If you’re fortunate enough to be comfortable economically – that doesn’t have to mean wealthy, but if you’re not worried about where your next meal is coming from or that you’ll have a place to lay your head – you’re wealthier than a significant portion of the world population. If you’re in that position of comfort and modern convenience, you’ll find it harder to see your need for a Savior. But, as Pastor Bill will warn in today’s message, those comforts have blinded you to your desperate need. 

There are a lot of people in that same place today. People who think they’ve arrived at a spiritual plateau, with the rest of Christendom residing somewhere below in their personal righteousness and theology. When you’re in that place, it’s hard to recognize it. Pride will blind you to your misplaced confidence. In today’s message from Pastor Bill, we’ll be reminded to remain humble. You always will have room to grow in this life, and you are no better than anyone else.

For those who haven’t encountered Jesus personally, faith seems like foolishness. The world appeals to our pride and misplaced confidence in our own emotions and reason. We are easily deceived into thinking only weak or crazy people become religious fanatics. While there certainly is evidence all around us that supports the existence of God and reinforces the truth of His Word, as Pastor Bill will explain in today’s message, it’s hard to grasp until you’ve experienced Jesus personally. 

Jesus gives sight where there was blindness, peace where there was uncertainty and freedom where there was oppression. He’s a healer and an indiscriminate Savior who desires all men to come to Him in repentance. As Pastor Bill will point out in today’s message, when you find salvation in Jesus, you won’t stay the same. The changes will be apparent to you and to the people around you. If you don’t see changes, it begs the question of whether it’s Jesus you’re following. 

Jesus rarely healed a person the same way He healed another. He spits and made mud to heal this blind man. Another He touched His eyes. He has no formulas. Today, Pastor Bill will explain how Jesus works in and through one believer in a completely different way than He’ll work in and through you. Don’t compare yourself to another. Instead, look to Jesus. Follow obediently where He’s leading you. And trust Him as He guides you and empowers you in His work. He’s a personal and intimate savior and shepherd! 

There are many people suffering and hurting in the world today. And it can be tempting to try to pinpoint why others are suffering. Maybe it was a particular sin that led to this. This thinking leads to pride and arrogance in your own heart and mind. However, as Pastor Bill teaches today, there’s often a much deeper purpose to suffering that we simply can’t understand. It’s so important to compassionately love others who’re struggling and point them to Jesus as you both trust in Him in the midst of suffering.  

When you’re misunderstood, when your message is rejected for terrible reasons, how do you react? Does it rattle you? Frustrate and anger you? Today, Pastor Bill will explain how unique Jesus is when His adversaries won’t open their minds or hearts to the truth of His message. He didn’t get angry and rebuke them. He didn’t cry in a corner. Instead, He simply left them and carried on with His mission. When the Pharisees wanted to kill Him for his statements, Jesus turned and saw a blind man to help and heal and prove His words true.  

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Son of man. Yet, He is the creator God, Almighty God, Yahwe. He gave no stronger affirmation of His deity than when He said “I AM”. And the moment you trust and believe this truth, Jesus saves you. You finally see the light and you rejoice. You’re glad about that. Today, Pastor Bill will describe how the Pharisees rejected Jesus because He claimed to be God.  But you can believe it, receive it, and trust in Jesus for salvation. Jesus, God Almighty died on the cross for you.  

The religious leaders of Jesus’ time built their whole lives around their claims of faith and knowing and following God Almighty. They said they knew scripture well. They elevated themselves above others with this status. Yet, as Pastor Bill explains today, Jesus dismantled their man-made faith in a moment. To know and love God, you must know and love Jesus. He is the Son of God.  He came to save and rescue humanity. You must believe in Him to be a child of God!

Our world is dark and full of trouble. As humans, we struggle and strain and fight each day to make it through and try to make things better for ourselves in the darkness. As Pastor Bill teaches today, Jesus offers Himself to you to not only light up the darkness but to guide and direct you through it to the joy of eternity. It’s hard to even know what your problems are without the light of Jesus. But in His goodness, He illuminates everything and brings peace to your struggles.