Who is really in charge here? Who alone can accomplish what needs to be done?
The Gospel of John – Week 16
The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details found within, and we now see many things that we missed before!
Hypocrites
“Hypocrite.” This word is used a grand total of seventeen times in the entire New Testament — and Jesus is the only one who uses it. (Hint: He does not have a good opinion of hypocrites!)
The word Jesus uses is actually a technical term meaning actor. In Jesus’ vocabulary, a hypocrite is one who outwardly plays the part of a religious person to perfection, while inwardly having no genuine relationship with the Living God.
Some of the toughest words Jesus ever spoke were addressed to the religious leaders of the nation of Israel. Matthew 23 records many of these scathing indictments.
It would be a mistake to assume these words only applied to people living 2,000 years ago. Religious hypocrisy is alive and well today. Matthew 23 speaks powerfully to the current religious scene in America.
The Gospel of John – Week 15
The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details found within, and we now see many things that we missed before!
Traditions
By Pastor Chris Dodge
Family traditions, handed down over generations—or recently established—can be a real blessing to young and old alike. They help us remember and celebrate the past and give reason to anticipate the future.
On the other hand, some traditions can be spiritually deadly. Jesus highlighted the danger when He warned, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:8)
In Jesus’ day many religious people went through the motions of faith without truly practicing that faith. That kind of religious traditionalism is self-centered and arrogant. It mistakes religion for a genuine faith relationship with God.
It is often easier to recognize the failures of the past than to identify today’s mistakes. “Traditions” applies the teachings of Jesus to our own day and calls us to a joyful relationship with the risen Jesus.
The Gospel of John – Week 14
The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details found within, and we now see many things that we missed before!
Fingerprints of God: Steadfast Love
Steadfast Love – by Pastor Chris Dodge
Lamentations may be the saddest book in the entire Bible. Yet even in the heart of this rather grim lament there are words of amazing comfort and assurance.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
God’s steadfast love is sure and certain no matter what may be happening in our lives. He is dependable even when nothing else is.
We live in a culture that often trivializes love and underestimates evil. Real love is costly and sacrificial. That is powerfully demonstrated at the cross of Jesus.
The Bible says: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)
The steadfast love of God offers life for eternity and transformation power for today. Because his love is so powerful, it can transform all who receive it. Check out that transforming power.
The Gospel of John – Week 13
The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details found within, and we now see many things that we missed before!
Fingerprints of God: The Resurrection of Jesus
Christianity makes this dramatic claim: Everything stands or falls on one event in history – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In the ancient Middle East, women were considered to be second-class citizens at best and mere property at worst. In the Jewish culture of the 1st Century, women were generally not allowed to testify in a court of law.
This fact makes the claims of the New Testament especially remarkable. All four of the New Testament Gospels are unanimous in their declaration that women were the first eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. Several of those women are mentioned by name: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, Salome and Joanna.
No one who wanted to invent a story about a resurrected rabbi would have said that women were the first eyewitnesses to the event! The only reason a 1st Century author would state such a thing is because that is what really happened.
The presence of the women on that Sunday morning nearly 2,000 years ago is just one of a number of things that bear witness to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection changed the world and has the power to change you and me forever. Check out a link below!
Abundant blessing!
Pastor Dodge
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The Gospel of John – Week 12
The Gospel of John may be one of the most powerful books ever written. Scholarly and archeological discoveries in recent decades give us new insight on details found within, and we now see many things that we missed before!
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Awake Us Now 