vv. 25-26) and the subsequent raising of Lazarus demonstrate that "in the person and work of Jesus, life is no longer bound by death and death no longer may willfully intrude on life" (Calvin). He alone is sovereign over physical and spiritual life as well as death. His actions also show Jesus as one who enters into our suffering with compass...

The Big Takeaway: Jesus' words to Martha (vv. 25-26) and the subsequent raising of Lazarusdemonstrate that "in the person and work of Jesus, life is no longer bound by death and deathno longer may willfully intrude on life" (Calvin). He alone is sovereign over physical and spirituallife as well as death. His actions also show Jesus as one who enters into our suffering withcompassion,...

The Takeaway: Many of you learned to sing “Jesus Loves Me” in your earliest years: “Jesus love me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong; they are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me!” What a good way to affirm and provide security to little fearful children! The greater truth that will remove your anxiety and provide lifelong assurance is Jesus’ affirmation tha...

Big Takeaway: “I am the Door” — This imagery presents Jesus as the exclusive door to salvation. Those who enter through him receive not just forgiveness but an abundant, securelife in union with him. Jesus’ affirmation assures believers that those who truly belong tohim—who hear and follow his voice—have eternal security in his care.

1. What is spiritual blindness, and why is it an even more catastrophic condition than physical blindness? 2. In what ways were the disciples (vs. 1-6), the man born blind (vs. 7; 35-39), and the Pharisees (vs. 13-34; 40) spiritually blind?3. How does Jesus' interaction with them in each case demonstrate his ability to help bring them out of darkness and into his light?4. What hope is there fo...

1. What is spiritual blindness, and why is it an even more catastrophic condition than physical blindness?2. In what ways were the disciples (vs. 1-6), the man born blind (vs. 7; 35-39), and the Pharisees (vs. 13-34; 40) spiritually blind? 3. How does Jesus' interaction with them in each case demonstrate his ability to help bring them out of darkness and into his light? 4. What hope is there f...

1. What is spiritual warfare, and do you feel equipped to engage in spiritual warfare? How do we see spiritual warfare playing out in our passage?2. Jesus talks at length about the spiritual heritage of the children of God and the children of the devil. What are the characteristics of both, and why would these characteristics cause conflict?3. How can you daily prepare yourself for spiritual warfa...