Are you sure that you’re saved? Are you absolutely certain that when you die, you’ll go to heaven? How can we know for certain? And if you are sure, what is the basis for your certainty? These questions have been hotly debated in the church for the last 2000 years—and especially for the last 500… Read More
In 1779 a London pastor named John Newton wrote a hymn hymn that he titled Amazing Grace, which today is considered by many to be the most loved hymn in all of history. The hymn begins with the words, “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me!” “A wretch like me”—to many… Read More
John 7:37-43 John 8:1-12 These central chapters of John’s gospel aren’t popular in the American church. In fact, except for the first two verses that I read (7:37-39), nothing of these chapters is even included in the lectionary. Perhaps that’s because Jesus’ message in these chapters is, in many ways, very contrary to the message… Read More
Confirmation day—for three years, we’ve been learning about Jesus, learning what it means to be a follower of Jesus, to be a part of His Body. We’ve studied the catechism and the Bible and we’re spent a lot of time talking about how to live as a follower of Jesus. But really, when it comes… Read More
Chapter 6 of John’s gospel brings us to the midpoint of Jesus’ ministry—and in many ways, an important turning point. There are three Passovers in John’s gospel: the first occurs just after the wedding at Cana; John tells us In 2:13 that “The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to… Read More