John 8:31-32, John 13:34-35, John 15:8
Three times in John’s Gospel, Jesus states three distinguishing marks of his disciples. If you remember nothing else this year, remember these three things!
John #11: “Open your eyes”
As we begin the next chapter of the story of our church, Jesus’ example and exhortation offers a vital pattern for us to follow.
John #10: “Justice, forgiveness and tricky questions”
John #9: “Drink up!”
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.
John #8: “The Bread of Life”
“It would cost half a year’s wages to feed all these people!” Philip quickly does the maths on their catering problem. But the miraculous meal that follows is more than a free lunch. It’s the basis of one of Jesus’ most outrageous claims ever!
John #7: “Healing by the pool”
The lame man sat by the pool waiting for an angel to stir the waters so he could jump in and be healed. But he couldn’t jump in because he was paralysed! But one day Jesus came along. And he had a different plan in mind …
John #6: “The woman at the well”
What is your deepest need? Often we are more concerned about more practical matters! In this encounter, Jesus begins with the most practical of needs, water, and deftly shows a woman what she really needs.
John #5: “Be angry and sin not”
Feeling angry? Annoyed? Ticked off? You’re not alone! There seems to be an epidemic of it lately! Jesus was angry too. What made him mad? The answers will surprise and challenge us – to get mad about the right things.
John #4: “You must be born again”
When Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, Jesus gives it to him straight: He needs a total transformation. But how?
John #3: Moving with Jesus
A potentially embarrassing miscalculation in the catering for a wedding turns into a sign that points to one of the guests being the “bridegroom” of us all! But there’s even more to this story …