CCF Sunday Messages

As Jesus has attended the Feast of Tabernacles on his own time and terms, He is now in direct conversation with the religious leaders and the gathered Jews attending the feast. Many are arguing and trying to resolve his "origin"--the Messiah would just appear, but they know where Jesus is from? The leaders are angered at his claims and responses which put them to shame. But--it is his statement on the last day of the feast that grabs the scene: Whoever is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! Are you thirsty? Come to Him and find yourself overflowing with His Spirit as you believe and trust in Him.

How can we know that God's Word is true? On what authority is Jesus's teaching compared to the rabbi's and teachers of His time? In John 7, Jesus attends the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem under his own terms and timing, and when he reveals Himself he also claims that His authority is from the One who sent Him! And a good test of truth? If the words of a teacher bring glory to himself, then we need to be careful--but if those words bring glory to God, then they are trustworthy (v.18)!

How can we know that God's Word is true? On what authority is Jesus's teaching compared to the rabbi's and teachers of His time? In John 7, Jesus attends the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem under his own terms and timing, and when he reveals Himself he also claims that His authority is from the One who sent Him! And a good test of truth? If the words of a teacher bring glory to himself, then we need to be careful--but if those words bring glory to God, then they are trustworthy (v.18)!

Coming to the end of a long, and somewhat difficult, chapter in John, we find at the end of chapter six that the "hard teachings" of Jesus have driven many in the crowd to no longer follow Him. While Jesus most definitely has compassion on the crowds, He is not going to tone down the true message to keep the "numbers" up--His will and direction are clear, and He is doing the Father's will even while many turn away. Of course the disciples themselves know there is no one else to turn to--"only you have the words of eternal life!" says Peter. Starting chapter seven, we even see that his brothers don't believe in Him and challenge Him to be more public if He is really wanting to gain a following. Again, He knows the Father's timing, and it doesn't match with human expectations.

Coming to the end of a long, and somewhat difficult, chapter in John, we find at the end of chapter six that the "hard teachings" of Jesus have driven many in the crowd to no longer follow Him. While Jesus most definitely has compassion on the crowds, He is not going to tone down the true message to keep the "numbers" up--His will and direction are clear, and He is doing the Father's will even while many turn away. Of course the disciples themselves know there is no one else to turn to--"only you have the words of eternal life!" says Peter. Starting chapter seven, we even see that his brothers don't believe in Him and challenge Him to be more public if He is really wanting to gain a following. Again, He knows the Father's timing, and it doesn't match with human expectations.

While Pastor Steve is away this weekend, one of our elders, Todd Giszack, continues John 6, looking at the "hard teaching" of Jesus about eating his flesh and blood, as a follow-on metaphor to his claim to be "the bread of life". This is definitely a hard saying for the Jews based on their law, but they continue to miss the intent of Jesus to teach them a spiritual lesson.

While Pastor Steve is away this weekend, one of our elders, Todd Giszack, continues John 6, looking at the "hard teaching" of Jesus about eating his flesh and blood, as a follow-on metaphor to his claim to be "the bread of life". This is definitely a hard saying for the Jews based on their law, but they continue to miss the intent of Jesus to teach them a spiritual lesson.

What if instead of you searching for the source of life, the source of life was searching for you!? Continuing our study in John, in chapter 6 Jesus declares Himself as the "bread of life"--but not just temporary "bio" life, eternal life that starts now and continues forever! For those who come to Him, He will not lose any; we are safe and secure when the One who gives life finds us and draws us to the Father. There is an amazing amount of the theology of our faith as well as comfort in these few verses in John 6.

What if instead of you searching for the source of life, the source of life was searching for you!? Continuing our study in John, in chapter 6 Jesus declares Himself as the "bread of life"--but not just temporary "bio" life, eternal life that starts now and continues forever! For those who come to Him, He will not lose any; we are safe and secure when the One who gives life finds us and draws us to the Father. There is an amazing amount of the theology of our faith as well as comfort in these few verses in John 6.

Continuing in our study of John chapter 6 from last week, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter with those "seeking him" (v. 26)--He points out that they are currently looking for Him only because of what He did for their stomach (in feeding them), and they have missed the intent of the signs. The key application for us--"don't work for the food that perishes"! We spend a lot of energy on that which does not satisfy; instead, Jesus calls us to seek Him, who can satisfy us fully with his spiritual food!