Napoleon Church of the Nazarene

Pastors Britni and Dave Dooley preach on the last portion of John chapter 16, where Jesus tells His disciples that He will be going away for awhile; that meaning His death on the cross. But that they will see Him again, meaning the resurrection. He was encouraging the disciples not to lose heart in their time of grief that would come. But that they would have joy that would remain in Christ Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit to come. We go through seasons of hardship and grief. Jesus knows and cares for us deeply during those times. But He also promises us peace and joy through Him. Put your hope and trust in the Lord today!

Week 8 through our series, His Finest Hour| The Gospel of John, brings us to John 16. Pastor Dave teaches on the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and guide that Jesus sent to us, to lead us into truth. We then had the joy and privilege to live into this as a church body, as parents were dedicating children to the Lord and others were being baptized as they have made professions of faith. Through the power of the Holy Spirit leading us, we can stand strong and shed light on the gospel truth for all the world to see and hear!

Pastor Ben teaches a very convicting sermon from John 15:18-26. Jesus says we will be hated because the world hated Him first. No one likes to be rejected; yet, as Christians when we stand up for the Gospel, we may very well be rejected. Are you willing to face this to spread the gospel truth?

Pastor Dave teaches from John chapter 15, when Jesus teaches the disciples that He is the vine and they are the branches and that He is the source of life. We must remain in Him, stay connected, because He is the only One who can sustain us as believers. Maybe there are some areas in your life that need to be cut off in order to sustain and continue to grow in your relationship with the Lord. Ask and seek Him today!

We are back with our Gospel of John series, His finest hour. Pastor Ben teaches from John 14:12-23. Jesus talks to the disciples about them doing a greater work beyond Jesus' ministry here on earth. He promises them empowerment and authority through work of the Holy Spirit. What is the greater work the Lord is trying to do in you?

We welcome our Nazarene District Superintendent, Andy Monnin, to give us an encouraging word from the Lord. Andy shares about his personal experience with answering the call the Lord had put on his life. In doing so, it required him to surrender his own plans to the Lord and step out in faith, making some hard decisions. Through various scriptures, Andy also encouraged us to be discipling others as we walk with Christ; showing others the way. What is God calling you to do? What mantles of leadership have been passed on to you to live into? Who is God placing in your life to disciple? Take time to pray about this things and hear from the Holy Spirit!

Pastor Dave teaches from John 14 this week. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We can do nothing apart from Him. He has the victory over death and sin. Jesus has no greater joy than to hear that his children are walking in truth. We are encourage to live the Jesus way, modeling after Him and living out His truth. May our prayer be Psalm 86:11, "Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

Pastor Ben continues to teach from John chapter 13. We look at Judas' betrayal and see how Jesus can empathize with us first hand on the hurt that comes when a friend betrays us. But yet, Jesus still commands his disciples to love one another as I have loved you. By this "agape love" will the world know that we are His disciples. Even through disagreements, hurts, and wrong doings, we are commanded to still love others with the same unconditional love that Christ showed us.

Pastor Dave teaches from John 13, where Jesus washes the disciples feet. There is so much to unpack by this humble act. Listen in and allow the Holy Spirit to impact your heart today as we hear God's truth for our lives.

We return with our series through the Gospel of John, picking up in chapter 12. Pastor Ben shares a brief description of where we have been so far through the book of John, coming to a turning point in chapter 12 where Jesus sheds light on His mission to the cross. He speaks about the importance of "losing your life" in order to bear fruit. To not live as the world lives, but to put off the old self and put on Christ and live to proclaim the good news of gospel!