We live in a very judgmental world that is quick to castigate and slow to elevate. But we in the church can be extremely judgmental too and often are far more judgmental than anyone we meet on the street. Now, we know what God’s Word says about sin…sin in general and sin in specific too. The character that meets Jesus in John eight was in fact guilty as charged…she was an adulterous. But the point Jesus makes in this text is if we are judgmental, we better take a hard look at our own lives because when we do, our finger of judgment will be pointing right back at us! Jesus meets the women in this judgmental situation. Once again however, Jesus doesn’t leave her in that sin and judgment but speaks forgiveness and along with that word of forgiveness also says “…go and sin no more.” Thank you Jesus! Jesus forgives sin! Jesus empowers sinners!
Encountering Jesus in Our Judgements
July 10, 2022 • Pastor Ben Johnson
Encountering Jesus in Our Need
August 28, 2022 • Pastor Joe Meyer
We’re ending this tour through John with what is perhaps the most obvious of encounters with Jesus and that’s Him meeting us in our need…our need for forgiveness. Peter had denied Christ. Peter had gone back on his word. Frankly, in the garden with Jesus, Peter had bold face lied to the Lord. And yet what does Jesus do? Does He act like we would, kicking Peter to the curb and walking away? Nope. Jesus reaches out to Peter. Jesus seeks Peter. Jesus comes to Peter in His need and speaks the word of forgiveness He so desperately needed. He does the same for us. Thank you Jesus that when we sin…when we run…when we deny…You come to us in our need!
Encountering Jesus in Our Need
August 28, 2022 • Pastor Ben Johnson
We’re ending this tour through John with what is perhaps the most obvious of encounters with Jesus and that’s Him meeting us in our need…our need for forgiveness. Peter had denied Christ. Peter had gone back on his word. Frankly, in the garden with Jesus, Peter had bold face lied to the Lord. And yet what does Jesus do? Does He act like we would, kicking Peter to the curb and walking away? Nope. Jesus reaches out to Peter. Jesus seeks Peter. Jesus comes to Peter in His need and speaks the word of forgiveness He so desperately needed. He does the same for us. Thank you Jesus that when we sin…when we run…when we deny…You come to us in our need!
Encountering Jesus in Our Doubt
August 21, 2022 • Pastor Ben Johnson
We are people of faith. We trust that God exists. We trust that Jesus died and rose for us. We trust, we live in faith, every single day. For a long time therefore, the Church berated and shunned those who doubted. They were called, from our story in John today, “Doubting Thomases” and thought to be less than the best Christian. Amazingly however, Jesus doesn’t act like us! Oh…that’s not amazing is it? He always shows us the way and in this instance He reminds us that while He knew all about Thomas’s doubting and unbelief, He came for Him, not once, but twice. He knew and yet He spoke “peace”. He knew and yet He did what He needed to do to bring faith into the heart of Thomas and perhaps, make him even stronger than he was before. And so He does with us…but so He also does through us to others! Thank you Jesus for coming to us in our doubt!