Dec 16, 2018
John 20:30-31 – “The Highlights”

"The Highlights"

John 20:30-31

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  • Dec 16, 2018John 20:30-31 – “The Highlights”
    Dec 16, 2018
    John 20:30-31 – “The Highlights”

    "The Highlights"

    John 20:30-31

  • Dec 9, 2018John 20:19-29 – “Dangerous Ideas”
    Dec 9, 2018
    John 20:19-29 – “Dangerous Ideas”

    "Dangerous Ideas"

    John 20:19-29

  • Dec 2, 2018John 20:1-18 – “Suspension of Disbelief”
    Dec 2, 2018
    John 20:1-18 – “Suspension of Disbelief”

    "Suspension of Disbelief"

    John 20:1-18

  • Nov 25, 2018John 19:17-42 – “All According To Plan”
    Nov 25, 2018
    John 19:17-42 – “All According To Plan”

    "All According To Plan"

    John 19:17-42

  • Nov 18, 2018John 19:1-16 – “Between The Rock & A Hard Place”
    Nov 18, 2018
    John 19:1-16 – “Between The Rock & A Hard Place”

    "Between The Rock & A Hard Place"

    John 19:1-16

  • Oct 21, 2018John 18:1-11 – “Church Hurts”
    Oct 21, 2018
    John 18:1-11 – “Church Hurts”

    "Church Hurts"

    John 18:1-11

  • Oct 14, 2018John 17:20-26 – “Unity”
    Oct 14, 2018
    John 17:20-26 – “Unity”
    "Unity"
    John 17:20-26
     
    A message that focuses on the ultimate desire of Christ for the church.  A pray for unity.
  • Oct 7, 2018John 17:6-19 – “Guarded”
    Oct 7, 2018
    John 17:6-19 – “Guarded”

    "Guarded"

    John 17:6-19

     
  • Sep 16, 2018John 16:16-32 – “Abandoned and Alone”
    Sep 16, 2018
    John 16:16-32 – “Abandoned and Alone”

    "Abandoned and Alone"

    John 16:16-32

  • Sep 9, 2018John 16:1-15 – “Heads Up”
    Sep 9, 2018
    John 16:1-15 – “Heads Up”

    "Heads Up"

    John 16:1-15

  • Sep 2, 2018John 15:8-27 – “Chain Reaction”
    Sep 2, 2018
    John 15:8-27 – “Chain Reaction”

    "Chain Reaction"

    John 15:8-27

  • Aug 26, 2018John 15:1-8 – “God Works”
    Aug 26, 2018
    John 15:1-8 – “God Works”

    "God Works"

    John 15:1-8

  • Aug 19, 2018John 14:18-31 – “Wait For It”
    Aug 19, 2018
    John 14:18-31 – “Wait For It”

    "Wait For It"

    John 14:18-31

  • Aug 12, 2018John 14:12-17 – “What Is That Supposed To Mean?”
    Aug 12, 2018
    John 14:12-17 – “What Is That Supposed To Mean?”

    "What is That Supposed to Mean?

    John 14:12-17

  • Aug 5, 2018John 14:1-11 – “Lazy River: Drifting Away From God”
    Aug 5, 2018
    John 14:1-11 – “Lazy River: Drifting Away From God”

    "Lazy River"

    John 14:1-11

  • Jul 22, 2018John 13:1-20 – “Gonna Have to Trust Me”
    Jul 22, 2018
    John 13:1-20 – “Gonna Have to Trust Me”

    "Gonna Have to Trust Me"

    John 13:1-20

  • Jun 17, 2018John 12:12-19 – “Whose Side Are You On?”
    Jun 17, 2018
    John 12:12-19 – “Whose Side Are You On?”

    "Whose Side Are You On?"

    John 12:12-19

  • Jun 3, 2018John 12:1-11 – “Wasted”
    Jun 3, 2018
    John 12:1-11 – “Wasted”

    "Wasted"

    John 12:1-11

  • May 27, 2018John 11:45-57 “Facing Your Shadow”
    May 27, 2018
    John 11:45-57 “Facing Your Shadow”

    "Facing Your Shadow"

    John 11:45-57

  • May 20, 2018John 11:1-44 – “Here Lies Death”
    May 20, 2018
    John 11:1-44 – “Here Lies Death”

    "Here Lies Death"

    John 11:1-44

  • May 13, 2018John 10:22-42 – “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”
    May 13, 2018
    John 10:22-42 – “No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”

    "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished"

    John 10:22-42

  • May 6, 2018John 10:1-21 – “Sheep, Wolves, Snakes & Doves”
    May 6, 2018
    John 10:1-21 – “Sheep, Wolves, Snakes & Doves”

    John 10:1-21

  • Mar 25, 2018John 9:39-41 – “Bitter Irony”
    Mar 25, 2018
    John 9:39-41 – “Bitter Irony”

    "Bitter Irony"

    John 9:39-41

  • Mar 18, 2018John 9:4-38 – “Simple Defense”
    Mar 18, 2018
    John 9:4-38 – “Simple Defense”

    "Simple Defense"

    John 9:4-38

  • Mar 11, 2018John 9:1-4 – “Fork in the Road”
    Mar 11, 2018
    John 9:1-4 – “Fork in the Road”

    "Fork in the Road"

    John 9:1-4

  • Mar 4, 2018John 8:48-59 “Glory Hound”
    Mar 4, 2018
    John 8:48-59 “Glory Hound”

    "Glory Hound"

    John 8:48-59

  • Feb 25, 2018John 8:31-47 – “Like Father, Like Son”
    Feb 25, 2018
    John 8:31-47 – “Like Father, Like Son”

    “Like Father, Like Son”

    John 8:31-47

     
    1. Introduction: Have you ever wanted to put yourself up for adoption?
      1. Sometimes we wish we could belong to a different family
      2. Everyone’s family has problems, even if we can’t see them
      3. It’s a chilling reality when we discover that we really are our parent’s children
    2. You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family
      1. The Jews who believed in Jesus had superficial faith
      2. Saying you belong to a family doesn’t necessarily make it true
      3. Jesus’ teachings are the key to truth and the truth sets us free
    3. The saying, “Like Father, Like Son” is true
      1. We are greatly influenced by our parents
      2. Children emulate their parent’s behavior
      3. When you belong to God’s family, you will recognize his voice
    4. Blood is thicker than water
      1. Usually when we say this, we mean that family ties are stronger than friendship, but in truth, that’s not the original message behind this statement
      2. God is willing to start the adoption process us
      3. When we belong to the family of God, we will emulate our Father
    5. Conclusion: Jesus invites everyone to do a paternity test
      1. Jesus asked, “Can you prove me guilty of sin?”
      2. The Grace of God allows us to ask the same question and hold each other accountable
      3. Our desire should be to let others see God in us
  • Feb 18, 2018John 8:12-30 – “How to Spot A Con Artist”
    Feb 18, 2018
    John 8:12-30 – “How to Spot A Con Artist”

    “How to Spot a Con Artist”

    John 8:12-30

    1. Introduction: Have you ever been “conned”?
      1. Most people have encountered a slick salesman, a fast-talking promoter, or someone with a pathetic sob story
      2. When cheated, we feel foolish that we didn’t spot the con
      3. Many people believe Jesus was nothing more than a con man
    2. Con Artists Typically Push Products We’ve Never Heard Of
      1. Con men only present products that we’re ignorant of
      2. Jesus presented a concept that the people were familiar with
      3. The Jewish leaders kept people in the dark
    3. Con Artists Want Trust Without Verification
      1. Con Artists are never who they claim to be
      2. Jesus stayed in step with the Father
      3. Jesus offered verification for his identity, but the Pharisees refused to verify his claim
    4. Con Artists Capitalize off of Impulsive Decisions & Never Sacrifice Anything of Their Own
      1. Con Artists generally manipulate using time limits against people, but never sacrifice anything of themselves
      2. If Jesus was a Con Artist, why would he go to the cross?
      3. We must be careful not to fall for the real con
    5. Conclusion: The Real Con leads us to believe That We Don’t Need Christ
      1. We can’t play the comparison game
      2. We must all recognize our need for Christ
      3. If we fail to recognize our own sinfulness and surrender our lives over to Christ, we have fallen for the biggest con of all time
  • Feb 11, 2018John 8:1-11 – “Completely Exposed”
    Feb 11, 2018
    John 8:1-11 – “Completely Exposed”

    “Completely Exposed”

    John 8:1-11

    1. Introduction: Have you ever had your sin exposed?
      1. Nobody enjoys having their sins exposed
      2. When we feel like we’ve been sinned against, we want justice
      3. The passage we will study is often a passage used out of context to defend ourselves when we feel exposed
    2. God’s Law Exposes Our Sin
      1. Many people have used this passage to suggest that sinning should be excused
      2. It wasn’t the Pharisees that identified sin, but God’s Law
      3. The Pharisees did what God’s law required, but not because they were interested in justice
    3. God’s Law Condemns Us All
      1. What did Jesus Write in the Dirt?
      2. Jesus answered without breaking God’s Law
      3. God’s Law must not be ignored or excused away
    4. God’s Law, When Broken, Demands Punishment
      1. Jesus told these men that this woman should be put to death
      2. Jesus was the only one who could have carried out the execution, but he wasn’t interested in throwing stones
      3. Jesus came that we might be given a clean slate
    5. Conclusion: Because Jesus Went to the Cross, We Can Stand Completely Exposed Before God Without Fear of Condemnation
      1. Jesus Gave up his life as a sin offering for the offenses we have committed against God and others
      2. God does not take pleasure in punishing our sin
      3. If God doesn’t take pleasure in punishing our sin, maybe we shouldn’t take pleasure when others are punished
  • Feb 4, 2018John 7:32-52 – “Just Give Me A Reason”
    Feb 4, 2018
    John 7:32-52 – “Just Give Me A Reason”

    “Just Give Me A Reason”

    John 7:32-52

    1. Introduction: Have you ever looked for a reason to dislike someone?
      1. Sometimes we make our minds up and look for the reasons later
      2. Have you ever been on the opposite side?
      3. Sometimes we do this with God
    2. Sometimes we make our minds up for reasons we’d be ashamed to admit
      1. Jesus refused to play for the “right team”
      2. So, the Jewish leaders refused him as the Messiah
      3. Because the Leaders rejected Jesus, the people who looked to them as a spiritual authority were led astray
    3. When we condemn others, it should show we’re lacking
      1. The last day of the festival was the greatest celebration
      2. Spiritual thirst cannot be quenched by worldly things
      3. Jesus offers living water & in him we will never thirst
    4. Everything hidden will come to light
      1. The Pharisees scrambled to stay on the side of righteousness but failed because of their own selfish motives
      2. The invitation was for them too
      3. When Jesus speaks, our walls break down
    5. Conclusion: Jesus gives us reason to love
      1. For eternal life
      2. For abundant life
      3. If you really need a reason, you should allow Jesus to speak
  • Jan 21, 2018John 7:10-31 – “All Bent Out of Shape”
    Jan 21, 2018
    John 7:10-31 – “All Bent Out of Shape”

    “All Bent Out of Shape”

    John 7:10-31

    1. Introduction: What would it take for you to get all bent out of shape?
      1. When do you get offended?
      2. When have you offended others?
      3. The modern church is careful not to offend others
    2. Jesus was offensive
      1. Nothing is more offensive than the truth
      2. Jesus spoke the truth because he kept the law (Jesus didn’t act superior, he is superior)
      3. Jesus offended to heal, not to destroy
    3. When we’re offended our spiritual maturity is revealed
      1. Just because you’ve been in church for a long time, it does not mean you are Godly
      2. Jesus shows us the inconsistencies in our life
      3. We must learn to make right judgments
    4. When we’re all bent out of shape, God can straighten us out
      1. God offends us for growth
      2. You have freedom to fly off the handle when you get all bent out of shape
      3. Self-Control is a sign of Spiritual Maturity
    5. Conclusion: Jesus offends because he loves us
      1. We must speak the truth in love
      2. We must look for the love in truth
      3. Fire burns off impurity
  • Jan 14, 2018John 7:1-9 – “The Divine Timetable”
    Jan 14, 2018
    John 7:1-9 – “The Divine Timetable”

    “The Divine Timetable”

    John 7:1-9

    1. Introduction: Have you ever experienced a time when your plans don’t line up with God’s plans?
      1. God has a plan
      2. We can’t change it
      3. How can we make sure we are never disappointed again?
    2. This world tells us to go after what we want
      1. This is evidenced in scripture with Jesus’ brothers
      2. When we act impulsively (according to our timetable), we almost always regret it
      3. How can we know when the timing is right?
    3. Jesus didn’t ask, “What do I want?”, but, “Father, what do you want?”
      1. Jesus lived on a different time table than his brothers
      2. God brought Jesus into the world at the perfect time
      3. Because Jesus was focused on God’s watch, he was able to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit
    4. God will show us his plan when we abandon ours
      1. We must learn to say “Not my will, but thy will be done.”
      2. The smaller times of sacrifice lead to the big ones
      3. Jesus didn’t serve two masters
    5. God’s timing is always perfect because his plan is perfect
      1. It’s difficult for us to trust him because we think we know what good is
      2. God doesn’t want us to have what is good or better, but what is best
      3. The only things we have that are truly good are “of God”
  • Jan 7, 2018John 6:41-71 – “Come to Your Senses!”
    Jan 7, 2018
    John 6:41-71 – “Come to Your Senses!”

    “Come to Your Senses!”

    John 6:41-71

    1. Introduction: Have you ever had to sit and watch someone do something foolish and thought, “Oh no! Come to your senses!”
      1. This can happen with others
      2. This can happen in scripture
      3. Does it happen to us?
    2. Our minds can only take us so far before we will hit a barrier of our own understanding
      1. We cannot understand the things of the Spirit on our own
      2. The Jews didn’t understand how Jesus was from heaven, nor did they understand how they were supposed to eat of his flesh to have life
      3. Jesus doesn’t try to explain it to their senses
    3. Sometimes we have to surrender & trust God even when we don’t understand
      1. Without turning over our understanding, we’re only left with one option, and that is to leave
      2. Many of Jesus’ disciples turned away because they were at a crossroads of losing their understanding
      3. When we hold onto understanding, we will reach a point when we can’t follow God any longer
    4. Once we surrender, Jesus takes us to greater understanding
      1. The 12 surrendered over their understanding to Jesus even when he taught them something they didn’t like
      2. Because they had nowhere else to go, and stayed as a result, God gave them greater understanding of his statement and even his plan of salvation through Passover
    5. Conclusion: Heaven is watching us!
      1. We must fix our eyes on Christ
  • Nov 26, 2017“Right God, Wrong Religion” – John 6:22-40
    Nov 26, 2017
    “Right God, Wrong Religion” – John 6:22-40

    “Right God, Wrong Religion”

    John 6:22-40

    1. Introduction: Probably one of the most offensive things we can say to a Jew or a Muslim is, “You have the right God, but you have the wrong religion!”
      1. How the big three (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity) each came from the God of Abraham
      2. Not only do Jews and Muslims have the right God and wrong religion, it’s also possible for Christians to have the right God and wrong religion
    2. We might have the Right Jesus in the Wrong Place
      1. We might not notice the Real Jesus is missing from our faith
      2. Jesus’ genuine disciples moved when he moved
      3. Some never allow Jesus to move from the head to the heart
    3. We might have the Right Jesus for the Wrong Reason
      1. These Jews didn’t start looking for Jesus until they got hungry again
      2. Jesus meets our needs, but his focus isn’t just on our needs
      3. Our genuine needs are revealed to us by the Father
    4. We might have the Right Jesus but the Wrong Doctrine
      1. We might base our faith in God off of works not grace
      2. The Jewish faith is based off of how to please God by doing works
      3. Jesus told them in order to get God’s approval is simply to believe
    5. Conclusion: When these things happen, we tend to put the wrong person onto a pedestal
      1. We have to stop looking to things that don’t fill us and find how to have an abundant life in Christ
      2. When we do, we can have the assurance of salvation and be freed from the fear of death
  • Oct 29, 2017John 6:1-21 – “Sea of Doubt”
    Oct 29, 2017
    John 6:1-21 – “Sea of Doubt”

    “Sea of Doubt”

    John 6:1-21
     
    1. Introduction: Do you ever wonder if God is really there?
      1. All of us have skepticism from time to time
      2. Much of the skepticism regarding Christ is around his miracles
      3. Many of the miracles Jesus did were on or around the sea of Galilee, which makes it the biggest area of skepticism
    2. Jesus fed the 5000
      1. Is this a story that’s just been exaggerated over the years?
      2. Mana from heaven is a foreshadowing of Jesus
      3. This was a picture of the Passover and lead to Jesus’ big revelation that he is the Bread of Life
    3. Jesus walked on water
      1. Was he really walking in ankle deep water?
      2. How did Peter almost drown in ankle deep water?
      3. Jesus has control over nature and can change the rules because he made them
    4. Jesus transported his disciples
      1. Did his disciples just underestimate how far they had travelled?
        1. Maybe there was a heavy fog
      2. If Jesus really moved them to where they needed to go, what could he do with us?
      3. They didn’t need to be in Galilee, they needed to be with him
    5. Conclusion: Jesus won’t fault you for doubt, faith is a gift from God
      1. God will help us with our disbelief if we ask him to
      2. If Jesus really could do all of these things, imagine what he can do with your life
  • Oct 15, 2017John 5:16-47 – “Trial of the Millennium”
    Oct 15, 2017
    John 5:16-47 – “Trial of the Millennium”

    “Trial of the Millennium”

    John 5:16-47

    1. Introduction: Do you imagine judgment as a case in court?
      1. Typically, there are 5 parts to a case in court: Initial appearance, Arraignment, Trial, Sentencing, & Appeal
      2. Judgments in court give weight to similar court cases
      3. What if our understanding of judgment in scripture is misunderstood?
    2. The Jews put Jesus on trial in their minds
      1. The Jews were the judge, jury & executioners in their own mind
      2. Jesus was accused of having Satan represent him
      3. There is no appeal after Jesus
    3. Jesus wasn’t really on trial, all of mankind is, and he is the judge
      1. Our understanding of where others are standing in court isn’t biblical
      2. Jesus is going to use a very simple standard for judgment
    4. The law isn’t on our side
      1. The Jews looked to Moses for defense
      2. Moses isn’t their defense, he’s the prosecutor
    5. Conclusion: If our understanding of judgment is misunderstood, we might be building the wrong defense
      1. All we need is Jesus
      2. Do you know him?
  • Sep 24, 2017John 5.1-18 – “Nice Guys Finish Last”
    Sep 24, 2017
    John 5.1-18 – “Nice Guys Finish Last”

    “Nice Guys Finish Last”

    John 5:1-18

    1. Introduction: Have you ever been picked last?
      1. Nice guys finish last, but God has a greater story
      2. In every good story, there are 5 major components
      3. The Characters, the Setting, the Plot, the Conflict, the Resolution
    2. God knows our Character, Setting & Plot
      1. This man sat for 38 years waiting for healing, watching the pool of water
      2. “Do you want to get well?”
      3. Take up your mat and walk
    3. God seems to ignore our Conflict
      1. Why doesn’t Jesus heal everyone?
      2. Jesus leaves before this man knew who he was!
      3. This man’s healing was an exception, not the rule
    4. God brings an unexpected Resolution
      1. This man headed to the temple to thank God
      2. God is more concerned with holiness than healing
      3. We must take our eyes off of the pool and place them on Jesus
    5. Conclusion: God wants to use our story to impact the lives of others
      1. In this world, nice guys still finish last; but the last will be first in the kingdom of God
      2. Jesus tells people “My father is always working…”
      3. If we want revival, we have to be better than nice, we have to be good; we must work where the Father is working; we must show up in the places where Jesus is
  • Sep 17, 2017John 4:43-54 – “Losing Our Patience”
    Sep 17, 2017
    John 4:43-54 – “Losing Our Patience”

    “Losing Our Patience”

    John 4:43-54

    1. Introduction: Do you hate waiting?
      1. Companies are counting on you not waiting
      2. We hate waiting because of boredom, anxiety, and uncertainty
      3. Despite our desire for instant gratification, Jesus knew how to wait
    2. Jesus is patient with our immaturity
      1. Jesus left people who received him when he spoke and went to a people who rejected him even when they saw miracles
      2. Tenure does not equal Maturity
      3. People who have been around Jesus the longest are often the hardest people to reach
    3. We prove our immaturity when we try to barter with God
      1. God doesn’t accept our barter system currency
      2. Jesus heals the man’s son despite his guilt
      3. The man only came to Jesus out of desperation
    4. Jesus is aware of our immaturity and ministers to us anyway
      1. Jesus is patient because he knows the reward
      2. He endured not only waiting, but suffering
      3. He did it all for you
    5. Conclusion: Jesus made an exchange but he didn’t use our barter system
      1. He gave his life in advance
      2. If we’re bored, full of anxiety or uncertainty, Jesus is the answer
  • Sep 3, 2017“Politically Correct Christ?” – John 4:27-42
    Sep 3, 2017
    “Politically Correct Christ?” – John 4:27-42

    “Politically Correct Christ?”

    John 4:27-42

    1. Introduction: Are you ever amazed at how divided our country is?
      1. Our culture is constantly bombarded with offensive messages
      2. Jesus responds with an offensive message of his own
    2. Jesus’ offensive words weren’t about Feminism
      1. Women in Biblical times
      2. Women today
      3. Jesus is your advocate
    3. Jesus’ offensive words weren’t about Race
      1. Biblical Racism
      2. Racism today
      3. Jesus is your advocate
    4. Jesus’ offensive words were directed towards his disciples
      1. Despite Jesus’ offensive words, those who have been given spiritual eyes love to talk about him
      2. They love to do his work
      3. They love to be in his presence
    5. Conclusion: Jesus seems to overlook being politically correct and instead focuses on the messages his disciples need to hear
      1. We have been called to talk about him, do his work and stay in his presence
      2. This can’t be done by trying harder or by emulating another person, we must do what Jesus said to his disciples
      3. We must lift up our eyes
  • Aug 20, 2017“Dying of Thirst” – John 4:1-26
    Aug 20, 2017
    “Dying of Thirst” – John 4:1-26

    “Dying of Thirst”

    John 4:1-26

    1. Introduction: Have you ever been thirsty, I mean REALLY thirsty?
      1. What happens to our bodies when we become really thirsty
      2. Spiritual thirst has similar effects on our bodies and lives
      3. We often do things that increase our thirst
    2. Our Prejudice can keep us thirsty
      1. What’s important about this well?
      2. Why were there such prejudices between the Jews and the Samaritans?
      3. Jesus says this woman wasn’t able to overcome her prejudices because of her ignorance
    3. Our Pride can keep us thirsty
      1. She came to the well alone, why?
      2. Pride causes us to deflect away from the most painful parts of our spiritual need
      3. Jesus saw through her pride and was able to address her deep spiritual need
    4. Our Traditions can keep us thirsty
      1. How they worshiped at the mountain and why the Jews said it wasn’t legitimate worship anymore
      2. Jesus showed that worship isn’t limited to a place and time
      3. We shouldn’t ask, “How does the church have to be done?” we should ask, “Where is it that the church cannot go?”
    5. Conclusion: God wants genuine fellowship with us
      1. He’s willing to bypass our prejudices, our pride and our traditions to have it; the question is, are we?
      2. Church often becomes a headquarters of prejudice, pride and tradition and is unwilling to change
      3. People who are unwilling to change will never be used by God as a catalyst for change; they will stay thirsty
  • Aug 13, 2017John 3:22-36 – “Spiritual Jealousy”
    Aug 13, 2017
    John 3:22-36 – “Spiritual Jealousy”

    “Spiritual Jealousy”

    John 3:22-36

    1. Introduction: Have you ever suffered from Spiritual Jealousy?
      1. Spiritual Jealousy is when you’re envious of the spiritual activity happening in the life of someone else
      2. The Apostle John records an incident in John the Baptist’s ministry that reflects how we might overcome spiritual jealousy
    2. Spiritual Jealousy usually surfaces when something we’re doing has started to lose traction or things don’t go as planned
      1. It happens when we start to view other churches as competition and not cooperation
      2. Conflict within John the Baptist’s Ministry happened because of the unrest in their hearts
    3. Spiritual Jealousy should show us something is wrong
      1. When we have unrest, it should cause us to ask the question, “Why can’t I be happy?” and look for an answer
      2. There are many reasons why people might serve the Lord
      3. Nicodemus’ agenda as well as John the Baptist’s disciples agenda for Jesus is not much unlike our own
    4. Spiritual Jealousy must be replaced with a servant’s heart
      1. God has one purpose; to glorify the Son, Jesus Christ, so that he might bring glory to himself
      2. We don’t get to share in that Glory and those with servant’s hearts don’t want to
    5. Conclusion: To follow Christ we must not only believe in Jesus, we must believe “into” him
      1. When we abandon our agendas, there is enough room in our hearts for joy
      2. When Jesus becomes our focus, others bringing glory to him fills us with Joy not jealousy
  • Jul 23, 2017“Free Wouldn’t” – John 3:1-10
    Jul 23, 2017
    “Free Wouldn’t” – John 3:1-10

    “Free Wouldn’t”

    John 3:1-10

    1. Introduction: People often try to explain how a good God can be all powerful by suggesting that he gives us free will
      1. Free will exists in the Bible, just not in the way we want it to
      2. Our definition of free will is that we have equal authority over our decision making as God (if not stand above him)
      3. If we truly had free will, we free wouldn’t
    2. It’s possible to be religious and not be born again
      1. Nicodemus was a heavily religious man, but he was not born again
      2. He had done everything he could do to be right with God but it still wasn’t enough
    3. All who are born again are born of the Spirit
      1. The Spirit does what He wants
      2. We know how to recognize the Spirit, but we cannot predict his moves unless he reveals himself to us
      3. Everyone who has been born again have been given the right to be called a child of God
    4. Everything in the OT preludes to how salvation works
      1. If Nicodemus truly understood the OT the way he received credit from men, he would have understood the truth of Jesus’ words
      2. We can study the Bible and even teach it, but still not understand the things of the spirit
    5. Conclusion: Free will exists in the Bible, but only in the hands of God and those the spirit has enabled
      1. We can either feel threatened by this truth or thrilled
      2. We must not see God taking from us that which we treasure most, but instead see God’s will for what it is, the sovereign deliverance of what we should treasure most; eternal life in Christ
  • Jul 16, 2017“Relationships > Religion” – John 2:12-25
    Jul 16, 2017
    “Relationships > Religion” – John 2:12-25

    “Relationship > Religion”

    John 2:12-25

    1. Introduction: What is more precious to you, religion or relationships?
      1. There are some ways you can tell what is more precious to you
    2. Religion is prioritized when your worship becomes commercialized
    3. Religion is prioritized when your worship becomes exclusive
    4. Religion is prioritized when your worship becomes another program
    5. Conclusion: Relationship is prioritized in Jesus through the destruction and rebuilding of his temple
      1. Jesus will come in and tear up what we often put on a pedestal to show us what’s most important
  • Jul 9, 2017“The Jesus Mold” John 2:1-11
    Jul 9, 2017
    “The Jesus Mold” John 2:1-11

    “The Jesus Mold”

    John 2:1-11

    1. Introduction: Are there some places you are unwilling to invite Jesus to?
      1. If we refuse to invite Jesus in, it should show us that we already have a picture of what Jesus is like and what he’s going to do
      2. It’s important that we get a correct picture of Jesus so that he is welcome in all the areas of our lives
    2. Jesus should be welcome at our celebrations
      1. If Jesus is invited to our celebrations, he will likely change our relationships
      2. Jesus changed the relationship with his own mother
      3. When Jesus is invited into our circles of friends, our relationships are enhanced to meet their true potential
    3. Jesus should be welcome in our work places
      1. If Jesus is invited into our work places, he will likely change our practices
      2. Jesus made alterations to Jewish practices
      3. When Jesus is invited into our workplaces, our practices will no longer be the focus, instead our practices will fall in line
    4. Jesus should be welcome in our hearts
      1. If Jesus is invited into our hearts, he might change our priorities
      2. Jesus changed the priorities of his disciples
      3. When Jesus is given full authority over our hearts, our priorities will give us true purpose
    5. Conclusion: Sometimes we tend to think that the only way we can welcome Jesus into every aspect of our lives is if he conforms to fit our mold
      1. Jesus is never going to be everything we want him to be
      2. Jesus is everything we want ourselves to be
  • Jul 2, 2017Belie or Believe – John 1:19-51
    Jul 2, 2017
    Belie or Believe – John 1:19-51

    “Belie or Believe?”

    John 1:19-51
    1. Introduction
      1. Do you know anyone who likes to exaggerate?
      2. Many people discredit God’s word because they believe it contradicts itself in several places
    2. Contradiction # 1 – John the Baptist says he isn’t Elijah when in other places in the NT Jesus says he is; who should we believe?
      1. The questions the authorities asked John show they didn’t completely understand the prophecy about the Messiah
      2. The role of John the Baptist’s ministry was exactly what was prophesied
      3. There are several similarities between Elijah and John
    • Contradiction # 2 – John’s timeline of Jesus’ Baptism and the beginning of his ministry doesn’t line up with the other Gospels
      1. We must carefully study the Gospels to get a clear picture of what actually happened
      2. John’s account was after Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness
      3. Liberties have to be taken to explain further
    1. Contradiction # 3 – John describes a different account of how the disciples were called and in what order than the other Gospels
      1. Again, we must carefully study the Gospels to get a clear picture of what actually happened
      2. There is an “un-named” disciples that has to be John
      3. This narrative is mostly about how John first met Jesus
    2. Conclusion:
      1. The Bible is God’s inspired and infallible word; there is always an explanation even if you don’t know what it is
      2. If you don’t have an answer, don’t give up! Ask God!
  • Jun 25, 2017Visualizing the Invisible God – John 1:1-18
    Jun 25, 2017
    Visualizing the Invisible God – John 1:1-18

    “Visualizing the Invisible God”

    John 1:1-18

    1. Introduction
      1. If you were to try and draw a picture of God so that someone who didn’t know God could see Him, what would your drawing look like?
      2. If you want to see God, look no further than Jesus Christ
    2. Jesus shows he is God in that he has done what no other could do
      1. He was with God in the beginning
      2. He is greater than John (Elijah or the Prophets)
      3. He is greater than Moses (Law)
    3. Jesus shows he is God and all God’s creation was done through him
      1. Jesus is the spoken word of God by which he created the universe
      2. His fingerprint is left everywhere you look
      3. John Ortberg calls Jesus “The man who won’t go away!”
    4. Jesus shows he is God in that he came to reveal God to us
      1. He has come to show us God’s nature
      2. We didn’t recognize him because we had been disillusioned by what we thought we knew about God
    5. Conclusion:
      1. If you want others to see God, you are able to do this, not by painting a picture, but by doing what Jesus did
      2. As Jesus emulated the father by following His lead, so we must emulate Jesus and follow his