Day One

Scripture: John 8:12-21.  Jesus Bible pg. 1622.

AS WE SPEND TIME WITH GOD THIS WEEK, WE WANT TO CAMP OUT ON THIS THOUGHT, “THE GOAL OF THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS (THE GOSPEL) IS TO BECOME A PEOPLE CONSUMED WITH A PASSION FOR GOD AND LOVE FOR OTHERS.’  J.D. GREEAR, GOSPEL.   PAGE. 10

Observation: Have you ever been looking for something that ended up being right in front of you?  I have looked for my sunglasses tons of times when they were on my head!  When I find them, I feel sorta goofy.

This week is about the Pharisees, the religious leaders during Jesus’ time, missing what was right in front of them.

Jesus is speaking and calls himself the light of the world.  And whoever follows him will not walk in ____________________, but will have the light of life.

But the Pharisees, who have memorized over 300 verses about the coming Messiah (that’s Jesus), they do not even recognize Jesus.  They call him out!  They call him a liar!  He is supposed to have someone else back up his claims of himself.  Jesus then responds and says, “My Father bears witness about me.”

The Pharisees then ask where Jesus’ father is.  And Jesus responded by saying “You do not know either me nor my Father.  If you knew me, you would know my Father.” (Jesus is claiming to be God here.)

The Messiah, Jesus, was in their presence.  And they were so caught up in religion and looking good and holding on to power they missed Him.

Application: God is real. Jesus came to live a perfect life and die in your and my place because He loves you like crazy.  Is there something in your life and heart that is keeping your from loving Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength?  God is after your heart!

Prayer.  God, examine my heart, my life.  Is there sin I need to confess and get right with you?  Will you show it to me?  I want you to completely have my heart’s passion.  I want to love you and others.