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Knowledge is a wonderful thing. We know what we know. There are times that we know what we don't know. And unfortunately, there are times when we don't know what we don't know. John is going to write a letter to believers about eternal life. He's going to tell us something that we can know, but unfortunately, many believers don't know that they know this. So come and listen to what John writes, th...

You've probably heard it said, or maybe you've even said it yourself, "Don't judge me." Someone says that usually because they're pretty sure that the outcome of that judgment is negative, that for some reason that they didn't act or say the right things and don't want to hear that condemnation. The Scripture is going to talk about two different types of people, those who are judged and those who...

Some of those popular books and bookshops are self-help books. People are always trying to improve their lives, whether it's to become rich, to influence friends, become, make friends. There's always people seeming to want to better their lives. However, they rarely talk about and look at how to live and be righteous. There is a book that talks about that and how to live that way and I'll become t...

There are a couple of common expressions about circumstances. One is keeping up with the Joneses. There's a sense of our circumstances being at least the same as someone else. The other common expression is, "I complained that I had no shoes until I saw a person with no feet." That's an attempt to say that we feel bitter about ourselves because our circumstances isn't as bad as others. Jesus is go...

Jesus is going to ask Peter the same question three times. We're going to see that there's a lot of discussion about why Jesus did that, but very little discussion on why it was important for you and me. So let us see what Jesus asked Peter and the question we should ask ourselves. John 21:15 Jesus asks Peter do you love Me and Peter answers Yes. Jesus tells him to “Tend MY lambs” John 21:16 Jesus...

The Gospel of John records four different occasions when Jesus appears as the resurrected one. Three times he appears with his disciples. This time it's substantially different from the other times that John records. Come see what the difference is when the disciples have breakfast with the risen one. Sermon Notes John 21:1 Jesus appears to His disciples again John 21:2 & 3 Peter with 6 other disc...

There is a common expression, "seeing is believing," but when Thomas was told by his fellow disciples that they had seen the Lord, he refused to believe but said, "Not only must I see, but I must touch the wounds that he had." Jesus will later tell Thomas that there are certain benefits by believing but not seeing. Let's see what Jesus talks about in this situation. John 20:19 & 20 Jesus appears i...

Scriptures tell us that he rises from the dead and there are other scriptures so we have reasons. So no I was not there to see the empty tomb myself and I have yet to see it but I believe those who have seen it and I believe those who have written of it and I believe that the word of God has demonstrated he has risen from the dead and that his spirit testifies to my spirit that he is God and they...

Why do Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah? Many people who aren't followers think, "Well, it's just blind faith." We disagree. Our faith is based on the scriptures and historic events. In a couple weeks, we'll be talking about the major event that happened that causes most people to say that's why they believe that Jesus is the Son of God. However, the scriptures told us...

The Roman Empire crucified thousands of people. They also were involved in the crucifixion of Jesus. But the crucifixion of Jesus was different in many ways. I invite you to come and listen to this message on how the crucifixion of Jesus was different and how it impacts you. Sermon Notes John 19:17 Jesus bears His own cross John 19:18 He was crucified between two men John 19:19 – 22 Pilate has an...

From the time that Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, the people who arrested him bound him and led him to Annas' house. They were seeking to assert control and authority over Jesus. It's interesting, trying to assert control and authority over the Son of God. When Jesus fails to immediately answer one of Pilate's questions, Pilate says, "Don't you understand that I have authority ove...

The religious leaders take Jesus to Pilate who is a Roman governor to authorize his crucifixion. During that time Pilate and Jesus have a conversation about his kingdom and his kingship, but during that conversation Pilate deflects by asking a question. He doesn't care really about the answer to the question because he doesn't spend any time to listen. The second thing is he asks the wrong questio...

Today's message, we're going to take a look at Peter and his denial of his Lord. It would be easy, and it is easy, to quickly judge Peter for those failures. But sometimes, even though Peter had told Jesus that he'd be willing to die for him, we'll take a look at maybe sometimes it is easier to die for Christ than to live for him. But also, what we're going to take a look at is that while Peter de...

There are times in our lives when we may face circumstances when we truly wonder whether God is in control and can solve our problems. Jesus is going to show a situation where his betrayal and his seizure is such that he is not a victim, but he is in control. And not only to make sure that God's purposes are accomplished, but he protects his own. Come and see how God is in control of even circumst...

We're going to continue looking at how Jesus was praying for His disciples that were present with Him. He's going to continue to do that, but He's going to make a surprising prayer request for future disciples, which means He's going to pray for you and me. Come and see what His prayer requests are for you and me. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 17:13 Jesus continu...

Jesus would frequently throughout the scriptures go by himself and pray. His disciples asked him to teach them how to pray and we call that teaching the Lord's Prayer, although that's not really what it was, it's the disciples prayer. We only have two or three opportunities in the scriptures to see Jesus's actual prayer. One was when he was praying at the tomb of Lazarus, he spoke out loud so that...

We celebrate what most of the world calls Easter or some called resurrection Sunday. I happen to call first verse but that's for a different time. The fact that Jesus rose from the dead is essential to the Christian faith. If he did not raise from the dead then our faith is in vain and the scripture says that. There are a number of people who have witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. The Apostle P...

Palm Sunday. All those universally Christian churches on this day will celebrate Palm Sunday and as a part of that celebration will read or preach on what is called the triumphal entry. I want to take a little departure from that. I think that was an important entry by Jesus into Jerusalem but I think there is another real triumphal entry. Come and listen to what that alternative may be. Proclamat...

While heading to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is going to be talking to his disciples and figurative language initially about his death and resurrection. He tells them that their reaction is going to be very different than the world's reaction, but their reaction is only going to be temporary and eventually their change reaction will be permanent. It will also tell them that during their time h...

There are times when we've all experienced situations where we don't feel comfortable or we're feeling like we're not really welcomed. Jesus is going to tell his disciples that not only they're not going to be welcome, but they're going to be hated. And he's going to explain why they're going to be hated and what the world is going to be reacting to them. Come and see why Jesus says the world hate...

There are times when we've all experienced situations where we don't feel comfortable or we're feeling like we're not really welcomed. Jesus is going to tell his disciples that not only they're not going to be welcome, but they're going to be hated. And he's going to explain why they're going to be hated and what the world is going to be reacting to them. Come and see why Jesus says the world hate...

If you knew you were going to die within a few hours, or that you were to take a trip that you were going to be gone for a long time, and your loved ones and the people you cared about were gathered around you, what would you talk about? I suspect it would not be the weather or some other inconsequential things that you would talk about things that would be very important to you, and if you repeat...

Sermon Notes John 15:1 Jesus is the true vine and the Father is the vinedresser John 15:2 Branches that do not produce fruit are taken away. Branches that produce fruit are pruned so that more fruit may be produced John 15:3 The branches are already clean due to the word of Jesus John 15:4 & 5 The key to producing fruit is living in Jesus and Jesus living in you John 15:6 Those who do not abide in...

Sermon Notes John 14:16 & 17 Jesus will ask the Father to give us the Holy Spirit as a Helper John 14:18 – 20 Jesus did not leave them or us as orphans He will come to us? John 14:21 Loving Jesus is not words but obeying Him John 14:22 The question what has happened that Jesus is not going to disclose Himself to the world John 14:23 & 24 Jesus does not answer the question, instead repeats Himself...

Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 14:7 Seeing Jesus is seeing the Father John 14:8 Philip asks for Jesus to show them the Father John 14:9 – 10 Jesus’ response to that request John 14:11 Jesus say believe Him or believe the works He has done John 14:12 Whoever believes in Jesus will do greater works than Jesus did John 14:13 & 14 Whatever asked in Jesus name will be...