August 30, 2020

Our family is excited to be moving at long last into our temporary apartment near Oz Park this week! Our kids are beyond excited. We want to thank you for your faithful prayers and look forward to settling into life here with you in Chicago.

Some of you have asked me what we’ll be studying after we wrap up Ruth. In September, we will be launching into an exposition of the Gospel of John titled Loved by Jesus. Of all the Gospels, John has been my favorite for a number of years because of his deep transformational connection with Jesus that permeates each chapter. So life-altering is John’s relationship with Jesus that his identity shifts from one of the “sons of thunder” to “the disciple Jesus loved.”

I used to think John was a bit presumptuous to call himself “the disciple Jesus loved,” as if he were saying “I’m Jesus’ favorite.” But I’ve come to realize that’s not it. For John, his most defining, grounding, and meaningful identity was found in the simple fact that he was and always would be loved by Jesus. In the end, nothing else mattered. His accomplishments, connections, titles, writings, and even his very life faded in comparison to the blazing reality that he was loved by Jesus. And that love changed John forever.

What if Jesus’ love is the secret to an identity so deep, meaningful, rich, and lasting that all other identities fade into insignificance? What if the secret of abundant life is found in Jesus’ death-defying love? What if it’s not complicated at all—what if it’s as simple as “Jesus loves me, this I know?”

Let’s pray that God would use this study to open our eyes that we might see more of Jesus!
And would you also pray about who God would have you share this series with? It’s never been easier to invite someone to church. All they have to do is go online! Who is far from Jesus but near to you?

You are loved, more than you know!

Pastor Philip