Category: Jesus

(John 4:1-15)

After Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus (John 3), He left Judea, and traveled through Samaria on His way back to Galilee. Many took a circuitous route between the two regions to avoid the Samaritans, who were despised by the Jews. However, Jesus determined to cross through Samaria, and immediately struck up a conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in the city of Sychar.

Jesus’ disciples had departed into the city to buy food, and upon their return (vs. 27) marveled that he had talked with the woman. Jesus’ actions, and the content of the conversation itself, made clear that His purpose in coming to earth was to save all men, not just the Jews.

Continue reading “Living Water” →

(John 3:9-15)

Jesus’ explanation of the new birth should have been sufficient for Nicodemus, but it was not. In verse 9, Nicodemus, reacting to Jesus’ declaration, “You must be born again”, answered by asking, “How can these things be?”

It may be helpful to consider Nicodemus’ reluctance to accept Jesus’ teaching in light of his standing as a ruler of the Jews. In chapter 7, John revealed Nicodemus to be one of the Sanhedrin, as he intervened on Jesus’ behalf before that august body. So, Nicodemus was a “ruler of the Jews” (verse 1), who accepted Jesus as a “rabbi” (verse 2), a teacher of the law of Moses. As he was a Pharisee and ruler, it made no sense to him for Jesus to say he had to be born again to enter the kingdom.

Continue reading “Answering Nicodemus” →

John 1:6-13

John the Baptist’s ministry is here described by the apostle as a “witness.” This agrees with other descriptions of John. He was revealed in prophecy as the one who would “prepare the way of the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3). His purpose was to introduce the world to “one who is coming after,” (cf. Matthew 3:11), the savior of the world.

John here describes that One as the “true light which gives light to every man” (vs. 9). In that phrase is an understanding of Christ as Lord and Savior. It is His will that gives man understanding, and His incarnation and sacrifice that brings man out of the darkness of sin and “into His marvelous light” (cf. 1 Peter 2:9).

Not all embrace Jesus as the Light. Though He made the world, he was not known or received by many in the world. Only those described here as having been born of God, or having received Him are identified as children of God. The idea is echoed in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:3-5. Consider carefully His words, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (3:3).

After some delay, all eight sermons preached by Micky Galloway during his April 2010 meeting are now available online. These can be accessed in this post, or by going to the 2010 Sermons Archive page.

Sunday Morning Class: My People Love to Have it So

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sunday AM: The Soundness of God’s People

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sunday PM: The Promise

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Monday PM: Committment to Family

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Tuesday PM: A Marriage That Will Not Fail

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Wednesday AM: Jesus, The Master Teacher

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Wednesday PM: What God Expects of Us as a Family

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Thursday PM: Victory in Jesus

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Mark 1:1-8

Mark begins his gospel with quotes from Malachi (3:1) and Isaiah (40:3), describing a messenger sent by God to prepare the world for the coming Messiah. Mark identifies that messenger as John the Baptist, who came “preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

When an angel announced to John’s father Zacharias the impending birth of his son, he said he would “go before Him [the Christ] in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17).

Jesus extended high praise to John for his person and ministry saying, “among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist,” and, “…he is Elijah who is to come, (a reference to Malachi 4:5)” (Luke 1:11,14).

John’s message was preparatory to the Messiah’s coming. One, John said, “whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose” (vs. 7). Where John baptized with (in) water, the Messiah would baptize with (in) the Holy Spirit, a reference to His divine nature. When the apostles received that baptism on Pentecost, Peter said it had come from the Christ (Acts 2:33).

This sermon shows that the Jewish concept of a military savior was unscriptural. The savior, of necessity, came to suffer and die as a sacrifice for mankind.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

A sermon expressing the importance of obedience to Jesus Christ.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The sermon examines some of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Christ, and their fulfillment in the New Testament.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Even as we pattern ourselves by those who live righteously… (“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ”, 1 Corinthians 11:1), …ultimately our pattern to follow is the Lord Himself.

What did Christ do for us as our example?

• He suffered for us
• He repelled the tempter through God’s word and prayer
• He forgave sinners seeking His mercy
• He was compassionate
• He exemplified humility

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The New Testament reveals characteristics concerning the church established by Christ. This church, as contrasted with the denominations of our day, is the only legitimate religious organization in which Christians should be members. This sermon reveals what are the identifying characteristics of that church.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The Sermon points out, It isn’t possible to have a relationship with God:

• If you don’t know about Him.
• If you refuse to Repent.
• If you neglect Obedience.
• If you reject Jesus Christ.
• If you don’t listen to, or talk to Him.

Stated Positively: If you will seek to learn about God and know Him; if you will acknowledge your sin and repent; let faith and love produce obedience; trust in Christ, listen to God and pray to Him — You can enjoy a relationship with your Creator, that begins here on earth and is consummated in eternity.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

This lesson begins with a mention of Peter’s confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, recorded in Matthew 16:13-16. How do we know that Jesus is the Son of God?

• Fulfilled Prophecy
• Testimony of John the Baptist
• The Miracles He Performed
• Testimony of the Father
• The Resurrection

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Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

(Note: Audio is not available for this lesson).

John 3:6-8

The text of John 3 contains a verse that is commonly misunderstood by religious people. It is the eighth verse, which reads, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” As David Lipscomb wrote, “These verses have been ever of great difficulty because men try to get out of them what is not in them.” (G.A. Commentary, John, pg. 46).

A proper understanding of the passage is not difficult so long as the context is observed and respected. The important thing to remember is that Jesus has described the new birth (a spiritual birth), and that Nicodemus was confused by the description because he was thinking of the physical birth (cf. vs. 4).

Continue reading “The Wind Blows Where It Wishes” →