Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa

In Genesis 12, God started His redemption plan for the world with one man, Abraham, and his family.Since then, the family unit has been the primary means through which God has advanced His purposes on Earth. Even today, every metric of social health across the world can be tied to the strength (or weaknesses) of a society's families.That is why we say Family is How We Fight.

I believe that the Gospel of John is one of the greatest works of art in all human history. Its first twenty chapters are a masterpiece. And the conclusion that John gives us at the end of chapter twenty—after the resurrection, the greatest thing that has ever happened—after Jesus calls Mary by name, and she turns and knows—after Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on the disciples—after Jesus shows Thomas His scarred hands and side—the conclusion that John gives us after all of that is just perfect:30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name [John 20:30–31].The screen finally fades fully to black. We finally exhale, deeply moved. We shift in our seats, slowly stand and stretch, and silently begin to make our way out of the theater. We don't want to say anything and ruin the moment, so we walk single file down the stairs at the end of the row. The credits begin to roll.And then, when we least expect it, the screen lights up again and the story continues!John chapter 20 seems to end on the perfect note, but John is a peerless artist and what happens next is beyond perfection.There is another chapter—an epilogue.With John 20:30–31, nothing more needs to be said about Jesus. His story is complete, and we have all we need to know to believe in Him.But John knows there is more to be said about the church and its mission, and that is the purpose of his beautiful epilogue in chapter 21.

In John 18, we see something extraordinary happen: an entire cohort of Roman soldiers knocked flat by the power of Jesus!The disciples are afraid, but Jesus has everything under control.There is a lesson there for all of us.

In John 18, we see something extraordinary happen: an entire cohort of Roman soldiers knocked flat by the power of Jesus!The disciples are afraid, but Jesus has everything under control.There is a lesson there for all of us.

My favorite Bible verse is John 16:33.It's Thursday evening. Jesus has gathered the disciples in the Upper Room for his final moments with them before his betrayal by Judas later that night and his crucifixion the next day.He sums up his teaching to them with what I believe is essentially the perfect Bible verse:“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have *overcome* the world.”In other words:1. Things will be hard.2. But don't worry, Jesus wins.And maybe my favorite part of this verse: the Greek verb translated in v. 33 as “overcome” is the verb nike, from which the shoe company got its name. Every time you see a pair of Nikes, therefore, you should remember this verse!

My favorite Bible verse is John 16:33.It's Thursday evening. Jesus has gathered the disciples in the Upper Room for his final moments with them before his betrayal by Judas later that night and his crucifixion the next day.He sums up his teaching to them with what I believe is essentially the perfect Bible verse:“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have *overcome* the world.”In other words:1. Things will be hard.2. But don't worry, Jesus wins.And maybe my favorite part of this verse: the Greek verb translated in v. 33 as “overcome” is the verb nike, from which the shoe company got its name. Every time you see a pair of Nikes, therefore, you should remember this verse!

In John 17, Jesus gives us insight into the heart of reality and tells us something important about God.The reason this matters is because the most important thing in our minds is our idea of God.

In John 17, Jesus gives us insight into the heart of reality and tells us something important about God.The reason this matters is because the most important thing in our minds is our idea of God.

Did you ever play the telephone game when you were in school?In the game of telephone, the teacher whispers something in a student's ear, who then passes on the message to another student, who then passes on the message to the next student, etc. The last student repeats the message out loud. Hilarity ensues—the final message is always wildly divergent from the original.I was thinking of the telephone game when I read through John 15–Jesus's famous words: “I am the vine, you are the branches.”We have developed this idea in American Christianity that a Christian is just someone who one time prayed a certain prayer. But when you compare this idea with what Jesus says in John 15, it seems totally crazy!According to Jesus, either you are abiding in him, or you aren't—there is no middle ground.

Did you ever play the telephone game when you were in school?In the game of telephone, the teacher whispers something in a student's ear, who then passes on the message to another student, who then passes on the message to the next student, etc. The last student repeats the message out loud. Hilarity ensues—the final message is always wildly divergent from the original.I was thinking of the telephone game when I read through John 15–Jesus's famous words: “I am the vine, you are the branches.”We have developed this idea in American Christianity that a Christian is just someone who one time prayed a certain prayer. But when you compare this idea with what Jesus says in John 15, it seems totally crazy!According to Jesus, either you are abiding in him, or you aren't—there is no middle ground.

As he begins the last week of his life before the crucifixion, Jesus shares a very simple principle: life comes through death."Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”--John 12:24-25What needs to die in your life for God to bring new life in its place?

As he begins the last week of his life before the crucifixion, Jesus shares a very simple principle: life comes through death."Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”--John 12:24-25What needs to die in your life for God to bring new life in its place?

In John chapter 11, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, but before he does so he famously weeps over Lazarus's death.Why?Wouldn't it make more sense for Jesus to say, “Hey everybody, stop crying and watch what I'm about to do!”?Why does Jesus weep?This Easter we looked at the miracle of the raising of Lazarus and what that miracle tells us about the greater miracle of the Resurrection.

In John chapter 11, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, but before he does so he famously weeps over Lazarus's death.Why?Wouldn't it make more sense for Jesus to say, “Hey everybody, stop crying and watch what I'm about to do!”?Why does Jesus weep?This Easter we looked at the miracle of the raising of Lazarus and what that miracle tells us about the greater miracle of the Resurrection.

This past Sunday we looked at the decision of the Jewish leadership to have Jesus murdered. It's not that they miss what he's doing; rather, they know he is performing “signs” and yet they still decide to reject him. Caiaphas the high priest explicitly states that it is expedient to have one man die so that the Romans will leave the Jews alone. It turns out there is something worse that being spiritually blind—it's to see what God is doing and hate it. Here's how not to be like Caiaphas.

This past Sunday we looked at the decision of the Jewish leadership to have Jesus murdered. It's not that they miss what he's doing; rather, they know he is performing “signs” and yet they still decide to reject him. Caiaphas the high priest explicitly states that it is expedient to have one man die so that the Romans will leave the Jews alone. It turns out there is something worse that being spiritually blind—it's to see what God is doing and hate it. Here's how not to be like Caiaphas.

This past Sunday we looked at the famous words of Jesus in John 10: “I am the good shepherd.”Jesus compares the shepherd to the thief: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”What this means is:1. It is a dangerous world—there is a malevolent force that wants to destroy your life;2. But if you are part of Jesus's people, you have nothing to fear.

This past Sunday we looked at the famous words of Jesus in John 10: “I am the good shepherd.”Jesus compares the shepherd to the thief: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”What this means is:1. It is a dangerous world—there is a malevolent force that wants to destroy your life;2. But if you are part of Jesus's people, you have nothing to fear.

When something bad happens, the question to ask is not, “Why did this happen?” or "Why me?”Those questions keep you focused inward–on yourself–and turn you into a victim.In John chapter 9, when the disciples ask Jesus why a particular man was born blind, Jesus tells them they are asking the wrong question.The question is not, “Why did this happen?"The better question isWhat can God do with this?

When something bad happens, the question to ask is not, “Why did this happen?” or "Why me?”Those questions keep you focused inward–on yourself–and turn you into a victim.In John chapter 9, when the disciples ask Jesus why a particular man was born blind, Jesus tells them they are asking the wrong question.The question is not, “Why did this happen?"The better question isWhat can God do with this?

Are we just going through the motions? Or did the ancient church know something that the modern church seems to have forgotten about how to reject the patterns of this world in order to have our hearts conformed to the heart of God?

Are we just going through the motions? Or did the ancient church know something that the modern church seems to have forgotten about how to reject the patterns of this world in order to have our hearts conformed to the heart of God?

How do you know if Jesus is who he says he is? How do you know if Jesus's teachings are true? There is only one way to find out: You have to take a step in faith and test his teaching by beginning to live them out.

How do you know if Jesus is who he says he is? How do you know if Jesus's teachings are true? There is only one way to find out: You have to take a step in faith and test his teaching by beginning to live them out.

At Asbury, we celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday. I believe it is one of the more important tools Christ has given his church, or to use another metaphor, that it is spiritual medicine for God's people.Jesus himself talked about spiritual food, and at the Last Supper connected his sacrifice with the exodus and Passover from Egypt.Here are some practical reasons why we do what we do at our church.

At Asbury, we celebrate Holy Communion every Sunday. I believe it is one of the more important tools Christ has given his church, or to use another metaphor, that it is spiritual medicine for God's people.Jesus himself talked about spiritual food, and at the Last Supper connected his sacrifice with the exodus and Passover from Egypt.Here are some practical reasons why we do what we do at our church.

At times, Jesus seems to deliberately say and do things that other people will find off-putting or that will make him enemies. This is seen, for example, in John chapter 6, where Jesus drives away a crowd of potential disciples because of the offensive nature of his language. The reason he does this is because he knows that the most loving thing he can do is make clear what the stakes actually are: life and death. Jesus wants to bring everyone to a point of decision: will you follow him, or will you decide to leave?

At times, Jesus seems to deliberately say and do things that other people will find off-putting or that will make him enemies. This is seen, for example, in John chapter 6, where Jesus drives away a crowd of potential disciples because of the offensive nature of his language. The reason he does this is because he knows that the most loving thing he can do is make clear what the stakes actually are: life and death. Jesus wants to bring everyone to a point of decision: will you follow him, or will you decide to leave?

If Jesus sat down next to you and asked you, “What do you want me to do for you?” what would you say?I have a working theory that most people don't really know what they want, because they don't really know what they need.It would seem that the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda in John chapter 5 would obviously want to be healed.But, what does he really need? What about us?

If Jesus sat down next to you and asked you, “What do you want me to do for you?” what would you say?I have a working theory that most people don't really know what they want, because they don't really know what they need.It would seem that the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda in John chapter 5 would obviously want to be healed.But, what does he really need? What about us?

The world's idea of love is exactly wrong. See, the world thinks that one has to be worthy or deserving of love in order to receive it. The Bible's idea of love is the exact opposite. Love isn't something one earns, but rather a free gift one receives. The one who loves *chooses* to will the good of the other. Love is a choice. This means it is possible to love people who are wrong. We see this with Jesus when he interacts with a mess of Samaritan woman. He moves first toward her, and her entire village is changed as a result. Love goes first. To whom do we need to go first this week?

The world's idea of love is exactly wrong. See, the world thinks that one has to be worthy or deserving of love in order to receive it. The Bible's idea of love is the exact opposite. Love isn't something one earns, but rather a free gift one receives. The one who loves *chooses* to will the good of the other. Love is a choice. This means it is possible to love people who are wrong. We see this with Jesus when he interacts with a mess of Samaritan woman. He moves first toward her, and her entire village is changed as a result. Love goes first. To whom do we need to go first this week?

Sometimes it seems that people have this idea of Jesus as a lifeguard who exists mainly just to blow his whistle at people. Everyone is doing fine and things are moving along fine, and then Jesus shows up and yells, “No running!"What John 3:17 tells us, however, is that this is dead wrong: Jesus didn't come to condemn, but to save!The truth is, the world is *currently* lost, currently in the water, thrashing and desperate, and Jesus comes to pull people from death to life. He's like a lifeguard diving in again and again, trying to save as many people as he can.Our role in this—to tell the drowning world that there is hope, and that Jesus saves.

Sometimes it seems that people have this idea of Jesus as a lifeguard who exists mainly just to blow his whistle at people. Everyone is doing fine and things are moving along fine, and then Jesus shows up and yells, “No running!"What John 3:17 tells us, however, is that this is dead wrong: Jesus didn't come to condemn, but to save!The truth is, the world is *currently* lost, currently in the water, thrashing and desperate, and Jesus comes to pull people from death to life. He's like a lifeguard diving in again and again, trying to save as many people as he can.Our role in this—to tell the drowning world that there is hope, and that Jesus saves.

Why would Jesus choose to reveal His Glory at a wedding? Why is the Gospel of John the only writer to document Jesus' first sign/miracle? More importantly, why would “Water to Wine” be the first of His signs as He prepared for His journey to the Cross? What significance did this sign play for those at the wedding? Why does this sign matter to us today?

Why would Jesus choose to reveal His Glory at a wedding? Why is the Gospel of John the only writer to document Jesus' first sign/miracle? More importantly, why would “Water to Wine” be the first of His signs as He prepared for His journey to the Cross? What significance did this sign play for those at the wedding? Why does this sign matter to us today?

Jesus calls Phillip, and then Phillip turns around and tells Nathanael about Jesus.Nathanael is not interested and raises an objection to believing in Jesus.What Phillip says next is the *perfect* response:“Come and see.”

Jesus calls Phillip, and then Phillip turns around and tells Nathanael about Jesus.Nathanael is not interested and raises an objection to believing in Jesus.What Phillip says next is the *perfect* response:“Come and see.”

“You are going to die.” The very fact that those words strike us as hard or offensive just shows how much we need to hear them! The recent California wildfires have got me thinking—those fires burned what was in their path. Rich or poor, black or white, liberal or conservative—the fires didn't care, but just burned.That's how death is—it is coming for us all. Are we ready?In the prologue to his Gospel, John tells us that Jesus gives all who trust him a way through death. Let's talk about it.

“You are going to die.” The very fact that those words strike us as hard or offensive just shows how much we need to hear them! The recent California wildfires have got me thinking—those fires burned what was in their path. Rich or poor, black or white, liberal or conservative—the fires didn't care, but just burned.That's how death is—it is coming for us all. Are we ready?In the prologue to his Gospel, John tells us that Jesus gives all who trust him a way through death. Let's talk about it.

I've challenged every Asburian to commit to bring at least one person to Christ in 2025. I've been struck by the simple language of John 1:8 (referring to John the Baptist):"He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”That's our role, too—to point people to the light.But, where do we begin? How do we do this?It starts with a simple question: “How are things going?”

I've challenged every Asburian to commit to bring at least one person to Christ in 2025. I've been struck by the simple language of John 1:8 (referring to John the Baptist):"He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.”That's our role, too—to point people to the light.But, where do we begin? How do we do this?It starts with a simple question: “How are things going?”

We're told that John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness to the light. In other words, his entire purpose was to point people to Jesus.It's the same for us—God has given us today so that we'll use it to point people to him. Why is that so hard for us?On Christmas Eve I saw something happen that perfectly illustrates the situation in the American church. What I saw has made me commit to a particular resolution for 2025.What about you?

We're told that John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness to the light. In other words, his entire purpose was to point people to Jesus.It's the same for us—God has given us today so that we'll use it to point people to him. Why is that so hard for us?On Christmas Eve I saw something happen that perfectly illustrates the situation in the American church. What I saw has made me commit to a particular resolution for 2025.What about you?

For our last service of 2024, we celebrated a service of Lessons and Carols. What a great way to end the year!

For our last service of 2024, we celebrated a service of Lessons and Carols. What a great way to end the year!

Luke mentions the shepherds, and Matthew the Magi, but when John begins his Gospel, he begins at the very beginning: “In the beginning was the Word….”And then John says something that is absolutely startling:"The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him” (John 1:9-10).In other words, the most important thing that has ever happened happened, and everyone missed it!It's just like Pieter Bruegel painted it in his great masterpiece “Census at Bethlehem.”It's my favorite painting ever, and on Christmas Eve 2024 I talked about why.

Luke mentions the shepherds, and Matthew the Magi, but when John begins his Gospel, he begins at the very beginning: “In the beginning was the Word….”And then John says something that is absolutely startling:"The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him” (John 1:9-10).In other words, the most important thing that has ever happened happened, and everyone missed it!It's just like Pieter Bruegel painted it in his great masterpiece “Census at Bethlehem.”It's my favorite painting ever, and on Christmas Eve 2024 I talked about why.

The Lord is going to do what the Lord is going to do. But, my unbelief has consequences, particularly on the people around me. How might things have been different if Zechariah had trusted the angel?

The Lord is going to do what the Lord is going to do. But, my unbelief has consequences, particularly on the people around me. How might things have been different if Zechariah had trusted the angel?

Christmas Carols are like theological fruitcake—they are crammed full with good things. In the case of our beloved carols, they are teaching truth, but we have to actually listen.