As we continue to make our way through John’s gospel, we come to the narrative of the man who was born blind. Jesus brings out several truths in chapter nine that relate to the controversy regarding the formerly blind man, first from the perspective of the disciples and then the blindness of the Pharisees. However, for our purposes, this week, we will be examining the end of the narrative where Jesus has sought out the formerly blind man in order to affirm His deity. In this account, we see a good comparison between spiritual sight and spiritual blindness. In either spiritual condition, we will identify four observations that will help us conceptualie the Great Commission.
With respect to spiritual sight, we notice from scripture that 1) it requires divine initiative (v.35), 2) respond in faith (v.36), 3) recognizes Christ (vv. 37-38a) and 4) results in worship (v. 38b). This presents so clearly the plan of salvation that has been true for ages and that many churches have ignored.
On the other hand, we also see the observations of spiritual darkness: 1) receives judgment (v.39), 2) refuses to admit his condition (v.40), 3) rejects spiritual sight (v.41a) and 4) results in doom (v.41b). This paints a grim picture of the reality for those who refuse faith in Christ and destined for an eternity of blindness (separation from God).
Come to Cash Creek this week to hear the story unpacked.
My good friend and colleague in the ministry and fellow reformer were enjoying the outdoors last Sunday afternoon, when we came upon the topics of dating and reformation theology. What soon spawned was an ingenious blog idea regarding a list of pick up lines for reformed evangelicals such as ourselves. So, without further adieu, Nick’s top 10 pick up lines for evangelical reformers:
10. Go saints! Persevere!
9. Do you find my grace to be irresistable?
8. Calvin is your homeboy? Mine too.
7. Want to plant some tulips?
6. I was led to you.
5. Shall we read the Institutes together?
4. Let’s play ‘pin the heresy on the Pelagian.’
3. I love you, my elect, unconditionally!
2. I find you to be particularly redeeming.
1. You look totally depraved; let’s have dinner.
Thank you for suffering through a brief indulgence of some rather eccentric humor. I realize not everyone who reads these will find them humorous but to my fellow reformers, I hope it brought a smile to your face. To my friends of Arminian persuasion (or other heretics), it is okay to laugh at the top 10 - God is sovereign. Perhaps there will be a second installment - if I feel led!
As we make our way through John’s gospel we continue to see Jesus performing signs. This week Jesus is in Jerusalem and has come to the pool where supposedly those afflicted with disease can receive healing. The man who had been sick thirty eight years woke up one morning not realizing his life would be changed, for that day he would meet the Great Physician. Please note that this man did not seek after Christ, but Christ sought the man. This rings true for us as well. To each of us who call ourselves believers in Christ, only believe by God’s sovereign grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” In this entire passage (John 5:1-17) we see Christ pursuing the sick, healing the sick and drawing sinners to Himself. Oh that all our testimonies would reflect this paradigm that is centered about Christ’s works and not ours.
We continued today through John’s gospel account as we looked at the second of five “signs” that Jesus performed to showcase the messianic character of Christ and implications of the Great Commission. Today’s sermon was taken from John 4:46-54 and MP3s of the service and the sermon will be posted on the Cash Creek website early this week. Follow the link on this page that says, “Sermons.”
In this passage we cannot help but notice the distinctions between a sign-seeking faith (unbelief) and one of genuine faith. A sign-seeking faith is characterized by a conditional statement and is often empty. The Bible tells us that God calls us to a genuine faith as a response to a personal encounter with Christ. The second thing we take note of in this passage is the notion of a testing of faith. The Bible says the nobleman believed his son would be healed and perhaps that is a test of faith. The reality of our world is such that a sin laden world will test our faith no matter what; it’s not always a retributive type testing of faith. Finally, we see the royal official’s faith realized when he sees the healing evidence in his son. As amazing as the young boy’s recovery was, the amazing part of this story is the recovery in connection with the word of Christ.
This particular story turned out good; however, some stories do not turn out as well for the suffering ones. No doubt most of all have experienced loss and even prayed for physical healing and yet it does not come. Many are tempted to claim that God is being unfair, unloving and aloof. The reality is that He is unfair – if God was being fair, it should have been every man to die on the cross. God’s grace is magnificent and irrestible! He calls us to a life of faith – a genuine faith as a response to His most wonderful character. Praise be to the God of heaven and His graciousness.
This week marks the beginning of a new series of sermons about the majesty of Christ as recorded by the Apostle John. We will examine five key signs in Jesus’ ministry that manifest His glory. Each of these five signs are unique to the book of John and will guide us toward capturing an enhanced view of Jesus while learning how He engaged His spiritually barren culture in order to bring about belief.
This week we will be going through Jesus’ first miracle – turning water into wine. John 2:1-11 speaks of many things, but we will focus on Jesus as the provider of joy. We’ll see how God’s timing is paramount to our perceived needs and how His gracious character sets Him in our minds as the great provider of salvation.
Jesus engages the cultural in a unique way in Cana that draws a strong contrast to “the voice of the one crying in the wilderness” (the Baptist). Learn about the Great Commission implications of this passage and begin to see how Jesus will be revealed throughout John much to the consternation of the religous class.
God Gets the Last Word: Why Easter Represents Victory
Hebrews 1:1-4 is appropriate as the final installment of the Great Hymns of Christ because it portrays Christ as the final revelation of God in these last days. As we celebrate the risen Lord, we celebrate the radiance of His glory (v3a) and the exaltation of Jesus above all things. The world offers promises that ultimately yield emptiness; however, it is only the name of Christ that takes emptiness and yields eternal promises.
This passage of scripture, of which the authorial identity is uncertain, proclaims the greatest truth of the good news of God’s revelation. Hebrews 1 reminds us that God has spoken through His prophets of old and that at the coming of Jesus, God has revealed Himself fully and finally. We need no other authority or entity to point us toward salvation. Christ died for our sins and rose to life again with flesh and bones. He has been exalted to the right hand of the Father. His resurrection represents victory over death and provides a hope for us that He will do what He promised and raise us to glory to be with Him. This is the good news of Easter: Victory in Jesus!
