The United Church of Canandaigua

On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prays an intimate prayer that pulls together everything John has been showing us since chapter 1. We will explore how Jesus defines eternal life not as a destination but as a relationship with God that begins right now. Come ready to hear the invitation that is on every page of John's Gospel and discover that his prayer on the night before the cross was prayed for you.

In this sermon from John 14:15-21, Jesus promises his disciples on the night of his arrest that he would not leave them alone, but would send the Holy Spirit to be their permanent advocate, guide, and presence. The sermon traces the inseparable connection between love and obedience, showing how loving Jesus expresses itself in keeping his commands, and how that obedience opens the door to the indwelling life of the Spirit. Worshippers will be challenged to stop living the Christian life in their own strength and to lean into the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who lives in them.

This memorable passage shows the relationship between Jesus (the Son) and The Father. We also learn about who Jesus is in relation to us (The Way, The Truth, The Life). Just like how Jesus is IN The Father, and The Father is IN the Son, we are also IN them, and them also IN us. What does this mean? It means we are not alone, we are empowered, and we become a distinct people that look like Jesus in a world that so badly needs it.

In John 10:1-18 Jesus identifies himself as both the gate and the good shepherd who knows his sheep by name and lays down his life for them. He draws a sharp contrast between himself and the thieves and hired hands who exploit or abandon the flock. As we hear this passage we are invited to recognize the voice of the one who calls us by name and to trust that his sacrificial love is the foundation of our relationship with him.

After Jesus' changed world history and resurrected from the dead, many of Jesus’ followers returned to everyday life. For some of his disciples, the resurrected Christ re-encountered them right where he first met them - fishing! At first they didn’t recognize him. Still, Jesus tended to their needs, and gave them instruction. May we be ready to recognize Jesus during our everyday lives, and follow his instructions, for he is our resurrected king.

This sermon follows Thomas's journey from doubt to worship as Jesus appears a second time to the disciples specifically for Thomas's sake. The passage culminates in John's purpose statement (20:30-31), which has been the theme verse for our entire series through John's Gospel. The application invites the congregation to see themselves in the story and to receive the same invitation that John extends, to believe that Jesus is the Messiah and find life in his name.

On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as told through John's account of the empty tomb, Mary's encounter with the risen Lord, and Jesus appearing to his disciples. The sermon walks verse by verse through John 20:1-20, highlighting the eyewitness testimonies of those who saw the empty tomb and the risen Christ. We are invited to believe this testimony and receive the eternal life Jesus offers through his death and resurrection.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to crowds waving palm branches and shouting Hosanna, but they completely misunderstood what kind of king he came to be. They wanted a warrior on a war horse who would overthrow Rome, but Jesus rode a donkey as the prince of peace who would defeat death through the cross and resurrection. We are challenged to receive Jesus as the king he actually is rather than trying to make him fit our expectations, trusting his way of salvation even when it doesn't match what we think we need.

Jesus delays two days before going to Lazarus, teaching us that God's timing is perfect even when it feels painfully slow. When Jesus arrives and sees the devastation of death in this fallen world, he weeps with outrage and love before raising Lazarus to life. We are called to trust God's timing in our suffering, knowing that his purposes are bigger than our immediate circumstances and that he is working to restore all that sin has broken.

In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind, revealing himself as the light of the world through both physical and spiritual sight. As the man's understanding grows from calling Jesus a prophet to worshiping him as Lord, the Pharisees who claim to see remain spiritually blind. This sermon challenges us to examine whether we truly see Jesus for who he is and calls us to move from spiritual blindness to worship.