John’s gospel is a portrait of Jesus who seeks a vital relationship with His disciples. Jesus declares that He is the Key to all their deepest longings. He promises to meet every spiritual need. In this series, we turn our heart’s attention to the One who strengthens our families and is the reason we serve our communities. He is the key apart from which treasures remain undiscovered and life turns dull and dry. He invites us not just to be friends but to be His intimates.
7 Letters
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Steadfast and Sure
Revelation 3:7-13 September 23, 2018 If there is one word to describe all that Jesus wants His church to be it is faithful. It brings Him the deepest pleasure and the greatest honor. Surprisingly, it is the youngest and the smallest of the seven churches that show us what faithfulness to Jesus looks like. |
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Liked but Lifeless
Revelation 3:1-6 September 16, 2018 The top 10 most famous church buildings is impressive. The Earth & World website has London's Westminster Abbey at #5. Her worldwide fame isn't about architecture. It boasts of more than 3300 people of fame. The trouble is they're all 6 feet under! Sardis is similar! 
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Flourishing but Flimsy
Revelation 2:18-29 September 9, 2018 Just before the curtain comes down on the church, what sort of bride will Christ find her to be? Thyatira has some answers.
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Oppressed and Hard Pressed
Revelation 2:8-11 August 19, 2018 Persecution is fair play in the life of a Christ-follower. For some it's a daily struggle. It's seasonal for most. Nonetheless, all who take seriously the way of Jesus will be persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12). So how do we prepare to live in such a state of affairs? Smyrna shows us how.
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Tireless but Loveless
Revelation 2:1-7 August 12, 2018 The book of Revelation is the "climax of history embodied in prophecy" (B.H. Carroll). God "unveils" the future so that the church learns holiness, love, and hope for today. In the midst of intense hardship, God's people find renewed courage and endurance.
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7 Miracles
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When Tombs Turn Into Theaters
John 11:1-45 July 28, 2018 We've reached the climax of all sign-miracles. By raising Lazarus from death, to death Jesus consigned His own life. "From that day on they planned together to kill Him" (11:53). It leads into Jesus' final sign in the cross and resurrection. The implications are life-changing.
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When Faith Faces A Phantom
John 6:15-21; Matt. 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52 July 8, 2018 Sen. Marco Rubio once said that the national motto “In God we Trust” is the most important American value of all. In the 5th sign-miracle Jesus demonstrates, that as His followers, our most important possession in life isn’t wealth or health, but faith in God.
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When Quiet Gets Upset
John 6:1-14 July 1, 2018 Feeding 5K+ people is the only miracle (minus the resurrection) recorded in all 4 Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John must have had a compelling reason for this phenomenon’s inclusion. Jesus had profound intentions in performing this sign-miracle.
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When Mercy Meets Misery
John 5:1-18 June 24, 2018 Of all the healing miracles of Jesus, nothing portrays a mercy so unalloyed than what transpired at a poolside. Bethesda or “House of Mercy” is what these “healing” waters are called. When mercy meets with misery, something big happens!
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A Price Tag on Dad (A Father's Day Message)
Ephesians 6:1-3, Matthew 15:4-6 June 17, 2018 Civilizations and faith in God rise and fall with the family. Therefore, the family, i.e. child-parent relationship, is under relentless spiritual attack. 2 of the 10 commandments deal with the family. Basic to a family and civic life is that of honoring the father of the home.
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When Water Blushed
John 2:1-11 May 27, 2018 Between the OT and NT is 400 years. All those years God was silent. Suddenly heaven’s mouth opened, Christ is born! God broke His silence and has now spoken through His Son—the Word become flesh! Through Jesus’ Person and works, God is revealing Himself to us.
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7 I Ams
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I Am: The True Vine
John 15:1-11 May 20, 2018 Salvation by grace through faith in Jesus is glorious. But knowing the truth doesn’t always equate to having it. R.C. Sproul wrote, “We are not saved by a mere profession of faith but by the possession of faith ... (that) inevitably bears fruit.”
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I Am: The Good Shepherd
John 10:11-21 April 29, 2018 What Jesus looked like, we’re not told. His looks were never His topic. The Bible hardly offers any clue. What’s of paramount importance is who He is, what He says, and what He does. The shepherd imagery captures so vividly His relationship with you and me.
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I Am: The Light of the World
John 8:12-30 April 15, 2018 The presence or absence of daylight prompts the body to produce hormones that either make one tired and sleepy or prompt alertness, focus and dynamism. What’s true in the physical domain is also true spiritually. Jesus is the light of the world!
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I Am: The Bread of Life
John 6:25-40 April 8, 2018 It’s not easy to discern what’s underneath our actions. The faith-life is so vulnerable as we’re creatures of many “religious” acts and taught not to judge motives. So what do we really want to get out of following Jesus? What does He want us to get in following Him?
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