9 Conversations
In our series, 9 Conversations, we will be looking at nine interactions Jesus had during his time on earth. Based on these interactions, what can we know about the character of Jesus? What can we learn about him from looking at how he related to and communicated with diverse people in diverse circumstances?
July 1, 2018
Week 9
Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son to the Pharisees as a way to redefine "lostness". He shows them that one can be lost without ever leaving home. Jesus exposes the Pharisees hearts but then, just like the father in the story, invites them into the party. They too can experience grace. And it's in the invitation to the party that the Pharisees see what God had in mind when he thought them up. They were set apart by God as religious leaders not to judge but to go and find the lost and invite them to the party. We're called to do the same.
June 24, 2018
Week 8
Jeff Kern | Herndon Campus
Nicodemus wrongly thought entering into God’s kingdom was his birthright—and further secured by his strict adherence to Jewish laws of the Old Testament. Jesus cuts right to the chase and rocks his world. Entering the kingdom is only possible if someone is born from above. Contrary to what Nicodemus thought, being born again is not obtained through religious piety, but accessed only by believing in Jesus—trusting Him to do for us what we could never do for ourselves in our own efforts.
June 17, 2018
Week 7
Kailey Newkirk | Herndon Campus
Jesus has already won the victory over satan and satan is already bound. But in the already, not yet, he is still active. There is such a thing as evil, and he has been defeated, but he still writhes in the throes of his death. Like a wounded animal, he is perhaps even more dangerous as he sees the end closing in.
June 10, 2018
Week 6
There are always people for whom the world as it is just isn't working. The story of Jesus healing ten lepers is a beautiful example of how a world shaped by Jesus will provide a place for those who are excluded.
June 3, 2018
Week 5
Jim Keller | Herndon Campus
Zacchaeus was a man who wanted more—he wanted a better life and he wanted to be a better man. Most of us fail in our own self-improvement schemes; we fall short of our own expectations. In order to find a failsafe way to self-improvement we can to follow the model of Zacchaeus.
MAY 27, 2018
Week 4
Kailey Newkirk | Herndon Campus
Jesus only asks us to go as far as we understand him. The woman at the well had very weak faith but Jesus requested that she ask him only for water. As a result of her obedience, he revealed himself to her. Even if we stumble, he's faithful to walk with us one step at a time. Neither our obedience nor our sin affect only us— just as the woman’s faith lead to the conversion of nearly an entire village, ours will always affect others.
MAY 20, 2018
Week 3
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’
‘No one, sir,’ she said.
‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’
John 8:9-11
MAY 13, 2018
Week 2
Worship is important to our faith, especially in times of suffering and doubt. Having a picture of the glory of God is so important when we come off the mountaintop and enter the pain of this broken world.
MAY 6, 2018
Week 1
You can't know yourself until you know him and you can't stop searching for a Savior until you know him.