The world holds many allures: fame, wealth, power, and pleasure, just to name a few. They all appeal to our God-given senses, but as Pastor Mark points out in this teaching, everything outside of God is fleeting. Without Christ, all of us are empty vessels, incomplete and dissatisfied with our lives, no matter how appealing they may seem from the outside.

Our world has seemingly infinite paths you can take. If you ask people about who Jesus is and how we get to heaven, you will get a lot of vague and less than satisfying answers. Jesus, however, left no room for error when He claimed to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As Pastor Mark will explain in this teaching, we desperately need light in our spiritual lives. The enemy loves to keep us in the dark, causing us to stumble along as we try to find an easy path, but when you find Jesus, He illuminates the darkness and makes your path clear.

As Jesus confronted the men aiming their stones at the adulteress woman, He spoke with astounding authority. According to their culture and the Law, these men held the right to take her life, but Jesus spoke the truth in power and opened their eyes to their own sinfulness. In this teaching, Pastor Mark reminds us that Jesus is not standing over you in condemnation but is actually standing up for you.

In this teaching, Pastor Mark leads us through the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery. Adultery is not a minor sin; it was punishable by death in those days. Many of us would have been among the stone-throwers. Humans are quick to judge others without considering their own faults. Jesus did not come to condemn, however. He came to save. He alone held the right to throw the first stone, as He alone was sinless, but He demonstrated grace and compassion instead.

When Jesus enters your heart, you’ll know it, and so will people around you. As His love frees you and transforms your sinful nature to be more like His, you will begin to move upriver against the current of our culture. In this teaching, Pastor Mark will continue His study through John by reminding us that we are set apart in Christ. Jesus’ message was countercultural in His day, so much so that the religious leaders put Him to death. If you plan to follow Him, you should expect similar resistance and persecution.