“For the Word of God is alive and active.” – HEbrews 4:12
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Radical Hospitality – 3 John
John’s third letter challenges us to practice radical hospitality. Radical hospitality is loving and supporting others as Christ loved and supported us. There is only one way we can do this. We must remember that, at great cost to himself, Christ first welcomed us. So the message of third John is that Christ gave us a new home, and now we are called to welcome others in, even when it costs us greatly.
Rejoice in the Truth – 2 John
The apostle John is often called “the apostle of love” because his writings are full of the love of God. However, John, like many of us has a less than ideal past. John was called the son of thunder until the love of Jesus Christ changed him forever. In 2 John, the beloved disciple reminds us to rejoice in the truth of the Gospel that Jesus came to save sinners. Having been transformed by this truth, John tells us three…
Jesus & the Cross – John 19:17-30
The crucifixion of Jesus is a central aspect of the Christian faith. Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sins. In John’s account of the crucifixion, we see 1) The Glory of the Cross, 2) The Suffering of the Cross, 3) The Finality of the Cross, 4) The Love of the Cross, and 5) The Grace of the Cross.
Jesus & Pilate – John 18:28-19:16
In this passage, Jesus is handed over to Pilate for questioning and his trial before the Roman authorities. We see 1) The Hypocrisy & Hardness of the Religious Leaders, 2) The Weakness of the Strong, and 3) The Strength of the Weak.
Jesus & the Denier – John 13:36-38, 18:15-27
Most of us can see ourselves in Peter’s denial of Jesus – perhaps more than we’d like to admit. But, we can learn from Peter’s story – finding both warning and hope in it. In Peter’s story we are warned of the danger of spiritual pride, and we are warned of the danger of the “fear of man”. But, Peter’s denial isn’t the end of his story: it displays the hope of forgiveness and the hope of transformation, both of…
Jesus & the Betrayer – John 13:18-30, 18:1-14
Betrayal is a uniquely hurtful experience because it comes not from an enemy, but from a friend. In fact, the closer the friend, the greater the hurt of betrayal. In the story of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, we see Jesus’ friendship and kindness towards Judas, while Judas only continues to harden himself in his plan. All sin is like betrayal – turning against the one who has shown infinite kindness to us, and betraying our allegiance to the one to whom we…
Jesus & the Prayer – John 17
How do you know what Jesus wants for you? How do you discern his priorities for your life? How do you discover what he wants to see happen in and through you? One way is to look at what he prays for you. John 17 provides us with the privilege of being able to listen in to Jesus’ prayer for us. He prays that we would see his glory, and for our protection & preservation, sanctification, mission, and unity.
Jesus & the Sorrowful – John 15:12 – 16:33
In this passage of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse”, he continues to prepare his disciples for his departure. He assures them of something very good (that they have friendship with Jesus), warns them of something somewhat bad (that they should expect the hatred of the world), and promises them something needed (the help of the Holy Spirit). For the Christian, friendship with Jesus should outweigh anything the world could offer, such that we so highly value our relationship to Him that we are willing to…
Jesus & the Fruitful – John 15:1-11
In the last of Jesus’ “I Am” statements, he compares himself to a vine, and his disciples to the branches. All who abide in him will find life and fruitfulness. All who do not abide in him will find death and judgment. Abiding in Jesus is 1) Essential, 2) Total, 3) Constant, 4) Spiritual. It results in fruitfulness, and in being pruned by God such that we become even more fruitful as Jesus’ disciples.
Jesus & the Troubled – John 14
In Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse”, he is preparing the disciples for his coming departure. He seeks to relieve their anxiety and sorrow by assuring them 1) that it is no final departure, but that he will return, and 2) that he is not leaving them alone, but leaving them the “parting gift” of the Holy Spirit. Christians should have confidence that they have the Spirit of God in them, enabling them to persevere through difficulties they will face in this life. And, they have…