September 24, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 1:1–18
“In the beginning was the Word,” begins John’s narrative, providing a unique perspective that stands out from the other three gospels. John’s account is keenly focused on who Jesus is, written very simply but with profound depth. At a time when the Roman Emperor was declared Lord and God, John proclaims only Jesus as Lord, at great risk to himself. Only John includes the seven, “I AM’s,” of the New Testament, “written that you might believe and that you might have life in his name.”
JESUS, the Eternal One - Part 2 "The Light Has Come"
October 1, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 1:1–18
John writes his gospel after the other three (the synoptic gospels) so, “That you might believe and that you might have life in his name.” John depicts Jesus as the light that shines in darkness, as the preexistent and incarnate Word of God. He develops abstract thoughts, making them profoundly personal. Pastor Lloyd speaks from his own experience about shining the light, through which God does his work, exposing darkness, yes, and also a willful ignorance. This gospel is written that we might believe and continue for a lifetime in our belief.
JESUS, the Eternal One - Part 3 "When God Became a Man!"
October 8, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 1:1–18
When we lift up our eyes to the Lord, we surrender our myopic tendencies and yield to God’s bigger plan. In these opening verses of John’s gospel, God’s big plan is unveiled with the magnificent proclamation, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Ponder what it means when we read that Jesus, “made his tabernacle among us,” and what it means to, “see his glory,” as Pastor Lloyd teaches from this beloved passage of scripture.
Come and See!
October 15, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 1:19–51
John presents his Gospel with the purpose, "That you might believe.” This passage begins with an account of John the Baptist being asked, “Who are you?” Pastor Lloyd dissects John’s answer to this and other questions of the religious leaders. When John sees Jesus, he identifies him as the Lamb of God and testifies boldly that this is the Son of God. Two of John’s disciples then follow Jesus, telling others and spreading the word simply saying, “Come and see.”
Miracle at a Marriage
October 29, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 2:1–12
This passage provides the first of Jesus’ miracles (or signs) and John’s gospel is the only one that records changing water into wine. The deeper we look into this particular sign, the more significance we see as Pastor Lloyd explains. The sacrament of marriage and the commitment it represents, the ring, the ketubah, and the patience of the bride as she waits for her betrothed, is full of symbolism which Pastor Lloyd beautifully lays out for us to understand. We also learn the cultural implications of running out of wine at a wedding paralleled with other parables.
Cleansing the Temple
November 5, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 2:12–25
Jesus goes from Cana to Capernaum as John continues his gospel of Jesus and his miracles. Jesus comes to Jerusalem to the Temple and drives out the money-changers, purifying the Temple and showing his authority. The religious leaders demand that Jesus give them a sign but the sign he gives is not comprehended. As people see the signs and miracles, their hearts remain unchanged. Pastor Lloyd explains the true evidence of a changed, repentant heart, which is still Jesus’ will for us today.
The New Birth
November 19, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 3:1–21
John’s entire gospel is one of belief, and Pastor Lloyd encourages its daily study. In this passage, Nicodemus has come to Jesus at night with a question. Nicodemus states his belief that Jesus comes from God. Jesus tells Nicodemus his belief must be followed by a new birth to enter the kingdom of God. This is salvation and it means new birth or regeneration, which Jesus explains with four symbolic analogies. Pastor Lloyd dissects these explanations in this sermon.
The Perfect Witness
November 26, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 3:22–36
This message begins with the on-going challenge to read through the Bible every year. Our belief in God is evidence-based and John gives evidence in this gospel that all might believe. John identifies Jesus as the perfect and faithful witness. In this passage, the disciples of John the Baptist are questioning why Jesus is attracting bigger crowds. John understands his role as it relates to Jesus and says, “He must become greater; I must become less.” This message is full of insight and practical applications learned from John’s gracious example of humility.
Personal and Relational Evangelism - Part 1
December 3, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 4:1–26
In this passage, we see Jesus in a new light, providing a model for us today. Jesus’ disciples, like us, are apprentices, still learning, still imperfect. In this passage, as Jesus comes to Samaria, he sits down by Jacob’s well and a woman comes out to draw water. Pastor Lloyd identifies five things Jesus does in this interaction: he gets her attention, piques her interest, arouses her desire, reveals the real issue in her life (sin), and he explains the gospel. As Pastor Lloyd does a deep dive into this encounter, he reveals ways we can interact with strangers and winsomely share the gospel.
Personal and Relational Evangelism - Part 2
December 10, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 4:1–42
John’s gospel revolves around seven signs that all might believe that Jesus is the son of God. In this passage, Jesus takes a route that most people would have avoided in that day, through Samaria, where his encounter with the Samaritan woman becomes a model for personal and relational evangelism. Through this encounter, Pastor Lloyd points out the intimate nature of God’s relationship with us, setting it apart from other religions. Jesus shows his followers again and again that in doing God’s will, we find our purpose and He changes us from within.
A Developing Faith
December 17, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 4:43–54
This passage gives the account of the second of seven signs given, “that you might believe.” Jesus has returned to Cana in Galilee (where he turned water into wine) where a royal official begs Jesus to come and heal his son. Surprisingly, Jesus responds with a rebuke, which Pastor Lloyd explains as a test for real faith. Undeterred, the man persists, begging for his son. This time, Jesus replies, “Go, your son will live,” and the man takes him at his word. This message takes a deeper look at true faith that simply takes Jesus at his word.
The Authority of Jesus Revealed - Part 1
December 31, 2023 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 5:1–23
This message begins with a challenge: if you get a full understanding of this passage, you will have a solid idea of who Jesus is. Jesus has gone to Jerusalem to a certain pool where he encounters an invalid of 38 years. Jesus initiates this encounter, asking the man if he wants to be healed, then telling him to get up and walk. When Jesus tells us to do something, it is a challenge through which we can know he will act on our behalf. This is an invitation to gain a bigger view of who Jesus is and all that he offers to those who believe.
The Full Authority of the Son Revealed - Part 2
January 14, 2024 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 5:19–47
The attack on Jesus and his authority gives us the most remarkable passage in the Bible about who Jesus is. Jesus uses this attack to explain his purpose and his relationship with the Father. Jesus’ response is a call to everyone to hear, believe, and live, and to pass from death to life. In this passage, Jesus iterates the various witnesses that support his testimony and his authority, but the religious leaders are unwilling to believe. What might be preventing our belief today?
Impossible Moments with Jesus
January 21, 2024 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 6:1–21
In this passage, John records two more signs for us to believe that Jesus is who he says. Large crowds are following Jesus but he takes his disciples up on a mountain where the crowds follow. This is where Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. That same evening, the disciples see Jesus walking on the water. Pastor Lloyd dissects this passage to show that impossible situations challenge our faith so we, as broken vessels, might be part of God’s greater purposes.
True Bread that Satisfies - Part 1
February 4, 2024 • Pastor Lloyd Pulley • John 6:22–41
In this passage, we see that the crowds are intrigued and perplexed by Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand so they come searching for him. Jesus reveals to them the work God requires: to believe in the one he has sent. When the people ask for another sign, Jesus responds that he is the true bread from heaven that gives life to the world. The problem of unbelief that plagued them is the same barrier to belief today, as Pastor Lloyd explains.
