The opening line of any written work (a book, email, opening arguments of a trial) sets the tone for everything that follows. Sunday, we began a journey into the Gospel of John, and John (an eyewitness and close friend of Jesus') begins with an explosion of declaration from all that he witnessed over three years, and what he maintained as a witness for the next 60+ years until his death: God came to the earth in the Person of Jesus, that you and I could know Him and have true life through Him. He is the Man who is God. God's very own Word became a human being. In other words, God's heart, desires, character became the exact imprint of God in the Person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1.3). He did this because He is a God who desires that we would know Him, so that we could have forgiveness and be reconciled with Him forever. He is, indeed, a God that pursues. ABOUT THIS SERIES: The Gospel of John was written "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you may have life in His Name" (John 20.30). The Apostle John, as an eyewitness and close friend of Jesus', desires for us to behold His beauty, love, and glory, and believe in His power and willingness to being forgiveness and life. As we journey through the Gospel of John, we will behold the life, teachings, works, and ministry of Jesus, and will hear straight from Him who He said He is, so that we would more deeply put our hope and trust in the Man who is God.

Scripture References: John 1:1-5

Related Topics: Word of God | More Messages from Jobey McGinty

From Series: "Gospel of John - Behold & Believe"

Peter's story is one of highs and lows, and at the lowest points we find him taking his eyes off of His Lord, and putting them on himself and those around him...trusting his own strength and "maturity" and trying to differentiate himself from others. But when he takes his eyes off of Jesus he begins to sink into the water, and he takes matters into his own hands and cuts off the Centurion's ear, and he ultimately denies his Savior. Even after Jesus restores Peter we find him, yet again, looking away and comparing his calling to that of the other disciples. Jesus' kind rebuke is a soft reminder to refocus...to bring his eyes, focus, trust and attention back onto Jesus, and to simply follow Him, wherever He leads. Jesus' call to us today is the same; look away from everything else and "Follow me!" ABOUT THIS SERIES: The Gospel of John was written "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you may have life in His Name" (John 20.30). The Apostle John, as an eyewitness and close friend of Jesus', desires for us to behold His beauty, love, and glory, and believe in His power and willingness to being forgiveness and life. As we journey through the Gospel of John, we will behold the life, teachings, works, and ministry of Jesus, and will hear straight from Him who He said He is, so that we would more deeply put our hope and trust in the Man who is God.

Scripture References: John 21:18-25

Related Topics: Race of Faith | More Messages from Jobey McGinty