”The Gospel of John” by Jeremy Waddell - Part 12

November 23, 2025 - Sunday AM Bible Class

 

In this episode the teacher delivers what he calls his final class in the book of John and clarifies last week’s discussion on worship and encouragement. The session reviews why worship must be centered on God and how Christians should build one another up: encouraging performers young and old, supporting preachers and leaders, and showing grace in our speech. Practical pastoral counsel stresses the need to be present at worship even when we feel unprepared, drawing on Hebrews 4:15–16 and other scriptures to reassure listeners that coming to the assembly provides mercy and help in time of need.

The main biblical focus is on Jesus as the true temple. Using John and Old Testament references the speaker traces the theme of God dwelling with his people — from the tabernacle to Jesus (John 1:14) — and explains how Jesus is the connection between heaven and earth (John 1:51, Jacob’s ladder imagery). Jesus’ cleansing of the temple (John 2:13–17) is presented both as a display of his authority and as a call to purity: God’s house should be a house of prayer, not a den of profiteering. The talk also examines Jesus’ provocative claim about destroying the temple and raising it in three days, showing how that points to his death and resurrection and the replacement of the old temple system.

Key scriptural moments covered include Jesus teaching openly in the temple (John 7), the leaders’ fear that Rome would remove their place (John 11), and how repeated New Testament passages emphasize access to the Father through Christ (John 14:6; Hebrews 10; 1 Timothy 2:5). The speaker ties these passages to practical lessons: do not cling to earthly buildings or possessions as security, stay rooted in scripture, look back on life experiences to understand Jesus’ words, and build your life on Christ rather than on shifting earthly foundations.

Pastoral application throughout the lesson includes encouraging one another daily (Philippians 2; Ephesians 4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11), pursuing holiness and inward purity (James, Psalms, Proverbs), and rejoicing in the spiritual fruits and joy that come from abiding in Christ (John 6–8; Galatians 5:22). The episode closes with a reminder that Jesus is the final sacrifice and mediator who grants forgiveness and access to God, and the speaker urges listeners to know, obey, and abide in Christ as the true temple. Barrett is mentioned as taking the next class to summarize previous lessons; class participants contribute reflections during the discussion.

 

Duration 39:48