February - 2018

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Rev. Nathan R. Epling

Sunday School: 9:30 am

Sunday Worship: 10:00 & 10:50 am

From the desk of Pastor Rick Swearengin...............

Recent Posts

SOMETHING IN THE WAY YOU SPOKE MY NAME

Good morning. Yesterday we looked at the crucifixion of Jesus, so today let's look at the resurrection of Jesus. "Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance." (John 20:1) Did you notice when this took place? Yes, on the first day of the week (this is why we worship on Sunday), but also while it was still dark. John is not just wanting us to know the time of day, he is k

I'VE GOT THIS!

Good morning. We ended last week with a look at Jesus before Pilate. Pilate walks away questioning the meaning of truth. He then presented Jesus before the Jews, but they demanded Jesus be crucified. Pilate was placed in a tough spot. He even presented Jesus as the king of the Jews: "Here is your king." (John 19:14b) But, they replied; "We have no king but Caesar." (John 19:15b) Of course, their reply that only Caesar is their king was not only an insult to Jesus, but also t

HEY! WHO'S ON TRIAL HERE?

Good morning. Let's get right to work. Yesterday we looked at the Garden scene in John's account and discovered some differences between John's account and the accounts described in the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Jesus was in full control in John's scene. He was not praying for God's will to be done, He intended from the beginning to fulfill it. Also, when Jesus identified himself to the band of soldiers, and the others who had come to arrest him they fell o

I COME TO THE GARDEN NOT ALONE...

That is correct, you read the title correctly. Yes, John has a garden scene in his gospel, but there is something different about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane in John's Gospel than in the synoptic accounts. If you recall, in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) Jesus wrestles with what awaits him. He prays in each account for the Father to let "this cup" pass from him. In other words; "Let's find another way please." Not in John. No, regardless of what takes pl

SOMEBODY PRAYED FOR ME

It is good being back in the office today. I want to thank everyone for their prayers. I'm not one-hundred percent, but some would argue that I never was. LOL! My wife will tell you that I am a bad patient. To make things worse this time, she and I along with our ten year old were all sick. Today, we will continue our look at the Gospel of John. "After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: 'Father the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify y

YE AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET

It is cold again here in Madison and I understand that the groundhog named Phil has predicted six more weeks of winter. I have to admit that I can't remember a time when the groundhog didn't make this prediction. I vote for a new groundhog. But, then again, if you look on the calendar it says that there will be six more weeks of winter every year. Oh well, it's winter! So, back to our work as we continue searching through the Gospel of John. We are still in Chapter fourteen.

SO WHICH IS IT? A WEDDING OR A FUNERAL?

I hope you are doing well today. Let's get back to our work as we continue looking at the Gospel of John. Yesterday, we looked at Jesus washing the disciple's feet and his institution of a new commandment: "Love one another." Today, we will begin looking at Jesus' final teaching discourse. Remember, he has already arrived in Jerusalem for the final time. *John records three journeys of Jesus to Jerusalem as an adult. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust al

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