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

Last week, Jesus reminded his audience (and us) to “believe in the light” (John 12:36).John makes an observation about belief and how important it is in the verses that follow:Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, -John 12:37This brings us back to what we observed last week:  For those who don’t believe, there isn’t enough proof in the world.  Jesus stood...  Read More

As I reflect on this year, I am again reminded of what a great community FBC is. Your love and impact on our local community continue to encourage the leadership and me at FBC. May we always remember that it is through the work of the Holy Spirit that we are able to do what we do.  Read More

Hello, friends!  We’re taking a long tour through John 12.  Last week, we saw this:So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”-John 12:34The crowd clearly recognizes that Jesus is claiming to be the Christ… and that he identifies himself as the “Son of Man.”  They also unders...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  Last week, Jesus said something profound that we should examine more closely:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”     -John 12:31-32It would take a long time to unpack everything Jesus has said here.  Here are a few key points:“Now,” like Jesus’ use of th...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John 12.  Last week, Jesus claimed that his highest purpose is to glorify God’s name and the Father affirmed this purpose and responded –audibly:“I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”-John 12:28God’s ultimate purpose to glorify himself is a profound reality…  and perhaps not easy to swallow for some.  Even the most devout believers can g...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re continuing our study of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Jesus has challenged his listeners –and us—to follow and serve him.  Doing so honors God the Father, according to Jesus.  And then, something profound happens.  Look what Jesus says:"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour....  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re studying John 12.  Jesus has just challenged a group of Greeks (and us) with his 17th “truly, truly” statement:Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  -John 12:25What does the first part of this mean?  Are we supposed to be miserable forever?  Keeping for eternity a life that we hate?  Forfeit a life that we ...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re grateful for this opportunity to consider God’s word with you.As we continue our study of John 12, we see in verse 16 yet another glimpse of the retrospect nature of what John has written.  He acknowledges that Jesus’ disciples (including himself) “did not understand” many things about what Jesus said and did, at first --like riding into Jerusalem on a young donkey—but reme...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We’re hoping you’ll join our study of John.  If you need a Bible, ask for one!  Last week, we saw Jesus remind everyone gathered around him that he was going to die soon.  Yet there was Lazarus –a man whom Jesus had raised from the dead—sitting with him.  That’s quite the contrast.  Add to that the contrast between the apparent way Mary was thinking and how Judas (Iscariot) was t...  Read More

Hello, everyone.  We want to encourage you:  Prayerfully consider what we can individually and personally sacrifice at Jesus’ feet.  What can we give up or give away or give to him that would honor him?  Ask God carefully and be prepared for a surprising answer!We’re considering John 12.  Last week, Jesus said something unusual in answer to Judas Iscariot’s unusual question about Mary’s unusual sa...  Read More

Hello, friends.  We’re so grateful for the opportunity to consider God’s word with you.  Be sure to thank the people who make these letters available.  We’re studying John 12.  Last week, we considered what Mary’s sacrifice meant for her.  John records some very interesting information about Judas Iscariot and his reaction to Mary’s sacrifice:•But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was a...  Read More