The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. – Psalm 19:1 I’ve been in awe this week as the images from the James Webb Space Telescope have come pouring in. This latest and largest optical telescope in space offers greatly improved infrared resolution and sensitivity which allows it … [Read More…] July 17, 2022
It’s one thing to understand the symptoms; it’s another to get the diagnosis right. Effectiveness of the prescription depends on the accuracy of the diagnosis. So, when it comes to the brokenness of humanity, the symptoms are easily identified, but it’s the diagnosis that’s difficult. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day (Scribes and Pharisees) … [Read More…] Manipulation on the Lips
Throughout this series, we’ve been working our way through Jesus’ illustrations of what that kind of perfect righteousness flowing from the goodness of a heart like God’s looks like. The kind of heart only Jesus can give us. In this sermon, we come to the 3rd illustration of a heart made right in the … [Read More…] Divorce on the Mind
Every speech has a central thesis, a big idea around which everything else is organized. In this passage, we come to the central thesis of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. This is the blazing center, the beating heart of the upside-down Way of Jesus. In these 111 words (in Greek) we find the big idea … [Read More…] The Truly Righteous
Breakthrough is the moment when everything changes. The old categories are shattered, and a whole new paradigm is born. And the greatest breakthrough in all of history is when Jesus rose from the dead. It shatters the old categories and gives birth to a whole new paradigm. In this passage form John 20:19-31, … [Read More…] The Lord
Jesus gets it. He gets how hard life is. He gets how heartbreaking it can be. He gets how violating and brutal and unjust people are sometimes. We all need a God who gets it, because when life’s cruelties break into your life, you don’t need a god who’s aloof and pampered and insulated. … [Read More…] The Condemned
In today’s passage, we will see John’s account of the betrayal, arrest, and preliminary interrogation of Jesus. We’ll explore three lenses: The Sequence of the Storm: This is the quick overview of the narrative leading up to the crucifixion. Betrayal and Arrest (Mt 26:47-56; Mk 14:43-52; Lk 22:47-53; Jn 18:2-12): All 4 gospels … [Read More…] The Betrayed
In this passage we come to what is arguably the pinnacle of John’s Gospel. It’s Jesus’ last night, and in the next hours, He will be betrayed by Judas Iscariot from His inner circle. He will be put on trial, condemned, and crucified the following day. And Jesus, knowing all that awaits Him, has … [Read More…] The Priest
In this passage, we are in the early hours before the crucifixion. Betrayal, arrest, whipping, and crucifixion awaits Jesus, and He knows it. But he mustn’t fixate on the tidal wave of agony that is about to break up on Him; instead, he focuses on preparing His disciples for the battle ahead. As American … [Read More…] The Helper
