Seeing Jesus for who He is matters if we are ever going to choose to be His, completely.  Seen here at the end of His "public ministry" the encouragement is clear:  Choose to walk in the light that He brings, else we will continue to live in the darkness of the world!  If we will refuse to walk in the light that He provides, then the only other alternative we have is darkness.  What will you do with this invitation? 

If God would make it abundantly clear to an Old Testament prophet the coming of the Messiah, and then have it fulfilled to the very day, what makes us think that He cannot handle what troubles us?  Will we be faithful to turn to Him for everything we need?  Continuing our journey in John, we walk through the significance of the Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as seen through the eyes of Zechariah, Daniel, and the Apostles who walked alongside Jesus.    

Jesus' presence in Bethany (after the resurrection of Lazarus) forced the people to respond to Him and challenged their way of thinking about God.  Some worshiped and believed, while some rejected and even stayed unchanged.  What do you say to Him when He calls?  Are we willing to show a sacrificial love towards Him because He is worthy -- or is our response more about what Jesus can do for us and so we appear hypocritical, self-seeking, and/or half sincere?  Truly, each of us has a choice -- what will we do with Him?  God bless you.  

Concluding our sermon series (from John chapter 11), "The Good Shepherd", we examine the initial plot to kill Jesus by the religious because of one critical thing:  He represented a threat to their power and authority.  Digging deeper, we must realize one critical truth that still affects us today:  There really are only two groups in this passage!  There are those who opposed God's invitation (they sought to silence Jesus); and those who heard God's invitation (they are the ones who believed).  Which one are you?  God bless you!  

One of the most encouraging statements Jesus said is that, "He is the resurrection and life..."; demonstrating for us that everything He promised to give He will - IF we will believe it and come to Him for our salvation.  The raising of Lazarus is a wonderful example of His authority over Death, and in that miracle performed ~2,000 years ago believers today are asked to lean in closer for even the smallest of things we might need.  God stands ready to hear our prayer just as He did Jesus', and we are encouraged to lean into Him for everything we will need.  Part 4 of this incredible sermon series from the Gospel of John exposes that truth in vivid detail, and it is our prayer that you will be strengthened in your faith to turn to Jesus for everything you need.  God bless you. 

The death of a beloved friend is always heartbreaking, no matter where we are in life. Even Jesus experienced the deep sorrow of losing someone He loved.  But because we know the whole story, we can - and must - rejoice in what faith in Jesus truly means.  Sadly though, sometimes our faith becomes confined by what we believe God can (or should) do.  The events leading up to the resurrection of Lazarus must teach us to watch for this - and help us to find strength in trusting that Jesus is EXACTLY who He said He is!   

Jesus's claim that infuriates the "religious" of His time is simple:  He says that He is the Great Shepherd – the Son of God - and to this He makes 4 statements to amplify and prove it.  As we continue our series in John's Gospel (focused in Chapter 10), the text asks us one very important question that each of us must also settle in our own hearts:  "Who do we say Jesus is?"  If there is any one question that the world must settle before death it is this one, and as followers of His we are commanded to boldly ask, demonstrate, and testify to the response that He is the Son of God.  May God bless you as you continue to study this with us.   

Today we begin our new sermon series in John 10 called, "The Good Shepherd".  A pivotal truth of this scripture is founds in knowing that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, sent by a God who loves us; and once we understand who He is we can learn about His purpose, which is to rescue those who have been deceived into believing that sin is acceptable to God the Father.  Salvation from sin ultimately comes down to a personal response, and so what do we say when Jesus clearly demonstrates, teaches, and outlines WHY we need to be rescued?   Truly, this is where life has an opportunity to take on a whole new meaning, and where we must be willing to examine our own practices and respond truthfully to His words.   

Concluding our sermon series, "Gaining Spiritual Sight" from the Gospel of John (chapter 9), we see Jesus not only heal the man born blind, which causes him to worship Jesus, but we also see Jesus openly challenge the religious in their thinking that they cannot "see", because they believe their own ceremonial things have made them right with God.  It truly is a challenge to all of us to consider that religious activity is not the same as spiritual sight; nor is thinking that we can have God's salvation any other way but through Jesus Christ.  

In Part 3 of our series, "Gaining Spiritual Sight", Pastor TJ Conwell walks us through the exploration of three specific questions that we should be able to pick up on and ask of ourselves (and others):  1: Can you testify to what Jesus has done in your life?  2: Are you growing in your understanding of who Jesus is?  3: Will you boldly share your testimony?  Even though the blind man did not have every answer, he knew one thing that was crystal clear to him (and this should also be the Christian's testimony as well):  "I was blind, and now I see."  God bless you.