Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus engages with a wide range of people, from the wealthy and powerful to the marginalized and oppressed. He performs miraculous signs, teaches profound truths, and spends time with all kinds of people. In John 4:31-54 Jesus ministers in completely different areas but to people who are both needing hope. In these interactions, Jesus teaches us the power of spending time with people and calling them to a life of holiness in God. Listen in as Pastor Neal teaches how Jesus brings salvation to all who believe in Him.

The Gospel of John has been labeled an intimate gospel because of the way Jesus personally interacts with others. In chapter 3 we studied Jesus’ personal conversation with Nicodemus, and today we’ll study Jesus’ personal conversation with a Samaritan woman in chapter 4. Before diving into our passage it’s important to know that there was a history of animosity between the Jews and Samaritans. Because of this, most Jews would have never traveled through Samaria to get to Galilee even though it was the shorter route. Instead, they would have traveled to Galilee via the Jordan River to avoid the Samaritans. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson explains what we can learn from Christ's example of talking to all the wrong people.

In 2015, Disney released the hit movie “Inside Out." The story revolves around five personified emotions: joy, sadness, fear, disgust, and anger. The movie teaches us a valuable lesson about the complexity of our emotions and the importance of knowing how to work with our feelings. As we turn to John 3:22-36 we take a look at one of those complex emotions - joy.  John the Baptist was full of joy at Christ's success. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches that joy is found when we humbly pursue Jesus' greatness and not our own. 

Through powerful imagery and profound theological insights, John reveals the nature of Jesus as the Son of God, the light of the world, the bread of life, and the hope of the world. Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus engages with a wide variety of people, from the wealthy and powerful to the marginalized and oppressed. As we move into John 3, Jesus has an interesting encounter with Nicodemus, a Pharisee. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on this infamous passage that explains why Jesus came to earth. 

This week we look at John 2:13-25, when Jesus drives the merchants and animals out of the temple. Jesus cleanses the house of God from the things that are distracting and detracting from worship, and in fact replaces the temple, transferring the location of salvation from a building in Jerusalem to his very body. Then we discuss the various reactions people had to Jesus' signs and miracles during his ministry, and reflect on faith as having peak moments, but existing as a process the believer must be dedicated to, even when they aren't feeling it. Listen in as Pastor Teller Emmer teaches that faith is both a moment and a process.

What would it look like to sit with the father of the bride who had Jesus at his daughter's wedding? The father had made all the wedding plans, all the guests had arrived, and the wedding was great, but there was a problem - a big problem! The wine ran out! In Jewish culture this could have brought shame on the family. but thanks to Jesus, the wedding was saved! Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson preaches a first-person narrative sermon on John 2:1-12 and teaches us how our joy is found only in Jesus. 

In John 1:35-51 there is a transition from the ministry of John the Baptist to the ministry Jesus the Messiah. John does fantastic job of pointing people to Jesus. He isn’t focused on his personal following, social status, or clout. Instead, John is focused on building the kingdom of God by pointing his own disciples to Jesus.

In these verses, Jesus makes a simple statement, “Follow me!” Most of us want to know the destination before committing to follow anyone anywhere. However, when Jesus invites us to follow Him on a life-changing journey, our faith, not our knowledge of our destination, drives our obedience. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on following Jesus.

In the first chapter of John, John the Baptist helps the reader understand who he is and who Jesus is. In the first of two scenes we're studying today, Pharisees approach John and inquire about his identity to which he explicitly declares that he is not the anticipated Messiah. In the second scene, John makes three compelling statements about who Jesus is. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on John 1:19-34 and how Jesus is the Lamb of God who came to remove our sin and end our separation from God.  

Today is the start of a new sermon series through the Gospel of John. Someone once said the gospel of John is like a pool that’s safe enough for a child to paddle in, but deep enough for an elephant to swim in. During this journey through John, we will meet Jesus Christ in a powerful way. Listen in as Pastor Neal Benson teaches on what is known as the prologue to this gospel, John 1:1-18. Together we will learn that only the One who always was can give us life that will always be.

Jesus invites anyone who is spiritually thirsty, to come to him and drink. When we do, something miraculous happens. Not only does the supernatural river of the Holy Spirit satisfy our thirst, it flows out from us bringing supernatural life to others. Listen in as teaching pastor, Doug Meye, wraps up our sermon series on the Holy Spirit.