“It’s All About Jesus!”The Birth of Jesus – The Prophecies“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” – Micah 5:2 (NLT)“Great Things in Small Packages” One of the things I’ve noticed about God is how He loves to use small things to make big differences. Our p...

“It’s All About Jesus!”The Birth of Jesus – The Prophecies“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” – Isaiah 9:2 (NLT)“You’re Not Alone in the Dark” Next week, I’ll be speaking at a “Blue Christmas” service in Dayton, Ohio. It’s a special service of hope and healing for those who may find the holidays a bit difficul...

“It’s All About Jesus!”The Birth of Jesus – The Prophecies“She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” – Isaiah 7:14b“Immanuel” This prophecy is a little harder for us to fully appreciate because of how personal we have made God in our theology. Many people have come to think of Jesus so commonly that He is almost a “big buddy in the sky.”But for the Je...

“It’s All About Jesus!”The Birth of Jesus – The PropheciesAll right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! – Isaiah 7:14a (NLT)“The Visited Planet” Prophecies almost always had two components. One had to do with what God was doing THEN—the day and time in which it was written. In this case, it was about assuring His people that God was working in the...

“It’s All About Jesus!”John 14 – Assurance From Jesus Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” – John 14:8-9 (NLT)“The Father Is Here” One of my favorite stories is about the first-grade class who was asked by their teacher to dra...

“It’s All About Jesus!”John 14 – Assurance From JesusAnd you know the way to where I am going. “No, we don’t know, Lord.” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” – John 14:4-6 (NLT)“Your Divine Tour Guide” Wanda and I are in Spain this week doing a vacat...

“It’s All About Jesus!”John 14 – Assurance From Jesus"There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." – John 14:2-3 (NLT)“Jesus Is Coming for You” Today’s passage is one of those that confused the disciples. Ev...

“It’s All About Jesus!”John 14 – Assurance from Jesus“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” – John 14:1 (NLT)“A Bridge Over Troubled Water” I grew up back when music was good. You know, back when groups like the Beatles, Chicago, and Steely Dan dominated the airways. One of my favorite groups during that time was Simon and Garfunkel. If you heard them, you’re fami...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Jesus at the Festival (John 7)On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” – John 7:37-38 (NLT)“Only Jesus Satisfies” I was reading about a woman this last summer who was sw...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Jesus at the Festival (John 7)Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime… After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee. But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. – John 7:6-10 (NLT)“Waiting On God” There is a phrase that Jesus repeats several times throughout the Boo...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Jesus and His Brothers (John 7)But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. – John 7:2-5 (NLT)“Liste...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Jesus and His Brothers (John 7)After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. – John 7:1 (NLT)“Balancing Your Faith with Wisdom” There is a difference between having faith and being stupid.  Some of us haven’t learned that yet.  Having faith involves hearing from God and taking steps that fall in l...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Questions Jesus AskedJesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” – Matthew 20:22 (NIV)“Choose Your Hard” Last Sunday, I finished a three-part sermon series on “Choices.”  The last message was titled, “How To Choose Like A Champion.”  In other words, how to guard your heart and frame your mind to make good choices along the way.  My last point in the mess...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Questions Jesus Asked“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? – Matthew 18:12 (NIV)“God Is Looking for You” Not long ago I had a conversation with someone who was in a pretty dark place.  Throughout the conversation, they openly admitted that t...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Questions Jesus AskedJesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? – Luke 17:17 (NLT)“The Grateful 10%” Some years ago, a homeless man whom we had helped before came to our church and asked if he could take a shower.  I told him he could and got him soap, shampoo, and a towel.  I took him to our men’s shower room and left him alone.  He took a long time show...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Questions Jesus AskedA woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. – Luke 8:43-45 (NLT)“Who Touched Me?” “Who touched me?” If Jesus asked that question at your church service this past week, wou...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Questions Jesus AskedAfter breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” – John 21:15 (NLT)“Have You Learned Your Lesson Yet?” One more look at the “more than these” question that Jesus asked.  Maybe Jesus was asking Peter, “Do you love me more than these other followers love me?”  It wouldn’t be an unthinkable thought for Peter to ...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Questions Jesus AskedAfter breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” – John 21:15 (NLT)“Choosing Between Friends, Family, and God” Yesterday, I talked about how the “more than these” in Jesus’ question could refer to Peter’s old life as a fisherman and the serenity of living on the lake. Today, I’d like to look at that question ...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Questions Jesus AskedAfter breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” – John 21:15 (NLT)“God’s Not Done With Us Yet” Wow, what a powerful question Jesus asked Peter that day. But as you read the “more than these” part, what do you think Jesus means by “these?” There are a lot of ways that can be taken. Let’s explore one of those ...

“It’s All About Jesus!”Questions Jesus AskedJesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?” – John 18:23 (NLT)“Can YOU Handle the Truth?” There’s a great line made famous by the movie “A Few Good Men.” It’s when Jack Nicholson responds to the attorney played by Tom Cruise who is pressing him to tell the truth. Nicholson shouts, “...