7 Conversations with Jesus - John

Who says? - John 5:31-47

August 25, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 5:31–47

I sometimes hear people say that the Gospel does not seem credible or that Salvation is too good to be true. Things like: “I would believe if there was enough evidence” or “I am not so sure about the Bible” or “You cannot trust the Church to be honest” and many variations of each. So when Jesus says “You can trust Me!” Why was that not enough? Clearly such a self-authentication is perceived as self-serving – so we ask: WHO ELSE? Jesus teaches that there are 4 other witnesses besides His word – each very credible and believable for the true seeker. Sunday I will wrap up our series of the 7 I AM's and the 7 Signs and the 7 Conversations and the 7 Questions of Pilate at the Judgment. This summary will be taken directly from the teaching of Jesus – 4 Witnesses of Jesus as the Messiah. I hope you will come seeking because I can promise from Scripture that if you seek – you will find! Listening to the witnesses – we should leave with boldness to proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God – the Messiah for sinners – the Lord of our life. If these don't convince you – I truly don't have anything better – but I am sure … these will do. See you Sunday, Pastor Mike

Jesus and Peter - Is Something Burning? - John 21:15-17

August 11, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 21:15–17

Peter’s life is one of great contrasts - he was very bold and very scared. He was all in and then all denials. Peter offered to die with Jesus then would not speak for Him when asked. As Peter we are sometimes most bold about what we know the least. Sunday I will take us to the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus is cooking at a charcoal fire - but lunch was to be more than fish and bread - it was to be a generous serving of humble pie. I will take us back to the Call of Peter along these same shores. I will listen in with you at the brash boasting of Peter when he offers to ‘die’ with Jesus. Then from the shadows we will witness the great meltdown of Peter the bold as he denies, lies and curses at the fireside. This brings us back to lunch with Jesus. The smell of charcoal ignited the memory of days before when Peter denied and lied - now Jesus offers 3 confessions to atone for the 3 denials. God is so good! I am asking you to bring someone Sunday who needs God’s forgiveness - that is all of us! See you Sunday, Pastor Mike

Jesus and the Father - It is time! - John 17

July 28, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 17

On His last night – Jesus called the Disciples together for a time of sharing and praying, from here the Lord went out to the Garden of Gethsemane – a private time of prayer. Gathered together as the late hours approached and Jesus' disciples were physically and emotionally drained, Jesus spoke in stark terms sharing some of the most challenging words He had ever spoken to these men. All of a sudden, Jesus began to pray. Never had they seen Him like this, nor heard Him pray like this. He prayed to His Father for the mission ahead of Him – He prayed for the calling of the disciples – He prayed for the ministry ahead of them – He prayed for us! Sunday we will listen in to that prayer and see a perfect model of Jesus plan for us and the clearest example of how we can pray for one another – join us Sunday – lots going on! We will be praying for the Brazil team as they serve and looking forward to the opportunities of Grace this fall – see you Sunday! Pastor Mike

Jesus and Judas - Crouching at the door! - John 13, Psalm 41:9

July 21, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 13, Psalm 41:9

God warned Cain that ‘sin is crouching at the door; and it's desire is for you’ – yet surrendering to anger Cain took his brother’s life and committed the first murder. (Gen 4) Judas was similarly warned – Jesus quoted Psalm 41:9 predicting the betrayal of a ‘trusted friend’ and someone He shared ‘bread’ at the table. Yet with all of these warnings the Disciples still had no clue who was the traitor – so much so that the suspected themselves before Judas. Sunday the conversation I will examine is a brief encounter at the Passover meal of Jesus and the Disciples. The last days and final hours of the Messiah recorded in John. This is one of those accounts we almost want to close our eyes and not see the outcome. A trusted companion who sells out his friend for a small reward – that later in guilt he could not even spend! Join me as we hear the kindness of Jesus offered to even the most unloving of the twelve – Judas. The saddest fact of Sunday will not be in the betrayal or treason of Judas but how often we ‘sell out’ our Savior for small bits of pleasure or glory or even rewards. We see plainly Sin and Satan crouching at the door by Cain and Judas – are we watching for his shadow at the intersections of our life? Invite someone who is struggling with life choices – Scripture has the answers! See you Sunday, Pastor Mike

Jesus and the Adulteress Woman - The Prodigal Daughter - John 8:1-11

July 14, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 8:1–11

She was caught in the act of adultery, dragged by force into the Temple courts, humiliated by her sin, separated from anyone who might protect her, judged and sentenced to death without trial by self-righteous religious leaders, and placed before the King of Kings who is pure and holy. This is how the apostle John describes the scene of one of the best known and emotional accounts of Scripture. This story reads like modern soap opera with immoral activities in which the rich seem to escape while the less fortunate are punished (remember she was caught in the act, but only the woman was brought to judgment – where is the guy?) The key to this incredible story is what happens when a sinner is placed at the feet of Jesus. This is the place where every person who calls themselves a follower of Christ has been and needs to go more often. It is also the only place every person can go to experience the incredible promises of forgiveness and eternal life. Join me Sunday as we stand off to the side and witness through Scripture the humiliation of the proud and the restoration of the humiliated! Only Jesus could do that! For her and for us. Pastor Mike

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman - Exceptional Jesus - John 4:7-29

July 7, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 4:7–29

Sunday in our combined service I will be looking at the conversation Jesus has with the woman at the well in Samaria. Jesus was so compassionate and merciful – what a great example of evangelism! I am in Africa right now and Matt and I will be sharing in the 9am hour what God is doing through Grace here in Liberia – great stuff! Please make every effort to share the 9am time as well as the woman at the well who meets an Exceptional Jesus – see you Sunday, Pastor Mike in Liberia

Jesus and Nicodemus - John 3:1-21

June 30, 2024 • Bret Barrier • John 3:1–21

Dear Church Family, I am looking forward to preaching this Sunday about Jesus’s conversation with Nicodemus. I will start by pointing out the importance of the meekness and humility that brought Nicodemus to Jesus. Then we will explore the profound mystery Jesus reveals about the need to be spiritually born again before one can see and enter the Kingdom of God. Finally, you will see that being born of water and Spirit is the only thing that can deliver you from the darkness and condemnation of sin and bring you into the light and truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although applicable to everyone, Jesus’s message to Nicodemus was also very personal, so I plan to share part of my own testimony of faith with you as well. If you know someone who needs to hear the message of the gospel, please invite them! And please pray for this week’s message. Pray that those who need to hear it will be able to, and that I will be able put my own pride aside so that the Holy Spirit has the reigns to effectively minister the words of Jesus to each listening heart. In Christ, Bret Barrier

Jesus and Nathanael – The God Who Sees Us - John 1:45-51

June 23, 2024 • Denis Garijo • John 1:45–51

“Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” This Sunday, we have the privilege to “Come and See” Jesus's first conversation in the Book of John - Jesus talking with Nathanael, one of his disciples. This conversation transformed Nathanael from a spiritually blind man seeking the truth to a follower who found the Messiah and would see great things. Sunday, we will have an opportunity to learn from this conversation and how to apply what Jesus taught in our lives. “By these words our Lord meant that his perceptions would become more vivid. Believest thou? Thou shalt see. If we demand to see first we shall never believe; but if we are willing to believe we shall by-and-by see.” Charles Spurgeon Your prayers are deeply appreciated, and I look forward to seeing you there. Denis Garijo

Conversation with Jesus about His Father - John 8:48-58

June 16, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 8:48–58

“To deny Jesus as God is to deny the very Word of God!” In the many conversations Jesus had that are recorded in the Gospels, few rival the honesty and depth of His interactions with the Pharisees in John 8. This passage is especially poignant since this is Father’s Day and the Pharisees put the questions in the context of Abraham as their Father. Instead of being embarrassed, Jesus uncovers their blindness and true identity - unbelievers. The Pharisees are unable to understand Jesus’ Gospel and that He was sent by the Father. His was not a self-initiated mission. They were so convinced by their preconceptions that they couldn’t hear what Jesus was saying. They are so wrapped up in their biased thinking that they can’t catch the truth of Jesus’ teachings. They are likewise clueless as to His origin, identity, and redemptive purpose. Sunday I will take this conversation and walk us through 3 Questions, 3 Answers, and share the 3 Lessons that Jesus gives us about His Father. Join us for a great lesson on who Jesus was and who sent Him! See you Sunday, Pastor Mike “We must either worship Christ as God or despise or pity Him as man.” John Gerstner

Conversations with Jesus - John 3,4,10

June 9, 2024 • Mike Burt • John 4, John 10, John 3

“It is impossible for a believer, no matter what his experience, to keep right with God if he will not take the trouble to spend time with God.” J. Oswald Sanders Jesus met all kinds of people. He dined with the rich, took time with the outcasts, had compassion for those who lived in sin, and helped the poor and needy. The one constant in every conversation with Jesus was how He lovingly and kindly always moved the conversation from where He met them to where they should be in faith. Jesus met with the curious in Nicodemus and the devious in the Samaritan woman and the hateful in the Pharisees – yet in each encounter we find an open and sincere conversation – not railing or berating or debating but loving! At every level of society, Jesus spoke the right words at the right time. Sunday we will listen in to 4 conversations Jesus had and see how He listened, how He spoke and how He cared! When I think about the conversations of Jesus I see how He was the embodiment of Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” The very Son of God humbled among men listening to their problems and caring for their souls – we must do no less! See you Sunday, Pastor Mike “Spend plenty of time with Him; let other things go, but don't neglect Him.” J. Oswald Sanders

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