So That The World May Know
Life in His Name
January 18, 2026
Rev. Tim Barton
The sermon explores Jesus’ willing, loving obedience in Gethsemane and the cross, showing how his actions secure our salvation and identity as God's children, calling believers to faithful service and self-examination.
Summary
Using a personal testimony of leaving the congregation to serve as a nursing home chaplain, the preacher frames ministry as preparing people for heaven and then turns to John 18:1–14 and Gethsemane to reveal Christ’s motivations: Jesus knowingly and willingly walked into judgment out of love for the Father and for us. Peter’s impulsive violence and Jesus’ immediate healing of the servant illustrate how Jesus removes the consequences of our offenses; though he could have avoided death, he completed his mission to save sinners. The sermon emphasizes that our eternal security rests in Christ’s love and the Father’s love for him, that believers are transformed from enemies to children of God, and concludes with a call to serve, to keep God’s commandments, and to examine ourselves before participating in the Lord’s supper.
Key Points
- Personal testimony: the preacher left the church to become a nursing home chaplain and finds deep fulfillment preparing people for heaven.
- Biblical focus: John 18:1–14 and Gethsemane as a revelation of Christ’s motivations and the coming of God’s judgment.
- Jesus’ willing obedience: He could have been delivered but chose to suffer out of love for the Father and for us, completing his mission to save sinners.
- Peter’s act and Jesus’ healing: Peter’s attack was a capital offense, yet Jesus heals the servant, demonstrating how Christ removes the effects of sin against his people.
- Assurance and identity: Our eternal security is rooted in Jesus’ and the Father’s love; believing changes us from enemies to children of God.
- Call to response: believers are urged to serve, to practice righteousness and justice, to keep God’s commandments, and to examine themselves before eating and drinking the Lord’s supper.
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