Trust & Obey, Week 1: John 3 & John 14, Part 5 Jesus has been attempting to prepare his disciples for a major change, that he will be leaving them. But he says he will send the Spirit to be with them. Clearly, the disciples are unsettled and confused. So Jesus needs to explain further. Continue reading “The surprising place Jesus said he wants to have a home (hint…it’s not in heaven)”
Tag Archives: John 14
Jesus says that we show we believe in him by how we live our lives
Trust & Obey, Week 1: John 3 & John 14, Part 4 It’s now just hours before Jesus will be forcibly taken from his disciples, and less than a day before he will be killed. In John 14, Jesus is having a final conversation with his disciples, trying to prepare them for what will rockContinue reading “Jesus says that we show we believe in him by how we live our lives”
Jesus’ somewhat confusing instructions for entering the Kingdom of God
Trust & Obey, Week 1: John 3 & John 14, Part 3 In John 14, verse 1, Jesus is talking about belief, as we saw him do in the previous posts on John 3. But between John chapter 3 and John 14, time has passed, and now Jesus is hours away from his death. HeContinue reading “Jesus’ somewhat confusing instructions for entering the Kingdom of God”
When Jesus leaves us, we are not alone – John 14-16, Part 3
Judas has a question. (Not the bad Judas…this is the other Judas.) He’s been listening to Jesus talk about leaving them, about sending the Holy Spirit to be with them. Jesus has just said that he will show himself to his disciples, but not to the world. Judas is confused. He asks Jesus in JohnContinue reading “When Jesus leaves us, we are not alone – John 14-16, Part 3”
The surprising way God can live in us – John 14-16, Part 2
We evangelical Christians are known for teaching children to “ask Jesus into their heart.” From an adult perspective, it’s an odd phrase. Yet there is something to it, as we will see in today’s post. After teaching his disciples that if they love him, they will obey him, which might feel like a tall task,Continue reading “The surprising way God can live in us – John 14-16, Part 2”
Why Jesus’ teaching “If you love me, obey me” is not gaslighting – John 14-16, Part 1
When I was in Bible College, I was in the college library one day reading Christianity Today magazine. It was the September 1994 issue, and in that issue an article really caught my attention. The title of the article is “Who’s Afraid of the Holy Spirit?” by Daniel Wallace, at the time a professor atContinue reading “Why Jesus’ teaching “If you love me, obey me” is not gaslighting – John 14-16, Part 1″
Are you afraid of the Holy Spirit? – John 14-16, Preview
Who’s afraid of the Holy Spirit? My guess is that most of us would say we are not afraid of the Holy Spirit. But I wonder if any of us might say that the Holy Spirit seems mysterious at best, distant or mute at worst. Some of us might say that we are uncomfortable withContinue reading “Are you afraid of the Holy Spirit? – John 14-16, Preview”
Do we have to pray “In Jesus’ name, Amen.”? – John 14:1-14, Part 5
In my 20+ years of professional ministry, I’ve had the occasion to pray publicly quite a bit. I tack this phrase onto the end of nearly all my prayers, “In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Maybe you pray that way too. Maybe you’ve heard other’s do so. Why do we pray that way? Do we need to?Continue reading “Do we have to pray “In Jesus’ name, Amen.”? – John 14:1-14, Part 5″
How you can do greater things than Jesus – John 14:1-14, Part 4
As Jesus describes how we he and his Father want to be at home with us, it seems the disciples are not fully getting it. In John 14, verse 8, we read, “Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’” At that comment, I wonder if any of theContinue reading “How you can do greater things than Jesus – John 14:1-14, Part 4”
God wants to make his home with you – John 14:1-14, Part 2
Jesus’ image of home is one of refuge, of safety. For some of you the thought of home is like that, warm and comforting. Perhaps you had a loving, stable family where your needs were met. Perhaps you felt safe, secure, and you could flourish. I’m not talking about perfection, as that doesn’t exist. ButContinue reading “God wants to make his home with you – John 14:1-14, Part 2”
Engaging Scripture 