poolsandpastures
Thoughts on the Gospel, Life, and Ministry
Category: The Chruch
The Good Shepherd — John 9:35-10:21
Jesus graciously found the man he healed from his blindness and ministered to him in grace after the Synagogue leaders excommunicated him. This kind of merciful grace makes Jesus the Good Shepherd. John 9:35–41 [35] Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having… Continue Reading “The Good Shepherd — John 9:35-10:21”
Sight and Blindness — John 8:48-9:34
Light brings sight where darkness has created blindness. Therefore, Jesus, the Light of the World, gives sight to the blind. His healing of the blind man physically points to the spiritual sight He brings to those who trust in Him. Today’s video explains. John… Continue Reading “Sight and Blindness — John 8:48-9:34”
Truth and Freedom — John 8:21-47
Jesus is the Light of the World, and the darkness has tried to overcome Him. It can’t. His truth shines brightly and brings freedom to all who abide in it. Our video explains. John 8:21–47 [21] So he said to them again, “I am going… Continue Reading “Truth and Freedom — John 8:21-47”
Light of the World — John 7:45-8:20
Our reading in John’s Gospel today covers 7:45-8:20. In these verses, Jesus claims to be the light of the world. It’s also the section of the Gospel where we encounter a sinful woman receiving grace and being challenged to go and sin no more.… Continue Reading “Light of the World — John 7:45-8:20”
Rivers of Living Water — John 7:14-44
After Jesus challenged the religious leaders on the condition of their hard hearts, their opposition to Him and His ministry intensified. This is how the unbelieving world responds to the message of Christ because His message of truth holds them accountable for their sins… Continue Reading “Rivers of Living Water — John 7:14-44”
Many Turn Back — John 6:60-7:13
Will you continue following Jesus? is the question of John 6:60-7:13. We have to make the same decision as the disciples in John 6, for Jesus is the only one who has the words of eternal life. John 6:60–71 The Words of Eternal Life… Continue Reading “Many Turn Back — John 6:60-7:13”
Life-Giving Word — John 4:39-5:15
Our 6th reading from John’s Gospel is John 4:39-5:15. In it, we encounter Jesus as the one who speaks life into situations when no one else can. Many Samaritans believed in Him after experiencing Him firsthand, and a lame man at the Pool of… Continue Reading “Life-Giving Word — John 4:39-5:15”
Praying More Robustly
I am making plans for our congreation’s upcoming Wednesday night fellowship dinners and bible lessons. Our children and youth will continue working through the various catechisms of the Church, and our adults will study prayer. To help me organize our lessons on prayer, I’ve enlisted… Continue Reading “Praying More Robustly”
Under His Wings and Revivals
Stories like this one always buoy my spirit as they illustrate the providence and the grace of God at work in the history of His Church. We still sing this wonderful rendition of Psalm 91 some 130 years after Sankey wrote it. The God under whose wings Sankey found refuge is the same God under whose wings we find shleter.
What Is The Church Supposed to Do?
The earliest Christians lived and breathed in times that were very similar to ours. They were certainly no strangers to the ideas of societal relativism and cultural narcissism. They also suffered from another deadly “ism,” syncretism, which wreaked havoc on their spiritual and religious climate. Yet, they found their balance and we are to learn from them.
