A message from the series “Conversations With Jesus.” Normally, these classes focus on conversations that Jesus has with others. In this case, this conversation takes place between a blind man and the Pharisees.

It’s remarkably blunt and one that backs the Pharisees into a corner in the same way that Jesus did. Prayerfully, we’ll have the same boldness.

The audience for most of Jesus’ teachings were common people like you and me. The elites — the ones who claimed they knew better than most – brushed Jesus off to the side (when they weren’t harassing Him).

Turns out, this was by design. God’s message was intentionally simple so that everyday people would be able to listen and learn. Those who would rather argue found nothing but silliness — to their own demise.

A message from the series “Conversations With Jesus.” Jesus’ interaction with the adulterous woman in the Temple is well-known. Her accusers drag her before Jesus (but curiously, not her husband), and demand to know Jesus’ judgment. His response baffles them and makes everyone leave without a single rebuttal.

A message from the series “Conversations With Jesus.” Jesus’ discussion with the Jews in John 6 is notable for its Mosaic themes and emphasis on Jesus’ spirituality. The people in Jesus’ day didn’t get that though, and because of that, left Him completely.

Would I?

Forgiveness is important (Matthew 6:15), but how do we *practically* implement it in everyday life? There are a few questions I think we need to address as we learn about the extent — and practice — of mercy.

A message from the series “Conversations With Jesus.” Jesus’ healing of the lame man by the pool of Bethesda was significant, not the least of which is because it’s one of the first times in John’s Gospel that He states unequivocally that He is equal with God.

It’s a theme that He would repeat throughout the entire book, and a theme that John would emphasize. It’s worth considering for our own lives as well.

When I first started preaching, someone once told me to “Preach to broken hearts, because there’s one on every pew.”

Sometimes, I think we spend too much time focusing on the head and not enough on the heart. In the end, what Christians need to remember — despite everything else — is that God is near to them.

Everything else hinges on holding fast to that idea.

Pentecost is rightfully lauded as one of the best speeches of all time. It was impactful, to the point, and most importantly, it moved his audience to action.

But you don’t have to be Peter to evangelize as effectively as Peter did that day. In fact, the components of his lesson should be a part of all of our efforts to evangelize as well. The clothes may change, but the pattern doesn’t.

A message from the series “Conversations With Jesus.” The conversation that Jesus has with the woman at the well is completely different then the one He had with Nicodemus. Whereas the one in John 3 was theologically dense with huge themes about grace and salvation, Jesus’ conversation in John 4 is a simple conversation about worship and a changed life. The woman’s life will never be the same — as it should be any time we come face to face with Jesus’ teachings.

While all of Jesus’ statements on the Cross were noteworthy, one is most representative of His heart for humanity: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” It shows the depth of God’s love in addition to His compassion for those we would consider His enemies.

But have you ever stopped to think who the “they” is in that passage? While most people would say it was either the Jews or the Romans (and they would be right), it could also be applied to ourselves. When we sin, we don’t always understand the real impact of what we’re doing. We need to. It’s what put Jesus on the cross to begin with.