Prairie Bible Church Messages

When God chooses to anything, it’s always for a reason. Character traits of the man who was healed: John 5:18-This was WHY the Jews were seeking to kill Him, because not only was He healing on the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal to God. God knows what He’s doing when we don’t!

The Gospels record 37 miracles of Jesus, and 28 of the 37 (over 75 percent) involve him healing people. Jesus healed friends, strangers, and even opponents. He continued to heal people until the very end of his life. In his last hours, he heals the high priest’s servant sent to arrest him. Chronologically, this passage is the first healing miracle of Jesus. And what was the purpose? That we would believe: “The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” And he himself believed, and all his household.” (Jn 4:53) Take-Home Message: Jesus heals so that we will believe. Jesus Heals an Official’s Son Scripture: Jesus Heals an Official’s Son Scripture: John 4:43-54 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org

Radical encounters with Jesus cause us to do radical things for Jesus. The Bible is full of examples, such as Paul’s miraculous conversion and immediate preaching in Damascus (Acts 9:20-22). Perhaps nothing captures this better than the Samaritan woman testifying to her town after encountering Jesus at the well. God rewarded her radical faith— her boldness led to a revival! Take-Home Message: Encountering Jesus changes you. The Woman at the Well: Part 2 - An Unlikely Witness (27-30) - The Disciples’ Confusion (31-33) - The Disciples’ Lesson (34-38) - An Unlikely Harvest (39-42) Message: Encountering Jesus Changes You Scripture: John 4:27-42 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org

God could do things in ways that we would expect, but He often doesn’t do that. Why? Because if God did things in expected ways, that would be a story about us. But God does things in unexpected ways so that we know it is a story about God. Part of God’s unexpected plan is to pursue the most unlikely people, and Jesus illustrates this in His pursuit of the Samaritan woman. Take-Home Message: Jesus reveals Himself in unexpected ways at unexpected times to unexpecting people. The Woman at the Well: Message: The Woman at the Well Scripture: John 4:1-26 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org

If Jesus had left the comfort of Heaven and lived a life of royalty on earth to save us, that alone would be the world’s greatest act of humility. But Jesus went far beyond that. He left Heaven and took the form of a servant, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross. This is unfathomable humility and love. In the face of such greatness, what can we do but fall on our faces and worship? For Jesus is superior to all. Take-Home Message: Jesus loves you so much that He left Heaven to save you. Jesus left Heaven to be… Message: The Heavenly Witness Scripture: John 3:31-36 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org

“It is not enough for the skeptic, then, to simply dismiss the Christian teaching about the resurrection of Jesus by saying, “It just couldn’t have happened.” He or she must face and answer all these historical questions: Why did Christianity emerge so rapidly, with such power? No other band of messianic followers in that era concluded their leader was raised from the dead—why did this group do so? No group of Jews ever worshipped a human being as God. What led them to do it?... How do you account for the hundreds of eyewitnesses to the resurrection who lived on for decades and publicly maintained their testimony, eventually giving their lives for their belief?” -Keller The resurrection has evidence that demands a verdict. If the resurrection did not happen, we Christians are still in our sins and the most miserable people of all (1 Cor. 15:19). But an honest appraisal of the evidence makes clear that the resurrection really did happen, and that changes everything. Take-Home Message: Because Jesus is alive, we have hope. The Reality of the Resurrection - An Angel Appears (1-4) - The Empty Tomb (5-8) - Jesus Appears (9-10) Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10 28 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me. Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org

A funeral for Jesus Christ

Don’t jump from Palm Sunday to Easter. You need to spend time this week thinking about the week that Christ went through for our salvation. Message: Luke 19:41-44 When He drew near to the city, He wept over it saying: “Would that even you would know this day the things that made for peace. But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the day will come upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and tear you down to the ground. You, and your children with you. They will not leave one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Simple. Authentic. Jesus. Prairiebible.org

“Many, through wishing to be great, have failed to be good.” (Spurgeon) John the Baptist was a great man, Jesus Himself said so (Mt. 11:11). But John the Baptist was great because he served God and others rather than being consumed with himself. He did not seek the place of honor or the highest position, he humbled himself and pointed others to Christ. John 3:30 sums up the entire attitude and greatness of John- “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Take-Home Message: If you want to be great, be a servant. John the Baptist Exalts Christ: Message: He Must Increase, I Must Decrease Scripture: John 3:22-30 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. www.prairiebible.org

John 3:16 may be the most quoted and/or the most memorized verse in the Bible. But in some ways, the verses immediately following it may bring more clarity about God and the ways of God, than any others! John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son, that who so ever believes in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:17-18 But God did not send His son into the world to condemn it, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because He has not believed in the only Son of God. In these verses Jesus deconstructs many of our “God Box’s”. God doesn’t send anyone to Hell. We do that to ourselves! Simple. Authentic. Jesus. www.prairiebible.org

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” -C.S. Lewis People feel empty, and because of that, they are searching. Nicodemus represents the quintessential searcher: he had a lot to lose, but he couldn’t stay away from Jesus. His journey is a story of leaving this world behind and taking hold of that which is truly life. Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night, and he finds the Light of the World. Take-Home Message: My search for satisfaction will only end when Jesus is found. You Must Be Born Again: Message: You Must Be Born Again Scripture: John 3:1-15 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind[ blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you[f] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. Simple. Authentic. Jesus. www.prairiebible.org

Was Jesus a people pleaser? Did he seek to draw crowds? In today’s scripture, what does it mean that “Jesus did not entrust himself to the crowds?” John 2:23-25 Now, when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all the people, and needed no one to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in man. Ask yourself the question: Is my belief in Christ authentic, or am I just playing a game? Prairiebible.org

The biblical word for hypocrisy, hupokrisis, literally refers to “someone acting under a mask." Jesus cannot stand hypocrisy, especially the hypocrisy of using God for greed. Jesus’ blood boiled when He saw the misuse of His Father’s house, but Jesus knew the right time and way to be angry. Anger was a small feature of Jesus’ ministry, not the whole ministry. Anger is like fire. While it can do good, it can also do great harm. “For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:20) Take-Home Message: Jesus hates the hypocrisy of using God for greed. Jesus Cleanses the Temple: Jesus Cleanses the Temple Scripture: John 2:12-22 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. www.prairiebible.org

What is the Gospel? The Gospel is not just something that happens to me, but something that God does in me. What is repentance? The ongoing act of turning away from sin and turning to Jesus. What is faith? The ongoing act of believing in God with my life. Scripture: Mark 1:14-15 Simple. Authentic. Jesus.

Do you have hope that the best is yet to come? The first miracle that Jesus did was turning water into wine at a wedding. Why did he chose this situation for his first miracle? Listen to today’s message to gain insights to the many lessons that were taught by Jesus’ first miracle. Scripture: John 2: 1-11 Simple. Authentic. Jesus. www.prairiebible.org

John, 1:38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” Jesus, being God, already knew why these men were following Him. So why ask? Because He wanted them to know why they were following Him! Simple. Authentic. Jesus. prairiebible.org

Many people want you to follow them, but there is only one Person worth following. John the Baptist could have held on to his followers, but instead he pointed them to Jesus. It brought him joy when people pursued Christ, even when it meant them leaving John himself. May we be able to say what John the Baptist said about Jesus – “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30) Take-Home Message: There is only one Person worth following. I am not worthy. (19-28) - Biblical Rewards for Humility - Riches - Honor - Life - God’s Favor He is worthy. (29-34) - The Lamb of God - The Provisional Lamb (Gen. 22:6-8) - The Passover Lamb (Ex. 12; 1 Cor. 5:7) - The Sacrificial Lamb (Lev. 23:19) - The Suffering Lamb (Is. 53:7) - The Pure Lamb (1 Pet. 1:18-19) - The Powerful Lamb (Rev. 6:16; Rev. 17:14) - The Shepherd Lamb (Rev. 7:17) - The Marriage Lamb (Rev. 19:1-10) - The Worthy Lamb (Rev. 5:1-12) Follow Him! (35-37) The Lamb of God. John 1:19-37 Simple. Authentic. Jesus prairiebible.org

Why did God/Jesus need to become one of us? Because there was no other way, if God was to be true to His nature. To be both full of justice and full of grace, Jesus was the only way! John 1:14-18 And the Word became flesh and we beheld His glory. The glory of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness to Him and said; This is who I have said; He who comes after me, ranks before me, because He was before me. For from His fullness, we have all received grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only god who is at the Father’s side, He has made Him known. Simple. Authentic. Jesus prairiebible.org

We can exhaust ourselves trying to make sense of things without God, but without God, we cannot see reality. Without God, we cannot understand ourselves, others, or our purpose in life. God has given us a way to see reality: the true light, the Son of God. Jesus Christ is the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5). As C.S. Lewis said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” Take-Home Message: Without the true light, we are blind. The Light (9) Simple. Authentic. Jesus prairiebible.org

In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was LIFE. And the LIFE was the LIGHT of men. The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 Simple. Authentic. Jesus prairiebible.org