Grace City Denver

The Jewish crowds of Jerusalem have rejected Jesus’ divine identity once and for all. They refuse to believe in spite of many miraculous works that prove his power and authority. Jesus is the giver of eternal life, but they don’t want a messiah who doesn’t play by their rules. Jesus departs Jerusalem for the Jordan, and many who followed John the Baptist believe in him there.

Jesus introduces the metaphor of a shepherd and sheep to describe his relationship with his followers. In contrast to thieves and robbers, wolves, and hirelings, Jesus lays down his life for his sheep. This passage underscores themes of intimacy, protection, provision, and the unique role of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who offers eternal life to His followers.

Jesus heals a man born blind, demonstrating that his condition was not due to sin but so that God’s works could be revealed. After Jesus makes mud and instructs the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam, the man gains his sight. This miracle prompts skepticism from the Pharisees, who interrogate the man and his parents. Jesus later finds him, reveals his identity, and discusses spiritual blindness, emphasizing faith and the contrast between true sight and spiritual ignorance.

The Jews of Jesus’ day claimed Abraham and God as their ethnic and spiritual fathers. But Jesus cautioned them that their lives looked more like another father: the devil – and they were enslaved to his sinful patterns of living. Only by accepting that Jesus was the true Light of the world and abiding in his truth could they find true freedom.

At the Feast of Tabernacles each year, the Jews would light four massive menorahs, each fed by four basins of oil, to illuminate the temple. It was a reminder of the pillar of fire that led their ancestors out of slavery. So imagine the uproar when Jesus stood up at this feast and said, “I AM the Light of the world,” and went on to claim equality with the God of their fathers. Discover the real reason why the religious leaders of Israel couldn’t understand Jesus’ identity.

The familiar story of "The Woman Caught in Adultery," at first glance, seems to show us a Jesus who defends a sinner in opposition to the Law of Moses. Many love this story because Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of religious leaders. Others love this story because Jesus tells the adulterous woman to stop sinning. But what is this story really intended to communicate about the Gospel?

After seven days of the water pouring ceremony at the Feast of Booths, Jesus cried out on the eighth day, promising an eternal stream of water to anyone who thirsted and believed in him. This signified that he was not only the source of salvation, but also the source of satisfaction and the Spirit.

When Jesus went up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Booths, there was significant disagreement over his identity. Many just wanted a Messiah they could use for their own ends. Many were curious, but not convinced. Many more overtly hated and rejected him. But there are three keys in this story to receiving Jesus on his own terms, inviting us to answer, “What will you do with Jesus?”

Community with other Christians sounds easy . . . in theory. But day-to-day life is messy because real people come with real problems. This message explores the kinds of conflict that are common in church life, where conflict comes from (why it happens), and how conflict can be resolved in a way that honors both God and our imperfect brothers and sisters in Christ.

The New Testament is loaded with illustrations and images of church life. Each shares a unique facet of our life together, while also helping to reinforce some basic but vitally important themes about the church. Collectively these images remind us that we are completely dependent on the Lord and we are, by our very nature, connected to one another.