Genesis #7: Origin & Destiny in Eden (Gen 2:8-17)

Do you remember the old Mad Magazines, how the inside back page was an Al Jaffe cartoon that had an image on it which, if you folded it in, created another image which was a commentary on the first. I used to love those things. In many ways, the book of Genesis, if we metaphorically folded it to touch the book of Revelation, operates similarly. We begin and end in a Garden…and everything in between functions to elaborate on that hope. The imagery of the first few chapters of Genesis unlock the meaning of the imagery used in the rest of the Biblical narrative.

 We’ll be returning to our study in Genesis this Sunday, looking at Gen 2:8-17.

In Gen 2 we are introduced to the Garden of Eden, Adam (the human) in connection with it, and the two trees in the center of it.

Most of us have picture book ideas in our heads about the Garden of Eden – an image of an entire world in a tropical paradise setting and nothing unpleasant anywhere around. But the Genesis narrative doesn’t really validate that picture.

For instance, as you read v8; is all the land Eden? Is all of Eden a garden? Was the human “formed” in the garden? All of this implies that there is something outside that paradisical space. Isn’t that intriguing? Eden was an anomaly in the midst of non-paradise. A project begun to which we will return.

On Sunday we’ll look at the significance of the river that comes from Eden, and where it flows to.

What do you make of the trees and the warning God issues to the human? What is the first part of God’s command? Do you find it interesting that God leads with an invitation to enjoy what he’s made? Does that influence your understanding of the warning God concludes with?

If the human was made from dust (stuff of mortality), what does the Tree of Life represent to him? The forbidden tree is not the Tree of Good and Evil- it is something else – what word comes before good and evil? How would you interpret what that means?

We have a really interesting study in front of us – I hope you can join us this Sunday as we dig into this together!

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Genesis #6: Water and Dust (Gen 2:4-7)

Robbie and I were watching a movie some time ago. It was a popular film based on an equally popular novel called “Water for Elephants”. When it was over, Robbie quietly said, “I didn’t like that movie. They never gave that elephant water even once!”

“So you felt misled?” I asked between chortles.

“Yes!” she said, “I waited through that whole movie for them to give that elephant water and they never did, they only gave it whiskey!”

“Hmmm, you have a point. Maybe they should’ve titled it ‘Whiskey for Elephants’, or ‘The Pickled Pachyderm'”?

It really illustrates the point that the expectations we have when watching or reading something really play a huge role in informing our understanding of the work. Robbie has very literal expectations based on the title of that film – but the film had other intentions in mind. That’s the real struggle for us when it comes to Scripture as well. It’s very difficult to set our expectations or pre-loaded assumptions about its meaning aside and let the text say what it wants to say. That is never more true than it is for the first book of the Bible, the Book of Beginnings.

This Sunday we’ll be continuing our study in the opening of Genesis, and we’ll be reading chapter 2:4-7.

Verse four is a “hinge” verse – it concludes the happy picture of chapter 1 and opens the story of chapter 2. You’ll notice a reversal of the order of the subject matter half way through the verse. Take a moment to consider why that might be.

In the opening passage (v5-7) we are presented with a new creation narrative. It begins with disorder – but something is different from chapter 1:2 – in both accounts there is a state of disorder, but in chapter one there’s too much of something and in chapter 2 there’s not enough. What is it, and what might be significant about that?

We’ll dig in to why there seems to be two different creation accounts between chapter 1 and 2.

When we come to the formation of Adam (Hebrew for man or human), we really have to work hard at setting aside all the children’s books we’ve read and pictures we’ve seen represent this, and really meditate on what the text is saying.

We’ll contemplate the nature of humanity, based on this text. We’ll consider God’s activity and motives – and I think we’ll find it very encouraging and challenging as well.

I hope you can join us this Sunday as we take a deep dive into the ancient realm of Genesis!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Genesis #5: A Call To Rest (Gen 2:1-4)

I have a daughter who is 11 now and one of her jobs when she gets home from school is to take her lunchbox and put it by the sink. Then later that night, I’ll wash it and it will be clean and ready to go for school the next day. It’s a pretty simple system, that is I thought it was simple until I realized it was never ever happening. It was like pulling teeth to get this girl to remember the simple job of putting the lunchbox by the sink.

One afternoon, Sammy had a particularly busy day out of the house, and I saw the lunchbox on the living room floor and not in the kitchen like it should have been. Normally I would remind her when she got home, but I thought, eh she’s busy and this would be a nice thing I can do for her. In a rare instant of compassion, I chose grace over nagging. So I got the lunchbox, washed it, and set it up for the next day.

The next morning before school my daughter came into my room and said, “Mom! Look at this!” She showed me her clean lunchbox and how it was where it was supposed to be. 

Waving the clean lunchbox around and with a wide smile, she said, ‘The lunchbox is cleaned and ready to go. Aren’t you proud of me?”

Now listen, in my defense, I’m not a morning person. I was hardly awake and I had zero coffee in me. I squinted at what she was showing me, and trying to understand, I said, “What exactly is it that you think YOU have contributed to this situation?”

Still smiling and holding the clean lunchbox she said, “I put my lunchbox away yesterday and now it’s clean today. I finally followed the system!”

Leaning forward and with a sigh, I said, “Sammy, you left it on the floor yesterday and I was the one who cleaned it and put it where it should go.”

She stopped waving the lunchbox and shrugged saying, “Oh that’s funny. I really thought it was me.”

When it comes to our relationship with God, I believe there is often a misunderstanding of what we believe to have contributed to the relationship. We walk around waving God’s gifts in his face and find ourselves confused when God doesn’t applaud us for doing so. Life changes when we realize that the gifts and good things that we have in life are a gift from God and not a result of our sweet, although misguided, efforts. 

This Sunday we are going to continue our study in Genesis and we will finish up the creation story by discussing the 7th day of creation and the gift of rest that God models for us to follow. I know for me, taking time off and resting has often felt like an impossible thought. There are too many people counting on me that everything could fall apart if I’m not there every day to complete my work. The idea of rest sounds great, but the Bible has me questioning if it truly is possible for rest to be a reality in such a busy culture and season of life.

The sabbath and the idea of rest is something I began studying years ago and in my study, I have begun to discover the countless amount of times I start the day by waving clean lunchboxes around in God’s face. I invite you to join us this Sunday as we discover if the sabbath is something we should continue as Christians, to what extent, and what we should do when rest feels impossible. Our church service starts at 10AM- see you then!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Genesis #4: Inhabitants Of An Ordered World (Gen 1:14-2:4)

One of the things we as human beings struggle with is a sense of value and worth. In our highly technological and celebrity obsessed society, it is very easy to begin feeling unimportant and deservedly marginalized.

I firmly believe that if we truly believed in a Creator God, and the story of human origin we find in Scripture, we would encounter a whole new way of understanding who we are as human beings.

This Sunday we’ll be returning to our study in the first four chapters of Genesis – we’ll be reading ch 1:14-2:4. The last three days of the creation process will be in view, where God sets up the function of those creatures who will inhabit the environments he created in days one through three.

As you read the account of day four, take note of the responsibilities given to those celestial bodies. What do each of those duties suggest to you? Do you find it difficult to set aside your modern cosmology and imagine the universe the way the ancients did, where the sun and moon have agency?

Day five describes the swarmers in the sky and in the sea – fish and birds…as well as some other creatures that are far more intriguing, which we’ll discuss on Sunday. You might want to investigate these creatures yourself before Sunday (hint: whales is a bad translation).

Finally we come to the pinnacle of creation – human beings. What do you think it means to be “created in the image of God”? What function does God describe for the human beings, and how might that inform your understanding of being in God’s image? After each day of creation God saw his work and declared it good. That pattern changes on day 6 – a word is added before good. Why do you think God likes day six so much? What does that tell you about your value from the Divine perspective?

I really love digging into Genesis – I hope you can join us this Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Genesis #3: Ordering Of Environment (Gen 1:3-13)

We’ll be continuing our journey back to the beginning this Sunday, as we read Genesis 1:3-13.

Last week we looked at the start of the narrative in v2 – that while the story begins after there is already stuff – that stuff was chaotic and uninhabited…or formless and void. Over this chaotic stuff, the Spirit of God was circulating as the agent of this new creation in process.

As we read through the first three days of creation, we will have to puzzle through some things. In v3, God declares that there should be light – but what is the light that’s being described? The sun doesn’t get put in place until day four (v16). Notice the names God gives the light and dark – “day” and “night”. What clue might that give us as to what is being described here? Day and night are usually are markers for….what?

On the second day strange things happen…strange, at least, for us as 21st Century readers. What do you think is being described when the text speaks of “the waters of the heavens” and “the waters of the earth” – and where is the space between them? Don’t worry, we’ll be talking about this in detail on Sunday.

Day three gives a bonus creation at the end of it. Dry land emerges as God gathers the chaotic waters into a designated holding place. Then, as a bonus, trees and plants and seed bearing plants begin to emerge. This is likely a reference to the kinds of plants that are used agriculturally for crops that can feed larger numbers of living things.

Everything is set in place – lovingly and carefully. At the end of each act of creation, God sees something. What is it? What does that tell us about God’s attitude toward the creation he’s made? What do we begin to learn about the character of God as we read this account of his careful planning of environments for living things?

I hope you can join us this Sunday as we explore this amazing book!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Genesis #2: Obstacles To Creation (Gen 1:2)

This Sunday we’ll be continuing in our study of the first chapters of Genesis. John Walton shares an illustration that I find very helpful in changing my frame of view when it comes to deciphering the first book of the Bible. He imagines a person coming into a play that’s already begun, and when he sits down he asks the person next to him “How did it begin?” He’s not expecting the person to explain the process of playwriting or casting or how the set was built and from what materials – he wants to know what’s happening in the story.

That may be the issue with us when it comes to Genesis – the book is answering the question of how it began by explaining the setting and describing the characters. We, as modern Westerners, are puzzling over the stage construction.

There is a big difference between the meaning of the universe and the construction of the universe.

How difficult is it for you to try and read Genesis differently? Do you find your modern cosmology trying to take over as you read the text?

I don’t want to alarm you at the pace at which we’re going in this study, but this week we’re only going to get to verse 2 of Gen 1.

As you read over that verse, what would you describe as obstacles to creation that need to be removed? What is the condition of the earth? Read John 3:6-8. Do you see any connection with the imagery from Gen 1:2? Who seems to be the Agent of God’s creative power?

I’m looking forward to this bit of Scripture – I hope you can join us this Sunday as we explore it together!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Genesis #1: An Introduction (Gen 1:1)

This Sunday we’ll begin a new series, tackling the first 3 or 4 chapters of the book of Genesis. Genesis has long been considered a dense forest to traverse, and certainly, during the 20th Century it has become a battleground between competing worldviews.

I’ve been really drawn to the chronicle of Biblical origins. I’m recognizing more and more how the Genesis story affects the entire narrative of the Scriptures. The threads of Genesis run straight to the Gospel and the New Testament and provide patterns that help us unlock what sometimes seem like obscure texts.

In Genesis we glimpse the Kingdom of God, and we recognize that our hope isn’t in something that’s never been, but in the return to something we’ve never known, but is how it all began. In Genesis we find out where we started from, and hence can more easily see where we’re going.

This Sunday we’ll begin our study with an introduction and a quick look at the first words of v 1.

If you’re interested in preparing for this exploration – sometime before Sunday, take the time to read chapter one of Genesis. It’s a short chapter – so take your time. Read it, if you can, in several different translations. Take note of words that get repeated (that’s one way to start identifying patterns). Jot down observations or thoughts you have about the text. It’s great stuff to meditate on.

I’m super excited about this study – I hope you can join us, Sunday morning at 10 AM.

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

John #46: The Mission Continues (John 21:1-25)

I still remember one of the most often repeated phrases I heard after Hurricane Michael was: “I just can’t wait for things to get back to normal”. It was an understandable sentiment. Whenever we go through times and circumstances that push us out of our regular patterns in life, as when life is hard and confusing, we just want to get back to something familiar so we can try and reorient ourselves. It’s a typical response.

We’re going to be reading about Jesus’ disciples doing just that as come to the final chapter in our study of the Gospel of John this Sunday. We’ll be reading John 21:1-25. Peter and six other disciples don’t quite know what to do with themselves after all of the events that unfolded in Jesus’ execution and then mind-blowing resurrection. They probably had hoped that the skies would rain fire and Rome collapse in a blaze…but none of that stuff happened. Instead, life seemed to just go on and Jesus only seemed to pop in on them sporadically, and I’m sure it all felt really surreal. It makes sense to me that they wanted to get back to what they knew how to do, fishing.

However, now that Jesus is on the loose, things done under their own initiative seem to result in frustration (v3). Have you ever experienced that? Have you ever not known what God is up to and so in exasperation just decided to go back to old habits and patterns you had before meeting Christ? What were the results, and what can we learn from that?

Jesus’ interaction with Peter is, to me, one of the most moving scenes in all of the Gospels. What significance do you see in Jesus inviting Peter to confess his love for Jesus three times? How could this interaction provide a sense of closure to Peter? What can that tell us about our own failures and Jesus’ intent?

Jesus doesn’t just let Peter say words, he commissions him with a way of demonstrating his love for Christ. How does Jesus indicate a love for him is revealed? Is it something we can do in isolation, and if not, what does that tell us about our Christian priorities?

Jesus finishes his instruction to Peter by commanding him to follow. What does it mean to you to follow Jesus? What does it look like for a 21st Century American Christian?

I’ve really loved this gospel. We’ll have one more study after this Sunday where we wrap up all the themes we discovered. I hope it’s not the last time you visit this gospel…we barely scratched the surface of it. I truly hope you go there often, and go looking for Jesus in those words.

I hope you can join us this Sunday at 10 AM!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

John #45: A Very Present Jesus (John 20:19-30)

This Sunday we’re going to be reading John 20:19-31, which finishes up the chapter. This chapter brings us to the end of the Book of Glory, with only the epilogue (ch 21) remaining. In this chapter we’ll be reading about Jesus’ appearance to the rest of the disciples and to Thomas – and we’ll be considering the ramifications of the risen Christ in the midst of his followers.

Jesus shows up in the middle of a locked room. He is obviously present in a new kind of physicality, one that is not hindered by normal obstacles. Think about that locked door and the symbolism of it. What kind of doors do we lock in life…and how effective are they in keeping Jesus out?

The first thing out of Jesus’ mouth is the common greeting: Shalom. It means peace, wholeness, stability of life. John is using this event to convey the meaning of Christ’s presence, which is with us still – and how his presence brings with it wholeness and fullness of life. In what ways have you found stability, wholeness and well being in the presence of Christ?

Jesus commissions his followers to do the same thing he’d been doing. That would be unthinkable if he didn’t follow it up by giving the Holy Spirit to empower us for such a task. How can we start developing habits of following the Holy Spirit’s lead to do good and help the oppressed in this world?

V23 is a strange command. Whole ecclesiological frameworks have developed around the way people interpret what Jesus says here. There’s a conservative interpretation that I’m persuaded by (I’ll share it Sunday) – what do YOU think he’s saying?

The account of Thomas is awesome to me. I love that dude. Do you think Tommy was doubting Jesus, or the testimony of the other disciples? How did Jesus interact with Tom: rebuke, anger, irritation, compassion, care…? What was the first thing he said to him? Do you think that Jesus is angered by our questions or honest skepticism?  Do you believe that doubt and sincere searching is debilitating to faith, or can it actually encourage and enhance faith? How might Jesus’ interaction with Thomas inform your view?

I hope you can join us this Sunday, I think we’ll have a lot of good stuff to chew on!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

John #44: A New Creation (John 20:1-18)

The creation account in Genesis begins in the dark: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”. God intervened and spoke light, order and life.

All of that went wrong when a man and a woman stood in a garden and rejected God’s rule. As a result, darkness, chaos and death again captivated the scene.

The gospel of John echoes a lot of those themes in his account of Jesus, and maybe none more so than in the section we’ve come to in our study of John. We’re going to be reading John 20:1-18 this Sunday, the account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

The main purpose of John’s gospel, as he explained in chapter one, is to let us know that all that Jesus did and taught was revealing what God is like and what God is up to – and here in his resurrection we see it in full bloom: redemption; new creation….RESURRECTION!

As you read this account, put yourself in the place of Peter and the DWJL (the disciple whom Jesus loved) – how do you think you would have reacted to Mary’s news? What would you think was going on initially?

V9 says Pete and the DWJL returned to their own home (literally, to themselves). What ways do we turn back to ourselves when we go through dark and confusing times?

Mary was inconsolable. She was on task: find the corpse of Jesus and get it re-buried. She was so miserable and fixated on that problem that she didn’t even realize the solution to her dilemma was standing right in front of her. What can that tell us about how we perceive our troubles – how should resurrection and new creation affect our expectations?

Jesus and Mary are pictured standing in a garden – what does this harken back to? What is this image revealing to us about what has happened in Christ’s resurrection?

If I asked you who the first evangelist, ambassador, teacher and missionary of the gospel was…who would you say? I know who v 18 says it was.

This is the landing place that all of John’s gospel has been leading us to – I really hope you can join us this Sunday as we dig in and explore this passage together!

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John #43: The New Normal (John 19:31-42)

This Sunday we are going to continue our study in the book of John chapter 19 verses 31-42. These verses are exciting because the Old Testament has been laying bricks on a road that led to this very moment. John has been adding to that by continuing to pave the way with every story and detail he has included in the gospel. 

What we find in these verses is a continuation of John wasting no words or adding unnecessary information. There are so many connections to the Old Testament that are linked in this section of verses alone. There are several notes that mention different prophecies being fulfilled, but even beyond that we see a wide variety of stories coming to fulfillment.

In remembering that every word is included for a reason, what do we notice with the time of year that the crucifixion takes place? Do we see significance in that? What about the landscape of the area where the tomb is located? What Old Testament stories come to mind in reading the scenery that is mentioned? What about the fact that both blood and water flow out of Jesus when the spear is thrust into his side? What stories does Jesus mention about his blood? What times does Jesus mention offering water to people?

These should be the most depressing verses found in the Bible, but they’re not. Hope, fulfillment, a plan to make things right, and the inability to fail are written all over this story. We invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:00AM as we study these verses and find the hope that overflows from these words and into our hearts. 

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John #42: It Is Finished (John 19:16-30)

I love it when I’m able to finish a project. I just recently finished up a book cover illustration for a friend of mine, and I experienced a great sense of satisfaction (as well as relief) that the artwork was acceptable. There is something wonderful about bringing a project or a mission to it’s proper close. That being said, I find it so hard to relate those feelings to what I read about when Jesus brings his project to a close, in the passage we’ll be reading this Sunday.

We’ll be reading John 19: 16-30 – it’s the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. It’s not pretty. It’s painful and hurtful and tugs at the heart. There is nothing about it on the surface that indicates victory or success, and yet, at the end of this section Jesus announces “it is finished”. It is an expression of accomplishment.

The question we’ll be asking is: WHAT was finished? Jesus doesn’t say, and neither does John, at least on the surface.

I know that the entire New Testament is fairly dedicated to answering that question, so it’s not as though we are left in the dark. But as far as THIS passage goes, I believe the seeds for the New Testament’s theological garden are planted in John’s account of Jesus’ death.

I’ll give you a hint, and let you parse it out yourself. John identifies the kind of branch they use to offer Jesus sour wine – it’s hyssop. What is significant about that, and how would John use that to interpret what is happening to Jesus?

Jesus tells John (the disciple whom Jesus loved) to look after his mother – to take her in as his own mother – changing the dynamic of their relationship there at the foot of the cross. What could that tell us about what Jesus accomplished on the cross?

Pilate put an inscription above Jesus’ cross which read “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” – it was written in the three dominant languages of the known world. Pilate meant it as an insult, but what if God conscripted his mockery to make an announcement? How would this multinational/multicultural declaration of kingship help us interpret what Jesus finished on the cross?

There’s a lot for us to unpack in this text! I hope you’ll join us as we dig into it together!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

John #41: God's Powerful Purposes (John 19:1-16a)

We’re only a little over a week from Christmas – and we’re also almost done with our study in the Gospel of John. I know that oftentimes I use this week to teach on Christmas themes, but I just feel the section we’re in demands we continue…at least one more week. Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, and we’ll be doing our annual Christmas Eve service during our morning service (make a note!) – so this Sunday we’ll be continuing our John series with the second part of Jesus’ trial before Pilate. We’ll be reading ch 19:1-16a.

My hope is that your Christmas is a joyful time of celebration. I know, though, for many this is a time that simply reinforces the difficulties life has already dished out. That’s one reason I wanted to stick with this passage in John.

Much like the first part of Pilate’s interrogation, the Kingship of Jesus is largely in view. Pilate allows his soldiers to abuse Jesus, and they do so by making him a parody of a king – placing a crown of thorns on his head. It was meant to mimic the wreath crown worn by Caesar – but for those of us who know the biblical narrative, it’s a stunning call back to the beginning of the Bible. For reference, read Gen 3 . Jesus wearing that crown speaks of Him carrying something away on our behalf – and based on Genesis 3, what is it?

Pilate tries to release Jesus but the religious leaders won’t be persuaded – and in the further exchange between he and Jesus, we are given a revelation about who really has the power in this whole scenario (v11). That’s something to really keep in mind.

Things looked dire, even despairing for Jesus and his followers – and yet, through it all, God had not lost control of the situation, in fact, He was using it to accomplish His purposes for humanity and the world. It’s just a good reminder that no matter how dark our days (or holidays) may seem, nothing is going to thwart God’s intention to redeem! Romans 8:31-39 has some encouraging things to say about that!

I think this will be a reassuring text for us to study this Sunday – I hope you can join us!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

John #40: What Kind of King? (John 18:28-40)

At Christmastime we celebrate the birth of Jesus – and that is something that forces a question in most of our minds: why was Jesus born? Most Evangelicals would likely respond that He was born so he could die for our sins and bring us salvation. Jesus, however, actually gives us the answer as to why he was born in the text we’ll be reading this Sunday. We’ll be reading the account of Jesus before Pilate in our study of the Gospel of John, ch 18:28-40.

Pilate was the Roman governor over Judea. History recalls him as a cruel, petty, common-born politician, and I think the gospel accounts of him back that notion up.

When Pilate interrogates Jesus, he is only interested in one thing: is Jesus claiming to be a rival king to Caesar. If so, it will warrant his death. Jesus, as he so often does, turns the tables on this interrogation, so that Pilate is forced to make decisions and provide answers, and he clearly has no interest in doing that.

In the back and forth, Jesus provides some very important revelations as to the nature of God’s Kingdom, the sort of King Jesus is, the mission that he was on and in the last few verses of the section, the way in which the power of God’s Kingdom is revealed.

Jesus declares to Pilate that His Kingdom isn’t from, or like the kingdoms of this world’s system. Then he describes the difference in v36. How do you understand what he’s saying, and how might that be applied in our present day world?

Why do you suppose Jesus never says “yes, I am a King”? How would Pilate define a king? Would Jesus fit that definition?

When Jesus says that the reason he was born was to testify to the truth, what truth do you think he’s talking about?

Pilate offers to release a prisoner in honor of the Passover, so he offers a choice between Jesus, whom he describes as their king, and Barabbas, a lestes, brigand or revolutionary (as the NLT translates it). He wouldn’t have been a Roman prisoner if he hadn’t been guilty of some sort of insurrection activity. Here he is, the one guilty of the very crime Jesus is accused, and innocent, of. Jesus takes the place of the guilty, and the guilty one goes free. It becomes a microcosmic picture of the power of God’s Kingdom. How would you describe that power, and how might it be more powerful than the war-engines of Rome?

This is going to be an important study – I hope you can join us this Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

John #39: Hearts Revealed In A Crisis (John 1:1-28)

At Christmastime we celebrate the birth of Jesus – and that is something that forces a question in most of our minds: why was Jesus born? Most Evangelicals would likely respond that He was born so he could die for our sins and bring us salvation. Jesus, however, actually gives us the answer as to why he was born in the text we’ll be reading this Sunday. We’ll be reading the account of Jesus before Pilate in our study of the Gospel of John, ch 18:28-40.

Pilate was the Roman governor over Judea. History recalls him as a cruel, petty, common-born politician, and I think the gospel accounts of him back that notion up.

When Pilate interrogates Jesus, he is only interested in one thing: is Jesus claiming to be a rival king to Caesar. If so, it will warrant his death. Jesus, as he so often does, turns the tables on this interrogation, so that Pilate is forced to make decisions and provide answers, and he clearly has no interest in doing that.

In the back and forth, Jesus provides some very important revelations as to the nature of God’s Kingdom, the sort of King Jesus is, the mission that he was on and in the last few verses of the section, the way in which the power of God’s Kingdom is revealed.

Jesus declares to Pilate that His Kingdom isn’t from, or like the kingdoms of this world’s system. Then he describes the difference in v36. How do you understand what he’s saying, and how might that be applied in our present day world?

Why do you suppose Jesus never says “yes, I am a King”? How would Pilate define a king? Would Jesus fit that definition?

When Jesus says that the reason he was born was to testify to the truth, what truth do you think he’s talking about?

Pilate offers to release a prisoner in honor of the Passover, so he offers a choice between Jesus, whom he describes as their king, and Barabbas, a lestes, brigand or revolutionary (as the NLT translates it). He wouldn’t have been a Roman prisoner if he hadn’t been guilty of some sort of insurrection activity. Here he is, the one guilty of the very crime Jesus is accused, and innocent, of. Jesus takes the place of the guilty, and the guilty one goes free. It becomes a microcosmic picture of the power of God’s Kingdom. How would you describe that power, and how might it be more powerful than the war-engines of Rome?

This is going to be an important study – I hope you can join us this Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

John #38: Purpose Revealed In Prayer (John 17:1-26)

Prayers can come in all shapes and sizes. Obviously the prayer in the picture above is a joke, but I have to admit that it is not far off from some of the prayers I have prayed myself.

This Sunday we will be reading what is known as the “Farewell Prayer” or the “Priestly Prayer” found in John 17:1-26. By far this is the longest recorded prayer that Jesus has in any of the four gospels. This prayer represents the last words before the religious leaders and Judas arrive to arrest Jesus. Jesus chose to use those precious moments to pray for the disciples who are with him to the end.

Let’s put ourselves in the sandals of Jesus. If you knew that you were about to suffer, what would you pray for? Who would you be praying for? What would you ask God to help you with?

If you do read these verses ahead of time, I encourage you to note the way that Jesus addresses God in this prayer. Is he referring to God as King, Lord, or something else entirely? What are his choice of words meant to teach us about our relationship with God?

We invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:00AM for our study in the book of John. Let’s see what we can learn from these verses and let’s see what Jesus wants us to hear as He journeys towards the cross.

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow

John #37: Searching For Jesus In The Suffering (John 16:16-33)

This Sunday we will be reading John 16:16-33, where Jesus tells the disciples about the difficulties they will soon face. However, instead of leaving it as a bleak warning about what is to come, Jesus offers encouragement along with the warning. Jesus tells the disciples they can ask God for help in Jesus’ name, He promises abundant joy, and He assures them of his ability to help. Jesus knows that we will face many trials and sorrows, but he encourages us to hold on and to believe that He is powerful enough to make things right.

Does anyone else feel a sense of relief when they are able to acknowledge that life is hard?

There can be a pressure, especially in our culture, that everything should look perfect once we become a Christian. Certainly, there are many things in my life that are exponentially better than they were before I knew Christ, but that doesn’t mean that Christians are exempt from feeling pain.

Jesus tells us over and over, including in the verses we read this Sunday, that life is going to have challenges. It’s going to have many moments that are really hard to get through.

Wow. This Wonderwhat post is depressing.

I know! I’m sorry! My point is, if we can stick with this blog post long enough, and stick with the verses, we will find a promise of restoration. Jesus encourages us to hold on. He sees us. He knows this is hard for us, and He has promised to rescue us.

Which leaves us, in whatever situation we may find ourselves, wondering if we can trust that Jesus will rescue us? Can we trust that He does hear our prayers? Can we believe that He will redeem our suffering? Can we hold on, in steadfast faith, believing that Jesus has the power to set things right?

No one can answer those questions for us. We are all faced with the challenge of answering these questions for ourselves. We may even find that our answers fluctuate depending on our current circumstances.

We invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:00AM for our study in the book of John. Let’s see what we can learn from these verses and let’s see what Jesus wants us to hear as He journeys towards the cross.

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.