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”
Tag Archives: prophecy
How Jesus fulfills a prophecy about being light in the darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 4
One of the guys who wrote the story of his friend Jesus, as I said in an earlier post this week, was Matthew. Matthew, like John, was one of the 12 disciples who followed Jesus around for three years, learning from Jesus how to shine light in the darkness of the world. Matthew tells usContinue reading “How Jesus fulfills a prophecy about being light in the darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 4”
LED headlights and people struggling with darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 2
My family has a 2010 vehicle with old headlights. We also have a newer 2017 vehicle with bright new LEDs. The difference is amazing. I need to turn on the 2010’s high beams if I want to match the brightness of the 2017’s regular lights. Have you ever been out driving, and a vehicle withContinue reading “LED headlights and people struggling with darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 2”
John the Baptist’s mystery friend, and why we need prophets in our lives – John 1:19-34, Part 5
In John 1:19-34, John the Baptist makes a surprising statement that there was someone alive right there, nearby, perhaps even in the crowd that day as John was baptizing people by the Jordan River, someone of whom John is not worthy even to untie his sandals. Untie sandals…what’s that matter? In John’s culture, that wasContinue reading “John the Baptist’s mystery friend, and why we need prophets in our lives – John 1:19-34, Part 5”
The backstory of John the Baptist – John 1:19-34, Part 2
Who was John the Baptist? In this post we begin to learn the backstory of John the Baptist. While our current blog series is studying the Gospel of John, and while this week we are learning about John 1:19-34, to get the backstory of John the Baptist, we need to turn elsewhere. The full accountContinue reading “The backstory of John the Baptist – John 1:19-34, Part 2”
The Prophet who said the darndest things – John 1:19-34, Part 1
The TV Show Kids Say the Darndest Things has been on the air for decades. The title of the show uses the word “darndest,” and that’s a catchy title, but what is the title really getting at? Well, take a look: The word “darndest” is getting at the fact that kids have that wonderful quality ofContinue reading “The Prophet who said the darndest things – John 1:19-34, Part 1”
Prophets who don’t know how to be prophets – John 1:19-34, Preview
Are there still prophets in the world today? No doubt there are people who claim to be prophets. Do you remember Harold Camping of the Family Radio Network? He predicted Jesus was returning in 1994. When Jesus did not return that year, Camping went on to predict Jesus would return in May 2011. In fact,Continue reading “Prophets who don’t know how to be prophets – John 1:19-34, Preview”
The surprising way Jesus fulfilled prophecy on Palm Sunday – Mark 11, Part 3
Jesus was the Messiah, but he was not the Messiah the Jews were looking for. When the Jews interpreted messianic passages like Psalm 118, which they quoted on the original Palm Sunday, they concluded that the Messiah was going to be a king of the line of the great king David. This new king wouldContinue reading “The surprising way Jesus fulfilled prophecy on Palm Sunday – Mark 11, Part 3”
God’s heart for human flourishing (or Why God cares about social justice) – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 5
Years ago, I learned a song when I was a teenager in youth group, and I found it very catchy and fun, but I had no idea what it meant. “I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me, makes the lame to walk and the blind to see, opens prison doors, sets theContinue reading “God’s heart for human flourishing (or Why God cares about social justice) – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 5”
3 pitfalls of Evangelical Christian worship – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 4
In this week’s study of Ezekiel 45-48, we have been following a map to God’s heart. We now study chapter 46 which includes more detail about Israel’s sacrificial system. What do we learn in chapter 46 about God’s heart? The sacrificial system teaches us that God desires worship that is gathered, consistent, and orderly. InContinue reading “3 pitfalls of Evangelical Christian worship – Ezekiel 45-48, Part 4”
Let's Talk About Sunday 