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With six months to go until Election Day, the rhetoric from news outlets and social media is likely to become increasingly combative. For Christians, one thing is certain: Our political engagement should look different than that of the world. In this week's message, the first of a two-part series, Pastor J.D. examines Mark 1 and Luke 2, drawing out the implications of Jesus' rule in a world hostile to it—both then and now. As followers of Jesus, our vote is important, but even more important is our witness to a watching world.  

These days, it's not exactly popular to claim the existence of absolute truth. It's even less popular to claim that such truth is embodied in the person of Jesus, the one who is the only way to salvation. In this week's message from John 14, Pastor J.D. shows us the importance of what is perhaps Jesus' most controversial "I am" statement: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." Yet, this statement isn't primarily about a set of principles to live by, or even having the correct answers to every theological question. Instead, it's about truly knowing and having a relationship with the Savior of the world.

It doesn't take an expert gardener to know that a branch that isn't connected to the vine won't survive for very long. In this week's message from John 15, Pastor Bryan explores the next of Jesus' "I am" statements, helping us understand what it means to abide in Jesus, the "true vine." Many other things—often good things—vie for our time and attention, making this seem impossible. But the truth is, we have no hope of producing lasting fruit if we're seeking life from any other source.

Without shepherds to care for them, the threats posed to sheep run the gamut, from losing their way to being attacked by other animals. Simply put, sheep thrive under the guidance and protection of their shepherd. In this week's message from John 10, Pastor J.D. takes us through Jesus' claim to be the "good shepherd." What is so remarkable about this shepherd is that his love for the flock leads him to not only protect them, but lay down his life for them. As believers, then, we can fix our eyes not on any dangers that may threaten to harm us, but on our good shepherd.

Given the choice between soda and water to quench extreme thirst, surely we would all agree on which to choose. The difference, of course, is that one truly satisfies and the other doesn't. When it comes to spiritual thirst, we can be tempted to turn to things that don't fulfill us instead of to the one who offers living water: Jesus himself. In this week's message from John 7, Pastor Curtis helps us see that this living water is something that not only satisfies us, but in the end, flows out of us to be a blessing to others.

If we're honest, most of us have probably experienced disappointment with God at some point in our lives. We question why God didn't cure our friend's cancer, or why he didn't provide for us financially when we really needed it. This Easter, Pastor J.D. walks us through Jesus' claim to be the "resurrection and the life," from John 11. In Jesus' response to the death of Lazarus, and to the pain of those close to him, we find a Savior who not only weeps with us, but meets us in our moments of disappointment and doubt. And, ultimately, we have a Savior whose resurrection will one day mean the end of pain and death—forever.