How would you like to be a human vending machine? I’m talking about a situation in which you feel used. It can happen to all of us, and we usually don’t like it. Maybe in your job, you feel like people are constantly asking more and more of you. Parents can really slip into thisContinue reading “Have you ever felt like a relational vending machine? – John 6:22-51, Preview”
Tag Archives: christians
If you believe in miracles, then how do you respond? – John 6:1-21, Part 5
This week we’ve been studying two of Jesus’ most famous miracles, which we read about in John 6:1-21. I don’t know which miracle is more astonishing. The feeding of the 5000 or Jesus walking on water? They’re both amazing. But notice the disciples. They have seen each of these astounding miracles…in the same day. HowContinue reading “If you believe in miracles, then how do you respond? – John 6:1-21, Part 5”
When fear gets the best of you – John 6:1-21, Part 4
Fear can be crippling. As a kid, I was afraid of our dark basement. If I had to go down there alone at night, I would turn on all the lights, quickly do what I needed to do. Then in one final motion, I would turn off the light and race up the stair, takingContinue reading “When fear gets the best of you – John 6:1-21, Part 4”
The real purpose of Jesus’ feeding of the 5000 – John 6:1-21, Part 3
A boy is standing right in front of Jesus, and the boy has a packed lunch of five small loaves of bread and two small fish. He looks across the hillside and sees the crowd of hungry people that, like him, have come to experience the miracle-worker. How is it possible that he, a boy,Continue reading “The real purpose of Jesus’ feeding of the 5000 – John 6:1-21, Part 3”
What will Jesus do when a hungry crowd is following him? – John 6:1-21, Part 2
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”
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”
Engaging Scripture 