PASTOR'S CORNER

John 10:30-42 What makes a person hate someone so much that they want to take their life? Take for example:  More Christians have been martyred in the 20th century than in all previous centuries combined. About 170,000 Christians are martyred for their faith each year (over 400 per day). Currently over 200 million Christians are being persecuted worldwide. Christians are persecuted in 131 of the world's 193 countries. North Korea: in 2014 it continues to be the worst country in the world for persecution and the list goes on! As one person said “Hate is like acid. It can damage the vessel in which it is stored as well as destroy the object on which it is poured.” What makes a person so angry that it fills their heart with murder? Especially towards someone who’s desire to see…. People have clean water Cloths on their backs The ability to think and read The shelter of a home The care and well-being of others The care and concern for one’s soul The answer to

John 1-30 You may not realize it, but you’re mentioned in this chapter of John’s letter? Look back to (v 16) and read what it says  “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”   This is speaking of His redeemed church [you and me].  We are the “other sheep” who would taste the grace after the Good shepherd would lay His life down for the sin of the world.  I want you to really think about this passage of scripture for a moment!  Several times Jesus makes this statement “I know my sheep”  What is Jesus saying? What does He mean He knows His sheep  Before the foundations of the world my name, your name were written in His book of promises……Why? Because He knows His sheep “other sheep” you and me!  See, it’s not that He knows us like he is meeting us for the first time. He knew us before He created the cosmos and the planets.  That’s why Paul reminded the true believe

John 10:1-21 The Lord Jesus has been given many names, He is called…….. The Amen [Rev 3:14] The Alpha & Omega [Rev 22:13] The Advocate [1 John 2:1] The Author of Salvation [Heb 2:10] The Bread of Life [John 6:35] The Cornerstone [Eph 2:20] The Great High Priest [Heb 4:14] The Lamb of God [John 1:29] The Son of David [Matt 12:23] The Son of God [Luke 1:35] The Son of Man [John 5:27] The word of Life [1 John 1:1] The Resurrection and the Life [John 11:25] The Son of the Blessed One [Mark 14:61] But none quit describe the term of endearment that Jesus has towards sinners like the name that He has been given “Great Shepherd”  See! A shepherd is someone who guards, guides, protects, tends and generally cares for the well-being of what they are overseeing. The Old Testament predicted this truth about Jesus, “I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd.” Eze 34:23. In Micah 5:4 we

John 9:1-41 Around the globe we see and hear that sickness is a universal problem and it affects all ages, all religions and all ethnic groups. No one on this planet is exempt from the possibilities of sickness. Ever since the fall of man all physical problems are a result of the fall in Adam, for his disobedience brought sin and death onto the world. And let’s be honest there has been a lot of that already! Paul wrote “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Rom 5:12. We come to an event in history that is filled with emotion [sadness, pity, happiness, anger, grace and worship of the glory of God. It’s a man who has been blinded from birth! Can you imagine being blind from birth?  Medically speaking! Of the five senses in the human body, our sight may be the most important to us. Statistics say that in North America someone goes blind every 20 minutes. Many, like this man are un

John 8:48-59 We have all heard the expression “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”.  But the reality is that words can hurt. The Bible says, "Reckless words pierce like a sword." Our words can cut like a knife and they can really hurt others. We all know that God hears every word we say and he knows every thought we have in our mind. This is why it’s very important for us to be careful about the things we think and say. We have seen this throughout the entire conversation that Jesus has been having with men who love to throw stones. Throughout history men of God have defended the truth of the scriptures, facing evil head on with the truth and exposing the evil that is in men’s hearts for centuries. Moses, who demanded that Pharaoh let his people go (Exo 5:1), Elijah, who challenged the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:19-40), John the Baptist, who confronted the corruption among the religious leaders. (Matt 7:51-53), Stephen, who stood an