Podcasts about Bethsaida

We'll join pastor James Kaddis in Mark chapter eight today. Jesus is about to heal a blind man at Bethsaida. It was an eye-opening experience, and it can be for us too. Pastor James will draw out a few noteworthy lessons like why we should go to the Lord with our problems, then do what He says, and trust in His timing. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1459/29?v=20251111

Sunday 2nd August 2026 - North SiteSpeaker - Abbie MoseleyThis week, Abbie continues our summer series 'Jesus Changes Lives' at the 'All-In' service at our North site. Jesus changed the lives of the people he met and spent time with, and he keeps changing lives today._______________John 1 v 43-5143)  The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.'44)  Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45)  Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.'46)  ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?' Nathanael asked.‘Come and see,' said Philip.47)  When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.'48)  ‘How do you know me?' Nathanael asked.Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.'49)  Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.'50)  Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig-tree. You will see greater things than that.' 51)  He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.'_______________Recorded at the North Site - 02Aug2026

John 12:20-36   English Standard Version     Some Greeks Seek Jesus 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up 27 “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. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 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.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 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?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” The Unbelief of the People When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Read full chapter

If we analyze the miraculous healing of the blind man from Bethsaida from a spiritual point of view using a spiritual lens and perspective...What can we learn about the physical and spiritual redeeming power of Jesus?What can we learn about the process of redemption and salvation of the believer?

What do you do when your faith feels strong on the outside but you're falling apart on the inside? Today we're revisiting one of our most meaningful conversations with author, speaker, and Bible teacher Sheila Walsh. In this deeply personal episode, Haley and Dustin talk with Sheila about depression, childhood trauma, mental health, and the life-changing hope found in Jesus Christ. Sheila shares her powerful story of growing up with deep emotional wounds, pursuing perfection in an effort to earn God's approval, and eventually finding herself in a psychiatric hospital with severe clinical depression. But it was there—in one of the darkest seasons of her life—that she began to discover God's grace, His presence, and the truth that the Good Shepherd knows exactly where to find us. Together they explore prayer, suffering, healing, and what it means to trust God when life doesn't make sense. If you've ever struggled with depression, discouragement, or wondered where God is in your pain, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the Good Shepherd knows exactly where to find you—and that you are never beyond the reach of His love. Subscribe to the podcast and tune in each week as Haley and Dustin share with you what the Bible says about real-life issues with compassion, warmth, and wit.   So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.   Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.   Listen in to learn more    --------------   Resources from Sheila Walsh Learn more about Sheila Walsh and her ministry at https://sheilawalsh.com/  Connect with Sheila on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheilawalsh1/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheilawalshconnects/ X / Twitter: https://x.com/sheilawalsh    Hope for the Heart resources   Join us this fall at the Hope Together Conference! Learn more and sign up here: https://hopetogether.com/    Connect with Hope for the Heart on social!    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hopefortheheart   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopefortheheart    Learn more about the ministry and resources of Hope for the Heart: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/    Learn more about Hope Talks and catch up on past episodes: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/hopetalks/    Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night     God's plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you      Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://hopefortheheart.donorsupport.co/page/hope-talks  -------------- Bible verses mentioned in this episode Psalm 139:16 – “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”   Psalm 141:2 – “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”   Mark 8 :22-25 – “They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.”   John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”   Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”   Revelation 5:8 – “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.”

Welcome to Day 2909 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2909– “The Ultimate Close Encounter”  based on Luke 10:1-16 Putnam Church Message – 06/21/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Practical Talk to Those in Ministry.”   Last week's message was “A Face Like Flint,” in which we studied the One who set His face toward Jerusalem now sets His grace upon His people. Today, we continue with our twenty-ninth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: “Practical Talk to Those in Ministry.” Our core passage today is Luke 10:1-16, on page 1611 of your pew Bibles. Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two 10 After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.' 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. 9 Heal the sick>who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.' 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. 13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[b] 16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today grateful that You invite ordinary people into Your extraordinary work. We confess that we often feel inadequate, distracted, discouraged, or afraid. Sometimes we carry burdens You never asked us to carry, and sometimes we measure ministry by results rather than faithfulness. Lord Jesus, teach us today from Your Word. Show us what it means to be sent by You, to labor for Your harvest, to depend on Your provision, to speak peace, to serve faithfully, and to leave the results in Your hands. Help us see that ministry is not reserved for a few, but belongs to all who follow You. May our lives become faithful witnesses to the nearness of Your Kingdom. Amen. Introduction: Why Would God Use Us? I have often wondered why God involves people in His work when He can do everything Himself. Have you ever thought about that? God does not need our talent. God does not need our strength. God does not need our planning ability. God does not need our committees, schedules, buildings, sermons, songs, or programs. He can do the job better than we can. He can speak a word, and worlds come into existence. He can open blind eyes, raise the dead, calm storms, silence demons, and move kings according to His will. So why does He entrust something as important as building His Kingdom to people like us? People who get tired. People who misunderstand. People who get proud. People who become discouraged. People who argue about greatness. People who sometimes want to call down fire on their enemies. That is the mystery of grace. God does not involve us because He lacks power. He involves us because He loves us, forms us, and gives us a genuine part in His redemptive work. In the previous message, “A Face Like Flint,” we saw Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 is a hinge in Luke's Gospel. From that moment forward, Jesus is moving toward the cross, the resurrection, and the ascension. Nothing will distract Him from the Father's mission. Now, in Luke 10:1–16, Jesus does something remarkable. He multiplies the mission. Earlier, He sent the Twelve. Now He appoints seventy-two others, or seventy depending on the manuscript tradition, and sends them ahead of Him into the towns and places He plans to visit. This means the ministry is expanding beyond the inner circle. The Kingdom is not a private project for the Twelve. It is not merely the work of clergy. It is not limited to those with public titles. Jesus is building a people who are sent. And in this passage, He gives practical talk to those in ministry. That includes pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, missionaries, children's workers, worship leaders, caregivers, parents, grandparents, encouragers, prayer warriors, business owners, neighbors, friends, and every believer who bears witness to Christ. If you belong to Jesus, you are involved in ministry. So let us listen carefully to His practical instruction found in four truths in your bulletin insert on the side that says Practical Talk to Those in Ministry. Main Point 1: The Harvest Belongs to God, but the Labor Belongs to Us Jesus says the harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, He tells His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest, asking Him to send out workers into His harvest. That is where ministry begins: not with panic, but with prayer. Jesus looks at the world as a harvest field. That image would have been vivid to His listeners. In an agricultural world, the harvest was urgent. When the crop was ready, delay could mean loss. Workers had to go into the field while the time was right. But notice what Jesus calls it. It is not our harvest. It is not the church's harvest. It is not the pastor's harvest. It is the Lord's harvest. That matters. When we forget this, we carry burdens God never intended us to carry. We begin to think the future of the Kingdom depends on us. We stay awake at night worrying about results we cannot control. We measure faithfulness by numbers, approval, visible response, or immediate fruit. But Jesus calls Himself the Lord of the harvest. He owns the field. He knows the soil. He sees the hearts. He sends the workers. He brings the growth. Our responsibility is not to control the harvest. Our responsibility is to labor faithfully. Object Lesson: A Seed Packet and a Basket Hold up a packet of seeds and an empty basket. The seed packet represents the work entrusted to us. / We can plant. / We can water. / We can tend. / We can prepare. But we cannot force life into the seed. The basket represents the harvest. / We long to see it full, and that longing is good. / But only God can bring the harvest. Paul says something similar in 1 Corinthians 3:7  It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. That is freeing. We are not excused from labor. Jesus calls us workers. But we are freed from pretending to be God. Ancient Context When Jesus sent these seventy-two, He sent them ahead of Him. They were not going out to build personal followings. They were preparing towns for the arrival of the King. In the ancient world, messengers often went ahead of a ruler to announce his coming. They did not invent the message. They did not negotiate the king's authority. They...

Why are you so tired all the time even when you sleep? A lot of us have been trying to sleep off, vacation off, or scroll off an exhaustion that no bed can actually fix. It is not physical. It is soul deep. And Pastor Brian says most of us are carrying a weight we were never built to carry.In this sermon, Pastor Brian opens the story of King Amaziah in 2 Chronicles 25. The Bible describes Amaziah with one of the most quietly haunting lines in Scripture. He "did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight, but not wholeheartedly." Not evil. Not rebellious. Just partly in. He says that quiet middle ground is where most people live and get slowly drained without ever knowing why.Amaziah's story unpacks the symptoms one by one. You inherit both the good and the bad from the people you idealize without noticing. You start to blend in, so your budget, your generosity, your forgiveness, and even your joy start looking like everyone else's. You make your own plans first and only consult God when things get bad enough to force it. You worship the gifts victory brings instead of the God who won the victory (Amaziah brought back the enemy's idols and worshiped them after God gave him the win). And eventually, you treat God as a counselor whose input you weigh, instead of Lord whose voice you obey.Then Pastor Brian pulls in the passage that opens the whole thing up. In Matthew 11, Jesus rebukes the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for wanting his miracles but rejecting him as God. And in the very next breath he says something that changes everything. Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28 to 30).Why does Jesus call the half in people weary? Because being in charge of maximizing your own life is the single most exhausting job on the planet. Choosing which advice from Jesus to take, which to skip, which parts of Scripture apply to you, which do not, carrying the weight of every outcome yourself. That is soul exhaustion, and it is what most of us have been calling normal.Jesus offers the trade. You carry obedience. He carries outcomes. Pastor Brian lands the whole thing on Matthew 6:24. You cannot serve two masters. Not because it is forbidden, but because it is impossible. Part-heartedness is not a moral failure. It is a mathematical impossibility. Your heart was not built to do it. Either Jesus is Lord, or you are, and one of those is way harder than the other.If you have been walking around exhausted in a way sleep cannot fix, this teaching is for you. The rest you have been looking for is not another day off. It is a different owner of your life.#AllianceChurch #SundaySermon #BibleTeaching #JesusSaves #ChristianFaith #ChurchOnline #WisconsinChurch #FaithThatMoves #HopeInJesus #SermonSeries #faith #jesus #god #christianity #christian #exhaustion #rest #peace #hope #church #gospel #surrender

Have you ever asked yourself: Why did the healing of the blind man of Bethsaida require the application of saliva and two touches over the eyes of the blind man from the part of Jesus? Didn't Jesus have enough power to heal the blind man of Bethsaida with only one intervention? Listen as we try to answer these questions.

2026-07-16 Real Growthby Pastor Chris Berg Scripture: Mark 8:22-3022 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don't even go into the village.” 27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!All are welcome. 217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448Church Office: (985) 626-3114Sunday Service: 9:30AMAdult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AMNursery and Children's church available.

Jesus rebukes the villages of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for not repenting after their direct interactions with the Lord. (Lectionary #390) July 14, 2026 - Cathedral Rectory - Superior, WI Fr. Andrew Ricci - www.studyprayserve.com  

Today’s Topics: 1, 2, 3, 4) Gospel – Matthew 11:20-24 – Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of His mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the nether world. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Saint Kateri, pray for us!Bishop Sheen quote of the day Steve Ray joins Terry to discuss the Biblical worldview of grandparents and other relatives

Original Post Date: July 16, 2024 === Gospel  Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the nether world. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” Reflection We know that Jesus is divine. We forget sometimes that he is also human, and as a human being, he can feel and be frustrated as any of us would be. When something that we're working on, something we believe in, so much is not working, it's not convincing people that they need to pay attention to Jesus as the representative of God. And because he can do these marvelous, wonderful deeds, they still won't accept him. And so his condemnation of them is more of a frustration with them wanting them to realize how important it is that they do receive his message. Closing Prayer Father, when we live in an illusion and someone points out that illusion, it's not unusual for us to be absolutely angry and resistant. And that just shows that there is a part of all humanity that has a difficult time shifting its emphasis in its focus. Give us patience with each other. Help us to know that God will continue to work with us, but he'll warn us over and over again that if we don't change, we won't find the life that he's made for us. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Memorial of Saint Kateri TekakwithaMatthew 11:20-24Jesus began to reproach the townswhere most of his mighty deeds had been done,since they had not repented.“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!For if the mighty deeds done in your midsthad been done in Tyre and Sidon,they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes."

+ Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew 11: 20 – 24Then Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: 'Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.' For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."The Gospel of The Lord

Matthew 11:20-24Jesus began to reproach the townswhere most of his mighty deeds had been done,since they had not repented.“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!For if the mighty deeds done in your midsthad been done in Tyre and Sidon,they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.But I tell you, it will be more tolerablefor Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.And as for you, Capernaum:Will you be exalted to heaven?You will go down to the nether world.For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom,it would have remained until this day.But I tell you, it will be more tolerablefor the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

Read OnlineLoving as Is NeededJesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.” Matthew 11:20–21Have you ever felt the urge to publicly rebuke someone, crying out in condemnation, “Woe to you!”? Most of us, at one time or another, have experienced that impulse. When we are hurt, dismissed, or sinned against, pride wells up within us, and our wounded hearts may long to strike back with words of righteous anger.But this human reaction is not what moved Jesus when He reproached the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum in today's Gospel. He did not condemn them because He was personally offended or emotionally wounded by their failure to repent. His pride was not injured, nor was He overcome by anger. Christ was fully in control, always responding with divine wisdom, offering exactly what each person needed in that moment.At times, He was gentle, consoling, and compassionate. At other times, He chastised and rebuked. Sometimes He refrained from performing signs and wonders; at other times, He lavished miracles upon the people. At times, He taught in the veiled language of parables, and at other times, He spoke plainly and directly.Jesus always knew how to love in every situation because every situation called for love expressed in different ways. True love is not defined by the one who gives it; it is defined by the one who receives it. What does that mean? It means that Jesus didn't offer a “one-size-fits-all” kind of love. He didn't say, “This is me, and this is how I love. Take it or leave it—I'm not changing for you.” No, Jesus' love was so pure, so other-focused, that it always sought the good of the one He loved and adjusted its expression in order to achieve that good.This is clearly seen in Jesus' rebuke of the people of these three towns, located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, which were central to much of His public ministry. Capernaum was His home base; Chorazin and Bethsaida were places He frequented. Near this region He delivered the Sermon on the Mount and performed many miracles. Yet despite His tireless preaching and countless signs, few repented. And repentance was the very purpose of His mission. By chastising them—“Woe to you!”—Jesus lovingly sought to jolt them out of their complacency so that they might repent and receive the abundant mercy He and His Father so deeply desired to bestow. In this case, the rebuke was the precise expression of love that these towns needed at that time.Understanding the various expressions of Jesus' love teaches us much about the nature of divine charity—how God loves us, and how we, in turn, are called to love one another. Though the essence of God's love is always the same—perfect, complete, selfless, and sacrificial—the expression of that love varies, depending upon what each person most needs and what will most effectively lead them to eternal life.What expression of love do you need to give and receive in your life right now? Do you need God's consoling hand, His gentle encouragement, or His firm challenge to awaken you from spiritual complacency? Because God's perfect and unchanging love is expressed in various ways, according to our needs, it is essential to remain open to however He chooses to love us in this moment. In the same way, we should love others generously, purely, and selflessly, mirroring Christ, but the outward expression of that love must be shaped by the real needs of those before us.Reflect today on how God is loving you right now, and ask for the grace to receive that love with trust and humility. Then consider how you are called to extend that same discerning and sacrificial love to others—not merely as you prefer to give it—but as they most need to receive it. Let your love, like Christ's, always be guided by wisdom and formed by charity, loving others in the way that will best draw them closer to God's abundant mercy.Most loving God, Your love is perfect, unwavering, and never changing. Please open my heart to receive the expression of Your love that I need most, so that I may always repent of my sins and turn to Your mercy. Grant me the wisdom to imitate Your perfect love for others, offering not merely what I desire to give, but what they truly need in the moment. Jesus, I trust in You.  Image: Day of Judgement by Lawrence OP, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.Source: Free RSS feed from catholic-daily-reflections.com — Copyright © 2026 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. This content is provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. Redistribution, republication, or commercial use — including use within apps with advertising — is strictly prohibited without written permission.

In this episode, we're diving into a powerful moment in the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus calls out the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Even though they saw incredible miracles firsthand, they didn't really change their hearts—they got caught up in the spectacle rather than the message. We'll talk about how the more spiritual insight we're given, the more God expects from us. It's a reminder for all of us today that genuine, internal change matters way more than chasing signs and wonders. Ultimately, this reflection is a gentle wake-up call to look inward and realign our lives with God right now, while we still have the time.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 9th of July, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Deuteronomy 18:22: “when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”Folks, I really want to say to you this morning, and I know men who have got a prophetic ministry, and they are very accurate, and they love the Lord, and you can see it in their conduct. They are men that you can trust, but we must be very careful. The Lord is warning us this morning, not to be misled by a presumptuous prophetic word. I have heard of people who have sold their homes and immigrated to another country because they felt that a prophetic word was spoken over them, only to find when they got to the other side that they had listened to a man who was speaking presumptuously. It was not the word. We really need to test the spirit. That is why it is so important to let the Holy Spirit give you His peace. Now, we go to the Gospel of John 1:44-45. Now this is a prophetic word: “Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”Now that is a prophetic word you can believe. “We have found Him…” We need to use the Bible to confirm a prophetic word that has been spoken. If it is not in the Bible, I don't care who it is, you cannot believe it. It must be confirmed through the word of God, and that gives you security, that gives you peace, and that shows you the difference between a prophetic word and a false prophecy. If that word cannot be confirmed with God's Holy Word, do not listen or believe him. So I want to say to you today, don't be afraid, no, not at all. I have had many prophetic words spoken over my life and they have come to pass, but I have also had other words spoken over my life which I have cast aside because they are untrue and my spirit, the Spirit of God in me, does not witness with it. It is very, very important, especially for young people today.If God has not told you what to do, then don't do it. If God gives you a word, and then it is confirmed through somebody, sometimes a stranger, then you know it is not a coincidence, it is God. Have a wonderful day, Jesus bless you and goodbye.

20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Pastor Robert Tisdale preaches from Mark 8:22–26 on Jesus healing the blind man in stages, emphasizing that real fulfillment can require more than one touch and that believers must keep the faith during the process. He highlights Jesus leading the man out of Bethsaida—an environment where blindness and unbelief were normalized—and then commanding him not to return, teaching that restoration requires responsibility, boundaries, and disciplined stewardship. Tisdale urges the church to guard what God has changed, praising God proportionately to His work and avoiding places, voices, habits, and relationships that trigger old patterns. Using examples and scripture, he explains how environments “cue” former behaviors, calls the congregation to live the miracle at home, and ends with a prayer and declaration not to look back or return to former bondage.00:00 Should I Preach00:30 Trees And Keep It01:04 Series Setup And Notes02:06 Mark 8 Walkthrough03:06 More Than One Touch05:03 Bethsaida And Gratitude08:45 Restoration Needs Boundaries12:01 Guard After The Miracle17:51 Cueing And Old Patterns30:33 Go Home Live It37:13 Dont Go Back Altar Call42:32 Prayer And No Looking Back

Click here to WATCH LIVE STREAM Worship Service on our Youtube Channel. That You May Believe, Part 24 John 12:12-12:36 (page 996) · The King's arrival. John 12:12-13 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” Illustration: Picture 1- Jewish coin Psalm 118:24-26 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we pray, O LORD! O LORD, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD. John 12:14-16 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. Zechariah 9:9-11 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. 11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. John 12:17-19 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” · The King's message. John 12:20-22 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Mark 11:17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.” Isaiah 42:6-8a “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other…” John 12:23-24 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Isaiah 53:10-12 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. John 12:25-26 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Matthew 13:44-46 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” · The King's suffering. John 12:27-28a “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. 28 Father, glorify your name.” John 12:28b-30 Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. · The King's victory. John 12:31-33 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.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. Colossians 2:14-15 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Hebrews 10:12-14 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. John 12:34-36 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?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. Mark 11:11 And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. Psalm 118:27 The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar! Psalm 118:28-29 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Revelation 7:9-10 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Respond | Connect | Next Steps The post John: That You May Believe appeared first on Charleston Baptist Church.

Welcome to Day 2889 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2889 – “A Shocking Agenda”  based on Luke 9:12-27 Putnam Church Message – 05/24/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “A Shocking Agenda.”   Last week's message was “Welcome to the War,” in which we learned that as we go about our daily lives, we go in the name of Jesus Christ, who has already won the decisive victory. Today, we continue with our twenty-fourth message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: A Shocking Agenda.” Our core passage today is Luke 9:12-27, which is found on page 1608 of your pew Bibles. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand 12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah 18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” 19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” 20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God's Messiah.” Jesus Predicts His Death 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today with open hearts and honest minds. We thank You for the Good News of Jesus Christ, but we confess that sometimes we want the blessings of Your Kingdom without the surrender of discipleship. We want provision, but not dependence. We want victory, but not the cross. We want comfort, but not transformation. Lord Jesus, teach us today. Show us who You truly are. Help us receive Your provision with humble gratitude, confess You with courage, and follow You with obedient hearts. May we not merely admire You from a distance but walk behind You daily as faithful disciples. In Your holy name, amen. Introduction: When Jesus' Agenda Shocks Us This passage begins with one of the most familiar miracles in the ministry of Jesus: the feeding of the multitude. In fact, this is the only miracle of Jesus — aside from the resurrection — recorded in all four Gospels. That alone should make us pause. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all say, “You need to see this.” But they do not merely want us to see bread multiplied. They want us to see who Jesus is. They want us to see what kind of King He is. And they want us to see what it means to follow Him. In the previous message, “Welcome to the War,” we saw Jesus send the Twelve out with power and authority. / They proclaimed the Kingdom of God. / They healed the sick. / They cast out demons. / They came back excited, exhausted, and full of stories. / They had stepped into the battle. / They had tasted ministry. / They had seen God work through them. But now, before they can fully rest and process what happened, the crowds find Jesus again. Thousands of people come into the wilderness, bringing hunger, sickness, confusion, and need. The disciples had just returned from weeks of powerful ministry, but suddenly they face a need they cannot meet. They can preach. They can heal. They can cast out demons. But they cannot feed thousands of hungry people with five loaves and two fish. And Jesus uses this moment to teach them — and us — something vital: The disciple is not the source. /The disciple is the servant. / Jesus is the supply. But then the passage turns sharply. After feeding the crowd, Jesus asks, “Who do the people say I am?” Peter answers correctly: “You are the Messiah sent from God.” But then Jesus shocks them. He says the Messiah must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and be raised. That was not the agenda they expected. They expected victory. Jesus speaks of suffering. They expected a throne. Jesus points to a cross. They expected power over Jesus calls them to deny themselves. This is why the agenda is shocking. |We will see this agenda in our four truths today. Found in the Bulletin Insert on the side that says “A Shocking Agenda.” Main Point 1: Jesus Uses Our Inadequacy to Reveal His Sufficiency The disciples had gone with Jesus toward Bethsaida for rest. They needed it. Mark tells us that so many people were coming and going that they did not even have time to eat. Can you relate to that feeling? Maybe you have had days when you never quite get to sit down. The phone rings. Someone needs you. A problem appears. A plan changes. One need gets handled, and three more show up. The disciples were tired. They had been ministering. They had been traveling. They were probably physically drained and emotionally full. - Then the crowd arrives. Luke tells us Jesus welcomed them. He taught them about the Kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing. That fits everything we have seen in Luke so far. Jesus welcomed the sinful woman in Simon's house. He welcomed the desperate touch of the suffering woman. He welcomed the cries of Jairus. He welcomed the man tormented among the tombs. He welcomed the crowds even when they interrupted rest. But as evening approaches, the disciples see a practical problem. / The crowd is hungry. / They say, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.” That seems reasonable, doesn't it? They are not being heartless. They are being practical. They are looking at the sun going down, the size of the crowd, the remoteness of the place, and the emptiness of their hands. Then Jesus says something shocking: “You feed them.” Now imagine the disciples looking at one another. “Us?” “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,”  “Do You see how many people are here?” “Even if we had money, where would we buy that much bread?” “Lord, we just came back from ministry. We are tired too.” John's Gospel tells us that Jesus already knew what He was going to do. He was testing them. / Not tempting them to fail. Testing them to grow. /He wanted them to confront the difference between their resources and His sufficiency.   Object Lesson: The Empty Basket ...

On Father's Day at Tampa Life Church, Pastor Robert Tisdale honors dads and encourages men to lead their families in prayer and spiritual initiative, noting the church has more men attending than women. He then begins a new message, “Not Mud: Trees,” contrasting a messy miracle with an incomplete one, and teaches from Mark 8:22–26 about the blind man who is brought to Jesus by others' faith. Pastor emphasizes that believers initiate by bringing others to Jesus, that miracles often require separation from unhealthy environments like Bethsaida, and that Jesus' personal, sometimes uncomfortable methods can awaken faith before full clarity comes. He urges honest confession about partial healing (“I see men as trees”), warns against settling for distortion, and calls the congregation to ask Jesus to “touch me again” for complete transformation.00:00 Father's Day Welcome01:03 Honoring Men and Families02:52 Series Intro Not Mud Trees04:39 Bring Them to Jesus07:51 When Dysfunction Feels Normal08:48 Separation Starts Healing14:05 Don't Go Back to Bethsaida18:25 Recovery of Sight Promise23:32 Jesus Heals in Strange Ways26:24 Feel Before You See29:28 Do You See Anything31:20 Disappointment Makes You Look Down34:57 Hopelessness And Learned Helplessness36:29 Look Up Again40:29 Honest Confession Brings Completion45:40 Better Is Not Whole47:33 Healing Distorted Vision53:09 Touch Me Again

Welcome to Day 2884 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom. Day 2884 – “Welcome to the War”  based on Luke 9:1-11 Putnam Church Message – 05/17/2026 The Good News According to Luke: “Welcome to the War.”   Last week's message was “Never Too Little, Never Too Lost,” in which we learned that the crowd may overlook you. Fear may accuse you.  Shame may silence you. Death may threaten you. But Jesus says, “You matter to Me.” Today, we continue with our twenty-third message from Luke's narrative of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Today's message is: Welcome to the War.” Our core passage today is Luke 9:1-11, which is found on page 1608 of your pew Bibles. Jesus Sends Out the Twelve 1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. 7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8 others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him. 10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Opening Prayer Father, we come before You today grateful that Your Kingdom is still advancing in this world. We confess that we often forget we are part of a spiritual battle. We become distracted by comfort, criticism, fear, busyness, and self-reliance. Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see Your mission clearly. Teach us to trust Your authority, / depend on Your provision, / endure rejection with grace, / and return often to You for rest and renewal. May Your Word shape us today, not only as listeners, but as faithful disciples sent into the world with good news. In Jesus' name, amen. Introduction: The War We Did Not Start, But Are Called to Enter Today, we continue in Luke's Gospel with the twenty-third message in our New Testament series, and the title is “Welcome to the War.” That may sound strong at first. We may think, “War? I thought we were talking about the Good News.” But Luke has been showing us from the beginning that the Good News of Jesus is not merely a comforting message for private spiritual reflection. It is the announcement that the Kingdom of God has arrived in Jesus Christ, and that means the dominion of evil is being overthrown. When Jesus preached in the synagogue in Nazareth, He announced good news to the poor, freedom for captives, sight for the blind, and release for the oppressed. When He healed the sick, forgave sinners, calmed the storm, delivered the demon-possessed man, restored the woman who had suffered for twelve years, and raised Jairus' daughter, He was not simply doing random acts of kindness. He was showing that the Kingdom of God was breaking into a broken world. In our previous messages, we have watched Jesus minister with compassion and authority. / We saw Him show love and grace to a sinful woman in the Pharisee's house. / We asked, “Where Are You in This Picture?” -> as Jesus taught about the soils of the heart. /  We saw “Freedom From Bondage” when Jesus delivered the man among the tombs. /  We saw that no one is “Never Too Little, Never Too Lost” when Jesus stopped for the suffering woman and raised Jairus' daughter. Now, in Luke 9:1–11, something shifts. Up until now, the disciples have been watching, learning, assisting, asking, and following. They have seen Jesus preach. They have seen Jesus heal. They have seen Jesus command demons. They have seen Jesus calm nature itself. But now Jesus calls the Twelve together and sends them out. The students become participants. The observers become messengers. The apprentices enter the battle. Jesus does not merely gather followers to sit near Him. He forms disciples to join His mission. So today, let's walk through Luke 9:1–11 under four main truths. Main Point 1: Jesus Sends Ordinary Disciples with His Power and Authority Luke tells us that Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases. Then He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. / This is remarkable. These are the same disciples who were afraid in the storm. These are the same men who often misunderstood Jesus. These are not polished professionals. They are fishermen, tax collectors, ordinary men and women from ordinary places. And yet Jesus sends them. / That should encourage us. God's mission does not depend on perfect people. It depends on the authority of a perfect Savior. /  Luke uses two important words here: power and authority. Power refers to ability — the strength to accomplish what could not be accomplished naturally. Authority refers to the right to act on behalf of another. A police officer directing traffic is a helpful picture. The officer may not have the physical power to stop a moving vehicle with his bare hands. But when he raises his hand, cars stop because he carries delegated authority. He acts on behalf of a higher government. Jesus gives His disciples both. He gives them divine ability and delegated authority. / They are not going out in their own names. They are going out in His name. / And what are they sent to do? They are sent to proclaim the Kingdom of God and demonstrate the mercy of the Kingdom through healing and deliverance. In ancient times, a herald would enter a town square and speak on behalf of the king. The herald's message carried weight because it did not originate with the herald. He spoke with delegated authority. That is the picture here. The disciples are heralds. They are announcing that God's Kingdom has drawn near in Jesus. / This connects directly with the broader story of Scripture. In Genesis, humanity was created to live under God's good rule. But sin brought rebellion, brokenness, death, and bondage. Throughout the Old Testament, God promised that His Kingdom would come, His enemies would be defeated, and His people would be restored. The prophets looked ahead to a day when captives would be freed, the sick would be restored, and God's reign would be made known among the nations. Jesus is that fulfillment. And now He sends His disciples to announce it. Object Lesson: The Badge and the Battery Hold up two objects: a badge and a battery. A badge represents authority. It says, “I have been authorized to act.” A battery represents power. It supplies energy to do what needs to be done. A badge without power may represent a title but no ability. A battery without authority may have energy but no direction. Jesus gives His disciples both. For us today, not all of us have the same calling as the Twelve. Their mission in Luke 9 was specific to that moment in Jesus' ministry. But the larger principle remains: Christ still sends His people into the world as witnesses. We go not because we are impressive, / but because Jesus is King. We speak not because we know everything, / but because we know Him. We serve not because we have unlimited strength, / but because His strength is made perfect in weakness. ...

Continuing our series through the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Davide walks through the miracle of the blind man in Bethsaida and surrender through transformation.

MAKING ALL THINGS NEW | Mark 8:22-26In this Sunday Collective, Pastor Rodney Manley teaches from Mark 8:22-26 and reminds us that faith is formed through process. Just as Jesus touched the blind man at Bethsaida and brought him into clearer vision, this message walks through what faith is made of, how it is stirred up, and how it is lived out.4 THINGS NEEDED TO MAKE FAITHMATERIAL OF FAITHFaith gives substance to what we hope for and evidence to what we cannot yet see.WATER OF FAITHGod cleanses us from impurities and idols so our faith can be renewed.MIXING OF FAITHWe stir up the gift of God within us through power, love, and discipline.WORKING OF FAITHFaith is lived out as we continue to work out what God is working in us.

2026-05-24 Remember His Compassionby Pastor Chris Berg Scripture Reference: Mark 6:30-5630 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it's already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”They said to him, “That would take more than half a year's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.53 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.Notes, outline and a summary from this sermon are made by Pocket AI and found here:Sermon Summary: The Compassionate Shepherd (Mark 6:30–56)Executive Brief This teaching examines five distinct actions of Jesus in Mark 6, arguing that they are unified by a single motivation: compassion. By analyzing these events through the lens of Old Testament typology—specifically the "Sheep and Shepherd" imagery in Ezekiel and Zechariah—the sermon establishes Jesus as the promised, singular Shepherd who provides rest, teaching, and security to his people.Key InsightsThe Five Actions:Providing a Secluded Retreat: Jesus recognizes the disciples' need to decompress after ministry, emphasizing that rest is a necessary component of mission.Teaching the Crowd: Despite seeking solitude, Jesus is moved by compassion for the people who are "sheep without a shepherd" and prioritizes their spiritual hunger.Feeding the 5,000: Jesus demonstrates his authority and identity as the promised Messiah who feeds his flock, fulfilling the covenant of peace.Calming Fear (Walking on Water): The focus is not the miracle of walking on water, but Jesus' intervention to alleviate the disciples' terror, revealing their hardened hearts and lack of understanding regarding his identity.Healing the Desperate: Jesus responds to the desperate pleas of those in Gennesaret, demonstrating his ongoing care for the physical and spiritual needs of his own.Theological Thesis: The disciples' failure to understand Jesus' authority (as seen in their astonishment at his walking on water) stems from a "hardened heart" and a failure to apply the lessons of the loaves. True biblical worldview requires active application of Scripture; without it, understanding is lost.Nuance & FrictionThe "Hard Heart" Warning: The sermon challenges the congregation to avoid the disciples' mistake of witnessing divine power without internalizing its significance. It warns that neglecting the Word of God leads to a loss of spiritual understanding.Dependence vs. Dignity: A core tension identified is the human desire for dignity over dependence. The sermon argues that true spiritual health requires acknowledging our need for the Shepherd, even when it feels undignified or desperate.The Reality of Trials: Addressing the "ain't nothing easy" nature of life, the sermon posits that trials are not evidence of abandonment but are the crucible for character, maturity, and completeness in Christ.Mandeville Bible Church   "Where God's Word is Our Foundation"https://www.mandevillebiblechurch.org/Come and see that God's Word is alive and at work right here in Mandeville.. and throughout the world!All are welcome. 217 Carroll Street, Mandeville, LA 70448Church Office: (985) 626-3114Sunday Service: 9:30AMAdult Sunday School: 10:45-11:30AMNursery and Children's church available.

Morning Worship sermon with Rev. Larry Neiderhiser Scripture reference (Mark 6:45-52 ESV) 45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. (Mark 6:45-52 ESV)

Pres. Trump says the negotiating window w/Iran about to close. Plus, archeologists uncovered new evidence confirming the biblical town of Bethsaida, birthplace of Peter, Andrew, & Phillip. Highlight: 6th century church inscription referencing Peter.

Pres. Trump says the negotiating window w/Iran about to close. Plus, archeologists uncovered new evidence confirming the biblical town of Bethsaida, birthplace of Peter, Andrew, & Phillip. Highlight: 6th century church inscription referencing Peter.

Pres. Trump says the negotiating window w/Iran about to close. Plus, archeologists uncovered new evidence confirming the biblical town of Bethsaida, birthplace of Peter, Andrew, & Phillip. Highlight: 6th century church inscription referencing Peter.

Pres. Trump says the negotiating window w/Iran about to close. Plus, archeologists uncovered new evidence confirming the biblical town of Bethsaida, birthplace of Peter, Andrew, & Phillip. Highlight: 6th century church inscription referencing Peter.

Pres. Trump says the negotiating window w/Iran about to close. Plus, archeologists uncovered new evidence confirming the biblical town of Bethsaida, birthplace of Peter, Andrew, & Phillip. Highlight: 6th century church inscription referencing Peter.

Pres. Trump says the negotiating window w/Iran about to close. Plus, archeologists uncovered new evidence confirming the biblical town of Bethsaida, birthplace of Peter, Andrew, & Phillip. Highlight: 6th century church inscription referencing Peter.

Pres. Trump says the negotiating window w/Iran about to close. Plus, archeologists uncovered new evidence confirming the biblical town of Bethsaida, birthplace of Peter, Andrew, & Phillip. Highlight: 6th century church inscription referencing Peter.

Mark 8:22-30 22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus[c] laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” 27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. The Trap of "Snake Oil" and False Promises The history of "snake oil" reveals a pattern where human desperation for healing leads to exploitation by those promising instant, miraculous cures. Unlike these false promises, faith in Jesus is not a "magic tonic" for immediate relief of all earthly problems, but a commitment to a deeper restorative work. The Significance of the Two-Stage Miracle (Mark 8:22-26) In an unusual account, Jesus heals a blind man in stages, first restoring partial, blurry vision before providing total clarity. This intentional "two-stage" healing serves as a physical parable, illustrating that spiritual understanding and healing often happen gradually rather than all at once. Jesus Will Heal You, and His Timing is Better Jesus offers ultimate physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, yet He maintains authority over the timing and the journey. While we may desire instant transformation, the biblical concept of being "saved" refers both to our immediate forgiveness as well as a progressive process of growing in holiness and becoming more like Him over time. Living as a "Work in Progress" True spiritual growth requires admitting that we still have healing to do in our hearts and our misunderstandings of God. Because every believer is in a different stage of this process, we must extend the same patience and grace to others—and to ourselves—that Jesus showed His disciples. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Icebreaker Jeremy talked about the history of "snake oil" and other fake cures. What is the most "too good to be true" product or health trend you have ever seen advertised or perhaps even tried yourself? Discussion Questions In the account from Mark 8:22-26, Jesus heals a blind man in two distinct stages rather than all at once. Why do you think Jesus might choose a gradual, progressive process for healing or spiritual growth in our lives today instead of providing an instant "fix"? The healing of the blind man suggests the disciples had "blurry" spiritual vision—requiring a long time together before Peter eventually realized He was the Christ. In what areas of your own faith do you feel like you are still moving from "blurry" vision to clarity? The sermon mentioned that while Jesus will heal us, "His timing is best". How can we maintain our trust in His goodness when we face a "no" to our prayers for immediate relief, similar to Paul's experience with his "thorn in the flesh"? Reflection Questions "Do you believe you still have some healing to do?". How does admitting that you are still a "work in progress" help you remain open to God's ongoing transformation in your heart? If a church is made up of hundreds of people who are all in different stages of a "messy" healing process, how should that reality change the way we extend grace and patience to one another during disagreements or personal failures? Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, believing that areas of our lives that seem slow to heal are a sign that Jesus has forgotten us or abandoned us. When healing is slower than we'd like, how can we give ourselves grace?

Many times, God works in our lives in strange and progressive ways. These create opportunities for us to trust Him more.

1 Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.Non turbetur cor vestrum. Creditis in Deum, et in me credite. 2 In my Father's house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you: because I go to prepare a place for you.In domo Patris mei mansiones multae sunt; si quominus dixissem vobis : quia vado parare vobis locum. 3 And if I shall go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself; that where I am, you also may be.Et si abiero, et praeparavero vobis locum, iterum venio, et accipiam vos ad meipsum : ut ubi sum ego, et vos sitis. 4 And whither I go you know, and the way you know.Et quo ego vado scitis, et viam scitis. 5 Thomas saith to him: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?Dicit ei Thomas : Domine, nescimus quo vadis : et quomodo possumus viam scire? 6 Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.Dicit ei Jesus : Ego sum via, et veritas, et vita. Nemo venit ad Patrem, nisi per me. 7 If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also: and from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him.Si cognovissetis me, et Patrem meum utique cognovissetis : et amodo cognoscetis eum, et vidistis eum. 8 Philip saith to him: Lord, shew us the Father, and it is enough for us.Dicit ei Philippus : Domine, ostende nobis Patrem, et sufficit nobis. 9 Jesus saith to him: Have I been so long a time with you; and have you not known me? Philip, he that seeth me seeth the Father also. How sayest thou, shew us the Father?Dicit ei Jesus : Tanto tempore vobiscum sum, et non cognovistis me? Philippe, qui videt me, videt et Patrem. Quomodo tu dicis : Ostende nobis Patrem? 10 Do you not believe, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you, I speak not of myself. But the Father who abideth in me, he doth the works.Non creditis quia ego in Patre, et Pater in me est? Verba quae ego loquor vobis, a meipso non loquor. Pater autem in me manens, ipse fecit opera. 11 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?Non creditis quia ego in Patre, et Pater in me est? 12 Otherwise believe for the very works' sake. Amen, amen I say to you, he that believeth in me, the works that I do, he also shall do; and greater than these shall he do.alioquin propter opera ipsa credite. Amen, amen dico vobis, qui credit in me, opera quae ego facio, et ipse faciet, et majora horum faciet. 13 Because I go to the Father: and whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, that will I do: that the Father may be glorified in the Son.Quia ego ad Patrem vado: et quodcumque petieritis Patrem in nomine meo, hoc faciam : ut glorificetur Pater in Filio.St Philip, like Peter and Andrew, was of Bethsaida. He was crucified in Phrygia where he preached the Gospel A.D. 87.St James the Less, was of Cana and a kinsman of Our Lord. He wrote one of the Epistles of the New Testament. He was thrown from the terrace of the temple A.D. 93.

In this Commentary Edition episode, we hear Jesus denounce three cities in particular: Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum? Have you ever wondered, "why these three?" Have a listen!

In this Commentary Edition episode, we hear Jesus denounce three cities in particular: Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum? Have you ever wondered, "why these three?" Have a listen!

Pray for God's Healing Grace Because Jesus “spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing” MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus knows the aches and wounds of your soul, and He wants to bring you healing. Jesus does not want you living in pain, heartache, or emptiness. The Apostle Luke tells you, in Luke 9:10-11, that Jesus wants to cure those who need His healing: “On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.". We are in an “instant society”, but healing is a process; and your healing may take a long time. Sometimes God wants you to wait, or He may see your need for healing differently from your perspective. However, in your personal relationship with God, you must pray and ask for His healing. In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus tells us: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!". Pray for God's healing grace for your soul and your body.     TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, fill me with the simple trust that even out of the most awful evil around me, you are able to bring great good — for me, for others, and for your great glory. In Jesus' name, amen.     Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 91). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I can do what he asks of me. (Philippians 4:13). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Luke 9:10-11; Revelation 22:1-3; 2 Chronicles 7:14-16; Psalms 146:1-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “The Resurrection -- Part 3: Jesus Gives Us His Great Commission Just Before His Ascension”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Main Theme The message centers on environmental hazards: how your surroundings shape your faith, behavior, growth, and spiritual clarity. The core scripture is Mark 8:22–25, where Jesus heals a blind man by taking him out of Bethsaida, healing him in stages, and telling him not to go back. Opening and Context The speaker begins by greeting the church and honoring the pastor and congregation. She reflects on the Women of Judah anniversary weekend and the messages shared there. She introduces this sermon as more teaching-focused and prepares the audience for a practical, step-by-step message. Previous Teaching Recap She briefly reviews earlier session themes: Rolling away stones. Coming forth when Jesus calls. Being loosed from bondage. Being battle ready. She connects those earlier lessons to the current topic: the importance of environment in sustaining spiritual change. What Environment Means Environment is described as the people, places, and influences around you. It shapes how you think, talk, act, and grow. She gives everyday examples like Southern culture, New York culture, and childhood exposure to different settings. Why Environment Matters Spiritually A healthy environment can support growth, praise, healing, and freedom. A toxic environment can reinforce unbelief, fear, division, complaining, and stagnation. She argues that the enemy can use environment to infiltrate a person's mind, home, church, or territory. Bethsaida as a Toxic Environment Bethsaida is presented as a city that had seen miracles but still refused to change. The speaker uses Bethsaida to illustrate repeated exposure to God's power without repentance. She says Jesus' warning about Bethsaida shows how dangerous stubborn unbelief can become. Signs of a Hazardous Environment Unbelief. Complaining. Division and disunity. Refusal to grow despite hearing good teaching. Repeated sin and conscious disobedience. Relationships, habits, and places that pull people away from God. Jesus Leading the Blind Man Out Jesus takes the blind man outside the village before healing him. This is presented as a model for believers: sometimes healing requires leaving familiar but unhealthy places. The man had to trust Jesus enough to be led into a new environment. The Problem of Noise and Influence The speaker warns against being led by news, social media, trends, emotions, or public opinion. She says many people are surrounded by others who want a front-row seat to their struggle rather than their healing. She emphasizes getting alone with Jesus so his voice can be heard clearly. Trusting the Process The blind man was healed in stages, not instantly. When he first said he saw people “like trees walking,” the healing was partial. The speaker uses this to teach patience, surrender, and honesty with God during incomplete or blurry seasons. Honesty Before God The blind man admitted he still could not see clearly. The speaker says believers should stop pretending everything is fine. She encourages honesty about pain, confusion, grief, addiction, and spiritual struggle. Following the Word Over the World She urges listeners to follow Scripture rather than culture, politics, race, gender ideology, or social trends. She says Christians should be shaped by God's word, not by public opinion or social pressure. She also stresses unity in Christ over division by tribe, politics, or identity groups. Men, Families, and Responsibility The speaker directly encourages men to stand up spiritually in the home and church. She stresses fathers, husbands, and brothers being present, prayerful, and protective. She also gives practical parenting examples about teaching children boundaries, safety, and openness. Why We Must Not Go Back Jesus tells the healed man not to return to Bethsaida. The speaker says freedom requires obedience and distance from the old environment. Returning to old habits, old people, old places, or old mindsets can undo progress. Application and Call to Action Change your environment if it is shaping you away from God. Leave the village, trust the process, and do not go back. Be thankful for deliverance and stay in the place where God is making you whole. Closing Prayer and Response The message ends with a prayer for conviction, healing, deliverance, restoration, unity, and clarity. The speaker prays for the congregation to have strength to leave unhealthy environments and remain with God. The service closes with praise and a final blessing.

Full Text of Readings Fifth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 52 The Saint of the day is Saints Philip and James Saints Philip and James' Story James, Son of Alphaeus: We know nothing of this man except his name, and, of course, the fact that Jesus chose him to be one of the 12 pillars of the New Israel, his Church. He is not the James of Acts, son of Clopas, “brother” of Jesus and later bishop of Jerusalem and the traditional author of the Letter of James. James, son of Alphaeus, is also known as James the Lesser to avoid confusing him with James the son of Zebedee, also an apostle and known as James the Greater. Philip: Philip came from the same town as Peter and Andrew, Bethsaida in Galilee. Jesus called him directly, whereupon he sought out Nathanael and told him of the “one about whom Moses wrote” (Jn 1:45). Like the other apostles, Philip took a long time coming to realize who Jesus was. On one occasion, when Jesus saw the great multitude following him and wanted to give them food, he asked Philip where they should buy bread for the people to eat. Saint John comments, “[Jesus] said this to test him, because he himself knew what he was going to do” (Jn 6:6). Philip answered, “Two hundred days' wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little [bit]” (Jn 6:7). Saint Christopher: Fact or Fiction? John's story is not a put-down of Philip. It was simply necessary for these men who were to be the foundation stones of the Church to see the clear distinction between humanity's total helplessness apart from God and the human ability to be a bearer of divine power by God's gift. On another occasion, we can almost hear the exasperation in Jesus's voice. After Thomas had complained that they did not know where Jesus was going, Jesus said, “I am the way. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (Jn 14:6a, 7). Then Philip said, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us” (Jn 14:8). Enough! Jesus answered, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9a). Possibly because Philip bore a Greek name or because he was thought to be close to Jesus, some gentile proselytes came to him and asked him to introduce them to Jesus. Philip went to Andrew, and Andrew went to Jesus. Jesus's reply in John's Gospel is indirect; Jesus says that now his “hour” has come, that in a short time he will give his life for Jew and gentile alike. Reflection As in the case of the other apostles, we see in James and Philip human men who became foundation stones of the Church, and we are reminded again that holiness and its consequent apostolate are entirely the gift of God, not a matter of human achieving. All power is God's power, even the power of human freedom to accept his gifts. “You will be clothed with power from on high,” Jesus told Philip and the others. Their first commission had been to expel unclean spirits, heal diseases, announce the kingdom. They learned, gradually, that these externals were sacraments of an even greater miracle inside their persons—the divine power to love like God. Philip and James, like all of the apostles, show us how the Word of God can heal and unite if only we as a collective are brave enough to listen.Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Mark 6:45-52 45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. 47 When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. NIV 84 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Have you ever experienced - spiritual amnesia - where your past faith experiences don't automatically translate into present trust? Discuss with your group.  2. Which of the three actions encourages you most when in a time of suffering—that Jesus prays for you, sees you, or comes to you? Why? 3. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt terrified? Think of a specific example and share it with your group.  4. These three verses were shared as ways God speaks to us in our terrifying situations - Psalm 46:10, Matthew 6:25-33, 1 Peter 5:7 - how have you experienced God coming to you in your terrifying situation? 5. The sermon defines a hard heart as an issue of faith. Can you relate to believing, obeying, and even loving Jesus—but still struggling to trust Him fully?

Click here to WATCH LIVE STREAM Worship Service on our Youtube Channel. That You May Believe, Part 13 John 6:1-21 John 5:46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. John 6:1-21 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. · Jesus sees the impossible. John 6:1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Luke 9:10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. John 6:2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. John 6:3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Mark 6:30-32 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. John 6:4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. John 6:5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” Matthew 14:14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Mark 6:35-37 And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” John 6:6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. John 6:7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” John 6:8-9 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” · Jesus does the impossible. John 6:10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Mark 6:39-40 Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. John 6:12-13 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. · Jesus is present in the impossible. John 6:16-17 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. Matthew 14:22-23a Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. John 6:18-20 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Mark 6:48-50 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:28-31 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Mark 6:51-52 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. John 6:21Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. Matthew 14:32-33 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” John 6:14-15 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. Respond | Connect | Next Steps The post John: That You May Believe appeared first on Charleston Baptist Church.

John 12:20-21 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. John 12:23 And Jesus answered them, […]

In this powerful message, "The Offense of the Messiah," we explore Matthew 11:1–24 and uncover why Jesus was rejected—not because there was a lack of evidence, but because of offense, resistance, and refusal to repent; while John the Baptist, the greatest prophet, struggled in prison when Jesus didn't meet his expectations, Jesus responds by pointing to fulfilled Scripture and warning, "Blessed is the one who is not offended because of Me," revealing that the real issue is not doubt but stumbling over the kind of Messiah He is, and this same offense is seen in the religious leaders and the generation as a whole, who rejected both John for being too extreme and Jesus for being too gracious, proving that a hardened heart will always find a reason to reject truth, and this culminates in Jesus pronouncing judgment on the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—places that saw His miracles and heard His teaching yet refused to repent—showing that greater revelation brings greater accountability; ultimately, this message confronts us with a sobering question: will we be like John, who questioned but stayed, or like the cities and leaders who saw everything and still rejected the King, because the greatest danger is not lacking evidence about Jesus, but refusing to surrender to Him when the truth is clear. #TheOffenseOfTheMessiah #Matthew11 #BibleTeaching #Sermon #ChristianTeaching #JesusChrist #FaithInGod #BiblicalTruth #GospelMessage #EndTimesTeaching #KingdomOfGod #JohnTheBaptist #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianFaith #TruthMatters #Repentance #FaithOverFeelings #TrustGod #WhenGodIsSilent #ChristianLiving #Scripture #BibleStudy #ChurchOnline #Preaching #GodsWord #JesusIsKing

In this powerful message, “The Offense of the Messiah,” we explore Matthew 11:1–24 and uncover why Jesus was rejected—not because there was a lack of evidence, but because of offense, resistance, and refusal to repent; while John the Baptist, the greatest prophet, struggled in prison when Jesus didn't meet his expectations, Jesus responds by pointing to fulfilled Scripture and warning, “Blessed is the one who is not offended because of Me,” revealing that the real issue is not doubt but stumbling over the kind of Messiah He is, and this same offense is seen in the religious leaders and the generation as a whole, who rejected both John for being too extreme and Jesus for being too gracious, proving that a hardened heart will always find a reason to reject truth, and this culminates in Jesus pronouncing judgment on the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—places that saw His miracles and heard His teaching yet refused to repent—showing that greater revelation brings greater accountability; ultimately, this message confronts us with a sobering question: will we be like John, who questioned but stayed, or like the cities and leaders who saw everything and still rejected the King, because the greatest danger is not lacking evidence about Jesus, but refusing to surrender to Him when the truth is clear.   #TheOffenseOfTheMessiah #Matthew11 #BibleTeaching #Sermon #ChristianTeaching #JesusChrist #FaithInGod #BiblicalTruth #GospelMessage #EndTimesTeaching #KingdomOfGod #JohnTheBaptist #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianFaith #TruthMatters #Repentance #FaithOverFeelings #TrustGod #WhenGodIsSilent #ChristianLiving #Scripture #BibleStudy #ChurchOnline #Preaching #GodsWord #JesusIsKing #FaithJourney #SpiritualTruth #UnmetExpectations #KingdomTruth

How to NOT Miss a God Moment John 1:35-36 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (NIV) John 1:40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus (NIV) John 1:41-42 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus (NIV) John 1:43-46 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip (NIV) Found People Find People 1. Live with an urgency. John 1:41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ) (NIV) Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (NIV) Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV) John 9:4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work (NLT) 2. Go to who you know. John 1:41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ) (NIV) 3. Watch for divine appointments. Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (NIV) 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word of God urgently at all times, whenever you get the chance, in season and out, when it is convenient and when it is not (TLB) 1 Peter 3:15 Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy (MSG)

How to NOT Miss a God Moment John 1:35-36 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (NIV) John 1:40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus (NIV) John 1:41-42 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus (NIV) John 1:43-46 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip (NIV) Found People Find People 1. Live with an urgency. John 1:41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ) (NIV) Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (NIV) Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV) John 9:4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work (NLT) 2. Go to who you know. John 1:41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ) (NIV) 3. Watch for divine appointments. Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (NIV) 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word of God urgently at all times, whenever you get the chance, in season and out, when it is convenient and when it is not (TLB) 1 Peter 3:15 Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy (MSG)