Last week, we explored how a seed of bitterness can grow into a root. As easy as it is to villainize the men who brutally attacked Jesus, it was this tiny seed that was watered and given space to grow that we can all find ourselves doing in our own hearts. We learned that when anger becomes a bitter root, we give the enemy permission to wreak havoc. Once that seed has been planted and the root has grown, it is critical to remove the whole root when removing bitterness. This can be harder than it seems because, for many, bitterness becomes an old friend, a comfort, and a punishment to those who have wronged us. We don’t realize how destructive it is until it has either had its full fury or has been removed. Yet, it is poisonous to our hearts and our relationships. It will begin to choke the Truth out of our lives, and hatred will take its place. However, there is good news: the Truth found in Jesus can set us free. In today’s passage Pilate asked Jesus, “What is Truth?” Truth was standing in front of him, bound and already beaten. Jesus offered this Truth to everyone He met. Today, we will see how different groups responded to this Truth. Jesus offers this Truth to us today. Truth found in Jesus brings us from sin and death into a life of blessing and purpose.
What is Truth? - 2/4/24
February 4, 2024 • Pastor Steve & Jen • John 18:28–38
05/19/2024 Test of Time
May 19, 2024 • Pastor Steve & Jen • John 21:23–25
John was present with Jesus throughout His ministry and faithfully understood and exhibited the behaviors of a true disciple. John 21:24 identifies this as John's testimony, and the very acknowledgment that it is him is enough for anyone familiar with him to know that it is true. John had passed the test of time. He was loyal, faithful, and full of integrity. His word was his bond; he did not need to say more than that because he was a true disciple in both word and action. John tells us in John 20:31 why he wrote the book. He says, "But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." John wanted us to understand that Jesus was indeed a man, a human being who grew hungry, thirsty, and tired, but He was more than a man: His spirit was divine. He had existed before being conceived in Mary's womb. He came to earth from heaven. And though it is a mystery beyond our understanding, John says Jesus was present at the beginning of creation. He was the One who spoke it into existence. John also made sure to be the kind of man people would believe when he spoke. His words were trusted because faithfully following Jesus produces a trustworthy testimony.
Whats it to You! - 4/27/2024
April 28, 2024 • Pastor Steve & Jen • John 21:18–22
Last week, we witnessed this beautiful moment as Jesus restored Peter from the damage he had done to himself through those three denials. Jesus loved Peter. So, in these following few verses, we see how Jesus assures Peter that he will never deny Him again. In fact, Jesus tells Peter that he would glorify God by dying a martyr's death in old age. Those words that assured him of his faithfulness as a follower of Jesus also brought a grim reality of the kind of death he would suffer. Jesus invited Peter to follow Him. By the time the gospel of John was written, Peter had already suffered a violent death. However, that day on the beach, while Peter walked and talked with Jesus, those prophetic words brought a bit of envy as he once again took his eyes off Jesus, but this time, he wasn't looking at the storm that nearly caused him to drown, this time he was looking back at the "beloved disciple" with envy and comparison. Jesus' path for Peter was uniquely his, and John's path was likewise. So, Jesus asked, "What is it to you." It was more of a statement than a question. Jesus calls each of us personally and uniquely to follow Him.
Do You Love Me? 4/20/2024
April 21, 2024 • Pastor Steve & Jen • John 21:15–17
Jesus’ meeting on the beach with His boys was profound in many ways. Not only did He provide for their needs (the miraculous catch of fish), giving them a promise for the future, and demonstrated His servant-heart by feeding the disciples breakfast, but it also included the restoration of Peter, whose courage had failed him when Jesus was arrested. Having boasted that he would never deny the Lord, even if the other disciples did (Mt 26:33, 35; Mk 14:29; Lk 22:33; Jn 13:37), Peter had done so three times (Mt 26:69-75; Mk 14:66-72; Lk 22:55-62; Jn 18:15-18, 22-27). Every one of the gospels reports those denials in detail, but John also tells us that Jesus restored Peter. On the day He was resurrected, Jesus met with him privately (Lk 24:34; 1Co 15:5), and during that meeting, He must have forgiven him. However, that morning, by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus took Peter aside after breakfast and went for a walk with him. During that walk, He carefully healed the damage that those denials had produced, one denial at a time, and He also reaffirmed Peter’s call to ministry. Peter must have felt disqualified from serving Jesus after his denials, but thankfully (for Peter and us), Jesus does not call the qualified. Instead, He qualifies the called.