Hello, everyone!  Last week, Jesus again unambiguously claimed to be God… worthy of glory.  This astounding claim is only the beginning of a very long conversation.  Spanning more than four chapters, this is one the most important conversations ever recorded.  Jesus, the man claiming to be God in the flesh --and backing that claim with miracle after miracle, has a lot to say to his disciples… and ...  Read More

Hello!  If you want to join our study and need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, we saw John’s account of what happened after Jesus predicted that Judas Iscariot would betray him.  This account is contained in John 13:21-30.Immediately following Judas’ departure, Jesus says something profound about himself:When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in ...  Read More

Do you ever wonder about your purpose in life? It's a question that we all grapple with at some point, and it can be both daunting and exciting. The good news is that the Bible has a lot to say about our calling, and when we understand and embrace it, we can live with purpose and passion, knowing that we are making a difference in the world.So, what does the Bible say about our calling? Let's dive...  Read More

Hello!  We’re so glad you’ve joined our study of John.  Last week, we saw Jesus’ 20th “truly, truly” statement recorded by John:After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” -John 13:21What follows in John 13:22-30 is an eyewitness account narrated by John himself --the one “whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23).  It’s...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Last week, after predicting his own imminent betrayal, Jesus makes a profound claim about himself (and us!) in his 19th “truly, truly” statement:Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”-John 13:20Jesus claims the authority to send and to have been sent himself.  Friends, this might be the most ...  Read More

Hello!  We hope you find this study encouraging.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  We’re moving on with our study of John 13.  Jesus promises a blessing to those who hear him and do what he says.  But then he has something dire and terrifying to say:I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’ve been examining John 13 and Jesus’ act of washing the disciples’ feet.  How does this physical act of humility translate into our experience today?  We’ve been given an example to follow (John 13:15)…  what does it look like?  Should we actually literally wash the feet of people we invite to dinner?  We could…  some have… with marvelous –and maybe a little awkward-- results....  Read More

Hello, everyone!  We’re studying John 13.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, after some back-and-forth debate, Peter agreed to allow Jesus to wash his feet.  Jesus has much to say about this act:When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are righ...  Read More

Luke 14:25-35Now great crowds were traveling with him. So he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.“For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calcu...  Read More

Luke 14:7-14He told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they would choose the best places for themselves: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don’t sit in the place of honor, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host. The one who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in humi...  Read More

Luke 13:22-30The Narrow Way22 He went through one town and village after another, teaching and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 “Lord,” someone asked him, “are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able 25 once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Last week, we began to examine the “discussion” Peter and Jesus were having about whether Jesus should or should not be washing Peter’s feet.  One must wonder:  Which act is harder to fathom…  the Son of God deciding to wash the disciples’ feet?  Or one of the disciples questioning and correcting the decision?  Either way, both things are happening as we continue our study.  Jesu...  Read More

As we can see from this passage, repentance and turning to God is not something that we do once and then forget about. It's a daily decision, a daily practice. We must strive to bear fruit in our lives, love and serve others, and trust in the power of God to work through us.  Read More

Hello, friends!  We’ve begun our study of John 13 and already something profoundly astonishing is happening:  Jesus --the One who claims to be God in the flesh… eternally existent and all-powerful… come to sacrifice himself to save sinners… claiming all eternal authority over everything… all of which he himself created for his own glory—has decided to spend some of his final moments… before his la...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  As we move into chapter 13, it is important to remember that John has committed 7 chapters (John 12-19) of his Gospel to covering the events of one week –one of the most important weeks in human history.  Further, the next two chapters we study are going to cover what happened during the course of one meal…  ...  Read More

Ready for the Master’s ReturnLuke 12:35-5935 “Be ready for service and have your lamps lit. 36 You are to be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. 37 Blessed will be those servants the master finds alert when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will get ready, have them recline at the table, then...  Read More

The Bible teaches us to care for the poor, the widows, and the orphans. It reminds us that when we do so, we are doing it unto Jesus himself. And when we care for others, we are also serving God.  Read More

I'm putting together this post on Monday, January 17, 2023 after watching a fantastic win by the Dallas Cowboys last night. They played as if the whole world depended on it. The opponent they faced was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but more so the GOAT quarterback Tom Brady. Tom Brady had an undefeated record against the Cowboys 😖. With a win against the Bucs the Cowboys managed to shake off a number ...  Read More

Luke 12:13-34 "13 Someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 “Friend,” he said to him, “who appointed me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”16 Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 1...  Read More

The Gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is the message of God's love and grace that is offered to all people, regardless of their past or present circumstances.  Read More

My daughter is watching Star Wars right now (I have raised her right!) while I am putting the finishing touches on my sermon for Sunday. This got me thinking about how the two relate (do they really). Maybe, just maybe they do."May the Force be with you." This phrase, made popular by the Star Wars franchise, has become a cultural touchstone for millions of people around the world. But as Christian...  Read More

Marriage is a sacred bond between two people, a union that is both a joy and a responsibility. At its core, marriage is about love, commitment, and companionship. But it's also so much more than that. Marriage is the foundation upon which families are built, and families are the backbone of any healthy society. It is a relationship that requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to forgiv...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’ve been studying John 12 for 13 weeks.  Thanks for hanging in there!  We’re about to examine the last few verses.  In them, Jesus lays out some stunning claims about himself and about the reality of our circumstance as humans and as Christians.  Take a moment to read John 12:47-50:If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge ...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Last week, John observed that the unbelief of the people who rejected Jesus despite all his miraculous works was providential – a part of God’s plan to bring his offer of redemption to all people.  This raised, as we saw, some alarming questions about our own beliefs… and our responsibility for those beliefs.  We could linger on these questions for a long time, but both John and ...  Read More