Hope Alliance Nazareth

In his discussion of John 14, Jim highlights Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit. "The Holy Spirit is the presence of Jesus who empowers us to love and obey Jesus." He elaborates on the significance of having the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers and its impact on their relationship with Jesus, emphasizing the Spirit's role in empowering obedience through love. Jim underscores how the Spirit teaches truth, reminds believers of Jesus' words, and guides them daily, stressing the importance of listening to the Spirit through scripture, silence, and solitude to reaffirm one's identity in God. He further emphasizes the transformative power of faithful obedience to the Holy Spirit, leading to intimacy with the Father and profound peace, ultimately transforming believers into the image of Jesus. Jim concludes that the eternal presence of the Spirit brings a lasting peace that transcends worldly understanding.

In a discussion of Jesus's farewell discourse from John 14, Pastor Jim underscores the theme of destination, with Jesus heading to his father's house and full unity with God, while urging the disciples to remain as empowered witnesses on a journey toward increasing glory. He stresses that the journey with Jesus entails more than just reaching heaven eventually, but also involves being empowered witnesses on earth. Key points include Jesus as the exclusive pathway to the Father, the significance of belief and obedience, and the experience of life and truth through Jesus.

Pastor Jim examines the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to Mary Magdalene, Thomas, and Peter, particularly focusing on Peter's impulsive nature and his denial of Jesus. The narrative emphasizes Jesus' restoration of Peter despite his denials, highlighting the themes of repentance and forgiveness. Jim discusses how Jesus addresses Peter's denial, gradually reinstating his leadership and refocusing him, ultimately calling him to affirm his love three times. The story illustrates forgiveness, repentance, and restoration, showcasing Jesus' challenge, comfort, and call to leadership as acts of redemption. The focus remains on maintaining faith in Jesus amidst doubts, denial, and the journey of repentance and sacrifice.

Pastor Jim explores the theme of doubt and belief through the lens of Thomas in John 20, acknowledging doubt as a common experience among disciples and people of faith. By examining Thomas's encounter with Jesus, Jim underscores the significance of transitioning from doubt to belief. He emphasizes the role of doubt and community in the faith journey, highlighting how Jesus met Thomas in his doubt and the importance of supportive communities in strengthening belief. Jim encourages engaging in investigations of Jesus collectively and allowing Jesus to address personal struggles within a supportive community.

In this teaching, Pastor Jim looks into the interaction that the resurrected Jesus has with Mary Magdalene outside the garden tomb. Though Mary is looking for the living among the dead, and mistakes Jesus for the gardener, she is doing so out of devotion to Jesus! Jim shows that disciples are devoted to Jesus because of what he has done for them, and that they can join Jesus as the perfect rabbi and gardener as he does works of new creation.

Pastor Jim reflects on the profound significance of Jesus's resurrection, showing it to be the beginning of new creation and the foundation of our faith. Through Christ's resurrection, believers are offered forgiveness and new life, establishing the cornerstone of Christian faith. The discourse delves into the transformative impact of Jesus's resurrection, underscoring its role in signifying forgiveness, new beginnings, and the dawn of eternity. Moreover, the resurrection is depicted as a fundamental pillar of faith and comprehension, providing a sturdy foundation upon which believers can construct their spiritual beliefs.

As Jesus welcomed the disciples to the table, he also bowed low to humbly wash their feet. But it wasn't feet he was actually offering to wash. It was hearts. Jesus has invited everyone to his table, but in order to be with him we have to be washed clean. This would ultimately happen on the cross for anyone who would confess him as Savior. Do you understand what he was done for you?

Pastor Jim examines John 12, following the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11, and focuses on the events leading to Jesus's crucifixion. The narrative explores Mary's sacrificial act of worship, Judas's greed, the fluctuating beliefs of the crowd, and Jesus's impending glory despite facing opposition. The discussion analyzes Mary's anointing of Jesus with expensive perfume, depicting it as a preparatory act for his burial, alongside Jesus's deliberate entry into Jerusalem on a donkey as the king of peace. Themes of betrayal, genuine worship, and the dual nature of Jesus's crucifixion as both mercy and judgment are explored, emphasizing the significance of embracing Jesus as king and living out faith in devotion and mission.

Pastor Jim explores the narrative of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, focusing on Jesus' hatred of death and the sin that causes it. Through weeping with Mary and raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus show that he understands our pain and is willing to directly enter into it...even if it costs him his life. Through this act, Jesus exhibits his power over death and sin, underscoring his profound love for humanity. The discussion delves into the impact of sin on humanity and Jesus' role as the Good Shepherd who leads individuals out of darkness into new life. The resurrection of Lazarus serves as a precursor to Jesus' own victory over sin and death, emphasizing the significance of his sacrificial act for believers' forgiveness and new life.

In this exploration of John 11:1-27, Pastor Jim looks at the famous the narrative of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, unveiling the dual nature of Jesus as both human and divine. Motivated by love, Jesus seeks to instill belief in his disciples, Mary, Martha, and the Jewish people, using the delay in his response to allow temporary pain for ultimate glory. The overarching message centers on the transformative power of belief in and truly knowingJesus, leading to the manifestation of God's glory in the world.

Pastor Jim highlights how the claims Jesus makes in John 10 were messianic in nature, dating all the way back to the prophet Ezekiel. Emphasizing Jesus as the ultimate shepherd for souls, he contrasts him with bad shepherds such as corrupt priests, false messiahs, and the ultimate thief, Satan. Jesus emerges as the compassionate defender of his flock, illustrating true servant leadership by laying down his life to establish a new covenant and defeat sin. The passage underscores the importance of following the Good Shepherd in a world where bad shepherds abound. The speaker encourages listeners to embrace the love, security, and purpose found in following Jesus, emphasizing the significance of listening to his voice for comfort, peace, and intimacy in prayer. This message resonates with the call to reject false voices, acknowledge the need for guidance, and seek a deeper connection with God.

Pastor Jim looks at the story of Jesus healing the blind man in John 9, considering the profound philosophical issue of the problem of pain and the providential will of God. Jesus clarifies that the man's blindness serves to display God's works, challenging the perception that suffering is always a consequence of sin. Jim encourages forming a foundational understanding that everything comes through the hands of God. The discussion extends to the spiritual healing and transformation highlighted in John 9, where the blind man's journey from physical to spiritual sight symbolizes a deeper transformation towards recognizing Jesus as the Messiah. Reflecting on the beauty of the incarnation and Jesus' redemptive work on the cross, Jim underscores the call for believers to walk in faithful obedience, persevere in pain, and live as sent ones sharing the gospel.

Pastor Jim explores Jesus challenging the Pharisees at the feast of tabernacles by offering living water and claiming to be the light of the world. Despite initial resistance, some individuals believe in Jesus, who emphasizes the significance of adhering to his teachings for truth and freedom. Jim delves into how Jesus, as the light, unveils the truth and leads to freedom, stressing that belief entails living out Jesus' teachings and internalizing them to shape identities. The light of Jesus reveals flaws and shortcomings in the context of God's unconditional love, allowing for honesty about oneself. The transcript underscores the importance of walking with Jesus, believing in His sacrifice, and finding genuine freedom in the light of God's love. Jim further discusses the concepts of walking in obedience, embracing grace, and breaking free from enslaving idols, delving into the sacrificial aspect of someone giving up freedom and power to become a slave for the liberation of those enslaved by sin.

Jesus' brother encourage him to go to Jerusalem during the feast and gather a crowd and further his ministry. John tells us they say this because they don't believe in him. They want Jesus to prove himself. On the other hand, Jesus is seeking the glory of the Father, not his own. He speaks the words and follows the timing of the Father. For this reason, he is eminently trustworthy. As sent disciples, we are sent by Jesus just like he was sent by the Father. So we seek only his glory, not our own.

Pastor Jim looks into the stories of the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on water from John 6, framed within the context of the Passover. These miracles showcase Jesus' abundant provision and divine nature, laying the foundation for his teachings on eternal bread. Jim cautions against expecting Jesus to be a political ruler or only performing miracles to satisfy us. Shifting to a pivotal passage where Jesus declares himself as the bread of life, Jim highlights the distinction between having bread eternally or having eternal bread. He challenges misplaced hopes for material provision and power, encouraging listeners to find true soul satisfaction and fortitude in the ongoing immersion in the gospel and community of believers.

In this discussion of John 4, Pastor Jim explores the idea that fulfillment is found in the presence of God and sustenance is found in the purposes of God. Using the Samaritan woman at the well as an example, the passage shows Jesus breaking societal barriers and addressing universal human desires for fulfillment. Jesus offers "living water" as a profound source of contentment, countering temporary worldly satisfaction. The encounter with the Samaritan woman exemplifies how even the rejected can find a place in God's kingdom through Jesus. Jim encourages listeners to live with a deeper purpose and mission alongside Jesus, finding sustenance in His presence and glorifying God through spreading the gospel.

Pastor Jim asks why John gives us the most famous verse in the Bible in John 3:16. Contextualizing this verse within the broader narrative, Jim provides a concise recap of preceding stories in John two, including the wedding miracle at Cana and the temple cleansing. Focusing on the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and Jewish ruling council member, Jim explores themes of being born again and the Spirit's role in entering the kingdom of God. Emphasizing the need for genuine inward transformation over religious rituals, Jim uses Nicodemus as an example. Jesus offers new life to all people, including the respectable religious.

Pastor Jim challenges the congregation to contemplate the deeper meaning of Christmas and their genuine desires in life, including our individual aspirations for significance, security, and approval. He underscores Jesus's universal invitation to come and see, offering meaning and fulfillment without regard to background or beliefs. Drawing from the Book of John, Jim illustrates four individuals who choose to follow Jesus, transcending preconceptions and stereotypes. This inclusive invitation extends to all curious and open minds, as Jim explores Jesus's welcoming stance toward skeptics and doubters. Jesus, understanding each person intimately, invites all to discover where true life is found. Promising perpetual presence with followers, Jesus offers meaning, security, and a familial connection. The message encourages listeners to discover significance, security, and love in Jesus.

Pastor Jim explores the account of Jesus's early ministry in the Gospel of John, emphasizing John the Baptist's role in pointing to Jesus as the true Messiah. John's call for repentance and baptism symbolizes entry into the promised land with the Messiah, contrasting his repentance-focused baptism with Jesus's transformative baptism through the Holy Spirit. Warning against misplaced reliance on external factors for salvation, John directs people to prepare their hearts for Jesus, stressing salvation found solely in Him. The sermon challenges listeners to shed distractions, embrace a new way of living, and recognize Jesus as the source of true fulfillment. Repentance and belief in Jesus are encouraged, emphasizing the need to remove distractions and make way for Him in our lives, with the role of Christians highlighted in pointing others to Jesus, especially during Christmas.

In this sermon, Pastor Jim highlights Jesus as the tangible presence and promise of God in our lives. Describing this as a new Exodus, Jim emphasizes the transformative journey from slavery to the sonship and daughterhood of God. Encouraging believers to center their lives around the present Jesus, he explores the revealed glory of God in Christ and the promise of adoption as children of God, fostering liberation and immersion in God's grace, love, and truth in daily life. Jim underscores the call to a unified life, intertwining the relationship with God in all aspects, and reflects on the beauty of the Advent season. Exploring the idea that contemplating Jesus leads to radiating His glory, Jim encourages humility and surrender to the manger and the cross as places where Jesus' transformative power and glory are most vividly displayed.