Spiritual Armor: Gospel Readiness and Faith
Ephesians 6:10-20 (focus on vs 15-16)
This passage is about “spiritual warfare” and our need to be equipped so that we can effectively engage the spiritual forces of evil. We can’t do it on our own, so God graciously and strategically gives us spiritual armor so we can be strong in the Lord, stand against the schemes of the devil and stand firm.

Spiritual Armor: Truth and Righteousness
Ephesians 6:10-20 (focus on vs 14)
This passage is about “spiritual warfare” and our need to be equipped so that we can effectively engage the spiritual forces of evil. We can’t do it on our own, so God graciously and strategically gives us spiritual armor so we can be strong in the Lord, stand against the schemes of the devil and stand firm.

Put on the Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:10-20 (focus on vs 10-13)
This passage teaches us something that is foreign to our modern scientific worldview. There is more to the world around us than we can perceive with our five senses. We learn that we need to be equipped so that we can effectively engage the spiritual forces of evil.

Jesus Is Worthy of Worship
John 9:24-41
At the end of the account of Jesus healing a man who was born blind, we see the dramatic conclusion of Jesus being worshipped by this man. “He said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him.” (9:38) This passage displays several aspects of Jesus’ character that make Him worthy of worship.

Though I Was Blind, Now I See
John 9:8-25
In Chapter 9, Jesus again asserts that He is the light of the world as He heals a man born blind. Jesus declares and demonstrates God’s sovereign power and grace. As the story about the man unfolds, we learn more about faith through ignorance, antagonism and humor

Sin and Adversity
John 9:1-7
Chapter 9 tells the account of a man born blind who is healed by Jesus. Jesus again asserts that He is the light of the world. His disciples asked who had sinned that caused this man to be born blind. This was a common perception of why people suffer and a legitimate question. We must be cautious not to build a complete picture of suffering on one story. We also must be careful not to make assumptions about how God operates. Jesus, once again, challenges how we view life. Our condition is the result of a complex and often unknown mixture of sin operating in us and others. Always, God is in control.

I Am
John 8:48-59
Chapter 8 begins with the Scribes and Pharisees wanting Jesus to approve of an adulterous woman being stoned to death. This violation of Roman law would itself be a capital offense. Now, these fellow Jews are ready to stone Jesus, putting themselves at risk of a capital crime. What happened that moved them to this extreme action? Throughout the chapter, Jesus and His fellow Jews interact about what it means to be a child of Abraham. Jesus declares something extraordinary about himself by weaving together revelations made to Abraham and Moses, two of the most important men in Israel’s history.

True Discipleship
John 8:30-47
Throughout the gospels, Jesus constantly challenged His listeners not just to be spiritual or believe in God in a general way, but specifically to believe in and follow Him, which Jesus declares is true discipleship.

Follow the Light

John 8:12-30

Jesus was transfigured (shone with dazzling brightness) before three of his disciples. (Matthew 17:1-8) When God’s kingdom comes in fullness, there will be “no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:23) Jesus, the Light of the world, said to follow him. Following Jesus means we:

Left Alone with Jesus

John 7:53-8:11

This passage brings some interesting issues to deal with even before we look at the passage. There are several things we can apply from this story. My focus is seeing that in the end, we are all left alone with Jesus who will judge us for how we have lived our lives.