Pastor's Corner: WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

  Like Father, Like Son John 8:37-47 Introduction: A few months ago, I met with two of my cousins, one is pastor, the other is a retired policeman who was visiting from California. As we conversed, I found out one of my cousin’s children had done a genealogical search on the “Nash” family tree. I had heard some stories… most still unconfirmed. However, I was surprised to learn that we are distant relatives of a couple of noteworthy people… the 20 th century poet Ogden Nash, and also someone who served as a General in the Continental Army, who was appointed by George Washington, and died in the Battle of Germantown on October 7, 1777, General Francis Nash, after who Nashville is named. I still can’t sing, oh well!          Parents certainly have a tremendous impact on their children. I remember a father holding his young son on his lap at prayer meeting maybe 2 or 3 (?), and as we prayed around and came to him, as the father finished praying...

  THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE! John 8:31-36 Introduction : We see in this passage a reality we face when we seek to share the truth with unbelievers. They are in darkness and don’t see the depth of their need. People prize their supposed freedom. They believe they are free, free to make their own choices, free to do as they please. We’ve seen in John that Jesus is the Truth .   In Jn 1:14 we saw,   And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth .” And then in 1:17 we are told, “ … the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ .” Later in the Gospel Jesus will say, “ I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father but by me .”   As He stands before Pilate, we see this exchange… Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come i...

  TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES John 8:12-30        This week I had an eye doctor appointment. As usual, a part of the exam was that the doctor put a couple of drops in my eyes to dilate my pupils, to allow her to look at the inside of the eyes to make sure there were no problems. The lights were turned down in the room, but as my pupils got bigger, I hardly noticed. Until she said, “This will be a little bright…” and shined this blindingly bright light in my eyes. I am a pretty calm person, but that is one exam I never take too well. Ok, I am a baby when it comes to my eyes. She explained it didn’t help her if my pupils were dilated but I kept my eyes closed. I finally gave in, the exam was done, all was fine… Until I stepped out of the office into the sunlight. WAY too bright. I had to go back in the office and ask for one of those plastic things to put behind my dollar-store sunglasses.        My resistance to the light remind...