The Temple at Passover

The Father’s House is not supposed to be a place of secular business (John 1:13-22).  Oh, how this imperative of Jesus Himself often goes ignored for the good place of marketing and reaching people for the gospel today.  The place of worship should not find competition and distraction from the wares of any business, even religious.  Jesus steps in and steps up against such things emphatically. No sales here! Go away from this place.  No business as usual here, only what My Father has required here is acceptable, spiritual service and worship.

Happy Thanksgiving to the Fellowship and Friends

Thanksgiving, a time for family gathering, a great meal, and fellowship that ties us together. This fellowship invites those we celebrate with to experience unity and commonality. I am thankful for this national pause to remember our need to reflect on and appreciate this important aspect of life.  Remember to pray today and ask God for things that matter most in the life of your family, with THANKSGIVING! We unite today to give thanks to God and to make our most meaningful requests to Him. Philippians 4:6 states, “...in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I am praying for God’s best in your family and in your lives.

The Word of Life - The One Sent from God

God intends for men to hear His voice and the preeminent representative to explain who God is and what His purpose and plan are comes through the Word.  The One-of-a-kind from God was also appointed a divine emcee to introduce the Word to the world, paving the way for salvation to all who believe.  John is the one sent from God in this unique and never to be repeated role of historically ushering the Word into the ministry that would forever impact the path of humanity in relationship to God. Nevertheless, every Christian believer has a responsibility to be a witness of the Word in the world today. In John 1:19-28, God shines the Light through His appointed witness and John (the Baptizer), in turn, points those who question his voice, authority, and activity to Christ. This is the task that God gave him for life.

The Word of Life - The Unique Word for Us

What an amazing reality! The Word enters our world, the one He created, to identify with humanity in order to be the good news and uniter of those who believe with God.  The Word was God and became a human without ever ceasing to be God.  This is Jesus Christ, the One whom John (the Baptizer) introduces to history.  His ultimate introduction is from eternity, before the world was created.  It is the Word, who graces our lives more abundantly and whose life was clearly seen by those who saw him in His earthly appearance.  Knowing God comes from seeing Jesus or believing in Him through the gospel even in our day. The Word stepped into history for us!

The Word of Life - The True Light Shines

The transcendent Word is the effectual Light that has come into the world.  John (the Baptist) comes to witness about that Light that is the life of men.  The apparent conflict of the Word or the Light (as John does not mention His name as Jesus yet) has to do with men who reject Him.  The Word/the Light is a person.  In John 1:9-13, the Light is spoken of in reference to His clear presence and need to those in the world who might believe.  John’s gospel moves from explaining the Object of the Word/Light to what He gives to those who believe. Indeed, the True Light comes to shine in the hearts of men. The continuing unfolding of John’s message in this Gospel’s first 18 verses sets the stage for the rest of the book.

The Word of Life - Messages from the Gospel of John

John’s gospel begins with the revelation of the Word.  The existence of the Word is from all eternity and is related to God. Being with God, the Word is God.  It is through the Word that all creation came into being.  As pertaining to the world, the Word is the Light that brings life to men. (John 1:1-5) The coming of John is the continuation of God’s plan in the revelation of the Word that began with creation.  Every time the name John is used in this gospel it refers not to the author of the gospel, but to the Baptizer, who is key to the introduction of the Word as well.  The history of the revelation of the Word comes in full color for humanity through John the Baptist.  John was created for this purpose.  The introduction to the “Word of Life” continues in Sunday’s message.

New Sermon Series Starts Sunday

On Sunday, we will begin an exposition on the Gospel according to John.  The series of messages will be entitled “The Word of Life.”  While Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptic gospels) present Jesus from below to show who He is from above, John begins from above to show the Word who comes to earth. Sunday’s message, “The Big Reveal,” highlights the significance of the Word, the activity of the Word in the world, and witness of the Word to men. An understanding of the Word is essential in establishing a starting point for all things in this Gospel.