THE STORY OF JESUS: John 3:1-15 “The wind blows wherever it pleases… So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:3) What does it mean to be ‘born again’ (or literally, ‘born from above’)? Jesus goes on to say “unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5) The water refers to the outward…
Sharing Jesus’ passion for people!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 2:13-25 “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” (John 2:16) Why does Jesus get so worked up in the temple? The temple was where God connected with His people in the Jewish faith. These money-chargers were charging admission, and cheating the people who came. The building…
Why I believe in Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 2:1-12 “He revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11) Jesus said things and did things that helped people to believe in Him. Though others heard and saw the same things, and did not believe in Him. It seems that some are more open to seeing hearing and seeing…
Surrounded and supported!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 1:43-51 “You will see the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” (John 1:51) In Genesis 28, as Jacob flees his brother, he spends the night in the middle of nowhere. While he sleeps with a rock for a pillow, God appears to him in a dream. He sees…
My story!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 107 “Give thanks to the Lord… Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story…” (Psalm 107:2) We’re urged to share our God stories, how God helped, rescued or restored us. God’s grace isn’t just for ministers or theologians, it is part of everyday life. How has God helped, rescued, saved or…
The seriousness of sin!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Ezekiel 4-6 “Parents will eat their children, and children will eat their parents.” (Ezekiel 5:10) I do not see God as making these things happen, but letting them happen. God warns His people constantly not to live in depraved, violent ways. Now Israel is facing another depraved nation, bent on conquest. They will…
We have seen His glory!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Ezekiel 1-3 “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.” (Ezekiel 1:28) What Ezekiel sees is not actually God, but God’s way of showing Himself. How do we describe God, what image or vision could capture His awesomeness. The various symbols in this vision of God have a…
Come, and you will see!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 1:35-42 “‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’” (John 1:39) One thing I notice about Jesus is that He doesn’t make it easy. He doesn’t smother these eager potential disciples. He doesn’t win them over with charm and wisdom. He invites them to keep checking Him out, to keep following. Andrew spent…
Once for all!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 1:29-34 “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) For Jews, the sacrificed lamb was a very important symbol for their faith. It reminded them of God’s grace, how He released them from their sin and guilt. But the repeated sacrifices never succeeded in ending…
I am not the messiah!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 1:19-28 “He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” (John 1:20) John knew who he was, and who he was not. As helpers of Jesus, we need to remember who we are, and who we’re not. I am God’s child, I am Christ’s brother, I am…