Prairie Bible Church

Jesus knew what it meant to be troubled. He was troubled when his friend Lazarus died (Jn. 11:33). He was troubled when he considered the cross (Jn. 12:27). He was troubled when he thought of Judas’ betrayal (Jn. 13:21). He told his followers, “In this world you will have trouble.” He knew that we too would face seasons of emotional distress. Yet Jesus also provided the solution: Himself. He said,...

When it comes to the story of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet, it feels like the Church has exhibited “selective hearing”! o   In today’s passage Jesus tells us why we should pay closer attention!   John 13:18-30 o   In this part of our passage Jesus is demonstrating that it’s been prophesied that that He would be betrayed! (Psalm 41:9) §  In other words, He’s NO victim! This is part of the PLAN...

Many want to be great, but few want to be a servant. Even the disciples spent the final hours of Jesus’ life debating who was the greatest among them (Luke 22:24). Jesus showed them true greatness– He washed their feet.   “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in t...

As we travel through life, there is both the journey and the destination. Don’t under-value either one! They are BOTH a BIG deal!   John 12:36-43 In this part of the passage John references a prophesy found in Isaiah 6:10 , which says “God blinded their eyes and He hardened their hearts, lest the see with their eyes and understand with their hearts, and turn so that God would heal them.”   Is this...

Have you ever gone through a hard time in life and wished you didn’t have too? o   Well, you’re not alone. Even Jesus went through a time like that. §  Today passage teaches how He chose to deal with it.   John 12:27 o    Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour.”? But for this purpose, I have come to this hour. §  “Purpose” is what got Him through…  ·       ...

The offer of eternal life is something we all want.  It is something that we all seek after and crave—the best life possible.  The problem is, we often look in the wrong places.  But Jesus offers this to us by His grace.  But, there is a cost that comes with eternal life. Jesus clearly lays out for us in John 12:20-26 what that cost is—death.   BIG IDEA: Eternal life comes at the cost of death . ...

Jesus did not fixate on the chaos around him. He focused instead on His Father. He was utterly committed to accomplishing His Father’s mission, and nothing deterred Him. He “set his face” to go to Jerusalem, and ultimately to the cross for us.   What gets in the way of your focus on God’s plan? Perhaps it is a desire for people’s approval, fixating on people’s perception of you, or putting your ow...

Sometimes the best answer to the question of whether something is right or wrong is: It depends…   Our passage today begins with Mary performing an act of extravagant love! But Judas complains! “This stuff is expensive! It could have been sold to take care of the poor!”   Which is true, but notice how Jesus responds:   “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poo...

Why does there seem to be a disconnect between what we say we believe and how we actually live? We say that Jesus has changed our lives, and yet, our day-to-day doesn’t seem all that different. Why is this the case? Jesus shows us in Luke 6:46-49 where He gives a parable of two houses and the foundation upon which they are built. Jesus desires for our lives to be built upon Him and He lays out for...

Christ is not Jesus’ last name, it is His title. It is the greatest title that any person who walks this earth can receive. In a world of influencers that claim to understand the world and have all the answers, only Jesus qualifies for the title of Christ.   Yet Christ lived life as an outsider. He was born in a feeding trough (manger), outside the Inn. He took on the form of a servant and submitt...

v  As we conclude the Book of Ruth, we celebrate with Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, the birth of a baby. o   A child who would ultimately lead to the birth of THE baby who we celebrate today: Jesus!   v  Ruth 4:1-12 o   In this passage Boaz is “making good” on the promise he made to Ruth in chapter 3, “I will provide you a kinsmen Redeemer”. §  He’s also “making good” on the faith that Naomi placed in him...

The Bible is full of people who do surprisingly bold things through faith, and God blesses them. When our plans are in alignment with God’s will, it’s okay to be bold! In Ruth 3, Naomi and Ruth hatch a plan for carrying out God’s redemption of their family. Ruth approaches Boaz with boldness, and the rest is history. Ruth, a Moabite woman, would go on to be included in the lineage of Christ throug...

God has a way of showing up when all hope seems lost. Naomi’s world collapsed when she lost her husband and both of her sons. All hope seemed lost as she returned home with Ruth. But in the midst of her darkness, God was working for her redemption. In Ruth 2, we see God’s plan for a radical redemption of Ruth and Naomi. This redemption is a portrait of our redemption through Christ.    Take-Home M...

Faith is not a feeling… but… It’s a beautiful thing in those “moments” when our faith and our feelings do connect! Today we’re going to look at three very different examples of “faithfulness” Orpah Ruth  Naomi Orpah On the surface it may appear that Orpah is the least faithful of these three women.   But don’t be so sure.  Even though we are all called to be faithful, we don’t all have the same ca...

The Bible is not a “history book”. It is a book that contains history. But…   Its ultimate purpose is to tell the story of God’s plan to save the world. Jesus! All throughout the Old Testament, we find “easter eggs” pointing to Jesus. The Book of Ruth is filled with them!  No other book in the Bible starts out quite so “dark” as the Book of Ruth: Famine, death and uncertainty about the future abou...

When you are gone, how will people remember your relationship with Jesus? Will you have a legacy of faith or a legacy of unbelief? When Jesus healed Lazarus, the authorities had a choice: embrace Jesus as the Christ, or reject him once and for all. They made the tragic decision of rejecting Jesus – they fixed their decision to kill him. The religious authorities’ story is a tragedy – a terrifying...

Setting up our passage for today:   In Luke 10:41-42 there is an encounter between Jesus, Mary and her sister, Martha.  Martha is upset because Mary isn’t helping and she asks Jesus to intervene. Jesus responds by saying; “Martha, you worry about so much, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and I’m not taking it away from her.”   How would you have responded to Jesus...

Jesus often makes us wait to see His miracles. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but He did not do it right away. Jesus waited two days after hearing that Lazarus was ill to go to him. Lazarus was in the tomb four days before Jesus raised him. Jesus waited until many Jews had gathered to console Mary and Martha before healing Lazarus. Jesus made them wait.  God is seldom early, but He is never l...

Can you remember a time in your life when people that you loved, treated you in a way that didn’t “feel” loving? o  How did you respond? The story of the death and resurrection of Lazarus is one of the most powerful in the Bible! o  But there’s more to the story and first meets the eye. This passage deals with two things that people experience everyday: § The fact that Jesus loves us. § And the fa...

You cannot say that Jesus was only a good man. He did not leave that option open to you. Jesus is either God, or a really bad man who claimed to be God. But we know that Jesus was not just a good man. We know and openly confess that Jesus is who He claimed to be: God.   Jesus said, “before Abraham was, I am.” He said, “I and the Father are one.” He is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exac...

As important as the destination is, never forget…   Sometimes the journey is just as important! Our passage today is the center of a theological debate that has been raging in the Church for 2000 years:   Is it possible for a person to lose their salvation?! John 10:27-28   “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. And no one sha...

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, but what does that mean? There is more than one word for “good” in Koine Greek, but the two most common are agathos and kalos. While agathos focuses on “useful”, kalos focuses on “beautiful” and “excellent.” Kalos denotes a captivating and attractive character. Jesus is the beautiful and excellent shepherd that attracts and captives us!  What is it that makes Jesus so a...

v  The thing that sets Jesus apart from ALL others is this: o   He has come to give LIFE… Life abundant!   v  Jesus often uses cultural analogies/illustrations to teach eternal truths. o   The eternal truth that Jesus is teach in this passage is that HE is the only way to God!   v  Cultural analogy/illustration #1 (vs. 9) o   I am the “door” of the sheep… §  Eternal truth;  §  Anyone who enters by...

The world Jesus entered was filled with false leaders. The spiritual leaders of the nation had become self-interested. Rather than caring for the people, they fattened themselves. They were self-appointed and self-righteous. Jesus entered their world and said, “I am the Good Shepherd.” He was appointed by His Father as the true leader of God’s people. He is the Chief Shepherd to which all other le...

If we are to be healed, we must first admit that we cannot heal ourselves. How many of us have tried to go it alone, only to find that we are not the greatest managers of our own lives? The only way to find true life is to have Jesus open your eyes. And the only way to have Jesus open your eyes is to admit that you are blind.   The road to Jesus is a road paved with humility. You must acknowledge...