Ebenezer Family Church

One of the most difficult narratives to get through is the Crucifixion. The pure, innocent, spotless Lamb of God, God's own Son, bears the full extent of God's wrath and righteous punishment for humanity's sin. We could never hope to comprehend the full weight of what happened to Jesus that day, but we do know what Jesus did for us that day!

At the end of John's first letter, we see how beautifully simple his message is: if you have the true Jesus, you have the truth. Therefore, pray for one another to keep away from sin and remain in that eternal quality of life promised to those of us in God's Son!

Jesus offers the Samaritan woman living water. This might have sounded like he was offering an alternative water source for a well. What more could Jesus provide? Living water for the spirit! He satisfies our spiritual needs like nothing else can.

The world knows what it means to be a 'Judas'. Not many people are named Judas either! But what we see in the life of Judas is not unlike what happens in the lives of people who grow more and more apathetic to the Truth. There are many characteristics of Judas that exist in "Christians" that still betray Jesus today.

In the middle of the concluding remarks of 1 John, we have two wonderful confidences: eternal life & answered prayer. Eternal life is a better quality of life and prayer according to God's will is not only answered, but helps us to know Him more!

At the beginning of John 4, we see that Jesus HAD to go through Samaria: He had a divine appointment. In the first stages of this interaction with the Samaritan woman, we see He who gives living water asking for a drink. Christ's glory is in no way diminished by His humanity, but His humanity brings others to His glory.

Peter was so rooted in his self-confidence that he fell hard when it mattered. Like Peter, we too are sometimes so confident in ourselves that we do not realize how feeble we really are. Without humility before God, we are not far from denying Christ as well.

Is Jesus an intellectual concept to you? Is He an imaginary best friend? Is He a Santa Claus vending machine to grant your wishes? If we do not accept the testimony of Jesus, we call God a liar. Again, it's all about Jesus. The testimony is true!

Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate and before Herod Agrippa. Neither man found any wrong in Him. Yet, the chants of "crucify him!" by the Jews prevailed at the end of the day. Let's see what we can learn from the most important legal trial in history!

Loving others is not going to save you. Having intellectual knowledge of God is not going to save you. Being a good person is not going to save you. The only way to overcome the world is by the Son of God, Jesus!

John's disciples were concerned that Jesus was getting more attention than him. What did John say? Simply, Jesus's way is always better. Why argue over matters from an earthly perspective when He, who is above all, has brought a Heavenly message? Let Him increase while you decrease!

Only a few hours before His crucifixion, we see the struggle between Jesus as man and Jesus as God. Ultimately, Jesus wins the battle at Gethsemane. He pushed on to drink the cup of wrath that is no longer reserved for us who are saved by Him. What does that mean for us now?

God is love, but not what we understand to be love. His love is perfect, unique, and can only come from Him. The expression of our love is indicative of our relationship with Him. Do we have that oogly googly Valentine's love? Or do we have that perfectly perfect agape love from God?

It all hinges on what we do with the Son of God. Without Him, we are stuck in darkness and we hate the Light. With Him, He moves us in truth from darkness into the Light. There is no substitute for Jesus!

Most of us know this narrative as a lesson in giving. Even if you only have a few small coins, you give Jesus all that you have in faith. But, if we have a closer look at Jesus's response and the context of what was happening, we see that this is a comment about the money-grubbing culture of religious tradition in the Temple. Jesus would not tell you to give money if you are starving!

A path may seem right to a man, but nothing good can come from the flesh. Let's not chase after what SEEMS right for now when we KNOW what is right for eternity!

Nicodemus came with his own perspective - that's why he couldn't understand Jesus. We cannot bring our baggage to the Word. Rather, we must humbly look to the Son of Man who was lifted up for all to see. We cannot do anything for our own salvation!

This a question that confuses many people and can very quickly cause problems in our theology if we do not understand our faith. God is definitely loving, but God is equally definitely good and holy. Let's explore this question about Hell from a biblical and not emotional perspective!

We love because He loved us first. How could we possibly expect to love Him and others properly if our hearts are not proper? His love compels and inspires us to love properly!

Jesus goes on to explain regeneration, new life. Nicodemus doesn't understand why because he is a Jew who should already have this gift. But Jesus makes it clear: it can only come from God

Our Christian lives must be lived coram deo: in the presence of God. By implication, this also means under the authority of God and to the glory of God. Let's learn how we can do this from a few principles found in Ephesians 5!

John tells his listeners to test the spirits. We can know what is false because we have the truth in us. So then, do not be deceived! If you have willingly received, you will not willingly be deceived

Right at the beginning of Nicodemus's meeting with Jesus, we see a man clouded by his fleshy perspective. He's interested in the signs and wonders. Jesus, however, is interested in the Kingdom of God

The Bible tells us that all things work together for the good of those who love God. This is still a promise for us in 2024. Let's unpack it together!

Do love as much as you say love. Pray in obedience and what is pleasing to God. And be assured, His Spirit lives in us and we in Him!