Podcasts about in john

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, Hunter invites us into the December 23rd reading—day 358 on our year-long journey through Scripture. Together, we explore John chapters 15 through 18, where Jesus prepares his disciples for what's to come, sharing timeless wisdom about staying connected to the true Vine, loving one another, and embracing courage in the face of trials. As Hunter reminds us, this isn't just about reading the Bible; it's about experiencing real transformation from the God who is with us and who is love, fully revealed in Jesus. Today's episode weaves together the words of Jesus with Hunter's thoughtful reflections and heartfelt prayers, encouraging us to hold tightly to faith—even when we face sorrow, confusion, or fear. We're reminded that though life brings hardships, we can take heart knowing Christ has overcome the world. Join us for Scripture reading, practical spiritual guidance, and a time of prayer that aims to deepen your faith and bring peace to your heart. Let's journey together and remember: you are loved—no doubt about it! Certainly! Here is the requested devotional section transcribed, matching the tone, style, and format of your example: TODAY'S DEVOTION: Do you really believe? In John 16, we see Jesus trying to describe his relationship with the Father. He's preparing his disciples for what is about to happen, trying to help them see, but they struggle to understand. And finally—perhaps unsure, perhaps overwhelmed—the disciples say, "Yes, Lord, now you're speaking plainly. Now we understand." But did they really? I can't help but think that Jesus knew they did not truly understand. In fact, he gently calls them out, asking, "Do you really believe?" He tells them that the time is coming—even now—when they'll be scattered, each going his own way, leaving him alone. If they really understood, would they do that? And yet, Jesus says, "I am not alone, for the Father is with me." In this moment, Jesus is being honest with his disciples—and with us. Sometimes we think we believe, but when troubles come, we run and hide. Jesus is inviting us into something deeper than a moment of affirmation. He's inviting us into a life that stands firm when trials come. He tells his disciples—he tells us—what a heart of faith truly looks like: "I've told you these things so that you may have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world." Troubles are real. Hardships will come. Sometimes there's a pandemic. Sometimes there's loss or fear. But Jesus says take heart, have courage, because he has overcome the world. We don't need to flee. We need to remember that Jesus is with us, and his very presence is enough to see us through whatever troubles we face. So let me ask you, as I ask myself: Do you really believe, or are you running and hiding? Have we learned to hear and receive his word—"Take heart! I have overcome the world"? Let's not run or hide but walk with him, through all of our troubles, knowing he has the power to overcome and that he is always with us. That is my prayer for my own soul. It's a prayer I have for my family, for my wife, daughters, and son. And that is a prayer I have for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

Jesus spoke many times about light and darkness. In John 8, Jesus claims to be the light of the world. Why is that such a big deal? And what does that mean for Jesus followers today?

Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: John 5-6 Click HERE to give! Get Free App Here! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you. TODAY'S EPISODE: Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today's episode, we're joining Hunter, your host and Bible reading coach, for the December 19th journey through the Scriptures. Just ten days away from completing the year-long reading, we explore John chapters 5 and 6—reflecting on Jesus' miraculous healings, his powerful teaching that he is the bread of life, and the deep spiritual transformation that comes from encountering the God who is present and who is love. Hunter leads us not only through the text, but also in thoughtful prayer and personal reflection, drawing us closer to the hope, peace, and joy found in Christ. Whether you're an everyday listener or joining us for the first time, get ready to experience the transformative power of God's word as we seek to follow and partake in the bread from heaven—Jesus himself. TODAY'S DEVOTION: He is the bread from heaven. What is it that you're looking for? Where do we go when we hunger for life, when our souls thirst for meaning, hope, and transformation? In John 5 and 6, we encounter Jesus in the midst of crowds who search for healing, wholeness, and something that fills more deeply than the loaves and fishes on a hillside. He meets a man longing for restoration after thirty-eight years of brokenness, speaks words that defy the boundaries of the Sabbath, and calls himself equal with God—upending what people thought they knew about the source of life. Jesus invites us to receive something beyond the ordinary: union with the living God. "I am the bread of life," he says. "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." This bread is not simply sustenance for the body but the very life of Christ offered for the whole world. He is the true bread—the one who has what we're truly longing for. We do not draw near to Jesus because we are especially good or worthy. We come, hungry and broken, because the Father draws us. In this season, we remember the bread, the Word, that comes down from heaven—Jesus himself. He offers his flesh so that we might share in his life, be transformed by his love, and partake in his victory over death. The Father is at work, drawing us to the one who fills our deepest need. Let us open our hearts to see Jesus for who he is—the bread from heaven, our sustainer, our source of life. Let us receive what he has offered. Let us follow him, be united to him, and find transformation in his love. This is my prayer: for my own soul, for my family, and for you. May it be so. TODAY'S PRAYERS: Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.   Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.   And now Lord,  make me an instrument of your peace.  Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon.  Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope.  Where there is darkness, light.  And where there is sadness,  Joy.  Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.  For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life.  Amen And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray... Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ.  Amen.  OUR WEBSITE: www.dailyradiobible.com We are reading through the New Living Translation.   Leave us a voicemail HERE: https://www.speakpipe.com/dailyradiobible Subscribe to us at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dailyradiobible/featured OTHER PODCASTS: Listen with Apple Podcast DAILY BIBLE FOR KIDS DAILY PSALMS DAILY PROVERBS DAILY LECTIONARY DAILY CHRONOLOGICAL  

In John 13, Jesus demonstrated to his disciples what role they have with one another and how they should live. We live on a dirty earth and we need to serve one another by confessing our sin and metaphorically washing each other's feet. As Christians we live in humble obedience to Christ and we look to Him who humbled Himself on the cross for our sins. We trust & believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Have you done that in your life?

Todaywe're continuing our study in Ephesians 4:20–24. These powerful verses remindus that we are no longer to walk as the Gentiles walk, or as the lost worldwalks. Paulsays in verse 20, “But ye have not so learned Christ.” Then he goes onto say, “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, asthe truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:21). My friend, everything changes whentruth is being absorbed into your mind and into your heart. For many years—overfifty years of counseling and talking with people as a pastor—I have observedthat the core problem in most lives is this: people have listened to the liesof the devil. They have listened to the lies and philosophies of the worldwhile trying to figure out what to do about life, about problems, and aboutdifficult decisions. As a result, they make choices based on deception,thinking they are making good decisions when in reality they are being ledastray by a lie. My role as a pastor is to bring people back to the truth ofGod's Word so they can make decisions based on truth. Whatis the truth? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John14:6). The truth is found in God's Word. Jesus also prayed, “Sanctify themthrough thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). The Word of God is thetruth of God revealed to us—in the person of Jesus Christ and in the Scripturesof the Bible. That is why Paul says, “If indeed ye have heard him, and havebeen taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.” Have you heard Him? WhenJesus speaks, He calls us by name. In John 10, we are told that the Shepherdknows His sheep and calls them by name. And what is the evidence of thatrelationship? We hear His voice. When He calls us, we follow Him. We are notforced to follow Him—we desire to follow Him. Why? Because we are His sheep,and we belong to His fold. Jesus cares for His sheep. That's why we can trulysay, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). He leadsus in paths of righteousness—that is, paths that are right, paths that pleaseGod, paths that align with the principles and truths of God's Word. Those pathslead to life, and to life more abundantly (John 10:10), a life that isdistinctly different from the world around us. Iget excited when I think about this truth—that we have been taught by Him. Notonly does He speak to us and call us, but He also teaches us. And the truth Heteaches is found in Himself. Then in Ephesians 4:22–24, Paul tells us what thattruth looks like in daily living: “That ye put off concerning the formerconversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Andbe renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, whichafter God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  Throughoutthe New Testament, Paul explains this process in his letters to the churches atEphesus, Colosse, and Rome. In Romans 5 through 8, he teaches us that, becauseof our salvation in Jesus Christ, we now have a new identity. We can livedifferently—because we are different. We have been made new creatures.We have put off the old man. Like Lazarus, we have been raised from the dead.The spiritual death that once consumed us, condemned us, and weighed us downwith guilt no longer has power over us. We were once condemned to eternity in aplace called hell, but now we have been set free. Weare alive in Christ. Because He lives, we live. And because of that, we canlive a different life. Oh, I encourage you today—study these verses carefully.We will come back to this truth of putting off the old man and putting on thenew man in the days ahead. But I trust you will be encouraged today to knowthat you have life in Christ. You learn the truth in Him and from Him. Hespeaks to you. He walks with you. He is your friend, and He desires to walkwith you every day. Today,will you let Him walk with you? That choice is up to you. Godbless!

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do (John 9:1-3). We are exploring what it means that Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us." In the Old Testament, light is an image that gets attached to Immanuel. In John's gospel, this image explodes onto the page like a light bulb given power in a dark room. Our text is one of those detonations. The disciple's understanding of the world is turned on its head. The disciples ask, "Why is this man blind? Who sinned causing this blindness?" They are trying to understand the condition, meaning, and purpose of this man's life. If he is blind, if he is disabled, isn't it because he or someone has sinned? Why would he be this way if no one had sinned? In their way of looking at the world, a problem like blindness was always the direct effect of someone's sin. Today, we think such ideas are old fashioned. We are too educated for such simplicity. But just hold on. What is our gut reaction when someone is homeless or a refugee? For many of us, our first response is to ask why. To step back and analyze the situation. And isn't that exactly what the disciples were doing? Analyzing the situation, making it fit into their worldview. They don't see a man in need of healing, do they? They're blind to his pain. They want an answer to a theological question. Likewise, we try to explain what we see as unfortunate, lamentable, regrettable. But in doing this we place ourselves at the centre of our questions; God is put on the sidelines. In our text, Jesus flips the disciples' thinking on its head, as he so often does. In responding to their question, Jesus shifts their focus from the blind man to God and to Himself as the Light of the World. He says to them, "Don't look for someone to blame. Look instead for what God can do. This man needs light and I am the light of the world." Jesus intends to point us beyond the problem to the possibilities it presents. When we see an afflicted individual, we should not start with blame, but rather how can peace, comfort, and healing for this person show the glory of the God. We should be about the business of bringing wholeness to them. Jesus continues to rebuke his disciples when he says, "While it is still day, we must do the works of the one who sent me. Night is coming. Then no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." In other words, don't let your opinions deflect you from the task that God has put you here to do. How often do we analyse and dissect rather than act to bring God's light into the world? How often do we apply our theological minds to working out why something is the way it is, rather than doing what we can to right the wrongs we see? In being the hands and feet of Jesus, others discover through us that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. To paraphrase Jesus, "Whoever has eyes to see, let them see!" As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May your day end with rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you. May you rest in his provision as he brings night, and then new dawn.

It's Thursday, December 18th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Syrian Christians are suffering Christians in Syria are facing new challenges and growth. The Middle Eastern country is now ruled by a transitional government after the autocratic rule of Bashar al-Assad ended a year ago. Freedom of expression seems to be increasing; however, Christians still suffer persecution. Christian students, women, clergy, and business owners face insults and threats in public. Despite this, one pastor told Open Doors, “After all the violence in the country, some non-Christians are now more open to hear about Christianity, because they see that Christianity brings peace, and we hope that God will touch their hearts.” In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Two U.S. soldiers and U.S. civilian interpreter killed in Syria Two U.S. soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter were killed in an attack in Syria over the weekend. The U.S. military blamed the attack on the Islamic State group.  Hundreds of American troops are in eastern Syria as part of a coalition to fight the Islamic State. U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on X, “This was an ISIS attack against the U.S. and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them. … There will be very serious retaliation.” Citizens in 39 countries are prohibited from traveling to U.S. On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation further restricting the entry of foreign nationals to the U.S.  Thirty-nine countries are now affected by U.S. travel restrictions. The proclamation added full restrictions and entry limitations on Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. Individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents also face full restrictions.  Defense bill gives 4% raise to soldiers The U.S. Senate passed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act yesterday. The $901 billion military spending bill provides support for Europe, Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.  The bill also gives service members a 4% raise and addresses social issues for troops. For example, the bill prohibits men, pretending to be women, from participating in women's sports programs at military academies. And the bill does not expand coverage for in vitro fertilization for military families.  The U.S. House of Representatives approved the bill last week, and President Donald Trump is expected to sign it.  Hegseth restores miliary chaplains as moral anchors U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced plans on Tuesday to restore the military chaplaincy to its full strength. Hegseth said chaplains have been minimized by secular humanism to being viewed as therapists instead of ministers. He said, “I have a directive right here that I will sign today to eliminate the use of the Army Spiritual Fitness Guide effective immediately. These types of training materials have no place in the War Department.” Hegseth added, “In well over 100 pages, it mentions God one time. “That's it. It mentions feelings 11 times. It even mentions playfulness—whatever that is—nine times. There's zero mention of virtue.” Listen to other comments from Hegseth. HEGSETH: “There will be a top down-cultural shift, putting spiritual wellbeing on the same footing as mental and physical health. As a first step toward creating a supportive environment for our warriors and their souls, we're going to restore the esteemed position of chaplains as moral anchors for our fighting force.” Will Supreme Court block church's million dollar COVID fine? A church in California is appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court in a case involving government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. California officials previously fined Calvary Chapel in San Jose over one million dollars. The church simply did not require members to wear masks at services during the pandemic.  Advocates for Faith & Freedom is representing the church. Erin Mersino, vice president of the group, said, “Government officials may not weaponize emergencies to suspend the First Amendment. California imposed some of the most aggressive restrictions on churches in the country, and this case is about ensuring the government never does this again.” When commanded not to preach, Peter and the apostles said in Acts 5:29, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” 234th anniversary of Bill of Rights And finally, this week is the anniversary of the U.S. Bill of Rights which comprise the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.  The United States of America ratified the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791, two hundred thirty-four years ago. The First Amendment famously protects freedom of religion and freedom of speech. The Second Amendment protects the individual right to keep and bear arms.  The amendments drew from English law to protect the rights of citizens and limit the power of government. Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, December 18th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Light in the darkness is one of the ways that throughout history, Christmas has been celebrated. Lighting candles, and lights on trees, and lights at night. What is that all about? In John 1, John talks about Jesus coming into the world. It's his way of talking about the meaning of Christmas. And in this very famous passage, the word “light” shows up seven times. Let's look at how this tells us that 1) human beings need light, 2) there is a light, and 3) how we can connect to it and receive it. This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on November 27, 2016. Series: Jesus, Mission, and Glory: Advent. Scripture: John 1:1-11. Today's podcast is brought to you by Gospel in Life, the site for all sermons, books, study guides and resources from Timothy Keller and Redeemer Presbyterian Church. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast and would like to support the ongoing efforts of this ministry, you can do so by visiting https://gospelinlife.com/give and making a one-time or recurring donation.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen How do you define abundance? A quick search will tell you abundance in life is experiencing a state of more than enough in all aspects which includes but is not limited to wealth, relationships, health, joy, and fulfillment. Further defined as a mindset, abundance in living focuses on feelings of inner peace and gratitude regardless of external circumstances. Now, this is an AI overview based on a basic google search, and I would argue this isn't a far-off definition from what we are to expect from an abundant life through our salvation in Jesus Christ. True abundance isn't external at all. It is an inner feeling. Paul knew this feeling well. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13). In these verses, Paul points to this inner abundance that isn't reliant on a state of experiencing more than enough. His secret? Paul's deep abiding and faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, later in Philippians 4, Paul states, And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Jesus himself gave us many examples of how abundance in the world meant much less than a relationship with him. If we consider the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, we can see how Judas's worldly seeking never led to abundance at all. In John 12:1- 8, we read the account of Mary taking expensive ointment and anointing Jesus' feet, wiping his feet with her hair. Judas confronted Jesus and asked why the ointment had been wasted and not sold to give money to the poor. He said this not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to whatever was put in it (John 12:6). Knowing Judas' heart, Jesus tells him to leave Mary alone since he will not always be with them. We all know Judas then betrays Jesus for a bag of 30 pieces of silver that he later tries to give back realizing what he had done. He ultimately takes his own life. This need for monetary abundance cost Judas his life.

Christmas is full of lights, but the original Christmas story is really about Light entering darkness. In John 12, Jesus says, “I have come as light into the world,” so that we would not remain in darkness. This week, we explore what that means, how darkness isn't God leaving but us moving away, and how Jesus invites us to abide in His light, face to face, for real life, healing, and hope.⚫CONNECT WITH US:

In a world marked by anxiety, unrest, and brokenness at every level—personal, familial, national, and global—peace feels increasingly elusive. Yet on the night before His crucifixion, Jesus speaks words of comfort and assurance to His troubled disciples, offering something the world cannot give: His peace.In John 14, Jesus addresses fearful hearts with a promise rooted not in circumstances, but in His own nature, His finished work, and the sovereign purposes of God. This message explores the contrast between the fragile, fleeting peace offered by the world and the lasting, supernatural peace found in Christ alone. As Jesus prepares to leave the upper room and walk toward the cross, He bequeaths a gift without which His followers could not endure—a peace secured through His sacrifice, sustained by trust, and guarded by God Himself.Key Verse: John 14:27-31Key Points: 1. The Promise of Peace 2. The Provision of Peace 3. A Prerequisite to Peace 4. The Pursuit of Peace 5. Prohibitors of PeaceThis sermon calls us to consider where true peace is found, how it is received, and what threatens to rob us of it, inviting believers to live under the ruling peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

Jesus' first miracle and first Passover declare that the Messiah has arrived. In John 2, we encounter Jesus turning water into wine and then stepping into the temple with a whip as the Son of God who is zealous for His Father's house. There is an invitation into a life of joy, holiness, and purity. He can take the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

We all want Jesus to fix our circumstances, but He came to heal our hearts. In John 5, Jesus asks the question that cuts through excuses: "Do you want to get well?" This message invites us to stop settling for relief and step into the freedom of deliverance. If a miracle brought you close, let Jesus be the reason you stay.

Are You Willing to Go Out of Your Way for the ONE?From Andrew bringing Peter, to Philip inviting Bartholomew with a simple “come and see,” Scripture shows us a powerful truth: God reaches people through people.In John 4, Jesus intentionally goes out of His way to pass through Samaria, crossing cultural, social, and spiritual barriers, to meet one woman at a well. At noon. In her shame. And in her thirst.This message challenges us to ask:• How far are we willing to go to reach those far from Jesus?• Do we recognize the thirst in the people around us?• Are we willing to offer the Living Water that truly satisfies?Jesus knew what the world still forgets:• Everyone is thirsty.• Temporary wells always run dry.• Only Christ brings lasting peace, hope, and fulfillment.From celebrities to neighbors, from the successful to the broken, people are drinking, but they're still thirsty. And we have the water.As we close, we take time for a powerful prayer moment, lifting up the names of people we know who are thirsty, asking God for boldness, and trusting the Spirit of the Lord to move.

Do you have a standard you are looking to for living your life as a disciple of Jesus Christ? In John 14:12, Jesus promises, “Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.”  In this message Pastor Dennis gives a clear call to us to make Jesus and His life as described in the gospels the standard for our lives.  Let's not lower the standard to meet our past or present experience, but let's seek to raise our experience to the standard Jesus makes available for us.  Notes to this message are in the comments below.

In John 12, we witness two very different responses to Jesus. Mary pours out a year's wages in a single act of worship, while the crowds cheer for a political conqueror who fits their agenda. Join us as we explore the difference between cheap enthusiasm and costly devotion, and ask the hard question: What is Jesus actually worth to you?#John12 #TrueWorship #PalmSunday

Imagine a jury that sees overwhelming DNA evidence but still returns a verdict of "Not Guilty." In John 12, Jesus has performed undeniable signs—even raising the dead—yet the people still refuse to believe. In this sermon, we explore the frightening reality that unbelief is rarely an intellect problem; it is an appetite problem. Join us as we look at the danger of a hardened heart and the fear of man. #John12 #Unbelief #Apologetics #Faith #HardenedHeart

When I led a ministry for moms of preschoolers, we hunted for an image to describe the unending demands that mothers experience. Changing diapers. Wiping noses. Picking up toys. It turns out the image was right in front of us: a disposable juice box, collapsed in on itself. Moms can feel like empty juice boxes. That ministry served moms by leading them to the Source of living water that can fill them to the full—Jesus. In John 7, Jesus went to the Festival of Tabernacles (v. 12), commemorating God’s provision during the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings. This festival included a water-pouring rite symbolizing the fruitfulness that only moisture produces and foreshadowed the spiritual rain the Messiah would bring. Jesus fulfills what the ancient festival anticipated. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (vv. 37-38). At times, we can feel like empty containers. Weary from caregiving. Worn from working. Exhausted by everyday responsibilities. The unending demands draw us dry! But when we live in relationship with God, He provides springs of living water within our heart to refresh and refuel us no matter how many cares and concerns try to drain us.

Send us a textEverlasting Father Dr. Jessica Fernandez December 14, 2025For many, the word “father” brings up wounds of absence, pain, abandonment, or unmet expectations. But Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus our Everlasting Father, the Father-hearted Savior who came to heal every place where earthly fathers fell short. Join us as we discover how the child in the manger displays the heart of a Father who is constant, compassionate, and eternally present.DISSCUSION QUESTIONS 1. Take a moment to reflect on your own experience with the word father. How has your understanding — whether positive, painful, complicated, or absent — shaped the way you view God? In what ways has it helped you, and in what ways has it created barriers or misconceptions? Share how this message challenged, corrected, or deepened your perspective of God as your Everlasting Father.2. Out of all the ways Jesus revealed the Father's heart — His compassion, His mercy, His provision, His sacrifice, His desire to adopt you, or His protection — which one impacted you the most and why? Can you think of a time in your life when you personally experienced one of these aspects of God's heart? What did it teach you about who He truly is?3. In John 6, Jesus fed thousands with five loaves and two fish, showing that the Father provides abundantly and not sparingly. Where do you struggle to trust God's provision in your own life? What “small loaves and fish” — your time, resources, abilities, or obedience — are you holding onto tightly? What might it look like this week to place those things into His hands and trust Him to multiply them?4. The NICU illustration showed how fragility, instability, and weakness are met with a parent's steady presence. In your life right now, where do you feel most fragile, overwhelmed, or under pressure? What would it look like to stop “trying harder” and instead “draw near” to the Everlasting Father? Where do you sense God inviting you to rest, to breathe, and to let Him hold what you cannot regulate on your own?5. Scripture teaches that God didn't just forgive you — He adopted you (Galatians 4, Ephesians 1). What does it mean to you personally that the Everlasting Father claims you as His child with full belonging and full access? How does this identity shift the way you approach prayer, insecurity, or daily life? And what step can you take this week to grow in intimacy with your Father?

Introduction: John 17:3 – And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 1:18 – No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. I Want to Know God (John 1:1–3): The REALITY: Jesus is GOD. Colossians 2:9 – For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. Zechariah 12:10 – And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced… Acts 20:28 – Pay careful attention to yourselves... to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Hebrews 1:2 – But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. The RESPONSE: FAITH in Jesus. Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. How Can I Grow in Knowing Jesus? CONFESS with your mouth. Romans 10:9 – If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. HEAR the Word. Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. KEEP His commandments. John 15:10 – If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead John 1:1-3What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Why do you think the deity of Jesus is denied by so many cults? Why is that such a common point of contention?How would you explain the Trinity to a 7 year old?Define “faith”. Why do you think faith is the God-ordained way of knowing Him?What's your favorite dinosaur?BreakoutPray for one another. AUDIO TRANSCRIPT Stegosaurus.Nobody asks, so I'm just going to tell you.Game show host.And gray.Oh, oh, and what I want for Christmas.I just want to know God.Did you ever ask for something, like for Christmas or whatever, and somebody got you the genericversion?Has that ever happened to anybody else?Show of hands.You wanted something and you got the generic version?That happened to me when I was a kid.When I was a kid, they came out with this wacky thing.It was called a pogo ball.How many people show of hands remember the pogo balls?Okay, a few of you.One person in the first service did.Or about half of the first service's attendance.Remember what a pogo ball was?If you don't know, just imagine like a snowman with the head cut off.It was that kind of shape, right?And it had this hard plastic ring that went in between these two balls that were kindof fused together.And you were supposed to like stand on the plastic disc and squeeze your feet on thattop ball and then you would bounce on the pogo ball.And the pogo ball would let you jump almost as high as you could jump if you weren't ona pogo ball.But it was the hot item the one year.And I wanted a pogo ball.You know what my parents got me?The Saturn ball.Pogo balls, generic cousin.The Saturn ball.And not only was it actually not fun to use, but my family was making fun of me when Idid use it.So if I would jump on it, they'd be like, "Here we go on our Saturn ball, our Saturnball, our Saturn ball."And that really hurt my feelings.So the Saturn ball got thrown into a closet and it's probably still there until today.But look, I know we've had this conversation before.But there's just some things you can't go generic, right?Like ketchup.Altars.Oreos.The generic's not the same.Don't try to tell me that it is because you're just lying to yourself.But nothing has been made more generic than God.We live in a culture that is okay with the generic concept of God.But when you get specific, people get squirrely about that.You're like, when people say, "God bless America.""God bless America."You know, you can ask, "Well, which God?"Do you mean the God of the Bible, the one who created us, the one who judges sin, theone who commands us to repent and believe, the one who calls us to live our lives accordingto his wisdom?And it's like, oh no, not that God.But we're just okay with the generic concept.But you see, the problem with that line of thinking is God isn't a generic concept.In fact, God's not a concept at all.God is a person.God is a specific person.And as we enter into the Christmas season, you know, we know the Christmas story fromMatthew and from Luke, right?We know that version of the Christmas story well with the census, and Bethlehem and Maryand Joseph and angels and shepherds and manger and the star and the magi.Right?Well, Matthew and Luke sort of tell the story of the incarnation like looking over people'sshoulders, right?But we're going to be looking at the Gospel of John because his Christmas story is a littledifferent.In John's Christmas story, we are looking over God's shoulder.That's really the theme of the whole book of John.And we studied this some years back.But the theme of John is this, "The God of the universe has revealed himself by cominginto this world as a man to not just save you, but to have a relationship with you."That God wants you to know Him.In fact, this is what Jesus Christ was praying.John 17.3, Jesus said, "And this is eternal life that they may know you."The only true God in Jesus Christ, whom you have sent, eternal life.Nothing's more important than eternal life because you are either going to live foreverwith God or you're going to die forever apart from God.So what do you want for Christmas?The top of your list should be eternal life.And according to Jesus, that comes from knowing Him, from knowing God.And I do have to remind you that knowing about God is not the same as actually knowing God.You realize those are two completely different concepts.Knowing about God and knowing God.Not the same.Think of it this way.Imagine a young man comes to church, a single man.And he's been coming here for a while when all of a sudden one day he notices there isa beautiful young single woman.And he's like, "I don't think I met her, but who is that?"But he gets his friend.He's like, "He found out who that girl is."And his friend comes back with the information.And he says, "Oh, you asked about that girl.Here's what I know.She loves missions."She loves working with children.She enjoys traveling.And get this, she's a big Steelers fan.But she also loves rom-coms.Now if this friend goes back to the dude and gives this report on what this woman is like,do you think this man would be like, "All right, now that I have the information abouther, I am satisfied.Thank you.That is all."Is that the end of the story?No, you see, now that he knows about her, that makes him all the more want to know herpersonally.You see, that's how it is with God.That's how it is with Jesus Christ.The more you know about Him, the more you want to know Him personally.The fact should lead you to the relationship.How do I know God personally?Well John 1.18 tells us that no one has ever seen God, the only God who has at the Father'sside.He has made Him known.And folks, this is a fundamental truth.That the only way that we can know God is He has to make Himself known.And that's what we celebrate every Christmas that God has made Himself known because Hedid it in the most personal way possible.He showed up and introduced Himself.So look at John 1.Picking up in verse 1.We're just going to get the first three verses today.This might feel more like a Bible study than a sermon.But these are important truths that we're going to wrestle down here.John 1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word wasGod.He was in the beginning with God.All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made."Notice that John in introducing our Lord, He's using this word, "Word" a lot.Why does He use the word "Word"?Well He doesn't really explain that.But I promise you that the audience that He wrote to in the first century would have knownexactly what He was talking about.Because John primarily would have been writing to the Greeks and the Jews.The word "Word" in the Greek is "Logos."And to the Greeks, the Logos was like this impersonal force, this impersonal energy source.Because the Greek philosophers were like, "Look, all of this had to come from somewhere.The world didn't happen by accident.There has to be some force out there that's behind the structure of the earth.All logic and reason."They had this idea, it was an impersonal force, and they called it the Word, the Logos.So John is writing to the Greeks, and he goes, "Hey, you guys talk about the Logos, right?Did you know the Logos is a person?"It's not a thing, it's a person.It's a person that was with God.It's a person that was God, and it's a person according to John 1.14 that became fleshand dwelt among us.So that's how the Greeks would have heard this.Do you know how the Jews would have heard this?And we probably don't have to guess, right?When the Jews would have heard the Word Word, what would they have thought of?They immediately would have thought of the Law and the Prophets, what we call the OldTestament.You see, you go through the Old Testament over and over and over.The Word of the Lord came too.The Word of the Lord came too.The Word of the Lord came too.And all of the Law and the Prophets, it's known as the Word of God.So the Jews would have picked up on this concept immediately.You know what the purpose of words is?Words are to communicate something.Words are to be deliberately chosen and used to convey information to another person.That's what John's saying to the Jews.The Word became flesh.Jesus Christ is God's communication to man.A living, breathing Word.So God isn't some impersonal force.God's not a generic concept.According to God's Word, He is a person.And He has revealed who exactly He is in Jesus Christ.Let's just pause for a second and ask that you would pray for me as we do this littlestudy together that I would accurately represent God's Word.Let me pray for you to have a heart open to receive this absolutely essential truth thatGod is teaching us today.So let's pray.Father in heaven, we live in a culture that is fine to think of you in general terms.But to call you a person, a father, the sovereign of the universe, it's tough for some peopleto grasp.And I just pray Father today, especially over these next few minutes, that we would reallyhave our hearts and minds open to what it is that your Word wants to teach us aboutthe way that you've revealed yourself through your Son.It's in Jesus' name that we pray.Amen.So on your outline, I want you to write some things down.I want to know God.Here's where it starts.Number one, the reality.This is the reality.Jesus is God.Let's look at these verses here.Look at verse one again.He says, "In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God."In the beginning.Is that something familiar at all?That phrase, "In the beginning."Where have we heard that?Genesis 1-1, right?That's how the whole Bible starts.And John is starting in the same place.John is saying, by saying in the beginning, John is saying, "Before anything was created,the Word existed."The Word.And notice he says two things about the Word.First of all, the Word was with God.And secondly, the Word was God.First of all, let's talk about the Word was God.This claim is nothing less than Jesus Christ is Almighty God.This is all through the New Testament.If we were to just do a Bible study today looking at the verses of the New Testamentto talk about Jesus being God, we would be here long after the snow melted.But the New Testament is so full of this truth.For example, Colossians 2-9 says, "For in Him, in Jesus, the whole fullness of Deitydwells bodily."Most concise statement of Jesus' Deity is probably right here in John 1-14.It says, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, gloryas of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."The Word became flesh and dwelt.That Word dwelt in the Greek is the word tabernacled.The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.You heard the tabernacle?In the Old Testament, it was this portable structure that as Moses was leading the Israelitesout of Egypt, God told Moses to build this structure and it had this tent with the HolyPlace and the Holy of Holies.And this was the place where God's unique presence dwelt among His people.So when John says, "The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us," you know, if youwere in the Old Testament times, if you lived with Old Testament Israel and somebody said,"Hey, can you point to the place where God's unique presence lives on the earth?"You would point to the building, the tabernacle.You would say, "Yeah, God's unique presence on earth is right there."Fast forward to 2025 right now.If I were to say, "Can you point to the place where God's unique presence dwells on earth?"Where would you point?It's right here, right?Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.The temple was just the permanent version of the tabernacle.This is where God lives.This is God's unique presence here.So what John is saying in John 1.14 is for about 33 years of earth's history, when youwould ask, "Where is God's unique presence on the earth?"You'd point to a man.That man's name is Jesus Christ.You would point to him and say, "Right there.That man is the unique presence of God on the earth.This is where he is."All right?Jesus is not an exalted angel.Jesus is not some special enlightened human.According to this verse, Jesus is the God.And every false religion denies this, by the way.And I can just tell you personally, you would be shocked at how many times I've had to havethis conversation with people over the course of my ministry, that people who actually say,Jesus never said He was God.You heard that argument?Jesus never said it.What the argument is this, that's something the church kind of came up with.We kind of, like some religions like us, we sort of hitched that idea onto Jesus.Did Jesus Himself, they say, "Oh, if you study the words of Jesus, He never said He was God."Well, do you remember back in Exodus chapter 3, God called Moses through the burning bush.You know, you're going to lead my people out of Egypt.You're going to lead them to the promised land.Do you remember Moses says to God, "Well, what if Israel asks who sent me?"What if Israel is like, "What is His name?"Do you remember in that moment, God told Moses what His name is?You remember?God told Moses His name is, "I am who I am."That's God's name.His name is, "I am."I love that.God didn't say to Moses, "My name is I was."Like Moses, like what's your name?And God's like, "Moses, I was.Oh Moses, you should have seen me back in high school.Oh Moses, I was so good looking and I was such a good athlete.Back in the day Moses, back in the day I was really something.No, he's not the I was.But nor did God tell Moses that he's the I will be."Right?Like Moses is like, "What's your name?"And God's like, "Well Moses, you tell the Israelites, I might not be nothing specialnow but I'm taking my vitamins and I'm drinking my milk and I'm doing my palates and I'm jumpingon my pogo ball and someday, someday I'm going to be something great.I will be."God's not the I was and he's not the I will be.God is, "He is I am."From eternity past, He is infinite, majestic holiness.He is the I am.And in eternity future, He will still be infinite, majestic holiness.He is the I am.You're like, "Well what does that have to do with Jesus?"Because Jesus repeatedly claimed that He is the I am.It's all through the gospel of John, what, like seven times.I am the bread of life.I am the light of the world.I am the way and the truth and the life.I am the good shepherd.I am the door.All through Jesus made this claim.John chapter 8, Jesus said before Abraham was, "I am."John chapter 10, Jesus said, "I and the Father are one."And in that moment the Jews picked up stones, they were going to kill them for saying that.Jesus says, "I did a lot of good works for which of them are you going to stone me?"And they said, "Oh no, you're making yourself out to be God the way you're talking."And you see, they knew exactly what He was saying.They knew exactly what He meant when He said, "I and the Father are one."Oh, and by the way, not only does the Bible say that Jesus is God, did you know that the Bible also says that God is Jesus?Here's what I mean.Look at Zechariah 12/10.This is before the incarnation, the Christmas story.This is before the baby in the manger story.This is Old Testament.Look at what God says.God says, "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a spirit of grace and please, for mercy, so that when they look on Me on Him whom they have pierced."Do you see how God identifies Himself?He identifies Himself as the one who was pierced and who was the one that was pierced.It's Jesus Christ on the cross.Do you see that?Do a little word study there.That's exactly what He's saying.They will look on the one whom they've stabbed.Right?It's also in the New Testament.God is Jesus.Look at Acts 20, for example.Paul says, "The Ephesians elders pay careful attention to yourselves to care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood."Who bought the church with His blood?He says God.You're like, "I thought it was Jesus that shed His blood."Well, Paul's saying that as Jesus shed His blood, that was God obtaining the church with His own blood.So Jesus is God, yes, and the Bible also says that God is Jesus.The word was God, but the Bible also says here that the word was with God.The word was with God.And in case you missed it, in case you didn't quite catch it in verse 1, verse 2, he just says the exact same thing.He was in the beginning with God.So somehow, Jesus is God, but being with God, somehow He is distinct from the Father.Like if I said to you yesterday, I was with my buddy Nathaniel, and I was my buddy Nathaniel.You would say, "Were you and Nathaniel smoking something? Like what was going on there?"That doesn't make sense, does it?How can you be with somebody and be somebody at the same time?But that's exactly what the Bible says about Jesus and His relationship with God.He's not only God, but He's also with God.And people want that explained all the time.Pastor Taylor had a couple of weeks ago, the little children back there had a Q&A thing with him.And one of the questions they were asking about, the trinity.And look, do you want to know about the trinity? Here's the reality.Nobody can figure that out. That's the truth.You can't do it.Because from the moment you were born, you've only ever known two things in your life.Your whole life, you've only ever known two things.And that's time and space.You can't fathom an existence outside of time and space.This is where we are.And now we have a God who lives and exists in rules outside of time and space.God is not bound by time and space.And somehow we think that we're going to be able to explain everything about Him.Here's what I know.The Word was with God and the Word was God.The Bible says God exists.He's one God, but He exists as three persons.Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Jesus is eternal, but distinct.And you don't have to explain it to believe it.I can't explain to you how my car works, but I believe that it does when I get in and drive it.Look at verse 3.He says, "All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made."Okay, this is just theology 101. It's all through the Old Testament.God is Creator.And John here is saying Jesus is God, He's with God.And then John takes another step and says, "Jesus is Creator. He made all things."And somehow, again, the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all involved in creation at the same time.You're like, "Can you explain that?"I just told you I could not explain that.But somehow God, the Father created through God the Son, and the Genesis tells us that the Spirit of God hovered above the waters.All three members of the Trinity were involved.And somehow Jesus is the agent of creation.The Bible says in Hebrews chapter 1 and verse 2 that in these last days, God has spoken to us by His Son,whom He appointed the heir of all things through whom also He created the world.Through whom He created the world.That's all John's saying here in verse 3."Every living thing gets life from something else.A tree, a dog, a woodpecker, you. You got life from something else.The only person who has never received life from someone else is God Himself."That's what John's saying, since Jesus already existed before creation,and because Jesus didn't get His life from something else, then He must be God.Those are the biblical facts about Jesus.And listen, even if you're sitting here today or listening to the podcast later or whatever,even if you don't agree with that, can we take an honest look at what the Bible says and stop trying to twist it?Oh, it doesn't really say that.The Bible overwhelmingly says that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.That's the truth that you have to reckon with.He is God.So if you want to know God, number two, the response.The response. You want to know God? The response is faith in Jesus.The reality is Jesus is God. The response is we have to have faith in Jesus.You see, God took the initiative.God did His part in revealing Himself as Jesus, so the question is, what's my part in knowing Him?It's faith.Faith is the only way to know God.Oh, and speaking of generic,not only do people use the name of God in a generic sense,but you'll find that people use the concept of faith in a generic sense.There is a true biblical sense and definition of faith,but we live in a culture that just throws that word faith around all the time and uses it in all kinds of ways.Here's what I mean.Some people use faith like it means a wishful thinking.Faith is just wishful thinking.Like, well, I just kind of have faith that everything's going to work out.Like, what does that even mean?For some people, they think faith is just the way of the ignorant.Like, well, you believe in science.Or you believe in faith, rather. I believe in science.And they're condescending. You're just some, you know, backwoods, redneck, you're ignorant.I believe in science, but you have your little fairy tale faith.And still other people look at faith as some kind of ambiguous spirituality.You hear people say, I'm a person of faith.Do you know who else is a person of faith?Literally everybody.Everybody believes in something.What is your faith in?Because you can have faith in the wrong thing.So listen, my friends, God is not a generic concept and neither is faith.Faith is a specific disposition towards a specific person.That's why Hebrews 11.6 says without faith,it is impossible to please Him for whoever would draw near to God.That's the knowing God piece.Whoever would draw near to God must believe that He existsand that He rewards those who seek Him.It starts with obviously an acknowledgement of His existence,but it doesn't stop there. You have to seek Him.You have a responsibility.God took the initiative. He revealed Himself in Jesus.What is my responsibility in this relationship?Or how can I grow in knowing Jesus?I want you to draw these three things down.How can I grow in knowing Jesus?Letter A, you have to confess with your mouth.Romans 10.9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lordand believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.And you are not going to grow in your relationship with Himif you don't have one to begin with."So have you made that confession?Do you believe that Jesus Christ died on the crossto pay the penalty for your sins, that He rose from the deadto give you eternal life? Do you believe that?Because people have this idea that, well, we're all children of Godand a creative sense, yes, but not in the adoptive sense.Yes, we do all have a relationship with Jesus.The question is, do you have a good relationship with Himor a bad relationship with Him?You have to confess with your mouth.Ask to start there, letter B, you have to hear the Word.You have to hear the Word.Romans 10.17 says, "So faith comes from hearingand hearing through the Word of Christ."The only way your faith grows is through the Word of God.Because this is the only truly reliable source of informationabout Jesus, because this is the source of informationthat was given to us by God.You have to be in the Wordif you're going to know Jesus.Any relationship involves time and communication.And some people, they spend no time in His Word,no time praying His Word and reading and studying and meditating.And they spend no time at all in the Word.And then they wonder why they feel so distant.Relationships grow when time is spent together.You need to prioritize spending time and praying the Word of God.Finally, letter C, keep His commandments.Jesus says in John 15.10, "If you keep My commandments,you will abide in My love just as I have kept My Father's commandmentsand abide in His love."That's how you abide. It's through obedience.Now listen, if you're a Christian and you're in sin,sin is not going to end your relationship with Jesus.But you're obviously going to feel distant from Godif you have unrepentant sin.Any area of disobedience in your life that you refuse to deal with,you're going to feel distant.And that's not on God. That's on you.God hasn't gone anywhere. You have.So what is it in your life right now that you're like,"I know that this is what God wants me to stop doing,or maybe something God wants you to start doing,but you know exactly what it is.You need to turn from that sin.You need to obey whatever Jesus is calling you to.And you're going to enjoy the freedomthat repentance brings in your walk with Christ."This is what keeps people from coming to Christin the first place, by the way.Jesus will take you just as you are,but He won't leave you that way.Jesus wants to transform you.He wants to change you.Some people just don't want to be changed.Keep His commandments.The Word became flesh.God became a man.Our worship team would come back up.You know, I came to Christ when I was 20.And it's an amazing thing to grow up in a churchas a kid.All those days, all those yearssitting in the church, how little I really understood.But when I was led to Christ, it was this whole newworld, right?And I remember I was trying to understand.And I had this Bible that my parents got me.You know, some Bibles have the little story inserts,little devotional things that kind of build into the Bible.Well, this Bible had this story in it.And the story goes something like this.There was this farmer and his wife, it was Chris Paseeb,and the farmer's wife was going to church.And she asked her husband if he wanted to go with her.He goes, "No, I don't get that church stuff.It doesn't, that makes no sense to me.You know, I'm not interested at all, but you go have fun."Well, she went to church.And while he was home, he saw that there were birds trying to getinto his barn.This really bad deep freeze came over, kind of like,"What happened here?"And these birds were trying to get into the barn,seeking shelter from the cold.The farmer says, "Well, I can help those birds."So he goes, "I'll just go out and open the doorand let them in the barn."And when he went out, you know what birds do, right?They just kind of scattered everywhere.The farmer's like, "Well, that sure didn't help anything."So he thought, "Well, maybe if I just leave breadcrumbs,I can like guide them in there somehow."Didn't work.No matter what the farmer did, he couldn't get the birdsinto the barn to get shelter.And as the story goes, I don't think it's a true story,but as the story goes, he stood and lookedout the kitchen window, and he saw the birds back flyingaround the outside of the barn not able to get in.And the farmer thought to himself,"Those birds are going to die."And as badly as I want to save them,I don't know how I can get them into the barn.But then the farmer had a thought.The farmer thought, "You know, if I could become a birdfor like five minutes, I could approach them,they wouldn't be scared of me, I could speak their language,and I could show them the way that they could be saved."And right when he had the thought, the story goes,"Off in the distance, he heard the church's bells ringing."And that's when it connected.It's a dumb story.Admittedly, what I'm going to tell you as a young Christian,when I read that, that's what made everything click for me.Yes, that's the purpose of the incarnation,that God became one of us to save us.So what do you want for Christmas?I want to know God, not the generic knockoff,but the real person.Because knowing God is eternal life.We're going to have our elders and members of our prayer teamup front here.And in just a moment, Ashley's going to sing a song over you.And we're going to have a good old-fashioned altar call.You can stay in your seat, you can pray right where you are.But I want you to know there's people that are up here that would love to pray with youand for you.So as Ashley sings over you, we're going to invite youto come. Maybe there's somebody herethat today you're like, "You know what? I don't really know God. I know about Him.But I don't really have a relationship with Him.Today's the day. Today's the day that you can go from knowing aboutGod to knowing God. So please come.Our Father in Heaven, we thank Youfor the way that You have demonstrated Your holiness and loveby taking on flesh and blood.Father, I pray against all of the distractions. It's that time of yearthat there's more to do than we have time to do.And there's so many things buying for our attention.Father, I pray that we would take a realclose examination at the person of Jesus Christ and examine our own hearts.Are we truly walking with Him? Do we trulyhave a relationship with Him that we're spending timetogether and knowing and growing?Or are we just churchgoers?Father, I thank You. You've revealed Your heart. You want us to know You.You've done everything and have just simply called us to receivewhat You have accomplished.Father, thank You. We praise You and ask that You would continue to manifestYour goodness and presence in us by the power of Your Spirit through the wisdomof Your Word. We praise You in the name of JesusChrist, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

In this sermon, as we continue our Advent series, we reflected on Jesus' teaching that true joy is not found in the absence of sorrow, but in the transformation of sorrow through His presence. In John 16:20–24, Jesus prepares His disciples—and us—for a life in which weeping and rejoicing coexist. He promises that our sorrow will turn into joy, not be ignored or replaced by it. We confronted the idol of comfort, which offers quick relief but often keeps us from the very places where God forms deep, lasting joy. Jesus invites us into a joy that cannot be taken away—a joy rooted not in our circumstances, but in Him. This joy allows us to live with eyes open to the sadness of the world while remaining anchored in the hope of the resurrection. As we depend on Jesus through prayer and honest engagement with our sorrow, we discover a joy that endures, grows, and ultimately prevails—joy that holds space for sadness.

Who are you trusting to guide your life—and where are they really leading you? In John 10:1–21, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd—the One who knows His sheep, calls them by name, and lays down His life for them. Are you listening for His voice, or just the loudest ones around you? Today, Pastor Rich invites you to hear the Shepherd's call and discover the life only He can give.

Warm-Up Share a time when a light revealed something you didn't notice before—maybe physically, emotionally, or spiritually. How did it change your perspective or bring joy? Scripture Read Together: John 1:4–5, 9-13, John 8:12, John 3:16–21, John 9:1–7, John 12:35–36, John 12:44–46, 1 John 1:5-10 As you read, underline or note any phrases about light, truth, or joy that stand out to you. Observation: In John 8:12, Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.” What does it mean that Jesus identifies Himself as light, not just a source of moral teaching or knowledge? How does this relate to joy, according to the sermon? In John 9, Jesus heals the man born blind. How does this story illustrate the way Jesus' light exposes truth and restores life? Who were the truly blind in this story, and what does that tell us about spiritual blindness in our lives today? 1 John 1:5 says, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” How does knowing this encourage you to walk in Jesus' light? In John 12:44–46, Jesus invites us to see and follow His light. How do love and action reflect that light to others? John 12:35–36 and John 1:9–13 describe becoming children of light. What does it mean to live as a child of light in your day-to-day life? Where do you see joy naturally arising as a result of walking in His light? Application: Where in your life do you most need Jesus' light to bring joy this Advent season? Are there areas where you've been trying to create your own light instead of relying on Him? How could you invite Jesus into those areas? How can you reflect Jesus' light through love, encouragement, or service in tangible ways this week? Prayer Jesus, Light of the World, thank You for shining into our darkness and restoring our sight. Thank You for bringing life, truth, love, and joy. Help us walk fully in Your light this week, reflecting Your joy and grace to everyone we meet. Show us where we are blind, and let Your light guide us. Amen.

The holiday season often carries a tension between joy and heaviness. While we celebrate the birth of Christ with wonder, expectations, busyness, grief, and change can steal our peace. In John 14:27, Jesus reminds His disciples that true peace doesn’t come from a perfectly executed holiday or a trouble-free life—it comes from Him alone. When our hearts feel overwhelmed by demands or sadness, we are invited to return to the Prince of Peace and receive the rich, lasting calm only He can give. This season, peace becomes possible not by doing more, but by turning our focus back to Jesus, who is always with us. Main Takeaways You’ll learn why the holiday season can feel both joy-filled and burdensome—and how Christ meets us in both. Discover how Jesus’ promise in John 14:27 offers a peace deeper than anything the world can provide. Understand how hurry, expectations, and grief can steal peace—and how to reclaim it through Christ. Gain practical ways to plan for peace this season through rest, margin, and time in God’s presence. Reflect on how focusing more on Jesus than on holiday pressures brings renewed joy and spiritual grounding. Bible Verse References John 14:27https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/14-27.html Your Daily Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace, and I long to experience Your presence in a deeper way this season. When the holidays feel heavy, rushed, or overwhelming, quiet my spirit and calm my fears. Remind me that true peace does not come from accomplishing more, but from resting in You. Help me release the expectations I carry and receive the peace You freely give. Let Your presence steady my heart and fill my days with renewed joy as I celebrate Your birth.Amen. Want More? Subscribe to Your Daily Prayer for daily Scripture reflections and encouragement. Leave a rating or review to help others discover this podcast. Visit LifeAudio.com for more Christian podcasts and devotional content. Explore more daily devotionals and Bible study resources at Crosswalk.com and Christianity.com. Relevant Links & Resources Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes by Keri Eichberger Scripture study resources: BibleStudyTools.com – https://www.biblestudytools.com/john/14-27.html Faith and spiritual growth content:Crosswalk.com – https://www.crosswalk.comChristianity.com – https://www.christianity.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Presented by Julie Busteed Do you like to work in the garden? I love to see the results of all the work—planting, watering, weeding and pruning. In John 15, Jesus teaches the Father is the gardener who lovingly tends the vine. Part of that tending is pruning. Pruning is essential to the life of a vine, and Scripture uses that imagery to help us understand our own life with Christ. In a vineyard, pruning renews the vine and shapes it. Without pruning, a vine grows wild. It will produce many shoots and leaves but far fewer grapes. The gardener cuts back healthy branches—not to harm the vine, but to help it focus its energy so it can thrive. Pruning makes room for new growth and greater fruitfulness. Pruning happens when the vine is dormant, after the harvest season. Even in dormancy, the vine is still alive and still supplying what the branches need. This resting period isn't wasted time; it's preparation. The vine is strengthening its core, preserving its energy, and getting ready for the next season of growth and fruitfulness. In the same way, God prunes us. Seasons of pruning might feel like cutting back, slowing down, or letting go. God may remove distractions, attitudes, habits, or commitments that keep us from bearing fruit. Sometimes he even prunes good things so better things can grow. These seasons can feel quiet—almost dormant—but God is still at work, nourishing, shaping, and preparing us. Pruning is so important because it leads to even greater fruit. Jesus says, every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:2). Pruning isn't punishment—it’s intentional care from a Father who wants our lives to flourish. When we remain connected to Christ, the true Vine, we can trust his pruning is purposeful. It clears away what hinders us, renews us, and positions us for greater growth in the seasons to come. For the Christian, pruning is a mark of God's love and his desire to make our lives fruitful, meaningful, and deeply rooted in him. When we stay connected to Christ, every season—even the dormant ones—becomes part of his transforming work in us. Joseph's life in the Old Testament is a powerful picture of pruning before fruitfulness. He endured deep hardship—sold into slavery by his own brothers, then falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet through every season of suffering, God was shaping his character and preparing him for a greater purpose. In time, Joseph was elevated to second-in-command under Pharaoh, where he used his God-given wisdom to save Egypt and ultimately rescue the very family who had betrayed him. His story reminds us seasons of pruning often precede seasons of remarkable fruit. May you and I remain faithful—connected to the true Vine—even during the dormant times. Even when we are being pruned. Because God is a loving Gardner and is doing this for even greater fruit in our lives.

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #279 Categories: Biblical Feasts   Web Description: Hanukkah may be best known for the lighting of the menorah and the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days in the Temple following the Maccabean revolt. But the true heart of the Hanukkah celebration is the cleansing of the altar and the rededication of the Temple after a small group of Jewish farmers had defeated their enemies. Just as there are eight candles burning on the menorah during the celebration of Hanukkah, there are at least eight good reasons for Christians to celebrate Hanukkah.   Show Notes: Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, is actually a biblical feast and has significance for us as Christians. Here are eight reasons why Christians should consider celebrating Hanukkah:   1.    Hanukkah is found in the Bible. In John 10:22 we see that Christ celebrated the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). 2.    We all need times for a new dedication and recommitment of ourselves to God and to a deeper level of service to the Lord. 3.    Once again the land of Israel is under the leadership of the Jewish people. This restoration was promised by God, and Christians should celebrate that we are yoked together with Israel and the Jewish people. 4.    Hanukkah foreshadows the days of the complete fulfillment of the messianic prophecies, where we see God's kingdom and God's rulership on earth as it is now in heaven. 5.    Celebrating Hanukkah looks forward to the end of anti-Semitism: the end of persecution and desecration of the Jewish people in our day and age. 6.    As Christians we should join with the Jewish people in the bold proclamation of their faith by celebrating Hanukkah. 7.    We are showing our oneness today with Judaism, with the State of Israel, and with the Jewish people everywhere as our elder brothers in the faith. 8.    In celebrating Hanukkah we reconnect ourselves with the Jewish Yeshua (Jesus) and return to our Hebrew roots—to recognize them, to be thankful for them, to engage with them, and to learn more deeply the ways that were the ways of Yeshua.   Key Verses:   •       John 10:22–24. "At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place … and Jesus was walking in the temple." •       Daniel 3:13–18. "We are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image." •       Matthew 5:14–16. "Let your light shine." •       Matthew 5:17. "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law … I did not come to abolish but to fulfill."   Quotes:   •       "We should live our lives as Christians in oneness with the Jewish people in their fight against anti-Semitism, because their fight is our fight." •       "As Christians celebrating Hanukkah, we can celebrate the bold proclamation of Jews down through the centuries that say, 'We will not bow down to the idolatry of this age.'" •       "There's something very important in the coming together of Christians and Jews in today's world. Hanukkah can be a bridge for us to see that happen."   Takeaways:   1.    Go back and read the book of Maccabees, the Jewish encyclopedia, and the other sources to find out for yourself what was done and how it was done—so that Hanukkah will create in you a oneness with our Jewish brothers and sisters. 2.    Take time in this holiday season to open your heart, your mind, and your spirit to reconnect through the celebration of Hanukkah with the Jewish roots of our faith so that you will find something new and alive in your own Christian experience.

Main Theme: True unity is powerful — whether for good or evil — but only unity built on obedience to God's Word can stand. Using Genesis 11 (Tower of Babel) and John 17 (Jesus' prayer for believers), Pastor Matthew taught that prideful unity seeks to glorify man, while holy unity glorifies God. The sermon called believers to become “one” with God, within themselves, and with one another, through humility and obedience. Man's Pride and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1–9) Humanity once shared one language and one goal — to build a city and tower “whose top is in the heavens.” This unity was not righteous; it was rooted in pride and self-exaltation. “Let us make a name for ourselves.” — the cry of human arrogance. Pastor explained that Nimrod led this effort, motivated by defiance against God's authority and fear of another flood. Historian Josephus wrote that Nimrod's goal was to build a tower taller than any future flood could reach. Humanity still acts the same way today — building monuments, chasing power, and seeking fame — revealing that “man's heart hasn't changed.” Lesson: “You can build something big without God — but it won't last.” God's Response — Confusion and Division God “came down” to see what man had built — emphasizing His sovereignty: “They tried to build up, but He had to come down to see it.” The Lord noted their unity: “Nothing they propose to do will be withheld from them.” Unity, even for evil, is powerful. So God confused their language to protect mankind from greater rebellion. This was not destruction, but mercy through disruption — scattering people before sin could multiply unchecked. “The only thing that reached heaven from Babel was their sin.” Two Kinds of Unity Pastor contrasted two types of unity: Worldly unity – Prideful, self-glorifying, built on rebellion (Babel). Godly unity – Humble, self-denying, built on obedience (Christ). “It's powerful to be unified, even for the wrong reason — but it's holy when you're unified for the right one.” He warned that even evil movements gain momentum through unity, while the Church often loses ground because of division. The greatest form of unity begins with God Himself — aligning our will with His. “You'll never be unified with people until you're first unified with God.” Humility and the Example of Abraham Abraham's humility contrasted Babel's pride: He let Lot choose the better land, trusting God's promise instead of striving for position. “Abraham pitched his tent and built his altar — Lot pitched his tent and lost everything.” God told Abraham, “I will make your name great.” The key difference: Abraham waited on God to exalt him; Babel tried to exalt itself. Pastor connected this to Jesus' humility — who sought the Father's glory, not His own. “Jesus didn't look for fame; He looked for the Father's confirmation.” Jesus' Prayer for Unity (John 17:1–14) In John 17, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one as He and the Father are one. Unity is rooted in shared obedience and shared glory — not shared opinion. “If we don't care who gets the credit, we'll stay unified.” Jesus' request: “Glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You.” “Keep them through Your name that they may be one as We are one.” Pastor emphasized that Jesus prayed not for the world, but for those who belong to God — the Church that would reach the world through unity and truth. Lesson: “Unity doesn't mean sameness — it means shared purpose: glorifying God.” The Anatomy of Unity — Spirit, Soul, and Body Every believer must first be unified within themselves: Spirit (where the Holy Spirit dwells). Soul (mind, will, emotions). Body (the vessel of action). Without spiritual renewal, the soul leads — driven by emotion, intellect, and will. The Holy Spirit must rule the soul to align the believer with God's will. “You'll never be unified outwardly until you're unified inwardly.” Pastor described how old thought patterns (like “grooved paths” in the brain) must be renewed by the Word. “You've got to cut new paths in your mind — let the Holy Spirit groove His will into your thinking.” Godly Unity in Practice Starts in the home: Division between husbands and wives hinders prayer. Spreads to the Church: True revival requires believers who care more about obedience than credit. Extends to the nation: Real healing begins when unity is built around God's Word, not politics or culture. “Our rallying point is not religion, denomination, or last name — it's the Word of God.” Call to Action and Prayer Pastor closed with a call for repentance and restoration of unity: Individuals: Be reconciled to God through Christ. Marriages: Break division; walk as one. Churches: Give glory to God alone. Nations: Return to truth and righteousness. “The devil divides Christians, but unites evil causes. We must reverse that.” Core Message Unity is powerful — even when used wrongly. Godly unity begins with humility, obedience, and surrender. Pride builds towers; faith builds altars. To be one with others, first be one with God. The Church's greatest strength is not its size or sound — it's its unity in the Spirit and truth.

John opens his Gospel not with the details of Jesus' birth or His earthly relationships, but with a revelation of His eternal identity. While the other Gospels show who Jesus is through His interactions, His family line, and historical moments, John steps back to unveil the divine nature behind it all. In John 1:1–5, we see Jesus as the eternal Word, present with God and fully God from the beginning. John declares that all life flows from Him, life that is everlasting. And in a world marked by darkness, Jesus shines as the true Light, a Light that darkness cannot overcome.

God Gives a Jesus Follower's Life Meaning and Purpose, Satisfies their Hunger to Know Their Life's Purpose, and Forgives Their Sins MESSAGE SUMMARY: As Jesus tells us in John 15:12-14, that you, as His follower, are His “friend: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends.". God became flesh, and He dwelt among us. God became human to draw you into a personal relationship with Him. In John 1:14, the Apostle John identifies Jesus as the “Son of the Father”: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.". God alone can satisfy the meaning and purpose of your life. God alone can satisfy your hunger to know your life's meaning. Most importantly, God alone can give you forgiveness of your sins as Paul tells us in Colossians 2:13-14: “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.". Jesus' life, miracles, death, and His Resurrection are invitations to a life-long personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. Our personal relationship with God is through His gift, to Jesus Followers, of the Holy Spirit.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to grab hold of you today. I need you. Set me free to begin reorienting my life around you, and you alone. Help me to pay attention to and honor how you have uniquely made me. Thank you for the gift of rest. In Jesus' name, amen.       Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 122). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Fear Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Faithfulness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 1:10-13; Colossians 2:10-15; Psalms137:1-9. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Day Is Coming – Part 2”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

On this second Sunday of advent we met another dreamer, John the Baptist. In John's vision, peace is when everything is set right—where people are treated fairly, everyone has enough, creation is cared for, and no one needs to be afraid. This week we are invited to boldly imagine peace and remember that preparing for […]

Sermon by Andrew Flowers on December 7, 2025.Key scripture: John 13:1–17, Philippians 2:5-7, 1 John 1:9Jesus, knowing the cross was hours away, bent low to serve, even the one who would betray Him. In John 13, we see not just an act of love, but a pattern for how His grace transforms our posture toward others.

Sermon by Ant Frederick on December 7, 2025.Key scripture: John 13:1–17, Philippians 2:5-7, 1 John 1:9Jesus, knowing the cross was hours away, bent low to serve, even the one who would betray Him. In John 13, we see not just an act of love, but a pattern for how His grace transforms our posture toward others.

Join us for a study through the Gospel of the Apostle John, continuing with John 3. In John 3 we will cover Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus, the gospel summary of John 3:16, and John the Baptists reaction to his disciples' concerns about Jesus' growing ministry.

What happens when Jesus opens your eyes? In John 9, a man born blind is healed—and his life is never the same. This story isn't just about sight, but about discovering who Jesus really is. Have you seen Him clearly? What's holding you back from stepping into the light? Join us as we explore John 9 and the hope, courage, and new life that begin when Jesus opens your eyes.

Who is Jesus? In John 1:1–5, the apostle answers this question in three distinct ways. Join Pastor Steve as he walks us through each one.

In episode three of "The Holy Spirit," Duane Sheriff explores the two roles of the Holy Spirit, using metaphors of a well and a river to illustrate His ministries. In John 4, Jesus offers the Samaritan woman "living water," symbolizing a personal well of living water within believers that springs up to eternal life. This well represents salvation and a personal relationship with God.Click for FREE offer ➡️https://pastorduane.com/landing/the-holy-spirit/In John 7, Jesus promises something more for believers - a "river" of living water flowing out of them. Unlike a well that serves believers personally, a river has power and flows outward to bless others. This river represents the baptism of the Holy Spirit, a separate experience from salvation.A well meets spiritual needs, while a river empowers believers to minister to others. Every believer has the well, but God wants to provide a river too - His supernatural power flowing through them to touch the world around them.

One of the large churches in our area started a new building and they announced it would be for community outreach. But they did something I've never seen a church do before. They gathered the congregation around the just-completed foundation of that new building and they asked them to throw something into the foundation. Now you've no doubt seen people's names on the outside of a building's foundation, especially on the cornerstone. But these folks were actually putting names inside the foundation - the names of people they care about who don't belong to Jesus yet - people they are hoping and praying will be in heaven with them some day. I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Names on Your Heart." That's what should be at the foundation of every church, every ministry, every child of God - the names of specific lost people who we want to rescue. Here's a great example of how it's supposed to work. It's in our word for today from the Word of God. In John 1:41-42, we find that a young fisherman named Andrew has just discovered Jesus Christ. Notice his very first instinct: "The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah'... And he brought him to Jesus." Notice the first thing that happened was that Andrew had a name laid on his heart, a specific person he wanted to meet Jesus as he had. And we all know what a world-changer Simon Peter turned out to be because of someone who loved him enough to bring him to Jesus. There's someone like that in your life - someone who may never make it to Jesus if you don't bring them. And God is trying to plant their name deep in the foundation of your heart, so that person becomes your own personal spiritual mission from God. You need to begin to pray what I call the 3-open prayer on their behalf right now: First, "Lord, open a door." That's a natural opportunity for you to bring up your personal relationship with Jesus. Then, "Lord, open their heart." In other words, do things in that person's heart or life that will make them surprisingly ready to hear about You. And, finally, "Lord, open my mouth." Give me the courage, the words, the tone, and the approach. Let's try those: "Lord, open a door. Lord, open their heart. Lord, open my mouth." By the way, you don't have to pray, "If it be Your will." It is. It's one thing to talk and pray generally about all those people out there. It's something else to have a burden with a name - a burden that acknowledges your personal responsibility to be the one to introduce that person to Jesus. That's why Jesus put you in their life in the first place! You've been divinely assigned to them. And lost people should be the consuming passion of every Christian church, every Christian ministry. Our Lord's personal mission statement was to "seek and to save what was lost" (Luke 19:10). How can ours be anything less than that? For all of us, it's just so easy to fall into doing what's easy - which is to have a ministry that's "all about us," "by us," "to us." But Jesus is all about "them." We've got to ask Him to help us see what He sees when He looks at the people all around us. They are the future inhabitants of hell, unless someone intervenes with the love and the hope that only Jesus has. So would you make the names of some lost people that you want to be in heaven with you part of the foundation of your life, your priorities, your passion, your prayer. They're why He came, and they are why He put you where you are.

John 10:31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Did you notice the word “again.” After Jesus had said that He was the Light of the world and the Light of life, He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” In John 8:59, it says they picked up stones to throw at Him, but He hid Himself. Twice Jesus spoke plainly that He was the Son of God and was God in the flesh, and twice they took up stones to kill Him. It was the same evil spirit that rose up in Cain, a spirit of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. When bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are at work, a person is ready and willing to do harm to others. They wanted to kill Jesus because they didn't like His truth. If His truth was truth, then “their truth” was a lie. My friends, we are watching the same spirit at work today. For those who think life is about being happy, significant, and being your best “you”, anyone living to love with Jesus is a threat to their living to love themselves. They will pick up stones to kill you. They are doing the work of their father who hates the work of God, the Father, revealed in His Son in us. But let's not let that stop us from living to love with Jesus. Let's love them with His love for His glory.

Kerusso exists to tell people about the Good News of Jesus Christ, but somehow in our information-jacked world, culture has moved further away from understanding who the most famous person in history really is. Millions of books and articles have been written about a carpenter who lived in the Middle East 2000 years ago, and Jesus has been identified as anything from a desert mystic to God Himself.Historically, He was born into a Jewish family in Judea at the time the Roman Empire controlled the area. Born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, Jesus was 30 before He gained a reputation as a great teacher. But He was much more than that. The Bible tells us that He was sent into the world by God the Father, to stand in our place and take the penalty for our sin.According to Genesis, man defied God's template for living and because He is holy, God requires that someone is accountable for sin. Had Jesus not entered the world, we'd be left without a way to reconcile with God. Long story short, Jesus Christ is much more than just a wise teacher. He's also the Son of God.The Bible also tells us Jesus is one with the Father. Remember, when Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he asked God how to identify Him to the people. And God replied, “I am who I am.”And that was in the Old Testament. In John 8:58, in the New Testament, Jesus tells the people, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Jesus Christ is a divine being. John 1:29 says, “The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.'” This description of Him is not embraced by most people around the world. The Bible tells us that man's heart is wicked. It isn't like billions are rushing to churches so that they can have their sins forgiven. The human mind and heart don't want to focus on the messier side of the gospel. We're imperfect. We sin. And our sin is an offense to God. Who wants to hear that? We don't want to be told that we're not good. We want to be told we're good, and worthy of God's love.And the Good News, the gospel in the person of Jesus Christ, is that we have the pathway to be like Him. Romans Chapter Eight tells us that it is God's desire that we become like Jesus, and that's a goal worth reaching for. Let's pray.Father, thank You for providing us with Your word, that tells us exactly who Jesus is and what His life means to us. You could have abandoned us to sin, but You didn't. The praise and the glory belong to You alone. In Jesus' name, amen.Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

In John 21, the resurrected Jesus meets His disciples back where it all began—by the sea, with an empty net and familiar doubts. Peter had failed, ran back to fishing, and carried the weight of regret. But Jesus meets him right there, restores him with grace, and calls him forward into purpose: “Follow Me.” This message invites us to step out of comfort, stop comparing our journey to others, and fix our eyes on Jesus alone. When He restores us, He doesn't point us backward—He leads us on.

Jesus Gave His Followers the Holy Spirit to Walk with Them in Their Personal Relationship with God MESSAGE SUMMARY: Isaiah tells us about Jesus Followers' communications with the Holy Spirit in Isaiah 30:21: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.". We know, from the New Testament, that Jesus Followers are given the Holy Spirit to walk with them -- "a voice behind you". Since the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you, the way the Lord speaks to you is through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit -- the Spirit will speak, and you will know that it is the Lord. In John 14:26, Jesus reminds us about His promise, to His followers, of the “Helper” (Holy Spirit): “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”. Additionally, in John 16-7, Jesus tells us that not only will the Holy Spirit be your “Helper”, the Holy Spirit will be your “Comforter”: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, I now take a deep breath and stop. So often I miss your hand and gifts in my life because I am preoccupied and anxious. Grant me the power to pause each day and each week to simply rest in your arms of love. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 132). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Anger. Rather, I will abide in the Lord's Forgiveness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Ezekiel 22:30-31; Isaiah 30:21; John 14:23-27; John 16:7-13; Psalms 134:1-3. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “A Day Is Coming – Part 1”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Welcome to In the Word with Malcolm Webber! In John 4, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman: “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” This Gift is the core of the Christian life, our purpose, our everything, our meaning. So what is it? In the Word with Malcolm Webber is a weekly podcast featuring selected teachings from Dr. Webber's over 40 years of ministry. Find more teachings, along with books, courses, tools, and other resources from Dr. Webber at our website.We are grateful to all of you for listening in this season, as we went through not only this passage on the woman at the well, but Malcolm's verse-by-verse exposition of Colossians together. We hope it has been a blessing to you. We'll be back in 2026 with more solid biblical teaching!Related Resources from LeaderSource* Book: The Glorious Bride of Christ: An Exposition of Ephesians* A Learning Design for Communicating Effectively* Article: Toward Planting Seeds* Article: Unequal Debts* Audio Teaching: Our Brokenness Is His Opportunity* For More Teaching on Common Errors: Malcolm's MusingsNew to the series? Start here:More messages from Malcolm: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit leadersource.substack.com

As Jesus enters Jerusalem in triumph, the crowds swell with excitement. Even the visiting Greeks—drawn by Passover and rumor—long to see him and hear his words. But Jesus' reply makes one thing clear: the hour for teaching has passed; the hour to lay down his life has come. In John 12, he gives us a pattern to follow, a principle to live by, and a promise to cling to—keys to understanding salvation and true discipleship.

Sunday, 30 November 2025   But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Matthew 14:27   “And immediately, Jesus, He spoke to them, saying, ‘You embolden! I, I am! You fear not!'” (CG).   In the previous verse, the disciples in the boat cried out because they thought they were seeing a phantasm as Jesus walked on the water. With that noted, Matthew next says, “And immediately, Jesus, He spoke to them.”   In hearing the voice, there would be an immediate quelling of the anxiety they felt. It would lift the hours of struggling against the waves off of their shoulders. That, and the fright of the apparition, would be immediately forgotten and replaced with a sense of hope, awe, and rejoicing all at the same time. Of His words, Matthew records His emphatic declaration, “saying, ‘You embolden! I, I am! You fear not!'”   Because the New Testament was penned in Greek, it is unknown just what words Jesus spoke. However, it is the same phrase, egó eimi, recorded in John 8:58, “Jesus, He said to them, ‘Amen, amen! I say to you before Abraham became, I, I Am!'” (CG).  In the Greek, it is an emphatic proclamation of existence.   In John 8, it is combined with the words “before Abraham,” and so the intent is understood. Jesus was affirming His existence extended to the time before Abraham existed. While on the Sea of Galilee, even if He was simply affirming that it was He walking to them, they would have to wonder about His nature.   Man does not simply walk on water. This truth would be multiplied when the water was raging all around them. And yet, Jesus, the living, breathing Man they had traveled with, was walking on the water. The thought would have astonished their minds as much as the voice had calmed them.   Life application: In an earlier commentary, Job 9:8 was cited, where it noted that the Lord (Yehovah) walks on the waves of the sea. That could easily be dismissed as a type of poetic proclamation by Job, but the fact that the New Testament gospels agree on the substance of Jesus walking on the water forms a clear and intentional clue that is being handed to us on a silver platter that Jesus is the Lord (Yehovah) of the Old Testament.   As walking on the water is something that is contrary to the natural way things occur for humans, we see that somehow Jesus either suspended the natural laws, or He was able to work with them in a way that we cannot understand.   It is true that there are certain animals that can walk on the water, such as the water strider insect and the basilisk lizard. There are certain birds, like the jacana and grebe, as well as some mammals and spiders, that can walk on water or floating vegetation. These use adaptations like large feet or specialized leg hairs.   However, there is the truth that Jesus is not an insect, lizard, or bird. There would be no floating vegetation in the raging Sea of Galilee to walk on as well. Even if man someday is able to develop a suit that allows him to walk on the water, it doesn't negate the fact that Jesus did this two thousand years ago without any future technology that may be developed.   If “science is thinking God's thoughts after Him,” as the 17th-century astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler said, and if we were to develop such technology, what would that say about Jesus? Obviously, it would be a testament to the fact that Jesus is... anyone? Yes, Jesus is God.   This truth is so plainly on display in the pages of Scripture that its denial is a fundamental denial of the gospel. Man cannot rise from the dead. Jesus rose from the dead. Therefore, Jesus is God. To deny this tenet is to deny the truth of God in Christ. If you are struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ, you need to let your struggles go. What God is looking for is faith.   People of faith are what please Him. Those who have faith in the truth of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us will be saved. Those who continue in their faith, conducting their lives and actions in faith, will be rewarded for the things they do. Be a person of faith.   Lord God Almighty, we accept the truth of Your word. You have proclaimed that Jesus came from You and returned to You. We believe that He is God incarnate who lived the life we could not live, died on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins, was interred in a tomb, and rose again, just as Your word proclaims. We believe! Hallelujah and Amen.

Sermon by Michael Bailey on November 30, 2025.Key scripture: John 11:45-12:11The raising of Lazarus set in motion the chain of events that would escalate to Jesus' crucifixion. In John 11:45-12:11, John shows us the responses to Jesus become increasingly polarized. The Pharisees see him as a threat and plot to kill him. Mary sees him as worthy of worship and anoints him with costly perfume. The same tension exists for us. Will see respond to Jesus as a threat to what we hold dear, or worthy of it all?

Jesus Followers Know the Cornerstone of Christianity Is: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” MESSAGE SUMMARY: Jesus is The Door and The Gate by which you must enter the Kingdom of God. In John 14:6-7, Jesus answers a question by the Apostle Thomas with the fundamental tenant of Christianity when He tells us all: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.'". Also, in John 10:9-10, Jesus tells us: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief {Satan} comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Also, Jesus said, in Matthew 7:13-14, that He was "the Narrow Gate", and whomever enters the Kingdom through Him will be saved and have Eternal Life: {You} “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.". Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection are the events, of about two thousand years ago, that provided us all, by God's Grace, with access to The Narrow Gate, which is Jesus. Through Jesus' death on the cross for your sins and His Resurrection, He has given you eternal life, if you choose to enter The Narrow Gate. You may ask: “How do I enter this ‘Narrow Gate' of Jesus?”. By God's Grace you can enter Eternal Life, through Jesus, by your true belief and faith in Jesus as God along with your prayerful confession of your sins to God. With your belief, faith, and confession, you have entered through the narrow and only door to your Salvation. However and after your entry through the door, you must continue, in your faith and obedience, to follow Jesus – this is the only, and it is The Way provided by God's Grace through Jesus.   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to grab hold of you today. I need you. Set me free to begin reorienting my life around you, and you alone. Help me to pay attention to and honor how you have uniquely made me. Thank you for the gift of rest. In Jesus' name, amen.       Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 122). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, I will entrust to Him my future. I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.  From 2 Timothy 1:12 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:5-7; Psalms150:1-6; John 10:9-10. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Turkeys and Eagles, Part 5: Following Jesus Changes Everything in Our Families” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Jesus admitted, “My soul is troubled.” So how did He walk forward anyway? In this episode, discover what Jesus teaches us about facing fear, suffering, and hard seasons with courage.In John 12, there is a surprising moment when Jesus admits His soul is troubled. Why would the Son of God feel distress? And what does that mean for us when we face fear, suffering, or seasons that stretch our faith?Explore how Jesus handles emotional turmoil with honesty, surrender, and unwavering trust in the Father. His response becomes a model for navigating anxiety, trials, and moments when God's will feels heavy. Whether you're walking through uncertainty, trying to keep your own “poker face,” or simply wanting to understand Jesus more deeply in His final week before the cross, this episode offers encouragement, clarity, and hope rooted in Scripture.When your heart is troubled, follow the One who understands.BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 12:27-50 | JOHN 16:33 | 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 | 1 PETER 5:7 | 2 CORINTHIANS 11:23-27 | 1 TIMOTHY 6:9-10 | MATTHEW 6:20 | MATTHEW 3:17 | ISAIAH 9:7 | EZEKIEL 37:25 | DANIEL 7:14 | ROMANS 13:11-12 | MARK 13:32-27 | *Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

The Gospel of John Week 22 Scripture: John 17:1-21. Pastor starts today's class off with an interesting observation. The other three gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention the prayers of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, but John does not. John talks about the prayer that occurred before Jesus got to the garden, the prayer He prayed on the way there.  When we put those two different sets of prayers together (the ones from John on the way, and the ones from the other writers at the Garden) it gives us a greater sense of Jesus' heart during this evening, but also of the assurance the He had from the Father that this is going to turn out for our deliverance.  In Hebrews 12:2-3, we are encouraged to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men that you may not grow weary and lose hope." And so we are blessed by Jesus' obedience and faithfulness so that we also do not grow weary or lose hope, but that we see and understand that God is in control. Jesus and His disciples have left the upper room and are walking to the Garden of Gethsemane. In John 17:1-2 we see Him pause on His way to the garden to pray what has been referred to as the "High Priestly Prayer." Jesus begins with, "Father." It's personal and it's an example for us to be personal with God as well. Jesus says, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you." The Father is glorified by the obedience of Jesus, His Son, by Jesus being obedient even unto death on the cross.  Jesus continues, "For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."  What is eternal life? It is eternal life to know the Father and know the Son and to be in relationship with the Living God. In verse 6 Jesus starts to pray for His disciples and we see the love He has for them. He sees them as precious and loved. He looks past their mistakes and loves them and He looks at us the same way, He looks past our mistakes and loves us. We are precious to Him. We don't need to remember our failures and allow those to control us. We remember what God says about who we are and allow Him to guide and direct us as His loved children. As Jesus' prayer continues we see Him blessing them, interceding for them and praying for their protection. And He prays for them to be protected in the power of the Father's name. God's name IS His character and Jesus has revealed His name, His character, because if you want to know what the Father is like, you look at the Son. Jesus goes on to pray that he wants the full measure of His joy within His disciples. He says this knowing that in just a bit He will be arrested, tried and crucified. But what He also knows is that there is victory coming. He focused on the outcome, that of giving us an eternity with Him for all who believe in Him. And that's what He wants them to hold onto, too. And he prays for their protection from the evil one and that they would be set apart for the Father's work and His purposes. Then Jesus' prayer moves from the 12 to pray about us. verses 20-21, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."  Pastor talks about how Jesus continues to pray for us and believers today. In Hebrews 7:25 we read, "Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Intercede is to pray for). Jesus is praying that we will live in unity with God and one another. We want to love as He loved, obey as He obeyed, speak as He speaks, follow as He followed. To go where He goes.  He prays unity of the believers, so that others, non-believers, the world, will know that God the Father sent Jesus because of His love for us and that is the love we share together and with others. We should flee religion and rush to the Father, seeking out a relationship with Him through faith in the Lord Jesus and becoming transformed. It's not about knowing certain facts, it's about knowing God. It's not about knowing the answer to how to get to heaven. It's is about knowing the One who get us to heaven!!  Jesus says, "no-one comes to the Father, except through Me." And that is Jesus; prayer, complete unity, unity with Him, even as He and the Father are one. Jesus goes on with, "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." Wow, He wants to spend eternity with us. We are truly loved! We may live in His presence and live in relationship with Him, basking in His love and taking to heart what He has promised: "I am always with you, even to the end of the age." And then we read that when He had finished praying, Jesus left with His disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. (And they continued to the Garden of Gethsemane.) Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com Watch the video from our website! https://www.awakeusnow.com/2-year-study-of-the-gospels-upper Watch the video from our YouTube Channel!! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTaaqrC3dMOzMkhPyiNWwlJRpV6Bwpu01     ⁃    The Gospel of John study is part five of five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels.      ⁃    The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Many people have come to faith after reading only this book of the Bible.  Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details in the Gospel of John. We can now understand it as the most Jewish rather than the most "Gentile/Greek" of the Gospels, and when we do that we see many things that we missed before. Our 2 year study of the gospels is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time!

In John's Gospel, Jesus makes seven powerful declarations that begin with the simple but divine phrase, “I Am.” Each statement, whether He calls Himself the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, or the Good Shepherd, reveals something profound about His nature and His relationship with us.On today's episode, we're joined by Chris Best, Missions Pastor at Midtown Baptist Temple and instructor at the Living Faith Bible Institute, to explore these seven “I Am” statements and what they tell us about the character and mission of Christ. Together, we'll discuss how each statement unveils a different facet of His deity, how they connect to Old Testament imagery, and why understanding who Jesus is changes the way we live and serve Him today.Visit https://www.lfbi.org/learnmore