Intro: (1) the Christian life is one restoration after another (cf. man rescued from same mountain twice) (2) what are marks of a life restored from sin by Christ?Service that is grateful (15-17): (1) breakfast from “charcoal fire” in v.9 (cf. 18:18) (2) three rounds of question, response, command → different forms/words used for “love” (3) first clue → “do you love me more than these?” (cf. Mt. 2...  Read More

Intro: (1) Jesus meets disciples back home (cf. Mark 14:28) → MAP (2) meeting Jesus in everyday lifeJesus meets us in failure (2-3): (1) v.2 → seven disciples, (i.e. those from this region) → no longer behind locked doors (3) first introduced in ch.1 → think of all the ups/downs since then (4) v.3 → return to their normal work (5) the Lord ordains fishing failure as their final lesson (cf. Mt. 4:1...  Read More

Intro: (1) how faith in the unseen becomes tangible reality (cf. gravity) (2) three reasons for gatheringJoyful Mission (19-21): (1) v.19 → evening of resurrection day → first “church” gathering (2) doors locked → still afraid, given the past few days (3) group included the eleven, the initial group of ladies, the two from the road to Emmaus (4) Jesus miraculously appears with greeting of peace → ...  Read More

Intro: (1) perfect day for baptism (2) four new realities offered by resurrected JesusPeter and John (1-10)1. New Life (1-4,9): (1) “first day of the week” around dawn (2) Mary Magdalene (cf. Luke 8:2-3) →with other women to finish burial prep → stone already rolled away (4) v.2 → tell disciples body has been stolen (5) v.3-4 → Peter/John run to tomb, John arrives first (6) v.9 → resurrection fore...  Read More

Intro: (1) series recap (2) person/work of Christ central to Christianity → different from other religions (3) maps → historicity (4) three realities of how Jesus’ death addresses our sinIt releases us from guilt (28-30): (1) v.28 → first of Jesus’ final statements → “I thirst” (2) an indication of his full humanity → loss of fluids, shock, fever, dehydration (3) can’t represent us before God if n...  Read More

Intro: (1) series recap (2) four aspects of Jesus rejected by the mobThe Nature of Jesus (6-8): (1) V.6-7 → new info comes out → Jesus’ claim to be divine (2) blasphemy according to law (cf. Lev. 24) (3) previous claims in 5:18, 8:56-58, 10:27-30 (4) critics claim Jesus did notequate himself to God → may not have said those exact words, but the Jews clearly knew he was doing this (cf. “bless your ...  Read More