Sermons on John
Isaiah – Week 17
In Isaiah concludes with God’s promises to make all things new (Isaiah 65:17-66:2), that there will be a new lived experience because of the life he infuses into the world and the work he accomplishes, and he invites us to live in this new life now in anticipation of what will fully be. Jesus restores broken people and creation, and then invites restored people to join Him in His work of restoration.
Isaiah – Week 15
God offers a grand invitation that is recorded in Isaiah 55. The voice resonates all they way back from Eden and is found in the mouth of Jesus (John 4:1-15; John 7:37-38). “Come, everyone who thirsts.” See, we have a tendency to want to do it ourselves. Just like Jeremiah warned (2:13) we build cisterns that cannot hold water. There is only one source. All of heaven knows it, and longingly watch this story of redemption play out (1 Peter…
Isaiah – Week 1
Seven hundred years before Jesus was born the prophet Isaiah was called to give a message of warning and hope. That message has echoed through the entire Bible, through history and still speaks today. The scene was shocking (Isaiah 6:1-8), the full glory of Jesus on the throne (John 14:41). Though Isaiah recognized his sin and the unrighteous state of his nation God purified him and sent him with a message (Isaiah 6:9-13). A greater servant will come and deliver…
More Than Conquerors – Week 4
Paul’s primary point through Romans chapter 8 is all about what Jesus has done for us on the Cross. No matter what you are up against, look to the Cross. God does not condemn those who are in Christ, He will use all things for good. The good news is the love of Christ! And He invited us into His love (John 15:9). Live in that truth. No matter where you are at, no matter what is against you, return…
Bless the Lord O My Soul – Week 3
Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4 shows that worship is not about a place, but about putting all worth in God – in spirit and truth. Humanity is drawn to worship but we often misdirect it, while all along, God is calling us back to Himself. Worship involves the whole person and is shaped by what is true about God. Different styles and expressions of worship have always existed, but our focus should be on sincerity rather…
When Heaven Meets Earth – Resurrection
Happy resurrection (Luke 24:1-12). Life is a journey, isn’t it? On the short journey to Emmaus Jesus listens to the disciples, He teaches them and then He reveals Himself (Luke 24:1-12). Let Jesus join your journey and He will do the same. Let confusion become clarity, despair turn to joy, and watch fear dissipate and be replaced by mission (John 16:16-22). Jesus will meet us on our road and give us meaning. Let Him lead.
When Heaven Meets Earth – Week 6
Jesus is everything we need. In John 11 Jesus interacted with three siblings and gives each exactly what they needed. Martha needed to clarity, she needed to know the Jesus is the Messiah. Mary needed compassion, Jesus wept with her. Lazarus needed resurrection, Jesus IS THE resurrection and life! We all need each of these gifts from Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-9). Come to Him and be born again.
When Heaven Meets Earth – Week 5
In the ninth chapter of John, Jesus heals a man blind from birth. Now this man did not ask to be healed and then he was heavily questioned about the healing. His response was simple and pure, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” Though he was not seeking Jesus he know the truth and he boldly spoke the truth. In a way, we all carry defects from birth – sin. If you fine yourself…
When Heaven Meets Earth – Week 2
Storms come, you can be sure of it. Literal or metaphorical, they often come without warning and without reason. Jesus has power over these storms, power over the literal storms in His creation, and power over the storms in your life. When Jesus calms the storm (Matthew 8:23-27), the disciples even ask, ‘What sort of man is this?’ echoing Psalm 107:24-31. He is the master of creation! Though the disciples were afraid, and there is certainly a reverent fear we…
When Heaven Meets Earth – Week 1
When we have needs or even great desires, it is exciting when are they are fulfilled. There is great joy, rightfully so. When we are talking about the miracles of Jesus, there is even more excitement. However, we also need to be careful to not treat God as a vending machine, which has been the pattern of many pagan beliefs. When looking Jesus’ first miracle in John 2:1-11, we see that it is a sign that point to something very…
Out of the Whirlwind – Week 2
We do not serve a pocket sized God. If we get anything from the book of Job it is that our God is BIG – and we can trust Him. Though Job’s friends comfort him at first (Job 2:11-13), they slowly turn from good, to the bad and the ugly. Too often (like Job’s friends) we have a karma attitude about bad things happening; that there is a deserved. Let’s not be miserable comforters (Job 16). We need to listen,…
Abide – Week 3
No one claims to be an expert on prayer; we all feel inadequate. There are many difficulties and many distractions. In one way, prayer is very easy; however, it is also deeply complex. Prayer should be the business of Christians; it is our duty, and it should be our delight. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he describes this rich, deep desire to know the love of God (Ephesians 3:14-21). Prayer is the most likely place to be this close…