We Americans tend to default to thinking that bigger is better. But is bigger always better? No. Not always. “More people, more problems,” as the saying goes. On a mountainside in Galilee, Jesus has a problem…well…5,000+ problems, and he asks his disciples what they should do about it. What I am referring to is oneContinue reading “What will Jesus do when a hungry crowd is following him? – John 6:1-21, Part 2”
Monthly Archives: January 2023
Do miracles still happen? – John 6:1-21, Part 1
Have you ever had a miracle in your life? I’m not talking about how it was a miracle that you got a front row parking spot at the mall on Black Friday. I’m talking about a time you know God intervened and there was either no doubt or very little doubt. I don’t know thatContinue reading “Do miracles still happen? – John 6:1-21, Part 1”
How supernatural does our faith need to be? – John 6:1-21, Preview
Over a decade ago, Faith Church sent a mission team to work with sister churches in another country, during which time we attended worship services in a couple local churches. In the middle of the first worship service, the entire congregation was vigorously singing praise to God, and a worshiper one row in front ofContinue reading “How supernatural does our faith need to be? – John 6:1-21, Preview”
Did Jesus win his trial? You get to choose! – John 5:31-47, Part 5
The situation is bleak. The religious leaders refuse to believe Jesus. Even after such rock-solid witnesses, four of them, which you can read about here, here and here, who each give powerful testimony about Jesus, most of the religious leaders are not convinced, and they leave plotting how to take him down. What about us?Continue reading “Did Jesus win his trial? You get to choose! – John 5:31-47, Part 5”
Jesus on trial calls his fourth witness – John 5:31-47, Part 4
Now we arrive at the fourth and final witness that Jesus calls to the stand in his defense. In John 5, verses 38-39 we read, “…nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternalContinue reading “Jesus on trial calls his fourth witness – John 5:31-47, Part 4”
Jesus on trial calls his 2nd and 3rd witnesses – John 5:31-47, Part 3
In the previous post, we learned that the religious leaders have accused Jesus of being a lawbreaker and blasphemer. Though not placed on any kind of official trail, Jesus treats it as one, calling witnesses to testify on his behalf. First up, as we read in the previous post, Jesus referred to John the Baptist’sContinue reading “Jesus on trial calls his 2nd and 3rd witnesses – John 5:31-47, Part 3”
Jesus on trial calls his first witness – John 5:31-47, Part 2
Jesus is on trial. The religious leaders have accused him of breaking the Sabbath law and of blasphemy. They want to kill him. So they ask him to provide authentication of the authority by which he broke the law. The religious leaders don’t believe Jesus had any authority. The crowd watching feels the tension inContinue reading “Jesus on trial calls his first witness – John 5:31-47, Part 2”
Does Jesus have authority to break the law? – John 5:31-47, Part 1
I often wonder if our church’s outdoor sign has any impact. While I think it is good to have a sign with basic information such as our name and website, we don’t need to have a sign with a message board. Most people learn about us online anyway. But the message board is a smallContinue reading “Does Jesus have authority to break the law? – John 5:31-47, Part 1”
Being radical…right or wrong? – John 5:31-47, Preview
Have you ever scolded someone for being too radical? Maybe they’re young, idealistic and are making plans that you, in your years of experience, know will almost certainly fail. So you step in, clip their wings, giving them what you believe is a much-needed dose of reality. “They’re so immature. So young,” you think toContinue reading “Being radical…right or wrong? – John 5:31-47, Preview”
How to know if you are a true believer – John 5:16-30, Part 5
How do you know if you are a true believer? Many people have wondered, and sometimes their wondering has caused anxiety. Some of have said, “Well, we won’t know until we get heaven.” But is that true? Thankfully, no. Jesus says there is a way to know now if a person is a true believer.Continue reading “How to know if you are a true believer – John 5:16-30, Part 5”
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