The Preacher’s Corner

Today in John chapter 15:1-17 we only get through the first 6 verses!  There are three principal people revealed in this beginning, the Vine  (who is Jesus), the branches (who are us), and the Vine-dresser (who is  the Father in heaven). We discover a distinction between two different  people groups, those who abide in the vine, and those who do not abide  in the vine! For those who DO abide: they will either produce fruit and  be pruned or they will have no fruit and be taken away! For those who DO  NOT abide, they are cut off and burned in a furnace!!! This is a very  important teaching our Lord gives to us today with Pastor J, so hold on  tight and let's get to it!

As we finish off our time together in John chapter 14:15-31 we are  introduced in depth to our "Helper" who shall come and help us to be  able to understand the will of our Father! This helper is revealed to be  the Holy Spirit who will give us the ability to "keep" Jesus'  commandments! This word keep is a word meaning to observe (in this case)  and the Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of truth, will guide us to  the will of our Father through the Word of God, increasing our love for  Jesus everyday! This is a very exciting place in Scripture to be today  with Pastor J!!!

Today in John 14:6-14 we get into to separate conversations of questions  asked of Jesus and His answers! First, Thomas tells Jesus he has no  idea what Jesus is talking about concerning where Jesus is going or how  to get there, and this brings up the iconic statement of Jesus in verse  6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father  except through me." The next indictment of Jesus is to Philip! This  being the same Philip who met the Ethiopian Eunuch in the desert. He  asked Jesus to give them a glimpse of the Father and this prompted Jesus  to challenge the whole last three years of the disciples' belief in God  and in Jesus, as He said, "If you've seen me you have seen the Father."  This and more today as we get further into chapter 14 with Pastor J!!!

Today in John 14:1-6 we receive some of the most comforting Scriptures  taught by Jesus for such times as these we are living in! We shall  discuss the nature of the heart, and the fact the heart is the very  place of the intellect within us; where thoughts are generated and  feelings are born! Also, we shall talk about the word "troubled" and  discover how Satan has caused a great deal of "trouble" within his  kingdom simply because that's all he knows how to do! Lastly, we look to  our faith in Jesus, as to if we are being true and our faith is genuine  and real in the face of current events, or if we have a form of  godliness but are looking to find comfort in all the news agencies and  economic reports more than in the Word of God!!! Lots to get into today  with Pastor J!!!

Some great teachings we receive from Jesus today in John 13:31-38!  First, we come to understand this word, "glorified" and how this word  applies, not just to Jesus in these teachings but also to us as we live  for Jesus today! Next, we learn the word used for love in verses 34 and  35. The word, "love" in English is rather ambiguous because we use it  for so many different things that do not hold the same value to our  hearts; for instance, we LOVE our cars, our spouses, hot dogs, and  sports! Certainly not all to the same degree, and certainly not in the  same manner, but we use the same word! Lastly, we shall find Jesus  putting Peter back in line once more as Peter doesn't understand where  Jesus is going yet nor why he can't follow Jesus in the next leg of His  journey at this moment! This and so much more today with Pastor J!!!

Today in John 13:13-30 we meet the deceiver and betrayer of Jesus, that  Judas who was given 30 pieces of silver to turn in Jesus to Sanhedrin  authorities! We discover the need for Satan to get into him because he  lacked the courage to do what needed to be done, even though he'd  already been paid to do the deed! We shall see the "disciple whom Jesus  loved" (John) ask about who should betray Jesus, and Jesus not only  tells him, but also shows him by the giving of the morsel of bread to  Judas! Still, the disciples didn't get it!!! Also, we recap that  beautiful teaching gave concerning the care we should be rendering one  to another and the fact that as you receive a child of God, you receive  Jesus; and as you receive Jesus, you receive the Father who sent Him!!!  Lots of great things to feast upon today with Pastor J, ENJOY!!!

Today in John 13 we enter into the upper room banquet that has been  prepared for Jesus and His disciples! As we look into the first section,  verses 1-17, we find familiar stories we've heard before, but perhaps  we shall see them with new eyes! There is much to be revealed by Jesus  at this table and much that is to be understood about the "meal" they  are partaking in. Also, when Jesus puts on the apron and begins the  "servant's" task of washing the disciples' feet, there is a great  conversation that happens between our LORD and Peter that we need to  receive into our hearts today! May God bless you this day with His Word  in your heart as it is received in Jesus' precious and holy Name,  Amen!!!

Today in John 12:36-50 we receive one of the greatest, and most painful  indictments against man revealed in verse 43, "For they loved the praise  of men more than the praise of God." Such a harsh truth that is  revealed about those who were supposed to be closest to God due to their  vocation! As Romans 1:21 the Scripture says, "Because that, when they  KNEW God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but  became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was  darkened." Such a frightening reality comes over us today in these  sections of John 12 because of the related prophecies John revealed in  connection with the disbelief of the people, such as Isaiah 53:1, "Who  has believed our report and to who is the arm of the LORD revealed?",  and Isaiah 42:19-20! There is much today we must come to face in our own  hearts and I would urge you not to hastily pass by this without  consideration, for the end of our chapter today reveals the reality of  the judgment we shall face, and the Judge who shall meet out that  justice is Jesus, the Word signifying His authority! You may want to get  prepared to meet Him, and Soon! God bless

Today in John 12:20-35 we first get an opportunity to see the battle  within Jesus as He contends with His soul over the very task His Father  sent Him to accomplish! Next, we learn a valuable truth in Kingdom  growth as concerning seeds of grain. If they are never planted for the  purpose to die, they shall never truly live to accomplish their intended  purpose! If they are planted, each grain is capable of bringing forth a  multitude of new seeds just like it! If they are never planted then  they shall never become more than what they are, and what they currently  are will never change! This is a physical reality that testifies to a  spiritual truth that is so powerful if it is heard, seen, and understood  by the reader! Finally, we end up our day with Jesus revealing how we  miss these moments of learning from Jesus and connecting with Him. As we  become "overtaken" by the darkness of this world we can easily loose  sight of the light Jesus gives through His Word to help us make i  through this present evil world! We must be a people vigilant to keep  our hearts settled in Christ by the receiving of His Word so we may be  His light to others who may well be "OVERTAKEN"!!!

Today in John 12:9-19 we first meet a large crowd that gathers at  Lazarus' house because they heard Jesus was there and they were curious  to not only see Jesus, but also to see Lazarus again (not that they  couldn't have visited before now, but that shows us how fleeting things  can be in the minds of those not focused on God). Also, we encounter  those "chief priests" once more in their designs to destroy Jesus! Not  only Jesus now though, for they plot to kill Lazarus also because his  testimony is too convincing in the authority of Jesus over death, so  they have to kill him to silence him (which wouldn't work well in their  favor at this point for Jesus would just raise him back up again!). We  end our session today with that large crowd casting palm branches down  along the path as Jesus enters the Eastern gate of Jerusalem while  shouting, "Hosanna!" This is a powerful Hebraic phrase meaning, "Save Us  Now!!!" It would have been nice for the people to have believed in what  they were shouting, but soon we shall discover this to be the same  crowd that will be shouting, "Crucify Him!!!" This and much, much more  today with Pastor J.