Central West End Church

The Bible emphasizes the centrality of love in the life of the Christian. This passage challenges both the church and secular notions of love and justice. But it’s a challenge we need. 

What is the good life? Where do we see it, and how can we really live it? In this passage, the apostle John says it all comes down to getting our vision. How are we seeing reality? 

Blurb: Our culture says real spirituality is not intellectual, it’s experiential. Christianity says that’s a false dichotomy. This passage shows us that knowing Jesus is something that happens with our whole being and transforms our whole being.

In this troubled world we need both encouragement and guidance.  The Apostle John strengthens us as he reminds us of the Lord's work in our lives. He also warns us of the danger that comes when we set our hearts on the systems of this world that are disordered and destructive.  He invites us to live differently, as dearly loved children, in light of what will truly last. 

In a world full of upheaval, we need something to anchor us. The apostle John wrote three letters to the early church to help them find the anchor they needed in Jesus. And these letters can help us, too. 

We’re experiencing a crisis of hope in our culture. The Bible is not the only story that offers some kind of hope. But the hope it offers is unique from every other story.

Church doesn’t feel like an option for many people. And yet, none of the spiritual options our culture offers us are capable of satisfying our spiritual longings. What do we do with that? This passage helps us.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ isn’t just a metaphor. It’s a historical reality that can change your life and the world. How? This amazing passage shows us.

In the first garden Adam and Eve by their actions said to God, in effect, Not what You will but what we will and brought upon all humanity a reign of sin and death. In Gethsemane, the second garden, Jesus prays Not what I will but what You will, reversing the pattern of rebellion and setting in motion a sequence of events to defeat death itself!

Whatever story you believe about the world shapes the way you live in the world. Jesus’ death on the cross gives us a new story to shape our lives in this world.