To prepare us for our new series on How to Read the Bible, Pastor Eric gives us a better understanding of how we came to have the Bible in our hands.

The angel delivered good news of great joy because it was no legend, it was real, and messy, and wonderful!

We can sing songs of hope and joy because we have been adopted into the family of God. Christmas is the "how" of this adoption. In the fullness of time Christ was born of woman under the law, making it possible for us to be adopted as sons and daughters.

John 21 is the after credits bonus scene of John's gospel and in it Peter is restored, told to "feed my sheep," and given a glimpse of what's ahead.

Jesus could give the customary greeting of "Peace be unto you" as one who actually has the power to give peace.

John wants us to see the cruelty of the crown and the cross, the innocence of Jesus, the guilt of Pilate, the reality of the crucifixion, and the necessity of it all.

Truth plays a central role in this courtroom drama and we learn that truth is real, truth is powerful, and the truth is wonderful.

When Jesus Prays in His final moments with the disciples, He prays for the Glorification of God, the persistence of the believers, the sanctification of the believers, and the unification of the believers.

In John 16 Jesus tells the disciples that though there will be adversity there will also be a joy that can not be taken away, and this lasting joy will overshadow the difficulty.

The work of the Spirit is testifying of Jesus, convicting the world of sin, and guiding believers into all truth.