Weekly Sermons

John 5:1-15 Pool Note: In the previous passage (John 4:46-54), the main point was clearly Jesus’ power to heal. Chapter 5 is also a healing story, but here the healing seems not to be the main idea. In fact, John’s conclusion to this story (5:16-18) suggests that the primary purpose of this healing was to set in motion the conflict between Jesus and the authorities. Even so, the situation of the man who was healed (reluctantly?) can show us something about our own resistance to growth and health. Read John 5:1-9. - Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be made well. How did he respond? - Why might the man actually not have wanted his situation to change? Why might people today find it preferable to remain in a bad situation than to adjust to a new reality? - What do you hear in the man’s answer - has he given up? Is he making an excuse? Is this a plea for help, or something else? - At this point, the man likely had no idea who Jesus was, or what Jesus could do for him. His only ideas were not working. Why might we, like this man, seem unable or unwilling to consider new solutions, new sources of help? Read John 5:9-15. - What happened when the man did what Jesus told him to do? - Why was he unable to tell the Jewish authorities who it was who told him to carry his bed? - What did the man do next, after Jesus found him in the temple? Note: Jesus’ command to “sin no more” does not suggest that the man’s infirmity was the result of his earlier sin. In the account of the healing of the blind man in John chapter 9 (which makes a very interesting contrast to this story), Jesus refuted the idea that sin was the cause of that man’s blindness. Consider John 5:14 and 15 together. Could the command to “sin no more” be a warning to the man not to go to the Jewish authorities? Bringing it home - Is there some long-standing habit or resentment or dysfunction in your life that you have come to believe will never change? Do you believe Jesus is able to make a difference in that situation? Explain. - Are you willing to be healed – that is, are you open to making changes that could fix the situation? Or is it easier to live with what you’re used to? Are you at least willing to pray for courage to change? To talk with someone who could guide you in the right direction? - If you have experienced that life-changing power of God healing a physical, emotional, or relational situation, how have you responded to him? Who needs to hear your story? - - - - - - - - - - - Dan Stephenson

Read John 4:46-48. The journey from Capernaum to Cana was about 20 miles, with an elevation gain of about 1200 feet. Walking from Vantage to Ellensburg on Washington’s I-90 would be similar; it’s a bit further in distance, but not as much elevation gain as going from Capernaum to Cana. - Imagine this government official, this father. What do you suppose his thoughts were as he made his request to Jesus? - How did Jesus respond? What do you think he meant by this? Note: The NKJV makes it clear in verse 48 (“you people”) that Jesus is referring to the Galileans in general, not just this man. In some other translations, it is less obvious that the “you” here is plural. - How significant were Jesus’ signs and wonders as you began to believe in him? Explain. - What would you say are some of the best-known miracle stories in the Bible? - In your experience, are people in our culture today more likely to respond to the miracle stories in the Bible with wonder and awe, or with skepticism? Explain. - Pastor Rob described America as a scientific (logical), rational, skeptical culture. What does it take for us to become receptive to divine and miraculous things in our world? How might parents teach their children to be open to spiritual realities? Read John 4:49-53. - In verse 49, the man repeated his request, perhaps more urgently. How did Jesus answer this time? Do you think this is the answer the man expected, or hoped for? - In verse 50, why didn’t the man argue his point again to persuade Jesus to make the trip with him back down to Capernaum? - Why is it important even today that Jesus was able to heal the man’s son without visiting him, and without performing any sort of prayer or ritual over him? How might this shape our prayers for those in great need? - Suppose a loved one is very sick, and you pray for healing. Is it somehow better if God answers with a miracle than if he answers by healing through medical means? Explain. - Suppose a loved one is very sick. You pray for healing, but your loved one does not recover. What truths about God help us hold on to our faith and trust in God in such a time of loss? - When we lose someone we love, feelings of anger and sorrow are natural. Do you think God is compassionate with us when we feel that way? Explain. Even so, have you experienced peace and comfort in a time of loss like this? What would you say to God in response? - - - - - - - - - - - Dan Stephenson

Luke 2:1–20; Matthew 2:1–18 As If You Were Really There The title of this message is an invitation to read and experience the story of Jesus’ birth with fresh eyes, as if you were really there. We might expect God to make a big entrance with bright lights and fanfare, but when God shows up in our world today, it often happens in the quiet, forgotten corners. Read Luke 2:1–7. We already know from Luke chapter 1 that Mary is about to give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God (Luke 1:30–35). - What information does Luke give us in these verses about the birth of Jesus? How many verses in this passage actually tell us about his birth? How many animals are mentioned? Why do you think our Christmas pageants fill in the blanks with so many other traditional details? - Jesus’ story does not fit our ideas about how a king should be born. What do you think that tells us about God? Read Luke 2:8–14. Imagine that you are one of the shepherds, and that you have never heard these words before. - What did the shepherds see? Why were they afraid? - What information did the angel reveal to the shepherds? Did the angel give them any instructions? - By what sign would the shepherds recognize this newborn Savior, who is Christ the Lord? Read Luke 2:15–20. - Observe the words and actions of the shepherds in these verses. What would you say it meant to them that God showed up in their world that night? What did they do in response? Read Matthew 2:1–8 - How did the wise men (magi) interpret the appearance of the star? What do you suppose they expected to find when they arrived at Jerusalem? What did they intend to do when they found the one they were looking for? - How did Herod the king react to their news? What did Herod learn from the chief priests and scribes? (The words of the prophet in verse 6 are from Micah 5:2-4). What clues do we get that Herod is up to no good? Read Matthew 2:9–12. Imagine that you are one of the wise men, and that you have never heard these words before. - What did the wise men see? Apparently none of them said, “Are you sure this is the right address? I expected something more befitting a real king.” What might we learn from that? What about today? - Pastor Rob talked about how God showed up at a time when his (and the church’s) ministry felt dark and forgotten. When has God showed up for you in a similar time of need? - Like the shepherds, have you made known to others) what God did for you? (See Luke 2:17–18.) Who will you tell this week? - Like the wise men, have you responded to God and to Christ with worship? (See Matthew 2:11.) What would you say you have learned about worshiping in the quiet times, even without the trappings of the big worship pageants? Will you do that today? - - - - - - - - - - - Dan Stephenson

John 3:22-36 Witness JOHN 3:22-26 UNSETTLED, BECAUSE THE FOCUS IS NOT ON US - What were the disciples of John the Baptist concerned about? - In what sense are churches today in competition with each other? When might this “competition” be a good thing? In what ways is it unhealthy? - What are some ways churches or individuals act when they become more concerned about their own recognition than about focusing people’s attention on Jesus? - What are some ways churches today could more effectively cooperate together to accomplish their shared mission? - Is it OK to expect or receive some recognition for the effort we put forth in serving God? Explain. Note: This is the only passage in the Gospels that refers to Jesus baptizing people. In John 4:2, John clarifies that it was the disciples, not Jesus himself, doing the baptizing. This baptism was not for salvation—only the cross did that. It may have continued John’s practice of baptizing for repentance. - Would you be willing to serve Jesus through our church or in our community, even if nobody ever knew what you did? Is there some task or role he has put on your heart to do for him? JOHN 3:27-30 JOYFUL, BECAUSE THE FOCUS IS ON CHRIST - What did John the Baptist understand about his role in the kingdom of God? What does that help us understand about our own roles in the kingdom? - What do you think is meant by the statement in verse 27, that a person “can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven”? Do you think John meant this about Jesus, or about himself, or both? How does this truth apply to us today? - Why did Jesus’ ministry bring joy instead of jealousy to John? - Do you experience joy, or jealousy, if another church, another pastor, or another Christian, enjoys “success” by the world’s measures? What advice would John the Baptist have about this? - How would you explain John’s word picture of the “friend of the bridegroom” to someone who is hearing this message for the first time? - What must we understand about Jesus, and about ourselves, to embrace John the Baptist’s statement in verse 30? What does it mean in practice, for us to “decrease”? JOHN 3:31-34 TRUE WITNESS FROM THE ONE WHO HAS SEEN HEAVEN - Who do you think John the Baptist meant by “he who comes from above” and “he who is of the earth” in verse 31? What point do you think he was trying to make to his hearers? - What statements did John the Baptist make about Jesus Christ in these verses? Note: Verses 32 and 33 (no one receives his testimony, but he who has received his testimony) follow the same pattern as John 1:11-12 (his own did not receive him, but as many as received him). Some received his testimony, although many or most did not. - What is true, from verse 33, about those who receive the testimony of “he who comes from heaven”? How have you experienced this for yourself? JOHN 3:35-36 OUR OPTIONS: TO BELIEVE OR TO REJECT - What is the contrast that John the Gospel writer lays out in verse 36? Is this the same or different from the statement in 3:18? Explain. Note: The word for “does not believe” in verse 36 is translated in some English Bible versions as “does not obey.” This word does not describe one who merely has doubts, or someone who needs more information before they can make up their mind. Rather, instead of believing, these people are choosing to reject the testimony about (and the person of) Jesus Christ. - What would you say we must do in order to believe and not reject the Son? If you have believed, what helped you take that step? If you have not, what additional information or assurance would it take for you to commit your life to the Son of God? Are you willing to pursue this? Have you asked God to lead you to the truth? - - - - - - - - - - - Dan Stephenson

John 3:13-21 Lift - - - - - - Note: I will be away next Sunday, December 1st. As soon as I can watch next week’s sermon video online, I will put together and send out the discussion questions. It could be as late as Monday evening. - - - - - - The Old Testament incident with the bronze serpent is found in Numbers 21:4-9. JOHN 3:11-13 HEAVENLY TRUTH REVEALED Jesus is still speaking to Nicodemus. We’re backing up a bit, starting with verse 10 or 11 to get the context of Jesus’ words in verse 13. - In verses 11-12, what is Jesus saying to Nicodemus? What do these verses show us about what it means to believe? Is it necessary to understand something to believe it? Explain. Can you think of a practical example of believing without needing to understand? - What is Jesus saying about himself in verse 13? How is verse 13 connected with persuading Nicodemus that he ought to listen to what Jesus says? JOHN 3:14-16 DEATH AND LIFE In John’s Gospel, Jesus will speak again of being “lifted up” in John 8:28, and then once more in John 12:32-34. In this last passage, both Jesus and his hearers clearly understood that he was speaking of his death. - In Numbers 21:4-9, what was the urgent need? Why were the people experiencing this problem? What did God do to deliver his people from death? What did the people need to do to receive this deliverance? - In John 3:14, Jesus compared the incident of the serpent in the wilderness with his being “lifted up.” What are the similarities between the two? What urgent need is Jesus addressing with Nicodemus here? Why are people experiencing this problem? What provision has God made to deliver his people from death? What do we need to do to receive this deliverance? JOHN 3:17-18 CONDEMNED, OR NOT - Why are these verses important? What do they clarify about Jesus, and about condemnation? JOHN 3:18-21 JUDGMENT AND LIGHT - God “so loved” the world and gave his son. Why don’t we conclude, then, that everyone in the world has been saved? - According to these verses, what can keep a person from believing and receiving God’s gift of salvation? - In verse 21, what do you think it means to “do the truth” (or “do what is true” in some Bible translations)? What phrase in verse 20 is contrasted doing the truth? - Compare verses 18 and 21. Jesus’ discussion in these verses seems to relate judgment and deliverance both to our belief and to our actions (deeds or works). How do you explain this? Are our belief and our deeds both somehow related to receiving eternal life? What other Bible passages can you find that shed light on this question? THINGS IN THE DARK Pastor Rob challenged us about a situation most (all?) of us experience as believers. We have received salvation and eternal life, but we have not experienced the transforming power of God in every area of our lives. - Look again at John 3:19-21. How do these verses relate to our status of being saved-but-still-broken? - What are the things that still cause you to experience pain or shame? - What are the things you do that cause harm to yourself, or to others? - What areas of your life are you unwilling to surrender to Jesus? What happens when we try to hide these from him, and from our fellow Christians? - Why are we reluctant to turn everything over to Jesus? What do we suppose we will lose? In reality, what do you think would change if you gave him access to examine and purify every aspect of your mind and actions? - What will it take to overcome your resistance? - - - - - - - - - - - - Dan Stephenson

John 3:1-12 Born JOHN 3:1-6 UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN - Nicodemus’ opening question to Jesus wasn’t really a question at all, but a statement. What question was implied in his statement? What answer do you think he expected Jesus to give? NOTICE how Jesus’ answer in verse 3 reflects the pattern of Nicodemus’ question: Nicodemus: No one can A unless B. Jesus: Unless one C, he cannot D. - Did Jesus’ “answer” in verse 3 actually answer the question Nicodemus came to discover? Explain. - Pharisees like Nicodemus really believed they could please God by keeping all their laws, rules, and regulations. What is the problem with this plan? - What are some of the things people today assume they can do to satisfy God’s standards or requirements? - Is it possible to do enough good things, or avoid doing enough bad things, to meet God’s standard of righteousness or holiness? What Bible verses can you think of that support your answer? NOTE: Nicodemus knew it was impossible to be born a second time, at least in the normal way. His words in verse 4 were his way of asking Jesus to explain what he meant. - Compare verses 3 and 5. How did Jesus clarify what he meant by being “born again”? - Suppose you are discussing these verses with someone who has never heard them before. This person asks you, “what is this ‘kingdom of God’ Jesus keeps talking about?” How would you respond? JOHN 3:7-12 IT’S LIKE THE WIND - How does Jesus’ word picture of the blowing wind illustrate your own experience of being born of the Spirit? - An old hymn sung during “altar calls” says, “I have decided to follow Jesus.” Is being born of the Spirit something God does, or is it a decision we make, or is it a combination of the two? Explain. - What do you think Nicodemus’ words in verse 9 reflect: disbelief, doubt, confusion? How did Jesus answer him? What else would you say to Nicodemus in answer to his question? - What about today: What must one do to receive Jesus’ offer of a new start, do-over, born-again experience? Can you give a Bible verse to back up your answer? - What about those of us who are certain we have received God’s offer of a second chance, but we’ve either squandered that second chance, or haven’t experienced the transformational change we expected. Is there still hope? What can we do? What changes might we need to make? - How do your answers to the last question line up with the idea that the new life is something God does in us, not something we do? - - - - - - - - Dan Stephenson