Of all the symbols or metaphors Jesus could use to reveal something to us about God, on the surface, “a gate” seems a bit anticlimactic. Despite what we may think, though, Jesus was actually correcting the false ideologies about God that were and are still prevalent today. He reminds us that even in our seasons of suffering God still loves and protects us. He also declares that true life and salvation are attainable, but only through him. And finally, he clarifies that his invitation to true life is on offer for all who are willing to admit that they’re lost.
I AM the Gate
March 26, 2023 • Caleb Martinez • John 9:1–7, John 10:1–10
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I AM
I AM the Vine
April 23, 2023 • Caleb Martinez • John 15:1–5
Most of us know what a life of following Jesus should look and feel like, and yet most of also know we aren’t fully experiencing this life. While we want to be people defined by our fruit of love, joy, and peace, we’re often more acquainted with the bad fruit of anxiety, fear, and idolatry. The simple reason for this is that we haven’t learned how to abide in Jesus. When Jesus compares himself to a vine and calls us his branches in https://biblia.com/bible/csb/john%2015, he’s inviting us to live a constant life of redirecting our minds, hearts, and bodies to him. By being in close intimacy and proximity to Jesus, we slowly take on the characteristics of Jesus. And the more characteristics of Jesus we take on, the more fruit we produce. This is the process of abiding.
I AM: Way, Truth, & Life
April 16, 2023 • Trey Van Camp • John 14:1–6
Where we once found hope and meaning outside of ourselves in the church, the city, or the market, today we’re left to create our own hope and meaning from within ourselves. We follow our hearts and feelings, no matter the cost to ourselves and those around us. But where society says choice is now the highest value, tolerance the highest virtue, and denying yourself is the new unforgivable sin, how should Christians respond? What hope does Jesus offer? In https://biblia.com/bible/csb/john%2014, Jesus makes another countercultural claim about himself: that he alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Each of these statements is a direct counter to the values and virtues of today. Only in Jesus do we have access to God. Only in Jesus do we experience true reality. And only in Jesus can we have life and life to the full. To respond to the way of the world and live in a way congruent with these claims of Jesus, we practice self-denial.
I AM the Resurrection & Life - Easter Sunday
April 9, 2023 • Trey Van Camp • John 11:1–44
John 11 is a story of resurrection. But it isn’t Jesus’ resurrection. Just before he’s handed over to the Roman authorities to be crucified, Jesus brings his friend Lazarus back to life from the grave. In doing so, he demonstrates both his power over death, and his sympathy in the midst of it. This story reminds us of the authority Jesus has over the grave, but it also reminds us of the severity of our sin. Death is the result of our rebellion against God and his Kingdom. Yet despite our guilt, God still heals us. The resurrection of Lazarus points forward to the resurrection of Jesus, and also to our resurrection. The message of Easter is that like Lazarus, we are dead in our sin and broken from the source of life. But also like Lazarus, Jesus forgives us and promises to one day resurrect us too. John 11 CSB