At times, I've been shocked by people I didn't expect to show up at church, but I doubt any of my experiences compare to who Jesus found at the local synagogue. You won't believe it! Watch here to hear about an alarming attendee in a house of worship.

Jesus never backed down from a difficult conversation. A healing led to an informal trial. Jesus, acting as His own lawyer, makes an air-tight case defending Himself and pushing God's agenda forward. Jesus gave us His Spirit and His Spirit is not timid. The Spirit promises to teach us all things and remind us of God's Word when we find ourselves in difficult conversations. Can we be as bold and effective as Jesus? Come watch and see the Master shine under pressure!

No good deed goes unpunished. That's a pessimistic thought, but it sums up the text we will be studying this Sunday. Jesus heals a man and picks a fight in the process. This fight is neither an unforeseen problem or an accidental offense. Jesus knew what he was doing. He's kind of a trouble-maker. Watch here and I'll explain!

-Dusty

Jesus never did anything unintentionally. He ministered on this earth, fully human and fully God, for around four years. According to Gareth Reese's commentary on Acts, events from only about forty days of Jesus' ministry are recorded in the Gospels. So, the Gospel writers must have chosen the most significant teachings and interactions in the life of Jesus. There are no 'minor stories' in the gospels. Everything recorded is a major event. After spending the first year with His disciples, laying the foundation of who He is and what He cares about, Jesus will now begin teaching His disciples to fish for people.

There is more evidence for the resurrection of Jesus than for any other historical event in antiquity. This Easter Sunday, we examined the strength of some of the evidence.

Jesus lived a simple life, free from the maintenance that possessions require. He doesn't require us to do that, but we could probably get by with less and be happier for it! Christ's Kingdom always flips everything on its head. There is no clearer example than when Jesus said that if we lose our lives we will find life.

Magic or Bird? Cardinals or Cubs (in the Midwest)? Georgia or Georgia Tech? Tonya or Nancy? For participants of great rivalries, it's hard to think of one without the other?

Who was Jesus' greatest rival? Our initial thought might be Satan. But in reality, not many people are lining up to be Satan's followers. Satan knows that he isn't an attractive alternative, so he tempts us with other things. What is his chief instrument used to lure our hearts away from the Lord? Money.

Jesus said it is impossible to serve two masters; we will either serve Him or money. It's impossible to fully understand Jesus without also being aware of His greatest competition. For the next three weeks, the sermons will delve into what the Lord said about money. Come to learn how we can use money without being mastered by it.

So far, the first few months Jesus spent with His first five disciples has been surprising to say the least. Some of the surprises have been wonderful (His teachings, healings and other miracles). Other surprises have been troubling (His antagonistic relationship with the powerful and the way He bulldozes over cultural taboos). This next event in Jesus' ministry will be more than His new disciples can handle. The incident will be so traumatic that Peter, Andrew, Philip, John and Bartholomew will quit following Jesus. What happened?

Last week we saw Jesus ask for help from an outcast, Samaritan woman. Two days later, a royal official accosts Jesus, desperately asking

Him for help. There are five disciples following Jesus. Their heads must have been spinning at this turn of events! What could Jesus possibly do for a man of wealth and power? Come this Sunday to find out!

John 4 has everything: race, gender, divorce, cohabitation and redemption. Jesus' redemptive work with a scandalized woman is breathtaking! On top of that, Jesus differentiates between His ministry and His mission. It's an important distinction for us to understand because the difference between our ministry and our mission is the same. Come Sunday to learn about Jesus' clear and focused purposes for Himself and for us too.