Verbatim Word with Justin Gerry

Truth be told. News of the miracle of Lazarus back from the dead travels fast. Not everyone receives the news with a heart of true belief. Jesus draws away with His disciples as the end approaches. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 11:45-57 | NUMBERS 13:30-33 | HEBREWS 3:12-13 | LUKE 2:19 | PROVERBS 17:9 | MARK 16:15-16 | PSALM 1:1-6 | MARK 13:2 | MATTHEW 16:26 | GALATIANS 3:26-28 | MARK 6:31 | DANIEL...

The end of the road. Jesus draws near as many mourn at the tomb of Lazarus. But at His command, the situation turns from hopeless to full of life. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 11:17-44 | HEBREWS 9:27 | ISAIAH 55:9 | JOHN 14:6 | 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 |  ROMANS 8:34 | EXODUS 20:3 | 1 TIMOTHY 2:5 | LEVITICUS 19:31 | ROMANS 5:14 | MATTHEW 24:24 | 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13 | MATTHEW 6:6 | JAMES 4:2 | GALATIAN...

You feeling okay? On this side of the Garden of Eden, things don't work the way they are supposed to. This drives us to cry out to the Lord for help. Lazarus' sisters call for Jesus to come aid their sick brother, but Jesus delays for God's greater glory. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 11:1-16 | LUKE 5:31–32 | LUKE 10:38-42 | ROMANS 8:20-22 | ACTS 17:24-27 | 1 TIMOTHY 5:23 | PHILIPPIANS...

We can all wrestle with doubts. It's winter in Jerusalem, and Jesus walks in Solomon's Portico. With just a few months remaining until Jesus goes to the cross, many in the crowd were still struggling with the question of who He was. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 10:22-42 | DEUTERONOMY 8:2-4 | JOHN 7:37-39 | ACTS 3:11 | ACTS 5:12 | ISAIAH 9:1-2 | ISAIAH 42:6 | ISAIAH 35:5-6 | ISAIAH 61:1-2 |...

Well-cared for. Jesus adds to the "I am" statements in John's gospel, declaring I am the door, and I am the good shepherd. He knows His sheep intimately. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 10:1-21 | GENESIS 4:2, 13:2, 26:14, 29:9, 30:31-36 | EXODUS 3:1 | 1 SAMUEL 16:11 | PSALM 23 | LUKE 2:8-20 | JOHN 9:39 | ROMANS 1:18 | JOHN 16:8 | ROMANS 3:12 | 1 PETER 5:2-4 | JEREMIAH 3:15 | JEREMIAH 10...

Teach us to number our days. Jesus often spoke of that Day. The wise Christian lives with an eye on the finish line. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 6:39 | JOHN 6:40 | JOHN 6:44 | JOHN 6:54 | HEBREWS 12:2 | PSALM 90:1-12 | JOHN 13:1 | PHILIPPIANS 1:6 | 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8 *Music tracks by Blue Dot Sessions titled “Glass Beads” and “Come As You Were” were featured in this episode

Identify the culprit. The religious leaders question a man born blind as to who healed him on the Sabbath. Jesus confronts their spiritual blindness in ignoring the signs right in front of them. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 9:8-41 | MATTHEW 5:16-20 | PSALM 107:2 | ROMANS 1:16 | MARK 8:38 | ACTS 4:31 | MARK 2:27 | ROMANS 14:5-6 | 2 THESSALONIANS 2:9 | MATTHEW 5:13-16 | ISAIAH 29:13 |  *Music tracks...

A new lease on life. Jesus heals a man blind from birth. The Lord's touch can bring new purpose to the hardships we endure in this fallen world. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 9:1-7 | PSALM 19:1-2 | ROMANS 1:20 | JOB 12:7-10 | ISAIAH 40:26 | MATTHEW 6:26 | GENESIS 25:21-22 | GENESIS 2:17 | ROMANS 6:23 | JAMES 1:13-15 | ROMANS 8:20-21 | NEHEMIAH 9:17 | ROMANS 2:4 | 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10 | MARK 8:...

Nothing stings quite like an insult. As Jesus proclaims the truth of who He is, the crowds reject His claims to divinity. We cannot hide behind our religious origins or upbringing but instead need an authentic Christianity based in relationship. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 8:37-59 | MATTHEW 20:20-21 | MATTHEW 5:39 | GENESIS 12:1-3 | GENESIS 15:1-6 | ROMANS 4:3 | GALATIANS 3:6 | JAMES 2:14-26 | MA...

No one likes being left out. Jesus shares with the crowd the exclusive information that can secure anyone access to join Him above. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 8:21-36 | JOHN 3:16 | ISAIAH 5:20 | PSALM 51:5 | ROMANS 6:23 | GENESIS 28:11-16 | COLOSSIANS 3:1-3 | HEBREWS 13:8 | JOHN 1:1-3 | ZECHARIAH 12:10 | HEBREWS 10:4 | ISAIAH 64:6 | ISAIAH 42:7 | ROMANS 6:16, 18 | GENESIS 12:1-3 *Music tracks by...

Who are you to judge? Jesus shows mercy to a woman in shame and challenges her accusers to consider their motives. He forgives the sinner and releases us to walk onward in deliverance and freedom. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 8:1-20 | JOHN 20:31 | MATTHEW 8:20 | HEBREWS 11:13 | LUKE 22:39 | ZECHARIAH 14:4 | PROVERBS 18:10 | JOSHUA 24:15 | DEUTERONOMY 17:6 | DEUTERONOMY 19:15 | LEVITICUS 20:10 | DE...

Survey your surroundings and consider. What does God want to do in you and around you? King Hezekiah saw the needs within the people's hearts and the kingdom and took steps of faith to do something.

Spring cleaning. Hezekiah takes steps to restore worship to the temple in Jerusalem. Sometimes things pile up in our lives that crowd out our devotion to the Lord.

Torrents of living water. As the nation gathers in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus gives new meaning to an old tradition. While some are being swept up in the unbelief of the religious leaders, others are going against the flow to put their faith in Christ. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to those who are thirsty. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 7:32-53 | PROVERBS 17:14 | JOHN 3...

Timing is everything. Though the opposition desires to cut Jesus' ministry short, God's timing prevails. Jesus heads to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles and public opinion over him is divided. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 7:1-31 | GENESIS 1:14 | GALATIANS 4:4-5 | DEUTERONOMY 16:16 | MATTHEW 1:18-25 | 1 THESSALONIANS 4:3-8 | ACTS 15:13-21 | GLATIANS 1:19 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3-8 | MARK 14:32-42...

Bread is a basic staple across cultures. Jesus offers Himself so that we might have life. The Father draws us to come to Jesus so that we can believe and have eternal life. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 6:35-71 | MATTHEW 4:4 | MATTHEW 6:11 | JOHN 1:1 | ROMANS 8:29-30 | EPHESIANS 1:5-11 | JOHN 1:12 | JOHN 3:16 | ACTS 16:31 | ROMANS 10:9–10 | PSALM 42:5 | ROMANS 4:20-21 | 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7 | GALATIAN...

We toil by the sweat of our brow this side of Eden. Jesus sends the disciples to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, but they struggle in the winds along the way. He reveals to those seeking Him that the work they should be focusing on is believing in the One who was sent. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 6:15-34 | GENESIS 2:15 | 2 THESSALONIANS 3:10 | ISAIAH 55:8-9 | GENESIS 15:5 | PSALM 20:21 | 2...

Give them bread and circuses. Many sought Jesus for the miracles He performed. As the Passover approaches, Jesus miraculously fed the multitudes with 5 loaves and 2 fish. True worship means seeking God for who He is, not for what we can get from Him. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 6:1-15 | REVELATION 21:1-5 | MATTHEW 13:4-9 | JOHN 4:23 | JAMES 4:8 | EPHESIANS 5:22-33 | DEUTERONOMY 18:15 | MATTHEW 14...

Sometimes we can get distracted and miss the most important things. While the religious leaders get hung up on the healing Jesus did, He explains that He is, indeed, one with the Father. In Him is the power to give life, and all judgment has been given into His hands. The bigger picture is always Jesus. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 5:16-47 | MARK 2:27 | HEBREWS 12:15 | HEBREWS 9:27 | COLOSSIANS 1:...

Do you want to be made well? Jesus asks the man by the pool if he is ready to leave his infirmity behind. God has a cure for whatever we face, and the cross is the answer for our greatest ailment. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 5:1-15 | 1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 | 1 CORINTHIANS 15:33 | JAMES 4:4 | JAMES 4:8 | 2 KINGS 13:20-21 | ACTS 5:14-16 | ACTS 19:11-12 | PROVERBS 13:12 | LUKE 2:41-50 | GENESIS 3:5-9 | R...

Take Him at His Word. The Samaritan villagers believed Jesus when they head Him speak, and a nobleman's son is healed at His command. We, too, can rest in the words of the Lord. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 4:35-54 | ISAIAH 11:1-3 | HEBREWS 4:12 | DEUTERONOMY 2:3 | MATTHEW 13:1–23 | MARK 4:1–20 | LUKE 8:4–15 | MARK 4:26-29 | JOHN 14:26 | 1 CORINTHIANS 3:6-8 | ISAIAH 55:10-11 | HEBREWS 11:3 | ROMAN...

Everyone searches for something to quench their thirst. Jesus shares with the Samaritan women at the well that He can offer something that truly satisfies. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 4:1-42 | MATTHEW 5:6 | JEREMIAH 2:13 | ISAIAH 49:9-10 | JAMES 2:1 | 1 JOHN 2:16 | DEUTERONOMY 8:3 | GENESIS 2:16-17

The God of the Bible speaks to His people. John the Baptist rejoices to hear the voice of the Bridegroom, Jesus. Knowing which voices to listen to can take discernment, but obeying the voice of Jesus will always bring God glory. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 3:22-36 | 1 SAMUEL 8:18 | AMOS 8:11 | 2 CHRONICLES 36:11-16 | MALCHI 4:5-6 | MATTHEW 3:2 | MATTHEW 4:17 | JOHN 16:8 | ACTS 18:9-11 | ROMANS 11...

Born once? Die twice. Born twice? Die once. Jesus has a serious discussion with Nicodemus about being born again. God has been gracious to grant us a hopeful new start for life that stretches beyond our final breath. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 3:1-21 | JOHN 19:38-42 | MATTHEW 24:24 | EZEKIEL 26:25-28 | ROMANS 3:23 | ROMANS 5:12 | MATTHEW 5:21-23 | ROMANS 6:18-30 | 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 | NUMBERS 21...

History of full of first. Jesus' first sign at a wedding in Cana stirred the hearts of his disciples to believe. But Jesus knew the hearts of men and knew that signs alone cannot save. BIBLE VERSE References: JOHN 2:1-25 | JOHN 5:30 | JOHN 8:38 | JOHN 1:17 | EXODUS 7:17-21 | REVELATION 3:11 | REVELATION 22:7 | REVELATION 22:12 | 2 CHRONICLES 29:1-36 | JOHN 10:18 | ROMANS 6:4 | GALATIANS 1:1 | ROMA...