That Jesus (Jn. 5:1-9)

Read John 5:1-9.

1.  The view that Jesus has.  He has perfect vision, and He sees not only the crowd but He sees you.

2.  The knowledge that Jesus has.  He knows your need, how long you've had it, and every limitation it causes.

3.  The questions that Jesus asks.  They provoke and clarify.

4.  The word that Jesus speaks.  There is power released when Jesus speaks.  What authority in His declarations!  Who or what has the final say in your circumstances?

Foot Washing (Jn. 13:14)

Read John 13:14.

What is it about foot washing that makes it so humbling?

• Perhaps with exception of the mouth, one's feet might be the most used body parts.  Even if they are not the most used, definitely they require much care.  Being where they are positioned, care of the feet isn't always easy.  Hence, foot care might not always be up to date.
• Think of what someone might discover when washing your feet.  
• The washer might discover something between your toes.  (Relax.  We all know it is lint due to friction between your toes and your socks.)
• The washer might discover dry skin, especially if you have hard water.
• The washer might discover callouses, warts or other growths.
• The washer might discover imperfectly shaped or elongated toes.  (Come on, everyone has at least one toe he doesn't like.)
• The washer might discover an ingrown or overgrown toenail. (Why do you think socks have to be darned?  Wait . . . do people still do that today?)
• You're not accustomed to having your feet uncovered.  You can count on one hand the number of people who have or have had access to your feet. 
• When you were younger, your parents bathed your feet.  (Your mother probably sang, "This little piggy went to the market . . .")
• Your doctor, podiatrist or surgeon has access to your feet.
• Your spouse has access to your feet.  (Foot rub, dear?)
• Of course, you yourself have access.
• You're not thrilled with the idea of adding anyone else to the list.
• By this act you are saying to someone, "I affirm you and love you, imperfections and all.  You are worth my discomfort."

Evidence For Believing In Jesus (Jn. 12:44-50)

Read John 12:44-50.

When you believe in Jesus, you . . .

1. Believe in God the Father also (12:44-45).
2. Walk in the light (12:46).  
• Transformation:  come out of darkness and live in the light.
3. Hear His words and obey them (12:47-50).
• Consequence:  You will not be sent away on Judgment Day.  You will be prepared.

Threatened Pharisees (Jn. 11:45-53)

Read John 11:45-53.

THREATENED PHARISEES

1.  They escalate things.  They made Jesus' miracle-working a matter for the Sanhedrin.

2.  They exaggerate things.  They suggested everyone would believe in Jesus and therefore, as a result of that belief, Rome would destroy their nation and their temple.  

3.  They eliminate things.  They had no problem quickly adopting the idea of murdering Jesus.

Note:  America is guilty of implementing the same three tactics against Christ and His Church. Escalation:  the Sanhedrin today is the Supreme Court.  Exaggeration: Christians are portrayed as dangerous extremists or deluded simpletons.  Elimination: The goal of humanism is to eliminate mention and influence of Jesus in public discourse.  Those who violate this will be persecuted.

The Opposite of Truth (Jn. 3:20-21)

Read John 3:20-21.

For John, and therefore for us, the opposite of truth isn't mistake or falsehood but is evil.  A lack of truth means more than you were wrong, in error or led astray.  That summary allows for too much passivity, as if evil is only something that happens to you.  John says that lack of truth is an active pursuit, a doing of evil.  You end up in evil because you refuse the truth and embrace its opposite. You choose to reject God's light and walk away from it.  See also Romans 1:18-19.

More Wine, Please (Jn. 2:1-12)

Read John 2:1-12.

1.  The host had run out of wine.  It was essential to the event's festivities.  Has the church run out of "wine"?  Have you? (v. 3).

2.  Tell Jesus when you run out of "wine" (v. 3).  He wants to hear you tell Him what He already knows.

3.  Jesus will provide the "wine", but not without your cooperation and obedience (v. 5).  Fill the "pots" (v. 7).

4.  Jesus' best is saved for "right now" (v. 10).  The best "wine" was not served 100 years ago, or yesterday, or at Pentecost.  The best wine is not reserved for a time you won't be able to enjoy it.

This could be adapted for a sermon on Pentecost Sunday.

If Anyone Is Thirsty (Jn. 7:37)

Read John 7:37.

1.  There are those who don't know that they are thirsty.  People are in a state of thirst before they experience its symptoms.

2. There are those who are thirsty but ignore their thirst.  They keep on working, keep on walking, keep on living the routine.  They act as if their thirst will alleviate itself.

3.  There are those who are thirsty and attempt to satisfy their thirst from impure or inappropriate sources.

4.  There are those who are thirsty and bring their thirst to Jesus.  He alone can quench and satisfy.

John 3:18, 36

Read John 3:18, 36.

Condemned how?  To what?  The answer is in verse 36:  "The wrath of God remains on him."  Here is another evidence for pre-Tribulation Rapture.  God's wrath is reserved for unbelievers, not believers.  To believe is to become exempt from deserved wrath.

About The Light (Jn. 3:19-21)

Read John 3:19-21.

1.  The Light has come.  He is Jesus.

2.  The Light separates truth from error and right from evil.

3.  The Light is dominant and invasive.  God's Light is similar to cilantro. You know when it is in the salsa.

4.  The problem isn't the absence of Light but the proclivity to love darkness.

Immediate Distraction (Jn. 21:20-23)

Read John 21:20-23.

Three times Peter denied knowing Jesus and being with Him.  In today's verses Peter confirms decisively three times that he loves Jesus.  Jesus reveals how Peter's life will end and then re-issues the original call:  "Follow Me."

Peter asks, "What about this man?"  Distraction!  It doesn't matter what someone else says, thinks or does.  What is your choice?  Following Jesus, though done in and with community, is a personal responsibility.  Get your attention off of events and other people.

Here are some common distractions:

• You can be distracted by another person's future.  You get to "die"; he gets to live.
• You can be distracted by another person's prosperity.  It seems you barely get by; he always seems to have more than enough.
• You can be distracted by another person's success. Everything you touch seems to stagnate or end; everything he touches seems to turn to gold.
• You can be distracted by another person's health.  You get sick often; he appears never to get sick.
• You can be distracted by another person's privilege.  You don't get that golden opportunity; he does.
• You can be distracted by another person's reputation.  You see yourself as the one who failed Jesus and denied Him; you see a fellow believer as "the disciple whom Jesus loved."

Turn your eyes off of people, off of circumstances and onto Jesus.  Follow the Lamb wherever He goes.  Submit your life.

Jesus Turned Them (Jn. 20:1-29)

Read John 20:1-29.

1.  Mary - Jesus turned her weeping into worship.

2.  Peter & John - Jesus turned their routine (20:10) into rejoicing.

3.  Thomas - Jesus turned Thomas' obstinacy into opportunity.

What a difference the Resurrection makes!  What a difference an encounter with Jesus makes! Jesus knows where you're at, what you're going through and how to convince you that He is both real and alive.  From an honest, sincere heart, would you invite Him:  "Jesus, please encounter me and change me."  He will take you up on that offer,

Mary, Peter and John's Responses To Jesus' Empty Tomb (Jn. 20:1-10)

Read John 20:1-10.

1.  Mary, the rationalist, was quick to assume another explanation.  She deferred to logic.

2.  Peter, the agnostic, was slow to declare his stance.  He saw, he evaluated, but the text does not say that he believed yet.  He deferred to indecision.

3.  John, the beloved disciple, was quick to believe limited evidence.  He didn't understand what Jesus' rising from the dead meant, let alone how it happened (Jn. 20:9), but he believed nonetheless. John deferred to faith.

Outline of John Chapter 20

Read John chapter 20.

1.  People encountered, on their initiative, an empty tomb (20:1-10).

2.  People encountered, on Jesus' initiative, a risen Savior (20:11-29).

3.  People encountered, on the Holy Spirit's initiative, many other signs (20:30-31).

Verse Of The Week (02/03/17)

La Bellasara Condominiums in Downtown Sarasota, FL
Photo taken January 27, 2017 at 5:04 P.M.

"In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." (Jn. 14:2)

Giving A Testimony (John Ch. 9)

Read John chapter 9.

Four Things You Need To Know When You Give Your Testimony:

1.  You need to know who you used to be.

2.  You need to now who you are now, since you are in Christ.

3.  You need to know Who made the difference in your life and why.

4.  You need to know that not everyone will join you in affirming your experience.

The World Cannot Hate You (Jn. 7:7)

Read John 7:7.

"The world cannot hate you."  What an indictment!  You have too much in common with the world because you love it and live out of its values.  The world looks at you, then at themselves, and sees little or no difference.  When you are properly living for Jesus, the world is going to be repulsed.  See also 1 Jn. 2:15-17.

"I'm Tired" Is Not An Excuse (Jn. 4:6)

Read John 4:6.

The MEV says Jesus was "exhausted from his journey."  He conversed with and ministered to the woman anyway. Jesus is our example.

Let us do pace ourselves and do schedule times of rest, but let us not use weariness as an avoidance mechanism.  When we are weak, He is strong.

Things You Should Know (Jn. 3:22-30)

Read John 3:22-30.

1. Know Who Jesus is.
2. Know who you are.
3. Know who you are not.
4. Know what you have been given.
5. Know what brings you joy and fulfillment. (Is your joy set on the right thing?)

Summary Thoughts on John Chapter 14

Read John chapter 14.

• What a comforting chapter!
• This chapter is structured around Jesus' responses to questions from Thomas, Philip and Judas.
• Jesus challenged their immaturity but didn't demean them for their ignorance.
• Jesus was thorough and direct in His responses.  He didn't stop at giving answers.  He imparted revelation.
• "Deep" truth is discovered by simple questions.
• This chapter is chock full of favorites and promises.
• This chapter is loaded with Trinitarian content.

Belief For Right Now (Jn. 11:21-27)

Read John 11:21-27.

This is an invitation to keep promises and hope in the present.  Jesus is not just "The I Will Be" but He is "The I AM."  Allow what you believe about someday to impact you in this day.  Martha allowed that Jesus could've done something four days ago.  She allowed something would happen "on the last day."  She seemed to allow that Jesus could do something now (11:22).  That present hope fell apart when Jesus made one statement (11:23).  Martha heard the word "will" and interpreted it as "future" (11:24).

When Jesus shows up on the scene, there should be a "right now" expectation.  "Some day" is wonderful.  "Eventually" is inspiring.  Why live with low expectation in the now?  Consider your need, your situation.  What is it, exactly, that you believe about Jesus? (11:27).  Articulate it.  You need to hear yourself speak it.  (Do you believe what you just said or do you merely think, "That is sound theology"?)