Now the moment has come. We’ve been studying John 11 this week, and we’ve observed Jesus talking with his disciples and his friends, Mary and Martha, about their brother Lazarus’ sickness and death. Jesus made the trip to Judea to the town of Bethany to visit that sisters, as Lazarus lay in a grave forContinue reading “We are witnesses to the power of Jesus – John 11:1-45, Part 5”
Tag Archives: resurrection
What we can learn from Jesus weeping – John 11:1-45, Part 4
Martha’s brother, Lazarus, still dead. Martha believes Jesus can do something about it because he is the promised Messiah, the bringer of life. But instead of pleading with Jesus, Martha now goes to find her sister, Mary. In John 11, verses 28-37, we read about the result of the sisters’ conversation. “And after she hadContinue reading “What we can learn from Jesus weeping – John 11:1-45, Part 4”
How to experience the life that is truly life – John 11:1-45, Part 3
Jesus regularly said very important things. What he says in John 11:25-27 is of utmost importance, “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ sheContinue reading “How to experience the life that is truly life – John 11:1-45, Part 3”
The kind of belief God really wants – John 11:1-45, Part 2
Jesus has received an urgent message from some of his closest friends, Mary and Martha. Their brother Lazarus, also one of Jesus’ best friends, is sick. Very sick. Deathly sick. What does Jesus do in response? He waits…two more days. He doesn’t immediately gather up his disciples and head out on the road. He waits. Continue reading “The kind of belief God really wants – John 11:1-45, Part 2”
The reason God needs more glory – John 11:1-45, Part 1
This past week I was jet-lagging, having come home from a month teaching in India. Jet-lag feels so weird. You’re hungry and sleepy at all the wrong times. On my first day back, my family and I ate dinner at a normal time of about 6pm, and while it tasted great, my stomach felt likeContinue reading “The reason God needs more glory – John 11:1-45, Part 1”
What my dog’s howling taught me about how God wants to change the world – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 5
We live just down the road from a local volunteer fire station, so we hear the fire siren quite regularly. If my dog is outside when the siren goes off, my dog will start howling. I don’t know why he doesn’t howl inside. Only outside. But here’s the thing. He cannot control the howling. WhenContinue reading “What my dog’s howling taught me about how God wants to change the world – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 5”
Hope for those who are groaning – Easter 2020, Romans 8, Part 3
I was groaning a lot when I did my taxes recently. I dread doing taxes because the tax forms can be so frustrating. My family has a number of unique circumstances that intensify the frustration. I am pastor, which means I get a housing allowance. My wife operated a business. I have education expenses. FinallyContinue reading “Hope for those who are groaning – Easter 2020, Romans 8, Part 3”
Hope for the condemned – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 2
What do you do when you feel the anxiety and the pain and the stress of condemnation from people? Other people can sure be condemning, can’t they? Maybe you have a family member, a co-worker, or a classmate that is like that. They might even be a church member, someone you would call a friend,Continue reading “Hope for the condemned – Easter 2022, Romans 8, Part 2”
Did Jesus really die and come back to life? – Easter 2022, Preview
I just walked back in to my office at our church building, because I was outside changing the message on the church sign. It had previously advertised our Maundy Thursday service, and now the new message asks, “Did Jesus really die and come back to life? Let’s talk about that.” How would you answer thatContinue reading “Did Jesus really die and come back to life? – Easter 2022, Preview”
How Jesus sets us free – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 4
One of my favorite Bible verses is Galatians 2:20. Open a Bible and read Galatians 2:17-21, and take note especially of verse 20. See what Paul says in verse 20? The amazing truth is that by faith Christ Jesus can live in us!!! That’s a million times better than trying to keep the law! GodContinue reading “How Jesus sets us free – Galatians 1:1-5:15, Part 4”
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