He Meets Us Right Where We Are

In one paragraph

This Monday night message, the day after Easter, stayed with the resurrection as its theme, working through all of John chapter 20. The pastor walked the room through Jesus' appearances to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and Thomas, drawing out what each encounter shows about how Jesus meets people in their actual emotional state. The through-line was simple: the resurrection is not a once-a-year...

Read together

1. Colossians 2:14 canceling the record of charges against us when Jesus was crucified
2. Romans 8 Jesus interceding for us at the right hand of God
3. John 14:19 because He lives, we also live
4. 1 John 5:12 whoever has the Son has life, whoever does not have the Son does not have life
5. John 11:25 Jesus is the resurrection and the life, anyone who believes will live even after dying
6. John 20:1-31 the full resurrection chapter read and expounded through the entire sermon
7. John 16:33 in this world you will have trials and sorrows but take heart, Jesus has overcome the world
8. John 10 Jesus the good shepherd calls his sheep by name and they know his voice
9. John 14:16 the advocate and helper would teach, remind and lead the disciples into truth
10. Mark 2 healing of the paralytic, Jesus saying your sins are forgiven
11. Acts 10 Peter proclaiming everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name
12. 1 Peter 1:8 you love him even though you have never seen him and rejoice with inexpressible joy

Talk about it

1. The pastor pointed out that Mary saw Jesus, believed, and then went and told others. Where are you in that pattern right now, and what does the next step look like for you?
2. Jesus greeted the disciples with 'Peace be with you' even after they had fallen asleep in the garden, run away, and denied him. What does that tell you about how God relates to you when you have let him down?
3. The pastor said Jesus met Mary in her grief, the disciples in their fear, and Thomas in his doubt. Which of those three feels closest to where you are right now, and what would it mean for Jesus to meet you there?
4. Thomas's doubt actually led him to a deeper confession, 'My Lord and my God.' Has doubt ever moved you toward stronger faith rather than away from it? What happened?
5. Barb shared a story about a conversation at a rest stop that ended with someone trusting Jesus over a piece of pie and thirty minutes. What does that story, alongside John 20, say to you about what it looks like to carry Jesus's message of love and forgiveness in ordinary life?