Focal Passage: John 18:1-11

In our fallen culture, it’s not uncommon for criminals to scramble from police to avoid arrest. A few weeks ago, a man in West Tennessee was accused of assaulting a family member. 

When the police arrived, the suspect barricaded himself inside the home and threatened to open fire on the officers. The standoff lasted for over four hours until a special response team carefully made their way into the house and took the suspect into custody. Thankfully no one was injured, and the man was brought to justice. 

Such a tactic is a natural reflex for criminals because the last thing they want is to be apprehended and punished. But this reality is what makes Jesus’ arrest so unordinary.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 17:13-26

One of the great blessings of having close relationships with other believers is the ability to call upon them to pray for us in a time of need.

As a pastor, I receive numerous prayer requests each week, where people ask me to pray for the most serious and urgent needs in their lives. 

Similarly, it’s not uncommon for me to call upon many others to pray for my personal needs in life and ministry.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 15:26-27; 16:7-15

One of the strangest elements in literature is what’s called a “paradox.” 

According to the dictionary, a paradox is a statement that seems self-contradictory or illogical. In other words, it’s a message that seems backwards or doesn’t make sense. 

We encounter paradoxes when business owners say, “You have to spend money to make money;” or when a counselor states that “failure often leads to success.” One of the most memorable was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s axiom, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 20:1-18 

A few years ago, my girls and I were listening to a popular podcast where a Bible teacher was explaining Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. As he was describing all of the glorious details, my oldest daughter’s eyes began beaming with fascination and she said, “Oh, I just love the story of Jesus coming out of the tomb!” 

Hopefully that’s the emotion you feel when you think about Jesus being raised to life. There’s no event in world history more fascinating, mysterious and powerful than Jesus coming out of the tomb. But while each of the Gospel writers gives us specific details concerning Jesus’ resurrection, we find three unique pictures in John 20 that show us the hope we have in our risen Savior. We see a dark morning, a folded cloth, and a glorious gardener.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 15:1-17 

One of the most popular topics among believers is spiritual growth. It’s the subject of countless books and blogs, the theme of numerous conferences and events, and the aim of sermon series, church programs and small group studies. 

According to Barna Research, 75 percent of Christian adults desire spiritual growth in their lives. This desire comes naturally for true believers who are being sanctified in Christ, and hopefully you’re among the many who want greater spiritual growth in your life today. 

But even though the majority of believers long to grow spiritually, many have questions about how to get there. What are the keys for having a greater sense of God’s presence and comfort? How do we develop spiritual strength and wisdom and reorient our hearts towards God’s will? Where do we find the power to resist temptation and remain obedient to Christ?  [Read more…]