Jesus.

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JESUS. Back in 2016, we started a series of sermons on the life of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. We titled the series Jesus. (“Jesus period”). We started that December and didn’t finish until April 2018. Guess what? We’re doing it again! Well . . . kinda, just not the Gospel of Luke this time! Starting in January, we will begin a new 16-month extended series from the Gospel of John. Why start a series of messages on the fourth-longest book in the New Testament? There are several reasons: 1) It is the word of God. We’ll have to walk where Jesus walked and hear what Jesus wanted us to hear. No cherry-picking our favorite verses or favorite topics. We go where he takes us. 2) I have never preached the Gospel of John. That’s a void I would like to fill before I die. (Relax. As far as I know I’m not dying as soon as some may want!) 3) John knew Jesus like none other. Out of the four Gospel authors, John was the closest and most familiar with Christ, even being a part of his inner circle. John was even described as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (13:23; 20:2, 21:7, 20). There is a flavor of intimate depth in this book unlike any other and I want to get to know Jesus the way John did. 4) John is unparalleled in telling stories the other Gospels chose not to include and, at the same time, sharing profound doctrinal truths. After all, the most quoted verse of the Bible is in the Gospel of John. You know, John 3:16. 5) When I sought counsel from the elders concerning the direction of my preaching and my heart for doing another Jesus. series, they agreed there is no time like the present.

As one of them said so gracefully, “If we ever get tired of Jesus, we have bigger problems.” 1) Finally, I am hungry for Jesus . . . period. John deeply wanted to show us the glory of Christ and my soul hungers for a close up view of my savior. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (John 1:14). I need a few things from you as we take this journey together. First, pray for me during each week as I dive into the study of this Gospel allowing it to change me before I present it to you. Second, pray for our church to be deeply blessed through this series. And finally, invite and bring someone else with you to hear about Jesus. Share our joy for Christ and watch a life change as we fix our eyes not on the things of this world, but as we fix our eyes on Jesus . . . period.

Ron Otto, preaching minister at Lincoln Christian Church

 

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