In one of the most familiar accounts of the ministry of Jesus we will discover some important lessons of Grace and Truth. The biggest question that came out of the feeding of the 5,000 was simply this: “Why do you follow Jesus?” How do you and I respond to that question? Does our answer hold […]

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Sometimes we get so focused on our circumstances that we are unable to see the solution.  In John 5 Jesus encounters such a man.  However, Jesus steps into this man’s life and in one sentence changes it.  As we examine this instance and the lengthy discourse that follows we learn some valuable lessons of grace […]

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Jesus knows who you are, where you are, and where you have been. Yet he steps into our lives and offers his grace and forgiveness. In John 4 we meet a woman who is broken, possibly victimized, and living an immoral life. Jesus breaks about every rule in the book to speak with her. Before […]

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Social blunders are part of being human. In this passage it was more than a blunder. Running out of wine in the middle of a first century wedding was unheard of, unacceptable, and socially devastating for years. As a guest at this wedding Jesus was not responsible for planning. As the Messiah, he was on […]

The post Grace, Truth, and a Fiasco (John 2:1-12) appeared first on PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH.

We are in a new year. That brings with it, new hopes, new promises, and new challenges. As we begin to navigate the unchartered waters of this new year we are going to look to Jesus as our example. Our journey through the Gospel of John over the next few weeks will highlight two perfectly […]

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It is one thing to talk about faith. We can celebrate “heroes of faith.” But what does it really mean to live by faith? Does it mean to sell everything and go to Djibouti? Does it mean to quit one’s job and become a pastor? Maybe. But it can also mean to make simple changes […]

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The word love is possibly the most overused and therefore watered down term in current use. We love everything from pizza, to puppies, to performers, and vacation spots. But love that lasts must be deeper than a preference or an emotional reaction. God tells us that love is bound up in sacrificially putting others first. […]

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“Joy to the World” we sing. The angel said he was bringing, “good news that will cause great joy for all people.” What is joy? Is it just happiness over circumstances that are pleasant. Is it something like that but a bit more? Jesus said that our joy could be full, or complete in John […]

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Peace is far more than the absence of conflict. Peace has to do with one’s well being. Peace is when there is harmony in relationship. Peace is not about circumstances but about the heart. Jesus came to bring peace, between God and humanity. Once we have peace with God, we find that we have peace […]

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Hope. It is a word we use a great deal. Last week children were hoping for a snow day. Parents were hoping for school. We hope our team wins. We have many things that we hope for. But the hope that comes from Jesus is far greater than a wish. Christlike hope is a confident […]

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