What happens when we know that something is going to be especially difficult in our lives? We know it is coming and we prepare for what is ahead. Not only do we prepare, but we have to maintain vigilance so that when the pressure is applied, we stand our ground. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

We often find ourselves in situations where we need a voice to carry beyond what ours will. We need authority beyond ours. We need power that will overcome what we cannot overcome. We need love that transcends our own. We need more. This is where our God comes in, time and time and time again. While he operates fully within his will, the Bible teaches us that asking for him to act is a part of what it means to be a follower of God. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

Our very own missionary, Joe Brewster, continues our study of John as Jesus is preparing His disciples for His impending death; and resurrection. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

We want to be liked. It is one of the earliest things we become aware of as a small child. Parents can all recall times when a little one has come home and been in tears because of some rejection by peers. A time of being excluded or not invited to an event. Not being chosen during a game or to be a “friend”. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

Jesus is spending his last few hours with his followers. He is about to leave them physically, but will not be leaving them spiritually. As we spoke of last week, he will be sending the Holy Spirit to them to comfort, guide and counsel them. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

The disciples are going through a lot right now and it’s going to get worse. Jesus is going through a lot and it’s going to get much, much worse before it gets much, much better. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

How did they, the disciples, decide to follow Jesus? They made the choice to do so. How do we decide to follow Jesus? Through deliberate choices. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

Why would God allow us to continue to exist? Why would he choose to allow us to go on as a species, as a nation, as a community, as an individual? Because love. It’s the only explanation. God loves us. Even though we are utterly undeserving of love. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

One of the most fundamental frustrations I have is not being able to understand that, once hearing about Jesus, many people choose not to follow him. That, once understanding about sin, and feeling conviction, repentance is not sought. Equally frustrating, and I am often my own source of this frustration, is that saved people do not remain steadfast in their convictions, following hard after Jesus all their days. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

Jesus explains why He must be crucified. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

All of Scripture is intended to lead us to the understanding of our sin, our need for a Savior and for the provision and sustenance of the Savior, Jesus Christ. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

Last week we spoke some about the reality and nature of death. We acknowledged that our mortality, while utterly God’s will, is still something we naturally strive against. We do not desire to die. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

Despite the fact that we know we are eternal creatures, we are designed to cling to life. Humans will go to extraordinary lengths to keep, maintain and preserve life. In fact, to preserve physical life is one of the core theological and moral concepts that we adhere to. Life is precious. All life, as long and in whatever form we can maintain it. We are taught this in the bible, over and over. Today is not a study on the value and sanctity of life, per se, but a reminder of the reality and purpose of death to the believer. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

Lucas Lunsford helps us understand how to identify true followers.

Pastor Britt Clay explains the impiortance of knowing the Good Shepherds voice. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

The setting is simple. Jesus encountered a man born blind. He sets up the lesson with his disciples. He heals the man. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

Last week, we covered Jesus testimony about himself to the religious leaders. He asserted his identity as the Son of God, and as the singular Messiah of both individuals and collective humanity. We are the results of our origins. As people, we are the natural result of sin, and without a truly changed nature, we will live, and die, in that sin. Jesus pointed this out CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

The adulterous woman CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

“We’ve got dust on our Bibles, brand new I-phones, and wonder why we feel this way…” - Josiah Queen Well, at least for a few minutes on Sunday, let’s put away the phones and dig into the Word, what do you say? We find comfort, guidance and truth. We find assurance in our salvation, in the One who saves us, and in our place on this planet. We see those who came before us and know the truth of those who will come after us. We know the reality of things and know how this whole thing ends. CCLI Copyright License 11107056 CCLI Streaming License CSPL085064

Chapter 6 ended with a question for all of us. Fundamentally, now that we know what it means to follow Christ, and what it calls for, will we, too, leave? I pray our answer is that we will not trade the things of this world for our relationship with our God. That we will not fall away, enticed by whatever it is that draws us away from him. That we would finish the race well, not slowly drifting off course. That we will endure the challenges up until the end. The challenges change, and both our enemy and our flesh present different things to turn us away from Jesus as the years progress.