Fellowshipmtz

John 4:43-54

In this passage we consider the apparent disparity between Jesus saying He has "no honor in His hometown," but upon His arrival, "the Galileans welcomed Him."  But the main message that rings throughout the entire chapter is that living faith rests upon the word of Jesus/God, not upon "signs and wonders."

This sermon wraps up our preaching on the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman. We continue to consider how this conversation reveals the identity and purpose of Christ. As the unnamed woman believes on Christ and runs back to the village to tell everybody about him, the disciples return and hear from the Son of God how his food is to do the will of the Father. 

In John 4, Jesus walks into Samaria and meets the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. As their conversation commences, they will dialogue about living water, true worship, and spiritual food. This sermon covers their introduction to each other, as well as Christ being the living water as the first subject of their conversation. 

The goal of the Christian life is for Christ to increase and for us to decrease. While talking to his disciples, John the Baptist explains what this concept means and why Christ deserves all the glory from his people 

John 3:16-21

God is entirely motivated by love in giving His "one and only" Son, but as it turns out, the world isn't interested in any provision for salvation.  What now?

John 3:9-15

Nicodemus (and the Pharisees) don't understand "earthly things."  They don't receive "their" testimony; they don't believe.  What will Jesus do now?  Jesus pulls a telling (and compelling) example of the basis (foundation) of new birth from Numbers 21 for Nicodemus's consideration...

John 3:1-9

Nicodemus comes to Jesus with what he understands to be true.  Jesus "answers" with information Nicodemus does not understand -- "unless one is born again [from above] he cannot see (or enter) the kingdom of God!"

Psalm110

Our church's own Dylan Ackley returns to the pulpit to teach/preach Psalm 110 (the Old Testament passage quoted more often than any other in the New Testament).  The "LORD" (God the Father) welcomes King David's "Lord" (Jesus, the Son of God) to "sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool."  Rich theology with important applications!

Jesus leaves Cana and continues on to Jerusalem for Passover. There, he finds the merchants and coin dealers conducting business in the temple which leads to Jesus clearing out the establishment and prophesying about his own resurrection. His actions and proclamation lead us to consider the right attitude of worship following Jesus' example, as well as the eternal hope he offers us as the truer and better temple.   

The prologue of John claims Jesus is the Word. Jesus will prove his identity through seven signs in his public ministry. The first occurs in today's passage at the wedding in Cana. Jesus turns water into wine so we explore what this says about both his character and his death.