John 20:1-31 || Sermon 05/19/24

Grace Community Church - Loveland, CO

John 20:1-31 || Sermon 05/19/24

May 19, 2024 • Erik Miller • John 20

The empty tomb, what did it mean? John tells us that they didn’t yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus would raise from the dead – rather they seem to think Jesus is still dead and his body is now missing. Jesus had told the disciples at least twice (Matthew 16:21 &17:23) that he would die, be buried and on the 3rd day be raised. When John enters the empty tomb and sees the grave clothes lying there, he believed. The rest continue to look for Jesus’ body. Jesus could have left them all to put the pieces together on their own. But He doesn’t. First, He talks with Mary and helps her understand. Then He visits the disciples and helps them understand (except for Thomas who wasn’t there at the time). Then He visits the disciples again and helps Thomas understand.

Grow in your own understanding of the resurrection of Christ and prepare for this week’s message by reading John chapter 20.

Sunday Sermon 10:30am 06/09/24

June 9, 2024 • Erik Miller • 1 Kings 18—19, Jonah 1—3, John 18—20, Acts 16:11–15

The Bible is full of stories, and every story tells us something about God and His character. In 1 Kings 18-19 we see that God helps Elijah through ups and downs, in Jonah we learn how God shows compassion to the people of Nineveh. Jesus’ work on the cross shows us God’s justice and His great love for us. (John 18-20). In the book of Acts we see how far and wide God’s love and reach goes – all people of all nations are invited into relationship with God through Jesus. When Paul brings this good news to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony, a businesswoman named Lydia is the first to believe and her home becomes one of the first churches. (Acts 16:11-15) Join us this week as we uncover truths about our Amazing God through these varied stories.

John 21:1-25 || Sermon 05/26/24

May 26, 2024 • Erik Miller • John 21

This final chapter in John is the account of Jesus’ 3rd appearance to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. The scene begins with a miracle that mirrors the way He called the first disciples: Simon (Peter), James, and John. (Luke 5:1-11) Then we move to a gathering around a fire and a conversation with Peter that feels a similar to another recent time Peter sat at a fire (John 18:15-27). We end the book with an intimate conversation between Peter and Jesus alongside John’s final summary of all he has told us. Be encouraged with us by Jesus’ personal, specific, and restorative action and conversation with His closest friends. Prepare for this week’s message by reading John 21:1-25 with Luke 5:1-11 & John 18:15-27.

John 19:1-42 || Sermon 10:30am

May 12, 2024 • Erik Miller • John 19

After Pilate’s attempts to satisfy the crowds by punishing Him, he presents Jesus to the crowd beaten, bloody, with a purple robe and crown of thorns. The crowd is not satisfied, and although Pilate has a sense of fear (vs.8) his fear of Rome is stronger as he hands Jesus over to be crucified. The manner and certainty of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection are essential components to the Christian faith. John’s motive for writing is so that we will believe and the details he includes in this chapter lead us there. Oh what a Savior! “Many a crown has been secured by blood, and so is this, but it is his own blood; many a throne has been established by suffering, and so is this, but he himself bears the pain.” – Spurgeon Prepare for this week’s message by reading John chapter 19.