Grace Community Church Sunday Morning Messages Grace Community Church, Loveland, Colorado

The empty tomb, what did it mean? John tells us that they didn’t yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus would raise from the dead – rather they seem to think Jesus is still dead and his body is now missing. Jesus had told the disciples at least twice (Matthew 16:21 &17:23) that he would die, be buried and on the 3rd day be raised. When John enters the empty tomb and sees the grave clothes lying there, he believed. The rest continue to look for Jesus’ body. Jesus could have left them all to put the pieces together on their own. But He doesn’t. First, He talks with Mary and helps her understand. Then He visits the disciples and helps them understand (except for Thomas who wasn’t there at the time). Then He visits the disciples again and helps Thomas understand.
 
Grow in your own understanding of the resurrection of Christ and prepare for this week’s message by reading John chapter 20.

After Pilate’s attempts to satisfy the crowds by punishing Him, he presents Jesus to the crowd beaten, bloody, with a purple robe and crown of thorns. The crowd is not satisfied, and although Pilate has a sense of fear (vs.8) his fear of Rome is stronger as he hands Jesus over to be crucified. 
The manner and certainty of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection are essential components to the Christian faith. John’s motive for writing is so that we will believe and the details he includes in this chapter lead us there. Oh what a Savior!
 
“Many a crown has been secured by blood, and so is this, but it is his own blood; many a throne has been established by suffering, and so is this, but he himself bears the pain.” – Spurgeon
 
Prepare for this week’s message by reading John chapter 19.

Jesus and His disciples cross the Kidron valley and enter an olive grove. Thus begins Jesus last moments with his disciples as He is arrested, taken before Annas, the High Priest Caiaphas, and finally He stands before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. As you read through John’s account of these moments, take note of how Jesus interacts with the various groups he encounters and what that reveals to us about our King.
 
Prepare for this week’s message by reading John chapter 18.

In the garden, Jesus prays -these 5 words hold such weight and significance. We are invited into this intimate conversation between our Savior and His Father as He prepares for the cross. If we want to know the heart of Jesus, this chapter is where to look. He prays for unity, He prays for joy, He asks for protection, all for our good and God’s glory. The One who set the stars in the sky, created the solar eclipses, the great blue whale and the ladybug, invites us to know Him, to be known by Him and calls us friend. Oh what a Savior, isn’t He wonderful!!
 
Prepare for this week’s message by reading John chapter 17.

Jesus prepares His disciples for persecution so they aren’t surprised and stumbled by it when it comes. He tells them about the work of the Holy Spirit made available to them by His leaving. They will soon weep and mourn while the world rejoices, but their grief will turn to joy. It seems impossible and perplexing that everything that will soon happen could turn out in any positive way. Jesus arrested? His ministry, healing, and teaching stopped? Him beaten, mocked, and unjustly sentenced? His crucifixion? No human power is capable of such a thing. Only God has the ability to turn evil on its head and bring about life from death, good from suffering, joy from grief. 
 
Marvel with us at Jesus’ words as you prepare for this week’s message by reading John chapter 16.

Springtime in Colorado often brings with it wind that blows branches off of our trees. Even if you place that branch into a vase of water, the blooms may open and live for a time, but eventually that branch will die. This is a picture of complete dependency on another source for life. What does Jesus mean when He compares himself to a vine and us to branches? What does it mean to abide, or remain, in Him? To abide, or remain, in His love? How do we do this? What is the outcome when we do?
 
As you prepare for this week’s teaching by reading John 15:1-27, bring these questions into your study and join us on Sunday as we seek to understand the answers.