Some have mistakenly thought that Jesus' Last Discourse (Upper Room Discourse, John 13-17) does not fit the evangelistic purpose of the Gospel of John (John 20:30-31). Instead of viewing John 13-17 as evangelistic, they conclude that Jesus' Last Discourse was written to believers to instruct them on how to live the Chistian life.

At the 2008 Grace Evangelical Society National Conference, Zane Hodges demonstrates that Jesus' Last Discourse (Upper Room Discourse) was written for the express purpose of leading people to believe in Jesus for everlasting life. In part 1 of this 2 part series of messages, Zane covers (1) a Fundamental Premise, (2) the Historical Purpose of the Last Discourse, (3) the Audience of John's Gospel, and (4) the Literary Character and Purpose of the Last Discourse.

"Introducing John's Gospel: In the Upper Room with Jesus the Christ" (Part 1 of 2) by Zane C. Hodges https://faithalone.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Hodges.pdf

Zane Hodges continues his exposition of the Sermon of the Mount beginning with the thematic statement in Matthew 5:13-16 and continuing with the beginning of the body of the sermon in Matthew 5:17-24. Why is there an impression in Matthew 5:17 that Jesus came to destroy the Law or the Prophets? What is meant in Matthew 5:18 that all the law will be fulfilled till heaven and earth pass away. The Lord Jesus Christ is teaching us a standard by which we can live, which is nothing more or less than the righteous standard of His coming kingdom.

An outline of the Sermon of the Mount:

Prologue: Matthew 5:3-12

Thematic Statement 5:13-16

Body of Sermon: 5:17-7:12

Conclusion: Matthew 7:13-27

Passages mentioned: Nehemiah 8:17; Zechariah 14:16-19; Luke 18:9-14, 1 John 2:22; Matthew 25:32-46.

Zane examines why there are 3 Gospels for discipleship, Matthew, Mark and Luke, and what audience was each Gospel directed to?

Luke – Greek

Mark – Roman

Matthew – Hebrew

How does Matthew’s emphasis for discipleship to the Hebrew audience effect our understanding of the Sermon of the Mount? Matthew is discipleship with the King Jesus.

An outline of the Sermon of the Mount:

Prologue: Matthew 5:3-12

Thematic Statement 5:13-16

Body of Sermon: 5:17-7:12

Conclusion: Matthew 7:13-27

In Part 1, Zane explains the Prologue and covers the Beatitudes. The stress of the Beatitudes are on being and not doing. Discipleship to Jesus Christ is character driven not activity driven. The beginning point of all real discipleship to Jesus Christ has to be a recognition that God wants to make you the person that He wants you to be.

If you think it is bad to lose communication with a partner in marriage, then it is even worse to lose communication with God. Did you ever stop to think what a tremendous privilege it would be to have Jesus Christ as a guest in your home? That was exactly the opportunity given to two ladies in this passage by the names of Mary and Martha. When we turn our attention to the Word of God, it ought to be as if God and I are alone in the world. God must have our undivided attention. The more you complain about your lives, the less you will be able to hear God speaking to your heart through His Word. One of the main problems that we have in the Christian life, is that we think we need to do lots of things, that we do not need to do. We overload ourselves with things that we do not have to do, so that we do not have time for the things we really need to do, that is time for the Word of God. Other passages mentioned: John 11; John 6:4-13; Matthew 14:32-38. This message was given in 1984 at Christ Bible Fellowship of Del Rio, Texas, pastored by Chip Brunott.

April 18, 1988. Zane gives a seminar on Romans 2:1-16 focusing in particular on verses 5 through 13. Warning: audio quality on recording is very poor.

Transcript available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o10CP0at0PFf5UEkbNFR2sl-ItkZ5yUh/view?usp=sharing

During this Question and Answer session on May 23, 2004 at Coast Bible Church, Costa Mesa, California, Zane Hodges answers the following questions with a focus on the Christian life:

6:01 – In what sense is it appropriate to speak and sing of Jesus as King, when Jesus is not yet reigning over the earth (John 18, Act 17, 1 Timothy 1, Revelation 19)?

7:41 – What are the dangers of new movements like Christian “spiritual direction” and “contemplative spirituality”?

9:33 – Explain 1 Chronicles 22, regarding David being prohibited from building God’s house because of shed blood and wars he had fought, but David had been told by God to shed this blood.

11:03 – Why was Solomon allowed to build God’s temple, since he also was not very good?

11:54 – 1 Corinthians 6, please explain passage regarding sexual immorality.

15:49 – Could the expression that “every sin that a man does is outside the body” in1 Corinthians 6:18 be a Corinthian motto?

17:55 – In what sense is the inner promptings that we have in our lives coming from the Holy Spirit working in us versus our perfect inner man wanting to do what is naturally right?

22:41 – Is there a two-pronged approach to transformation, (1) transforming the mind and (2) bringing our body to subjection?

26:59 – Is there a specific will of God for every decision? Does God lead me by feelings?

32:07 – How do you respond to critics of the Bible who say that God in the Old Testament (wrath) is different from God in the New Testament (mercy and grace)?

40:01 – In Philippians 3:10-11, referring the “outward resurrection of the dead”, could this be referring to Christ’s outward resurrection of the dead instead of Paul’s outward resurrection of the dead?

44:25 – Is there a balance needed between serving Jesus Christ versus serving God the Father?

In this message given at Christ Bible Fellowship of Del Rio, Texas, pastored by Chip Brunott, Zane Hodges challenges believers to examine their spiritual wardrobe. What are the qualities that make for a well-dressed Christian?

In this message given at Christ Bible Fellowship of Del Rio, Texas, pastored by Chip Brunott, Zane Hodges preaches on the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead and the healing of a woman having a flow of blood. When we have reached the end of the line and when we have run out of our own resources, God is there and for God nothing is impossible when you put your trust in God and His word.