The Pool of Bethesda narrative reveals a profound lesson about authentic faith versus misplaced trust. A man who had suffered for 38 years waited daily by the pool, believing its stirred waters could heal him. When Jesus approached him with the question Do you want to get well?, the man's response revealed his reliance on the pool rather than divine healing power. Through a simple command, Jesus healed the man instantly, demonstrating His divine authority. This miracle, performed on the Sabbath, sparked controversy with religious leaders who prioritized their interpretation of religious laws over celebrating God's work. Jesus proceeded to make three remarkable claims about His equality with God - in nature, power, and authority. He supported these claims with four witnesses: John the Baptist, His miraculous works, the Father's testimony, and the Scriptures. The stark contrast between the healed man's newfound faith and the religious leaders' stubborn unbelief serves as a powerful reminder to examine our own hearts and identify what might be preventing us from fully surrendering to God's authority in our lives.

Find us on the web at welcometoebenezer.com

https://www.facebook.com/EUBChurch

https://www.youtube.com/@EUBChurch

In the small village of Cana, during a week-long wedding celebration, Jesus performed His first recorded miracle by transforming water into wine. This event occurred when the hosts faced the culturally shameful situation of running out of wine. When Mary brought this need to Jesus, their interaction marked a pivotal moment where Jesus began to step fully into His divine mission under His heavenly Father's authority.The location and nature of this miracle carry deep significance. Rather than choosing a prominent religious center, Jesus performed this miracle in an insignificant village. He worked quietly, known only to the servants and disciples, yet provided abundantly with approximately 180 gallons of wine. The six stone water jars used in the miracle symbolically represented the imperfection of the old law, which Jesus came to fulfill. This event demonstrates God's concern for both major and minor needs, His tendency to provide superabundantly, and His willingness to work in unexpected ways.

Find us on the web at welcometoebenezer.com

https://www.facebook.com/EUBChurch

https://www.youtube.com/@EUBChurch

The opening of John's Gospel presents Jesus as 'the Word' (Logos), a term rich in meaning for both Jewish and Greek audiences of the first century. For the Jewish audience, this connected to their understanding of divine speech's power and the creative force of God's words. The Greek audience would have recognized Logos as the rational principle governing the universe and the divine mind behind all reality. This dual meaning made it a perfect term to bridge cultural gaps in understanding Jesus's nature and purpose. The declaration that the Word became flesh reveals Jesus's full humanity while maintaining His divine nature. He experienced all human emotions and struggles, living among people and truly understanding the human experience. This incarnation demonstrates God's desire to connect intimately with humanity. Jesus came full of both grace and truth, showing perfect balance between forgiveness and righteous standards. This balance challenges believers to live transformed lives, embracing both divine mercy and the call to holy living. As children of light, followers are called to reflect this same harmony of grace and truth in their daily lives, neither compromising standards nor withholding forgiveness.

Find us on the web at welcometoebenezer.com

https://www.facebook.com/EUBChurch

https://www.youtube.com/@EUBChurch

The Gospel of John stands apart from other gospels with its focused purpose of demonstrating Jesus' divine nature and eternal existence. Written around 100 AD, it strategically covers just 20-25 days of Jesus' life while providing powerful evidence of His identity as the Son of God. Unlike the other gospels written for specific audiences, John's account emphasizes a universal message through a three-part pattern: evidence, faith, and life. The evidence comes through witnesses, testimonies, and signs pointing to Jesus' divine nature. This leads to faith - a deep conviction based on truth rather than blind belief. The ultimate outcome is life - both eternal and abundant present living. The story of Nathanael perfectly illustrates this pattern when Jesus demonstrated supernatural knowledge, leading to Nathanael's confession of faith and promise of greater experiences to come. This journey invites personal reflection on evidence that convinces, faith that transforms, and life that flourishes in relationship with Christ.

Find us on the web at welcometoebenezer.com

https://www.facebook.com/EUBChurch

https://www.youtube.com/@EUBChurch

Philippians 3:1-16
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus." 

In Sunday's sermon we discuss how Paul urges the church to strive for a deeper relationship with Christ, maintaining a healthy dissatisfaction with their spiritual state (v12), devotion to Him (v13), clear direction (v12-14), and determination to press forward in their faith journey (v15-16).

Find us on the web at welcometoebenezer.com

https://www.facebook.com/EUBChurch

https://www.youtube.com/@EUBChurch

Philippians 2:1-18
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (2:5)

In part 2 of our study through the book of Philippians we explore how Paul tells us to have the mindset of Christ in our relationships with other; in our church and outside our church. We discuss the important of taking on the mindset of a servant, just as Christ Jesus did and how if we do so we will shine like stars in our warped and crooked generation! 

For more information on Ebenezer Church visit: welcometoebenezer.com

https://www.facebook.com/EUBChurch

https://www.youtube.com/@EUBChurch

Find us on the web at welcometoebenezer.com

https://www.facebook.com/EUBChurch

https://www.youtube.com/@EUBChurch

Philippians 1:1-11
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

In our kickoff to our study in Philippians we look at the first days of the church in Philippi in Acts 16. Paul's remembrance is both thankful and joyful because He knows that God began a good work in this church and He will see it to completion. And the same is true for us and Ebenezer Church.

For more information on Ebenezer Church visit: 
welcometoebenezer.com

https://www.facebook.com/EUBChurch

https://www.youtube.com/@EUBChurch

Find us on the web at welcometoebenezer.com

https://www.facebook.com/EUBChurch

https://www.youtube.com/@EUBChurch