The Divine Story of Jesus and You: Eyes of Faith

Copyright: South Bay Community Church
Sermon Reflections: The Divine Story of Jesus and You: Eye of Faith
Date: 11 August 2024
Speaker: Minister Ashley Watson
Scripture Text: John 9: 35-41
Sermon Quick Summary
            The scripture text for today is from John 9:35-41 (ESV). In our scripture sermon text, Jesus taught about overcoming spiritual blindness with eyes of faith. Our natural inclination is to rely heavily on our physical senses to confirm the reality in our hearts and minds of what we hear. Some will say, “Show me the receipt” or demand some proof from pictures or videos. Even with receipts or actual proof, Jesus encountered skepticism from those who were spiritually blind. Similarly for us today, spiritual blindness can keep us from recognizing and accepting the truth of Jesus Christ, even with undeniable evidence of Jesus’ divine power and identity. We can overcome spiritual blindness with practical steps and ensure that we are truly seeing as Jesus intends. For those who do not accept Jesus Christ the practical steps are: (1) In humility acknowledge your blindness in making a U-turn back towards God; (2) See and declare Jesus as your Savior; (3) Hear and respond to the Word of God spoken by Jesus Christ with faith in Jesus. For those who have already come to faith in Jesus Christ, practical steps in maintaining spiritual sight is an ongoing journey: (1) Continue to connect with God and Jesus by remaining in the light of daily spiritual habits; (2) Grow together with other believers including sharing your faith with others; (3) Go out and change the world through service in helping others and taking a stand for justice.  

Booklet available at www.plusnothing.com. The booklet continues to tell about the life and teachings of Jesus from the four gospels, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This message focuses on Spiritual Blindness or Eyes of Faith (John 9:35-41 in section 4.37 of the booklet.)

Our natural inclination is to rely heavily on our physical senses (demand a receipt or demand proof from pictures or videos) to confirm the reality in our heart and mind of what we hear
            Which concept do you live by: seeing is believing or believing is seeing? In our everyday lives, our natural inclination is to live by “seeing is believing.” We rely heavily on our physical senses to confirm the reality of what we hear and see. This dependence on tangible proof shapes our perception and understanding of the world around us.
            You might often hear millennials saying “Show me the receipt” or a Gen Z might say “Proof or it didn’t happen.” You wouldn’t believe it in your heart or mind unless you saw some proof from pictures or videos. To help illustrate this point, we are going to play a game. You’ve heard of the game 2 truths and a lie; we are going to play 2 lies and a truth. I’ll read 3 statements about myself and you must tell me (Minister Ashley Watson) which one is the truth.  
-I’m in my college record book for most scoring in a season
-I’m in my college record book for most assists in a season
-I’m in my college record book for most free throws made in a season
Answer: The video of the sermon shows “the receipt.” You see “the receipt” of the Georgia State University college record book for Ashley Watson scoring the most free throws in a season.
Some of you might still have doubt in your mind that Ashley Watson is in the record books even though that’s a clear picture of her.
Even with receipts or actual proof, Jesus encountered skepticism from those who were spiritually blind.          
This same skepticism is like what Jesus encountered during His ministry. He encountered many who were spiritually blind. Even though the people saw the proof, many people still didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah.
            Before we dive into our scripture text in John Chapter 9, let's briefly recap the events leading up to this chapter, all of which are instances of Jesus facing opposition. In John Chapters 1-8, Jesus continues to face opposition from people that he encounters even though they have witnessed him performing miracles. Despite these signs, many people still don't believe in Him.
            Jesus said in John 3:11-12 “I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”
            Then, in John 6:35-36, 35 “Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me.’” Here, Jesus directly addresses the people's unbelief, pointing out that despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings in seeing the receipts, they still failed to believe in Him.
            This theme of disbelief and rejection sets the stage for the events in John 9, where Jesus encounters a man born blind and performs a miraculous healing. In chapter 9, there is still some disputing and debating over the identity of Jesus. Even though the nation of Israel as a whole was rejecting Jesus, there were still opportunities for individuals to accept Christ as the Messiah. At this point the nation’s leaders were rejecting Jesus while the outcasts were accepting Jesus. This story of the blind man is an example of the choice between rejection and acceptance.
            On the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus encounters a man who was born blind. Jesus spits in the dirt to make mud, rubs the mud on his eyelids, and then tells him to go wash it off in the pool of Siloan. After he washes it off, he is now able to see. Following this miraculous event, the man is then taken to the Pharisees where he is questioned on how he got his sight. The Pharisees didn’t believe the man, so then they went to ask his parents (let me see the receipt). His parents said “well go ask our son. He is old enough to speak for himself.”

In our scripture sermon text (John 9:35-41), Jesus taught about spiritual blindness
            “35 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ 36 The man answered, ‘Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.’ 37 ‘You have seen him,’ Jesus said, ‘and he is speaking to you!’ 38 ‘Yes, Lord, I believe!’ the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. 39 Then Jesus told him, ‘I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.’ 40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, ‘Are you saying we’re blind?’41 ‘If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,’ Jesus replied. ‘But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.’” (John 9:35-41). Jesus came to bring enlightenment and truth to those who are humble and open to His message, and to expose the spiritual blindness of those who think they can see. The Pharisees, overhearing Jesus' words, question whether He is accusing them of being blind. Jesus' response is both a challenge and a clarification. He implies that if they are truly unaware of their spiritual blindness (like someone physically blind), they would not be guilty. However, because they claim to have spiritual insight and reject Jesus despite clear evidence of His works, they remain guilty of their sin. This indicates that their willful rejection and pride keep them in darkness, even as they claim to see the light.
            Two acts of discredit events occur.  The Pharisees fought (1) to discredit the event of the actual healing and (2) to discredit Jesus as the Messiah. They weren’t interested in the facts or in knowing the truth because in their minds, they already knew the truth and already were disciples of someone else, Moses. Jewish teachings denied the truth of Jesus Christ as Messiah.
            There are 3 Messianic miracles. These Messianic miracles are things that only God Himself can perform, and therefore are clear proof of the Messiah. Those 3 Messianic miracles are: healing leprosy, casting out a mute demon, and giving sight to a man born blind. By performing these miracles, especially giving sight to a man born blind, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority and identity as the Messiah. The healing of the man born blind is not just a miraculous act of compassion but also a fulfillment of a Messianic sign known by the religious leaders. Despite witnessing this clear evidence in seeing the receipts, the Pharisees refuse to acknowledge Jesus' Messianic role because it challenges their authority and their traditions.
            Their spiritual blindness prevents Pharisees from seeing the truth that is evident in Jesus' works and teachings.  This highlights the contrast between those who are open to Jesus' message and those who are spiritually blind.

Similarly for us today, spiritual blindness can keep us from recognizing and accepting the truth of Jesus Christ, even with undeniable evidence of Jesus’ divine power and identity
            Spiritual blindness is what keeps us from recognizing and accepting the truth of Jesus Christ. If we open our hearts and minds to Him and place our faith in Him, Jesus can heal this spiritual blindness. To overcome spiritual blindness, we must first believe in Jesus. In this case, believing truly is seeing.
            Our spiritual blindness manifests in our lives by our old nature from Adam and Eve living in this fallen world, rejecting Christ, not seeing the manifestations of God, and not accepting discernment from the Spirit of God necessary to understand spiritual truths. To reject Christ is spiritual blindness hoping that no one will find out that you are Christian and you have a relationship with Christ. Spiritual blindness is also deciding not to resist worldly systems of oppression by speaking up for what is right. Spiritual blindness is not recognizing that other human neighbors were created in the image of God and should receive truth in love and compassion.
            Spiritual blindness can also manifest as a stubborn refusal to allow God to transform us. Relying on God’s Will, confessing and repenting, and putting aside our selfish desire, will allow us to see past our own preconceived notions and prejudices.

We can overcome spiritual blindness with practical steps and ensure that we are truly seeing as Jesus intends:
For those who do not accept Jesus Christ the practical steps are: (1) In humility acknowledge your blindness in making a U-turn back towards God; (2) See and declare Jesus as your Savior; (3) Hear and respond to the Word of God spoken by Jesus Christ with faith in Jesus

            For the unbelievers or those still exploring this faith, you must acknowledge your blindness. This can be challenging because it requires humility and a willingness to see beyond our own perspectives and assumptions. It's about honestly assessing where we might be missing the truth or ignoring God's presence in our lives. This is done through the process of repentance where we turn away from our previous ways of thinking and living. As we open our hearts to Jesus, He helps us to see the world and ourselves in a new light, guiding us toward a life of purpose, truth, and grace.
            Next is to know that believing in your heart and mind is seeing that Jesus is the Savior. The man that was born blind didn’t have the capabilities to physically see miraculous signs of Jesus. The man first believed Jesus to be a prophet and then as his Lord. When you turn to Christ as your Lord and Savior, you will begin to see Jesus differently. Romans 10:9 declares, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
             An unbeliever must develop faith in Jesus Christ. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). You hear the word of Christ and the word can save you just like it did the blind man. The man never asked to be healed even though he did welcome it. Jesus didn’t mention that He intended to perform a healing before slapping the mud on his eyelids and telling him to go wash off in the pool healed from blindness. The man is hearing a command of God, by the word of God, spoken by Jesus Christ. It is the power of the God’s Word in the heart that compels the blind man to respond to the Word of God. By accepting Jesus’ word by faith, the man accepted Jesus before he received healing. Accepting Jesus is like the demand to “show the receipt.”
            We invite you to learn more about Jesus, and your eyes of faith. Please contact South Bay Community Church office at www.sobcc.org or (510) 490-9500.

For those who have already come to faith in Jesus Christ, the practical steps to maintain spiritual sight is an ongoing journey: (1) Continue to connect with God and Jesus by remaining in the light of daily spiritual habits; (2) Grow together with other believers including sharing your faith with others; (3) Go out and change the world through service in helping others and taking a stand for justice.  
            You must continue to Connect with God and live a life honoring Christ by remaining in the Light. Building spiritual habits such as daily prayer, reflection, nature walks, fasting, or listening to the divine will help your ongoing life journey.
            You must Grow Together with other believers, connect with a small group, look for opportunities to share your faith with others, disciple someone, or make it known to others the faith you have in Jesus Christ.
Then, being transformed by God on the inside, you engage in action to walk the walk to change the world. This can be done by helping others in need through community service, service projects, and taking a stand for justice.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Quick Summary
-When has the divine (God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit) provided undeniable evidence of divine power and identity? -What are the challenges in removing skepticism even when provided proof of divine power? Why?
Our natural inclination is to rely heavily on our physical senses (demand a receipt or demand proof from pictures or videos) to confirm the reality in our heart and mind of what we hear 
-How dependent are you on proof to confirm reality?
-In what ways does dependence on proof shape reality in your heart and mind in determining your worldview?
Even with receipts or actual proof, Jesus encountered skepticism from those who were spiritually blind.
-Why is it so important to point people to the all sufficient acceptance of Jesus to fulfill our needs?
In our scripture sermon text (John 9:35-41), Jesus taught about spiritual blindness
-In what ways does faith and acceptance of Jesus supersede feelings of guilt from being spiritually blind?
Similarly for us today, spiritual blindness can keep us from recognizing and accepting the truth of Jesus Christ, even with undeniable evidence of Jesus’ divine power and identity
-In what ways can spiritual blindness manifest in your life journey if blindness keeps you from recognizing and accepting the truth in Jesus Christ?
For those who do not accept Jesus Christ the practical steps are….
-For an unbeliever in Jesus, what is the importance of humbly acknowledging your spiritual blindness that must be healed, declaring Jesus as your Savior, and hearing the Word of God for faith in Jesus?
For those who have already come to faith in Jesus Christ, the practical steps to maintain spiritual sight is an ongoing journey…
-For a believer who has come to faith in Jesus, what are the practical steps to continuously maintain spiritual sight and avoiding blindness in the life-long process of maturing spiritually?

No Comments


Recent

Archive

 2024

Categories

Tags

.gppd 1 John 4:16 1 Chronicles 16:34 1 Chronicles 16 1 Corinthians 12:20 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 15:58 1 Corinthians 6 1 John 1:9 1 John 4:19-21 1 John 4:8 1 John 5:11-13 1 John 5:14 1 Kings 10 1 Kings 19:11-13 1 Kings 4 1 Peter 2:4 1 Peter 2:9 1 Peter 2 1 Peter 5 1 Samuel 17:45 1 Samuel 17 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 1st Peter 4 2 Chronicles 7:14 2 Corinthians 10 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 2 Corinthians 1: 2 Corinthians 2 2 Corinthians 3:18 2 Kings 6:16-17 2 Peter 1 2 Peter 3 2 Samuel 6:11 2 Timothy 2:15 2 Timothy 3 2 truths and lie 2nd Peter 1 4th Commandment A Lifestyle of Thanksgiving AARP AI Abba Abel Abraham Abram Act 18 Acts 12 Acts 15:1-15 Acts 15:19 Acts 16 Acts 18 Acts 1:8 Acts 1 Acts 2-21 Acts 2:1-12 Acts 2:46-47 Acts 2 Adam Advent Africa Amazing Grace Amos 4: Asian Aslan Author Madeline L'Engle Author Madeline L\'Engle B.L.E.S. S. Babylonia Baccalaureate Back to the basics Barbara Taylor Barnabas Barna Bethlehem Beyonce Bible Interpretation Bible Biblical Hope Big Story Book of Law Buffalo CS Lewis Caleb Can Do's of Success Can Do\'s of Success Cana Celebration Christian hope alive Christmas Christ Colossians 4:2 Condemn Cultivate Sensitivity Culture Cush Cyrene Cyrus David Deep Depression Desantis Deuteronomy 11:2 Deuteronomy 33 Deuteronomy 4 Deuteronomy 6 Diverse Diversity Divide Divine Divisiveness Dr. Maya Angelou Easter Ebed-melech Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Eden Educational Egypt El Roi Election Elizabeth Embracing Peace Emmanuel Enoch Ephesians 1:11-14 Ephesians 1:4-5 Ephesians 1:9-11 Ephesians 2:21-22 Ephesians 2:8-10 Ephesians 3: 6 Ephesians 3:10 Ephesians 3:17-19 Ephesians 3:20 Ephesians 3 Ephesians 4: 5-6 Ephesians 4:5-6 Ephesians 4 Ephesians 5:15-20 Ephesians 6: 10-17 Ephesians 6:10-18 Ephesians Esau Ethiopia Ethnic Eunuch Eve Exodus 12 Exodus 17:6-7 Exodus 19:10 Exodus 20 Exodus 4 Ezekiel 3 Ezra Family love Fannie Lou Hammer Farmer Fathers Day Father Fear Dance Feast of Trumpets Festival of Booths Festival of Trumpets Finding God First Nations Version First Nations Flock Frances Schaeffer Gabriel Galatians 3:28 Galatians 6:1-2 Galatians 6:12 Galatians 6 Gary Thomas Gen Z Genesis 14:13 Genesis 16:13 Genesis 18 Genesis 1: 26-31 Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:27-28 Genesis 1:2 Genesis 1 Genesis 21 Genesis 22:14 Genesis 2 Genesis 32 Genesis 33 Genesis 37-50 Genesis 3 Genesis 5 Gentile God always with me God cares God has a plan for me God in control God knows me God loves me God respond God sees God will God's Name God's Plan God's Powerower God's Story God's behavior not expected God's character God's footprints God's glory God's goodness God's hand of blessing God's help God's love God's power God's presence God's sovereign God's throne God's timing God's unfolding story God's wisdom God\'s Name God\'s Plan God\'s Powerower God\'s Story God\'s behavior not expected God\'s character God\'s footprints God\'s glory God\'s goodness God\'s hand of blessing God\'s help God\'s love God\'s power God\'s presence God\'s sovereign God\'s throne God\'s timing God\'s unfolding story God\'s wisdom God\\\'s Plan God\\\'s Powerower God\\\'s Story God\\\'s footprints God\\\'s goodness God\\\'s help God\\\'s love God\\\'s power God\\\'s presence God\\\'s sovereign God\\\'s throne God\\\'s timing God\\\'s unfolding story God\\\'s wisdom God\\\\\\\'s Powerower God\\\\\\\'s Story God\\\\\\\'s power God\\\\\\\'s presence God\\\\\\\'s wisdom God Goliath Good deeds Gospel Grandchildren Grandfather Grandmother Grandparents Day Grandparents HBCU Habakkuk Hagar Halle Berry Harris Heavenly Mother Hebrews 10:23 Hebrews 10:24-25 Hebrews 10 Hebrews 11 Hebrews 12:28-29 Hebrews 12:2 Hebrews 13:15 Hebrews 13 Hebrews 3:15 Hebrews 3:7 Hebrews 4 Henri Nouwen Holy Place Holy Spirit Hope with God's Word Hope with God\'s Word Hosanna How graeat thou art Hubris Hype Image of God Immanuel Intergenerational Isaac Isaiah 25:6 Isaiah 35 Isaiah 41 Isaiah 42:6-7 Isaiah 43:1 Isaiah 45 Isaiah 53 Isaiah 58:6-10 Isaiah 58:9-12 Isaiah 61 Isaiah 65:24 Isaiah 7:10-14 Isaiah 9:2 Isaiah 9:6-7 Isaish 52 Ishmael Israel Jacob James 1 James 4: 1-3 James 4 James 5:7 James January 6 Jefferson Jehovah Rapha Jeremiah 22:3 Jeremiah 29:11-13 Jeremiah 29:11 Jeremiah 31:33 Jeremiah 38 Jeremiah 39 Jeremiah 9: 23-24 Jeremiah Jerimiah 29 Jesus and You Jesus at center Jesus is peace Jesus sees Jesus the princie of peace Jesus with us Jesus Jews Jew Job 1:1-3 Job 37:1-14 Job 40 - 41 Job 42: 1-3 Job 42:2 Job 42 Job Joel 2 John 10:6-10 John 11:1-16 John 11:25 John 11:4-5 John 12:26 John 13 John 14:6 John 14 John 15:10-11 John 15:16 John 15:4 John 16 John 17 John 18:1-11 John 1:1-18 John 1:29 John 1:4-5 John 1 John 2 John 3: 16 John 3:1-21 John 3:11-12 John 3:16 John 4:23-24 John 4 John 5:1-9 John 6:11 John 6:35-36 John 6:51 John 6:8-9 John 6:9 John 6 John 8:11 John 9:35-41 John 9:39-41 John Newton John the Baptist Joni Erickson Tada Joseph Judas Jude Judges 16 Jui Jitsu Juneteenth Karate King Herod King of Kings Kingdom come Kingdom of God Kingdom of Heaven Kingdom King Kobe Bryant Kush LGBTQ LGBTQ Laban Lacrae Laguna Woods Lamentations Lazarus Leviticus 16:10 Leviticus 18 Leviticus 19 Leviticus 20 Lewis Libya Lift Every Voice and Sing Light Living Hope Living in Power Logos Lord's Prayer Lord\'s Prayer Lord\\\'s Prayer Lordship Love agent Love in action Luke 11 Luke 12 Luke 14: 12-24 Luke 14:18-19 Luke 14 Luke 15:10 Luke 15 Luke 1 Luke 22:14-20 Luke 22:32 Luke 23 Luke 2:13-14 Luke 2:8-14 Luke 2 Luke 4:18 Luke 4:40 Luke 5 Luke 7:18-35 Luke 9 MAGA Magdalene Magnificat Malachi 4 Mandela Mark 11 Mark 13:7 Mark 14:28 Mark 14 Mark 15:13 Mark 15 Mark 2 Mark 4 Mark 6:1-6 Mark 7 Martha Mary Magdalene Mary Massah Mathew 22:39 Matthew 11 Matthew 14:22-33 Matthew 14 Matthew 15:14 Matthew 15:7-9 Matthew 16:16 Matthew 17 Matthew 18:21-22 Matthew 19 Matthew 1:18-21 Matthew 20 Matthew 22: 36-39 Matthew 22:39 Matthew 24:6 Matthew 25:34-40 Matthew 25:39-40 Matthew 26:27-28 Matthew 27 Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28 Matthew 4: 17 Matthew 4:10 Matthew 4 Matthew 5: 13-16 Matthew 5:21-22 Matthew 5:43-38 Matthew 5 Matthew 6:10 Matthew 6:14-15 Matthew 6:33 Matthew 6 Matthew Maxwell Meal With a Purpose Mental Health Mephibosheth Meribah Messiah suffering Messianic miracles Micah Middle East Milestones Mother Teresa NASA Nationalism Naturalist Need Nehemiah 1:1 10 Nehemiah 1 Nehemiah 2 Nehemiah 3 Nehemiah 4 Nehemiah 6:15-16 Nehemiah 8 Nehemiah anointing Nehemiah New Age New Life Covenant Church New Year New covenant Next Chapter Nicodemus Nubia Original Our Father Passover Pathway of Wonder Paul and Silas Paul Pentecost Peter Philippians 1:6 Philippians 2:3-4 Philippians 4 Philistine champion Phut Precision Priscilla Pro-life Promisd Land Promise from sufferings Proverbs 16:9 Proverbs 18:10 Proverbs 20:30 Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 3:9 Psalm 100:4 Psalm 103 Psalm 107:8-9 Psalm 116 Psalm 118:25-26 Psalm 119 Psalm 139:1-18 Psalm 149:3 Psalm 16:11 Psalm 19: Psalm 23:1 Psalm 23 Psalm 27 Psalm 28:1 Psalm 28:7 Psalm 33:12 Psalm 33:5 Psalm 34 Psalm 39:7 Psalm 42:5 Psalm 50:14 Psalm 69:30 Psalm 78 Psalm 84:11 Psalm 89:14 Psalm 92 Psalms 16:11 Psalms 16 Psalms 24:1 Psalms 42 Psalms 5:11 Psalms Psaml 100:2 Psaml 150:3-5 Psaml 1611 Queen of Sheba Race Radiating Joy Rahab Reimagined Reject Jesus in hometown Revelation 19:9 Revelation 3 Revelation 5:11-12 Revelation 7:9-10 Rise and Rebuild Rise Roe Wade Roman Centurion Romans 10 Romans 12:18 Romans 12:21 Romans 12:2 Romans 12 Romans 16: Romans 16 Romans 5:1 Romans 5:8 Romans 6:3-5 Romans 8:18-25 Romans 8:23-25 Romans 8:26-27 Romans 8:28 Romans 8 Romans9 Roman Sabbath Sacred Pathways Samaritan Sanctify Sarah Sarai Satan Sensate Shabbat Shepherds Simon Social media Soloman Solomon Spiritual Renewal Spirit St. Ignatius Stand Stanford Star of Bethlehem Start in Epistles Start in Gospels Stay Connected Steward Supreme Court Tax collectors Thank Offering Thank The Chosen Thurman Trump Tyre Nichols Unity Uvalde Walk in Obedience When God Disappoints Word of God Word Worldly Hope Your Divine Love Story Zechariah 4:1-6 Zechariah 9:9 Zechariah Zerubbabel abortion abundance abundunt abuse acceptance accept accountability partner accountability acknowledge action activate active listening activist adopted adoration adultery affliction afirmative action afraid agenda alabaster alive all hands on deck all is well alone already not yet altar amen amnesia angel anger angry animals anniversary annoint anointing anoint anticipate anticipating anxiety appeal application apply argue armor of God armor arrival ascetic ask people assemble assign attribute augustus authoritarian government awareness baby back to the future bad news banquet baptize basketball battle be still beggars belief beloved community belt of truth benefit biblical birthday birth blame God blessings blessing bless blind blood boast body broken body bold witness boldness bold bondage book born again bread breastplate of righteousness breath broken brother build community build relationships calling from God calling call cancer caregiver care caring carol celebrate center challenges challenge character cherish child birth childlike faith childlike children child choice choose chosen people chosen church trouble church cicumcise cistern close to God close cloud collective action colossians 3:15 comfort zones comforting comfort coming Kingdom of God coming commitment common communicate communion community support community compassion fatigue compassion competent conception concern confess confidant confidence confident conflict confuse connection connect consecrate consequence consistent spiritual practice consistent contemplation contemplative prayer contemplative context of verse conversation convict correction correct cost courage covenant coworkers create human created creation crippled crisis cross identity barriers crossroads cross crucify cry cultural pride culture barriers cup curiosity curious custom daily dance dancing dark planets darkness all around us darkness inside of us darkness dark day of Jesus Christ day ddarkness deafness deaf death debate debt deconstruction deepen deism deist delay deliver us democracy demon denominations dependent describe desensitization desire desperate devil die differences difficult dignity direct disciples disciple disconnect discontent disease distract distress disunity diverse voices do for others do justice door doubt dream each other eat elder elevate embody embrace distraction embrace joy embrace emotion need emotions empathy encourage enemy enjoy present enthusiast environment essentials esteem eternal life eternal ethic ethnocentrism evaluate everyone evil examine heart exercise exile expect expression external extraordinary life face of God factions faithfull faithful faith fall short family famine fasting fast fatigue fault favor fawn fear feast feelings feel fellowship fervor fight fillipinos parol finance financial need first fitness flight flocks focus follower forewarn forgiveness forgive fornicate fortress foster care crisis free gift free will freeze friends friend fruitful fruit fulfillment full life fullness future hope future gate generation generosity generous with grace generous gentle parenting gentle genuine giant gifts gift give glory godliness good news good works good grace graduate grateful great commandment great commission greater gift greed grief grieve groan grumbling guarantee guilt hallowed hand happiness hard heart harmony hate healing community healing prayer healing health need health heal heart helmet of salvation help heterosexual hidden figure hidden hide from God high priestly prayer history holy day holy nation holy space holy homeless homosexual honor one another honor hope floats hope in community hope in promises of God hope of Christ hope stenghthened in community hope thorugh Communion hope hospitality hot topics human heart human humble humility hurricane hurting people hypocriite hypocrite iceberg idenity ill in heaven incense indignant inequality inheritance initiate injustice inner life inner peace inside intercede internalize Jesus internal interpret intervention interview intimacy with God intimate with God into arms inttellectual investment invite isolation jail jars journey joyous joy judgement justice just key kill knowing God know lamb. lament lame last days lead us learn legacy life in Kingdom of God life with power and purpose lifeline lifelong lifestyle lifetime life limiting belief listen living into prayer living sacrifice living loneliness lonely look lord lost love enemies love mercy love neighbors love neighbor love relationship of trust God love through difficulty love to others love loving relationship loving low income luke 19 luke 1:26-30 luke 24 manger marginalized marriage masterpiece master meek memory mercy messiah millenial mind miracle misconception miss the mark mission misunderstand reality misuse mockery model prayer monarch money moral excellence moral mother character mother motive mourn movement multiply music mute mystery myths name nard nation trouble nationalist natural nature near God new life nonessentials not fear not hate not shrink back notice nurture obedience obey observe offering oil older olive trees omnipotent omnipresent omniscient oneness one open opposition oppressed oppress ordinary life other overshadow overwhelmed pain palm panic parable parents participation partner passion for life passion path patient patriot peacemaker peace peculiar people persecution persevere personal invitation personal love from God perspective petitions physical abuse physical healing physical plans plant seed plan pleasing plural you politic poor power of God power of worship power slource power source power practical steps for maturing believers practical steps for unbelievers praise pray for lost prayer pray pre-existance pregnant preparation prepare presence present with us present preserve prevention preview priest prince principle priority prisoner prison pro-choice problem prodical promise salvation promise promote unity promotion proof prophecy prophet protection protect providence provide provision psychic numbing punish purpose pursue herarts sing pursue reconciliation quarrels quarrel questions question racism radiance reactions rebuild rebutting receipt receive reconcile reconciliation reconnect reconsruction redeem redemption through love and light reflect regeneration reign reimagine rejection rejoice relationships with others relationships relationship relation relative truth release to God release remember rememer remnant remourse repay repent repetition reputation reread bible resist resolution resource respect respond with grace and kindness response restoration restore rest resurrection reveal revelation revolution rich riddle ridicule righteousness righteous risk rooted root royal priest sacred sacrifice sad safety safe salt salvation same sex marriage sanctify save savior science and bible scribe scripture searcher seek justice self exam selfish selfless self send me senses sentiment separation from God serve with humility serve sexism sex share sharing Gospel shepherd staff shepherd shield of faith shoes of peace sick man at pool silence with God silence silent simple simplicity sing sins sin slave sleep sling social justice society solid gold lampstand solidarity solitude with God solitude song son sorrow soul friend soul on fire soul sounds sovereign God sovereign speak spiritual blind spiritual discipline spiritual gifts spiritual journey spiritual leader spiritual practices spiritual rebirth spiritually grow spiritual stable stake standing stone storm story strategic strength stress struggle success sudden suffering suffer suicide summer sabbatical supernatual supernatural support surprise surrender to God dailyer surrender to God daily surrender survivor sword of the spirit take me talents tax collector tears technology temple temptation testimony tests test thank thick thieves and robbers think thorn thought throne timeless time timing together tomb town trade traditionalist tradition tranform communities transform communities transform generations transform heart transform nations transform world transformation transform transfpr transition trauma treasure trees deep roots trial tribalism tribulation troubled times trust God trust Jesus trust truth point to Gospel truth turn around ultrasound unbelief uncomfortable unconcerned unconditional love understand unexpected united unity with God universe unpleasable unreasonable unreliable urge use me validate values vegetarian verbal abuse vibes victim village violence vision visit prison voice vulnerabilities waiting walk with God walking on water wall want to be made well wants war wash water wedding weep where worship wholeness why wife willing heart winess wine wisdom witness love to world witness women wonder words of peace and reconciliation world trouble worldview world worry worship wound wrestle writers of Bible wrong time younger youth