Podcasts about john chapter

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme of “Transformational Tools” by discussing how Christ-centered resources and information can catalyze our spiritual growth with Jesus. Our spiritual lives can flourish when we understand and distinguish the three key buckets of spiritual priority in connection to the Trinity: Humility before God, Proximity to Jesus, and Liberty of the Holy Spirit. Karl explained the three buckets and referenced 1 Peter 5:6, John Chapter 14-16, and Romans 8 to support it. Loren La Luz also joined us to discuss the ministry he co-founded, Streetlights. This ministry is a group of Creative Communicators who are called to intentionally engage global urban culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by producing, translating, teaching, and proclaiming God’s Word. Loren works as the Executive Director for Streetlights, and he also travels alongside his team of musicianaries, as the drummer, sharing the Gospel through the art of live music. We then had Dr. Nick Gatzke join us to share about a trip to Ireland. This trip is intended to be a time of fellowship for Moody Radio listeners and will be guided by Dr. Gatzke. There is limited space for the trip. For more information, please visit the website. Dr. Gatzke is the Senior Pastor of Old North Church, and he also hosts the Moody Radio Program, “A Better Word.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: 3 Buckets of Spiritual Priority Segment[00:08- 21:15] Loren La Luz Interview (Streetlights Ministry) [24:54-31:52] Dr. Nick Gatzke Interview (Ireland Trip) [44:50- 52:08]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme of “Transformational Tools” by discussing how Christ-centered resources and information can catalyze our spiritual growth with Jesus. Our spiritual lives can flourish when we understand and distinguish the three key buckets of spiritual priority in connection to the Trinity: Humility before God, Proximity to Jesus, and Liberty of the Holy Spirit. Karl explained the three buckets and referenced 1 Peter 5:6, John Chapter 14-16, and Romans 8 to support it. Loren La Luz also joined us to discuss the ministry he co-founded, Streetlights. This ministry is a group of Creative Communicators who are called to intentionally engage global urban culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by producing, translating, teaching, and proclaiming God’s Word. Loren works as the Executive Director for Streetlights, and he also travels alongside his team of musicianaries, as the drummer, sharing the Gospel through the art of live music. We then had Dr. Nick Gatzke join us to share about a trip to Ireland. This trip is intended to be a time of fellowship for Moody Radio listeners and will be guided by Dr. Gatzke. There is limited space for the trip. For more information, please visit the website. Dr. Gatzke is the Senior Pastor of Old North Church, and he also hosts the Moody Radio Program, “A Better Word.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps: 3 Buckets of Spiritual Priority Segment[00:08- 21:15] Loren La Luz Interview (Streetlights Ministry) [24:54-31:52] Dr. Nick Gatzke Interview (Ireland Trip) [44:50- 52:08]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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1 John chapter 1

A fascinating weekly study of the Scriptures that brings to life the meaning of the biblical text using history, original languages, and Jewish culture. This podcast will strengthen your faith and your understanding of the Bible. Hosted by author, attorney, pastor, and founder of Covenant Journey, Mat Staver. Learn more and get involved at CovenantJourney.org

He Hasn't Forgotten You ( John Chapter 5 )

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Bible Study and Commentary on John 21:1-14

A fascinating weekly study of the Scriptures that brings to life the meaning of the biblical text using history, original languages, and Jewish culture. This podcast will strengthen your faith and your understanding of the Bible. Hosted by author, attorney, pastor, and founder of Covenant Journey, Mat Staver. Learn more and get involved at CovenantJourney.org

The purpose of the Messianic Age was to usher in the return to a free-flowing relationship between God and His children. That began on the day of Pentecost. The Lord gave us an indicator of what was to come in His interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well in John Chapter 4.  Firefall Talk Radio is archived, and you can download the episodes to listen to again or share with others. Feel free to share them with others as the Lord leads. Please help us get The Word out.  If our teachings bless you, please let us know by using the contact button on the website.  If you would like to support what we do, there are ways to do so on the main page for Firefall Talk Radio.  We appreciate your support and encouragement. Subscribe to us on YouTube at The Firefall Network.    Links for all social media and streaming platforms can be found on the main page at firefalltalkradio.com.

Send us a textThis is a message I shared at Timothy Lutheran Church on Sunday June 1, 2025 from Acts Chapter 1 and John Chapter 17. Thank you for listening. 

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A fascinating weekly study of the Scriptures that brings to life the meaning of the biblical text using history, original languages, and Jewish culture. This podcast will strengthen your faith and your understanding of the Bible. Hosted by author, attorney, pastor, and founder of Covenant Journey, Mat Staver. Learn more and get involved at CovenantJourney.org

How do we move from Troubles to passionate patience to character and how does this result in hope? Where and how does the Holy Spirit flow generously into our lives? Today's message is brought to us by Pastoral Intern Aaron, and our scripture is from Romans Chapter 5, verses 1-5 and our Gospel lesson is from John Chapter 14, verses 23-29.  

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Bible Study and Commentary on John 20:19-31

In this follow-up to our previous lesson on the symbolism of John Chapter 2, we examine the rich cultural and spiritual backdrop of the Wedding at Cana. What did John mean when he said it was the “third day”? At first glance, this might seem like a small detail, but when viewed through the lens of Jewish wedding traditions, it opens up a powerful layer of meaning that brings the Cana scene to life. In this lesson, we'll explore: - The cultural significance of weddings on the third day of the week in ancient Jewish practice - How these traditions align beautifully with the wedding at Cana - The symbolism behind the miracle of water turned into wine. - Parallels to ancient Near Eastern beliefs—especially how miracles like this one were seen as signs of a god's presence, as in the case of the Greek god Dionysus Ultimately, we'll see how this first “sign” reveals God's transformative power through Jesus, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Send us a textToday's meditation is the final meditation from our series on John Chapter 3, where we take a moment each day to explore what it means to be "Born Again."This meditation is called “Life that Never Fades” & the passage can be found in John 3:36a, as written in the First Nations Version of the Bible. If you enjoy this meditation, you can find the whole series on Patreon & now on Insight Timer. Christian Meditation content & resources:Harkening Deer | Christian MeditationPatreon (BEST way to support!)Insight Timer (FREE Christian Meditations!!) More Meditation Content & Resources:Harkening Deer | Universally Inclusive MeditationAura (30-Day Guest Pass to the full app!)Other ways to support:Donate to Harkening DeerCheck out Harkening Deer on Instagram. LinkTree for more: Sean J Stevens.Harkening Deer. Christian. Meditation. Podcast.                                   ================================================================                                                                      Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the showSupport the show

I invite you to join me for a special journey through John Chapter 2, a remarkable section of Scripture that contains two profound events: the Wedding at Cana and Jesus' cleansing of the Temple courts. Though seemingly unrelated, these stories are deeply connected—and together, they reveal powerful lessons that still speak to our spiritual journey today. Throughout this series, we will explore the rich layers of meaning found within John 2:

Spiritual Health and Wellness: A discussion of John Chapter 8, with special guest Chris Hinkley.

As we've studied John over the past several programs, we've seen the pain and humiliation Jesus experienced prior to and on the cross. Well, the good news is that no crucifixion, no spear in His side, no burial in a tomb could defeat Him! He conquered death and is risen! And because of that we can have life eternal.  Pastor Lloyd Pulley is in John Chapter nineteen, with more about the great lengths Jesus went to for us.

This week at Box Church, we discussed 1 John chapters 3–4, exploring what it means to abide in God's love and live as His children. Catch the conversation here if you missed it or want to listen again.Next week, we'll be back at the Koworx building in Venice—doors open at 10:00 AM and worship begins at 10:30 AM.We'd love for you to join us in person!the eXchange church | Box Church

Send us a textThis is a message I shared at Timothy Lutheran Church on Sunday May 18 2025 from John Chapter 13. Jesus gives us a new commandment "Love One Another". Thank you for listening! 

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The guys jump into John vchapter 1:1-18. Enjoy!

The Gospel of John Chapters 20 & 21 Subscribe to the weekly sermon questions at: Calvary Chapel Naples churchteams.com/m/Register.asp?a=SUpvTlJUSUFQaVk9

Bible Study and Commentary on John 20:11-18

Join us for another sermon this week on the Gospel of John, continuing with John Chapter 5 verses 31 to 47. We look at the claim of Jesus to be God and who he put forth as witnesses to that truth.

Send us a textToday's meditation is from our series on John Chapter 3, where we take a moment each day to explore what it means to be "Born Again."This meditation is called “Not to Condemn the World” & the passage can be found in John 3:16-17, as written in the First Nations Version of the Bible. If you enjoy this meditation, you can find the whole series on Patreon & coming soon to Insight Timer. Christian Meditation content & resources:Harkening Deer | Christian MeditationPatreon (Best way to support!)Insight Timer (FREE Christian Meditations!!) More Meditation Content & Resources:Harkening Deer | Universally Inclusive MeditationAura (30-Day Guest Pass to the full app!)Other ways to support:Donate to Harkening DeerCheck out Harkening Deer on Instagram. LinkTree for more: Sean J Stevens.Harkening Deer. Christian. Meditation. Podcast.                                   ================================================================                                                                      Additional sound effects from https://www.zapsplat.comSupport the showSupport the show

Resurrection and hope are out in the world. But we need to step put into the world and be aware and look carefully to find them. Looking past the darkness, because Jesus knows that darkness and suffering to support us through the pain grief and evil, because the Risen Lord is with us.  Resurrection in our lives has many faces and if we look for it we can see it daily. It is authentic, messy vibrant and filled with hope.  This message comes to us from Pastor Tania. Our Gospel reading is from John Chapter 20, verses 24 - 31.   

From Bread to Belief: Seeing Jesus as the Giver Behind the Gift This Homily on John Chapter 6 explores the deeper spiritual meaning behind Jesus' miracles, . . . . . . particularly the multiplication of loaves and fishes and his walking on water. The commentary contrasts the emptiness of worldly provisions, symbolized by the Roman emperor Tiberius, with the true sustenance that comes from Christ. It emphasizes that the miracles are not ends in themselves but signs pointing to Jesus' divine identity. The people, however, focus on the physical benefits and miss the deeper spiritual reality. The Lord challenges them . . . and us . . . not to seek God merely for material blessings, but to move from appreciating the gifts to knowing and loving the Giver. The ultimate “work of God” is not action, sacrifice, or ritual, but faith in Jesus Christ . . . the one sent by God. This belief is the cornerstone of spiritual life and the foundation upon which everything else is built. Hear more within the Homily. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Image The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes: Italian painter: Giovanni Lanfranco: 1620 The painting was commissioned for and may be found in the Blessed Sacrament chapel in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.

Read OnlineSo they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” John 6:34–35Imagine if you were to never grow hungry or never thirst again. On a natural level, this would be an interesting reality.Of course, if you never had physical hunger or thirst, then you may never enjoy the delight of good food and drink. So why would anyone want to lose out on such delights? Of course, Jesus was not speaking of natural food and drink, He was speaking of supernatural hunger and thirst. And He was not saying that the spiritual food and drink He came to give us would eliminate our ability to delight in spiritual fulfillment. On the contrary, Jesus was saying that the spiritual food and drink He was to provide would result in never-ending fulfillment and satisfaction.Chapter 6 of John's Gospel will continue to be read throughout this week, the Third Week of Easter. This chapter presents us with what is traditionally called the “Bread of Life Discourse.” It's John's deep, mystical and profound teaching on the Most Holy Eucharist.First of all, it's useful to look at this Gospel within its context. Recall that on the previous day, Jesus performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, and a crowd of people who had been fed by Him were now seeking more food. Jesus uses their desire for more food to begin to teach them about the Most Holy Eucharist, and He wants to do the same for you.Put yourself into this scene. What is it that you hunger and thirst for the most? Perhaps you have plenty of physical food, but perhaps you don't. If you do, what else do you crave? What do you desire? When you have identified your deepest desires right now, use these desires to allow our Lord to teach you about the Bread of Life. It might be useful to say to our Lord, “Here are my current desires in life…” And then, allow yourself to hear Jesus say to you, “I want to give you so much more. I am what you truly long for. If you come to Me, you will have all your desires fulfilled and more.” This is essentially the conversation Jesus had with this crowd throughout John Chapter 6.Do you believe that the Most Holy Eucharist is capable of fulfilling you on the deepest level? Too often we approach that Sacrament in a lazy and distracted way. As a result, we often fail to truly receive our Lord on a level that provides this deepest delight and satisfaction.Reflect, today and throughout this week, upon your approach to Holy Communion. The Eucharist is Christ Himself. It's a gift that has the potential to not only sustain us in every way but also to draw us into the greatest Heavenly delights. Believe Jesus' words in this holy chapter of John's Gospel. For if you deepen your belief in all that Jesus has said, you will begin to realize that all you crave in life will begin to be fulfilled by this precious gift in ways beyond your imagination.My Eucharistic Lord, You are the Bread of Life. You are all that I desire in life. Give me the grace of understanding, dear Lord, so that I can come to believe all that You have revealed about the Most Holy Eucharist. I do believe, my God. Help my unbelief. Jesus, I trust in You.Image: Christ the Saviour Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, via Wikemedia Commons Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

John 6:1-15,After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. One morning last week it occurred to me, in a fresh way, that God's mercy to me has always been deliberate. Whatever good God has ever given to me, he meant it. He meant to give it to me. It was on purpose. And that's true for all of us.The only kind of kindness we ever receive from God is purposeful kindness. This means there's not a single blessing in our lives that is arbitrary or whimsical — and that goes for everything big and small — from a cup of coffee to a roof over our heads, from a good parking spot in a crowded lot to a dinner table crowded with children. Every good thing in our lives is from the hand of God on purpose. Purposeful kindness. And when we get this truth in our heads, we start to see it everywhere. It's all over the place in John Chapter 6 in this story of Jesus feeding the five thousand — which, by the way, this miracle is unique because it's the only miracle of Jesus that is recorded in all four Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each tell this story because it was monumental for the early church. Through this miracle Jesus is shining brightly as the fulfillment of Old Testament hope, and in the Gospel of John especially, the main message that John wants us to get is that Jesus is greater than Moses. Jesus has already said in Chapter 5, verse 46 that Moses wrote about him, and now we're going to see how he surpasses Moses. That's the narrative strategy going on here, but I don't want us to be too fixed on the narrative strategy that we miss the wonder of Jesus's heart in this story — his purposeful kindness is on display. And that's our focus. I want to show you the purposeful kindness of Jesus in three ways. Here's the first:1. Jesus is a patient provider. Let's start in verse 1 and notice that it opens with a new setting (and it's all important information) … Jesus is back in Galilee (where he's from) and there's a “large crowd” of people following him. That phrase “large crowd” is used twice, and we learn later that it's large as in likely over ten thousand people. Now why was this large crowd following Jesus? Verse 2 says it's because they've seen his signs. We already know from Chapter 4 that the Galileans really loved the signs, and so here they are again coming to see more. Important InfoThen verse 3 says that Jesus went up on the mountain — John doesn't tell us what mountain because it doesn't really matter — we just need to know that Jesus was on a mountain. And this is important because it's an allusion to Moses. It's what we could call a ‘Moses-wink.' (John gives us several little clues in this story to remind us of Moses; you could call them Moses breadcrumbs, but we're gonna call them “Moses-winks.”)The most famous mountain in the Hebrew Bible is Mount Sinai where Moses received God's Law — we know a big part of Moses's ministry was on a mountain, and then the other big part of Moses's ministry was, of course, leading the Exodus — which by the way, verse 4 tells us it's Passover. Passover is the annual feast in Jewish life that remembers Moses leading the exodus (so verses 3 and 4 have back-to-back Moses-winks).Jesus is on a mountain, during Passover — and there's a large number of people following him — and look what Jesus does in verse 5. The text says he lifted up his eyes.This could just be the basic information of what he did, except that earlier in Chapter 4, verse 35 Jesus commanded his disciples, “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” Jesus was telling them: Recognize the work of God in the world and join in! And that's exactly what Jesus is doing here! He's about to work the work of God! So there's a drumroll. We're on the the edge of our seats.But then he asks one of his disciples a question.Humorous IronyHe has twelve disciples, but this time he's talking to Philip, who was from that area, and he asks him, verse 5:“Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”And I think there's meant to be humor in this question. Because the question, at face-value, is crazy. There are thousands of people here, Jesus, what do you mean buy bread? In fact, everybody look at verse 6 for a minute. This is one I really need you to see, verse 6. Everybody, verse 6. This is John the narrator talking — Verse 6:“[Jesus] said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.”So this means the question in verse 5 seems so absurd that in verse 6 John as the narrator has to chime in and explain to us that Jesus is up to something. John is saying: Hang on and watch this. And at this point, I think the main thing that separates this story from a modern-day sitcom is a laugh track. Now we're gonna try something we've never tried before. Do y'all think we could make our own laugh track? …Now I'm gonna read this dialogue and when I point at y'all, laugh together. We're gonna make a live laugh track. Because there's humorous irony going on in this story and it'll make sense to you. You're gonna see it. Here we go:Jesus, looking at thousands of people, says: “Hey Philip, where are we gonna buy bread so that these people can eat?” [laugh track]Philip: “16,000 dollars worth of bread would not be enough for each person to get a bite!” [laugh track]Andrew: “I gotta kid here whose got five loaves and two fish.” [laugh track]See, this is a sitcom! It's a situation-comedy.And then Jesus says, “Have the people sit down” — which instantly takes this scene from comedy to He's gonna really do it. He's gonna feed these people. And we'll get there in a minute, but the first thing that stands out here is that Jesus is even taking the time to have this dialogue with his disciples.He Takes Care of ItVerse 6 tells us that he knew what he was going to do; so he could have just done it, but instead he chooses to involve his disciples. He chooses to slow the whole thing down to double his giving — because not only is he gonna give food to this crowd, but now he's gonna give a lesson to his disciples. And this takes amazing patience. And every parent in this room gets this. …I'm at home and I've got to fix a broken cabinet door, so I've got my wood-glue and some screws and a clamp and my drill — I'm ready to go — and then one of my dear children walks in and says, “Hey, Dad, can I help?” And in that moment I've got to decide: Do I wanna make this go twice as long and be twice as stressful?You bakers in the room know what I'm talking about. Sometimes you just wanna make a batch of cookies … and then sometimes you want your five-year-old to help. It all depends on your patience level.Look at how patient Jesus is here! I'm guessing Philip failed this test. A better response would have been to answer Jesus's question with another question. Philip should've said: “Jesus, you can do all things, would you feed them?”See Andrew gets a little closer (maybe he remembers Jesus turning the water to wine), but neither of these disciples get it exactly right. And notice that Jesus doesn't rebuke them. He doesn't shake his head in frustration. He just takes care of it.One day we're gonna find out how many times Jesus has done this for us — how many times we've not had it right but Jesus was our patient provider.There's a prayer of thanksgiving I pray often that goes:Jesus, thank you for the blessings in my life I was neither capable of achieving nor wise enough to ask for but which you sent anyway. Thank you for the particular mercies you've bestowed on me and for all the ways you've been patient with me — for the ways you've helped me change and break bad habits and patterns of thought, heart attitude, and practice; and for the ways you've protected me from the fuller consequences of my own blindness.He's so patient with us. He just takes care of it. One way the purposeful kindness of Jesus is on display is that he is the patient provider.2. Jesus is a generous host. In verse 10, Jesus tells the disciples to have all the people sit down, and there are five thousand men. Now if you add the women and children it would at least double the number (that's where the 10,000 number comes from; some scholars estimate 20,000 total) — either way, this is a lot more people than one paper-bag lunch can serve. That is the most obvious thing going on here. Again, it's comically obvious.But Jesus took that little lunch, he gave thanks to his Father, and in verse 11 “he distributed [the lunch] to those who were seated.” And he didn't ration out the food, but he gave everyone as much bread and fish as they wanted, verse 12, and they all got full.And then he told his disciples to gather up all the leftovers, which ended up being twelve baskets — so they ended with more food than they had when they started; and each of the twelve disciples had his own basket to carry. Which means each disciple would've had a tangible reminder of what Jesus does with basically nothing but a willing heart. (By the way, that's our only hope in ministry — our hope is that Jesus does it this way, and that he's the one who gives us a willing heart.)Putting on a FeastNow I want to draw special attention to two details Jesus does here. The first is that Jesus distributed the bread. Now I don't think this means he himself gave a slice of bread to each person individually — the disciples helped him spread it — but the point is that Jesus was hands-on in this experience and none of it was required.There was a crowd and they were hungry, and all he had to do was just say something. He could've just said “Hunger, be gone.” Jesus has the power to just speak and instantly make the empty stomachs not feel empty. He could have just said the word, but he didn't do it that way.Also, he could have just limited everyone to a slice of bread — just tear off a piece — but instead it's Take all you want! Which means Jesus is putting on a feast here — this whole thing is about more than solving hunger. That's not the point. The point is that Jesus is showing himself to be a generous host. (So he's kinda like Moses with the manna, except that he's greater!)He makes this wide open space his dining room. The ground these people are standing on, which John tells us was lush with grass, becomes banquette seating.Last week, our younger kids, at their school, did a production of Beauty and the Beast. And my favorite scene of the play, by far, is when Belle is in the castle and the staff invite her to dinner, and the kids altogether sang maybe the greatest Disney song of all time, Be Our Guest. It starts:Be our guest, be our guestPut our service to the testTie your napkin ‘round your neck, chérieAnd we provide the restLook, that's what is happening here, except the “we” is an “I.” Jesus is hosting all of these people as his guests. And it's to everyone's surprise.The disciples apparently didn't even think about Jesus doing this. Nobody in this crowd expected this — they were looking for signs, yes, but they couldn't have guessed this. And that's what makes it even more amazing! This is the part that puts Jesus over the top as a generous host. It's that none of these people deserved this. Jesus knows they're not really seeking him. He will say later in verse 26 that the only reason these people are sticking with him is for the free food. And look, he knows all of that now! He knows that on the frontside and yet still, look what he does!He not only gives to those who can't repay him; he gives to those who don't even want to repay him.I feel like if I were there, I'd say: Jesus, your strategy here is all wrong (and I know because I'm a church planter). See, what you win them with, you win them to. Jesus, you're making shallow followers here. You're just meeting their felt-needs and creating a positive experience — at least make the parking bad.Jesus knows all of the pitfalls here, and he does it anyway. Why? … Because he's generous. Because he loves people. Because he wants somebody in that crowd to know he's generous and loves people — because he wants us to know. What if the purposeful kindness of Jesus on display in John 6 is actually for us who are reading this story two thousand years later?Let us marvel at how Jesus is a generous host. And let's learn from him.3. Jesus is loyal to his Father's will. The conclusion to this miracle is the response of the crowd in verses 14–15, which was not humble worship, but ignorant zeal. They recognize, first, because of this miracle, that Jesus is the prophet promised in Deuteronomy 18:15. That's when Moses himself said,The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen.This is not a Moses-wink, this is a straight up Moses-spotlight. Jesus is that ‘prophet like Moses.' Moses wrote of him, and he's greater than Moses. The crowd is 100% correct in their assessment of Jesus in verse 14. But it goes sideways in verse 15 because they wanted to take Jesus by force and make him king. This means that these 5,000 men are a mob-in-the-making, but they're not against Jesus, they want to ‘promote' him. And that's exactly why Jesus gets out of there. But why?! They wanna make him king, Jesus is a king, why doesn't he go along with this?Jesus walks away from thousands of ‘loyalists' because he is loyal to his Father's will, and the path to the throne prepared by his Father requires a cross. That's the reason why. Jesus is the Prophet. Jesus is the King. And Jesus is also the Lamb, and soon enough the will of his Father is gonna lead him to Jerusalem, as one theologian puts it, “not to wield the spear and bring the judgment, but to receive the spear thrust and bear the judgment.” See, Jesus's ascendancy to glory won't come through popularity and prestige, but through suffering and sacrifice. Which he endured for us.Do you see, his loyalty to his Father's will is our salvation? That's what he's after. That's why the Father has sent him.He will be crucified in our place, slain for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved. Jesus will die and be raised to live forever so that we can too.Jesus says, verse 40:“For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”Church, it is good news that Jesus is loyal to the will of his Father. It's good news that he does not buckle to the demands of our ignorant desires.Because if we were there, we would have wanted to make him king too. Like Peter, we would have deterred him from the cross. But he went there anyway even as we stood in his way, because he follows his Father's will, not ours, on purpose. This is grace unmeasured, love untold! This is the purposeful kindness of Jesus to us!Jesus is a patient provider. Jesus is a generous host.Jesus is loyal to his Father's will.And that's what brings us to the table. The TableWhat can we do but just thank him? This morning let's marvel at the glory of Jesus. That's my invitation to you now.

Send us a textCome hang out with us as we tackle John Chapter 12! We promise it's more exciting than it sounds. There's drama, there's a parade, there's a serious amount of perfume – it's basically the ancient world's most interesting Tuesday. We'll make sure you're entertained (and maybe learn something too!).Contact us at-Email-wildwomeninchrist@gmail.comInstagram-@wildwomeninchristFacebook-Wild Women in ChristThanks for listening!!!

Today we were absolutely blessed to have Delphina Johnson preach John Chapter 4. She is the first woman preacher that we have had as a church. She takes us through John chapter 4 and helps us see the story through her eyes, and how Jesus is after each one of us, and is even willing to travel into Samaria to find us. 

Send us a text Alright, buckle up for this week's deep (and slightly irreverent) dive into John Chapter 11! We're talking about Lazarus, the guy who took a four-day dirt nap only to be rudely awakened by his friend Jesus. Ever had that awkward moment when someone shows up late to the party? Imagine showing up after the funeral! We'll explore the drama, the sisterly squabbles (Mary and Martha, we see you!), and the sheer audacity of raising someone from the dead. Was Lazarus smelly? Did he have major tomb hair? Did anyone offer him leftovers? We tackle the big questions (and the slightly ridiculous ones) in this can't-miss episode. You'll never look at a resurrection the same way again! Contact us at-Email-wildwomeninchrist@gmail.comInstagram-@wildwomeninchristFacebook-Wild Women in ChristThanks for listening!!!

UPCI National Youth President DJ Hill joins on for our latest Scripture Dive! Join us as we talk through John Chapter 4. Jesus brings the gospel to Samaria!

Send us a textIn this episode, you will find the following:1) Reading of John Chapter 212) Explanations of key takeaways3) Summary4) Prayer

Send us a textIn this episode, you will find the following:1) Reading of John Chapter 202) Explanations of key takeaways3) Summary4) Prayer

Anytime we see Jesus start a sentence with the words, “Truly, truly” it means that what he's about to say is really important and it'd be good for us to just hear this again. So, John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”Now it was Jesus saying things like this that (in one sense) got him killed on Friday. But because what Jesus says here is true is why he was raised on Sunday.Jesus Christ is the Son of God. This is the core creed of Christianity. We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made.For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried.[But on the] the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end. …These are facts about Jesus and the Gospel of John makes them clear to us, and I wanna repeat to you what Pastor David Mathis said last week — we see it here in verse 27 — it's that the Father has so exalted Jesus that he has made him the final judge of all humanity. The Nicene Creed just affirms what Jesus says. One day every single human being will stand before Jesus and answer to him. This is not theoretical! This is not symbolic! This is heart-pounding literal.One day, a day like today, a moment in time, each of us will look at Jesus, right in his face. We're going to look at his human face … which he has right now — and we're going to see his eyes. We're going to see his nose. We're going to read his lips as he speaks. And we will absolutely know that the Divine Judge is a man like us, who became like us to save us. Everybody will know that on the Last Day — even those who reject Jesus will know then that they have rejected their only hope of salvation.We're all gonna see him one day. You are going to see Jesus, and for what it's worth, I believe that my job mainly is to help prepare you for that moment. There's a trillion things going on in our lives, and they all matter, but the thing that matters the most is that you are ready to meet Jesus.And so to that end, for this Easter sermon, looking at John 5:24, I wanna repeat to you three truths about reality I hope you always remember.1. You can hear Jesus today.Look at that word “hear” in verse 24: Jesus says, “whoever hears my word.” And the nice thing about the word “hear” is that it can have a couple of meanings. At the most basic level, it means to literally, audibly hear something. To hear involves sound waves entering the ear canal and causing the eardrum to vibrate, and then these vibrations are transferred through tiny bones in the middle ear to the inner ear where they're turned into electrical signals that then travel to the brain which then interprets the meaning. That's what it means to hear. But that's not what Jesus is talking about in verse 24. That's also not what my mom ever meant when she used the word. I don't know if this is a Southern Mom thing or if all moms do this, but often growing up when my mom would give me instructions, she would end her instructions with “Do you hear me?” I can promise you that when she said that she was not thinking about my ear canal. What was she saying then? She was talking about obedience. She wanted to make sure I was gonna do the thing she said. She wanted me to heed the words, to take action on the words — and that's what Jesus means in verse 24. To hear the words of Jesus is to believe. Jesus is saying the same thing two different ways in verse 24: to hear his word is to believe God the Father who sent him.Jesus is talking about faith, and we've already seen that our faith is the purpose of this Gospel. John wrote this Gospel so that people would read it and believe in Jesus (John 20:31). And that was not just the purpose in the year 80 when John first published this Gospel, but that's the purpose today, every time we open this book. Because all these years later, we can still not just ‘hear' the words of Jesus, but really hear him.You can hear Jesus today. That goes for all of us, and look: we should hear him. We should do what he says. And Christians, isn't that what we want?! We have his word, and everyday we wanna say: Jesus, we hear you!But for those who don't yet believe, if you don't yet hear Jesus, I hope you can hear him tomorrow. And if you don't hear him tomorrow, I hope you get a chance to hear him the next day, but there's no guarantee. This is what's called the urgency of the gospel. It means that there will come a time, at some point, when you won't be able to hear Jesus anymore. But you can hear him today. And so today (as the Bible says, Hebrews 3) — today, while it is called “today,” don't harden your heart toward Jesus, but really hear him. Believe him. On his behalf, I'm calling you to believe him right now.You can hear Jesus today. 2. If you hear Jesus you have eternal life.Now there are some grammatical details in verse 24 that I'm gonna make a big deal about.For the first one, I want you to notice the first time the word “has” is used, right before the words “eternal life.” This is in verse 24, and it's one of those things that I wanna make sure you really see it, so help me out. Verse 24, everybody find the word “has” right before “eternal life.”“…whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life…”That's a present active verb. It means not that you have had it, or that you will have it, but you actively have it now. You possess it now. It is yours in this moment.John repeats this for us: John 3:36, “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” John 6:47, Jesus says, “Whoever believes has eternal life.” And John 11:25, Jesus with the same point says, “I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, though he die…” — which means this physical body here over, there's a flatline — Jesus says “yet shall he live.”Believer in Jesus, listen — you have, right now, the resurrection life of Jesus in you and it is inextinguishable, it's indestructible, it's irrepressible, it's unfading, unfailing, unyielding — even though, look, tribulation will come for you, and distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword — they're coming for you, but the resurrection life of Jesus in you is ever-bright, ever-true, ever-new. It does not drift, it does not dim, it will never die. Happy Easter! This is what it means to be a Christian! Because of what Jesus has done, we will live forever. You have that life now and the best is yet to come.If you hear Jesus you have eternal life. 3. If you have eternal life you have been changed.Again, let me show you another word in verse 24: The one who believes in Jesus has eternal life, which means, the end of verse 24:“He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” I want you to focus on that second time the word “has” is used at the end. The end of verse 24: the believer in Jesus “has passed” from death to life. “Has passed” is in the perfect tense, which means this is an action that has been completed in the past. It still has an ongoing effect, but we look back on the perfect tense. At some point in the past, this action has happened. What action?Passing from death to life. That word “passing” means literally to change, or to transfer. It means to move from one place to another. And when Jesus says death and life here, he's referring to spiritual death and spiritual life, and he's saying that for those who believe in Jesus — who have eternal life and don't come into judgment — they have in the past been changed. The theological word for this is the word “conversion” (which means to change or transfer). And conversion happens at a moment in time, it's the moment of saving faith. When someone puts their faith in Jesus, when they really hear him, when they believe him, the Holy Spirit is at work in that moment to make that person spiritually alive — or to use the phrase from John Chapter 3, this is to be born again. It means we are converted/transferred/changed from spiritual death to eternal life.Last month when I was at my grandmother's funeral, her pastor (who used to be my pastor) said something I thought was amazing. My grandmother was a godly woman. I never knew her when she was not a Christian, and most people would say the same thing. She grew up in the same church her entire life — she's buried right by the only church she's ever been part of.But there was a time in her life when she was spiritually dead. And her pastor, Preacher Billy, said “When people tell me they've been a Christian their whole life, I tell ‘em that's too long.” He's right. Nobody is born a Christian. You have to be changed to be a Christian!Now this doesn't mean that every detail in your life is completely different just like that — that's what discipleship is about; for the rest of our lives we learn together to obey all that Jesus has commanded us — But there is a change.There is a decisive move from facing condemnation to no condemnation, from hopeless to hope, from without God to having God. There's a change from spiritual death to eternal life. And it all starts with hearing Jesus. You can hear Jesus today. If you hear Jesus you have eternal life.If you have eternal life you have been changed.And I want you to know this church believes in conversion. We believe that it's a necessity and we believe that God the Father is working until now, and Jesus is working, and he's still saving people. Which is why this morning there are ten individuals who are coming to be baptized, as a symbol of their conversion.By our faith in Jesus we become united to him in his death and resurrection, which means that when Jesus was crucified, our old selves that were destined for death, were crucified with him. The cross of Christ was the death of our death. Baptism shows that as the person is buried under the water. But just as Jesus was raised from the dead, we are now raised with him as new creatures, on a new path, toward a new destiny. We have come out of the grave of spiritual death and we have new life. Baptism shows that too. And in just a few minutes, I'm eager for you to witness the baptisms of ten people who each have different stories and the same story — they heard Jesus, they have eternal life, they have been changed.Father in heaven, thank you for Jesus and his word. Thank you that you are working right now, in this room, in these cities, in our world — you are at work for your glory and our good, and we praise you. With everything we've got, we praise you. Magnify your glory this morning, we ask, in Jesus's name, amen.

Send us a textIn this episode, you will find the following:1) Reading of John Chapter 192) Explanations of key takeaways3) Summary4) Prayer

Rev. Austin Gilliland I John 5

A study of John Chapter 10 by Dr. Darrell Tate.

Born of water and of the Spirit! What a fantastic salvation lesson we learn from John Chapter 3. Put yourselves in the shoes of Nicodemus with us as we talk through the New Birth, and what else we can learn from John Chapter 3.

Today's message is brought to us by Pastoral Intern Aaron. Sam Bardwell, brings the Gospel Lesson, John Chapter 12, verses 1 to 8, to life.