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Pilate had the power, but Jesus had the throne. John 18:28–38; 19:8–11, NIV

You cannot abide in a Vine you cannot see — unless Someone makes Him present to you. That Someone is the Holy Spirit.

The first three fruit are not achievements. They are what it feels like to be attached. We treat love, joy, and peace as moods to be manufactured on demand — and then feel like frauds when we cannot produce them.

We keep trying to generate spiritual life out of our own effort — more discipline, more resolve, a better version of ourselves by January — and we cannot understand why nothing grows.

Jesus doesn't calm our fear by removing the trouble. He calms it by giving us himself — the place secured, the way opened, the door held open to the Father.

Secure in the Father's love, Jesus used His power to serve those who would betray and abandon Him — and that's exactly what we come to this Table to remember and receive.

His death was for our sin.  Not just dying as a symbol but as a substitute, as in taking our place for what we deserved.  There is a theological term for this.  Substitutionary Atonement.  In the purest since it means that we deserved death because of our sin. Sin separates us from God.  But Jesus took on our sin on the cross.  His death was much more than physical torture, although it was brutal, Jesus took on the weight of all humanity's sins on the cross.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Jesus rode into Jerusalem, and the whole crowd had no idea what kind of Messiah he was going to be. You may have built your own Jesus out of expectations he never made — political, social justice, prosperity, healing — and missed the real Son of God standing right in front of you.

Fathers day  I AM the Resurrection and the Life.  And we understand in hindsight that his road to glory included pain, grief, heartbreak, betrayal, abandonment and ultimately, a brutal death on the cross.

Jesus is worth everything, because he gave everything. When we understand what Jesus gave for us, no act of devotion feels too costly.

Paradigm: a fundamental framework, pattern, or model of thought that shapes how we understand and approach the world or a problem. God wants us to understand that there is purpose in the pain; meaning in the mess.  Instead of asking why is God allowing this to happen,  we can change our paradigm and ask where is God is moving in the situation.

Sermon Page 48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” 49 “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.” 52 At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” 54 Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” 57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!” 58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. John 8:48-59

Guest Speaker

The Bread of Life is not earned by striving but received by all who come to Jesus in faith. It is undoubtedly attainable.