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

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

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

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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

More from 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