19/04/2020 | Longing For Hope | You'll See | Judy Moore | Online Service
Riverside Church, Birmingham, UK
Title: You'll See
By: Judy Moore
Bible Reading: Book of John (Chapter 1, verses 43-51)
Recorded: Sunday 19/04/2020 (Online Service)
Longing For Hope: You'll See:
This encounter between Jesus and Nathanael is often overlooked. It comes very near the beginning of John’s gospel and reveals something very important. In a time of such global disruption, where should we look for answers? And where shouldn’t we look? From the opening words of John’s gospel, we discover that life has a meaning, a purpose, all centred on the person of Jesus. Nathanael doubts this is true. He’s already got his mind made up about Jesus, and proudly dismisses him because of preconceived ideas. (v46 - Nazareth?!? Can anything good come from there?!) But, an actual encounter with the real Jesus changes everything for him. His friend Philip has tried to get him to see the hope of Jesus - perhaps he has found the other so-called answers on offer to be empty and unconvincing?, but it’s only when he begins to explore real Jesus for himself that everything changes. He discovers that Jesus knows everything about him, but treats him with gentleness and grace (v47-48). Not only that, he begins to discover that Jesus is even more impressive - much greater - than he could ever imagine (v50-51)! In a time of such chaos, Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus helps us see that we can’t rely on our prejudices about Jesus. We’re all looking for answers, but we discover that He knows us inside and out, and is bigger than all of this. In this time of global and personal reconfiguration we need to know that God really is with us, and for us. Jesus’ words in v51 link back to Jacob’s dream in the book of Genesis, chapter 28. They are a signpost that Jesus is God’s presence with us. There really is hope. God has come.
For full videos of our livestream services please visit our YouTube Channel - http://bit.ly/RiversideChurchOnline
What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together physically on a Sunday morning is still true of us online. We exist to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers. Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community.
To find out more about Riverside Church and to find our social media account infomration please visit: https://riverside-church.org.uk/
Note: While this talk is based on the above listed sections of the Bible, the actual bible readings used during our services may sometimes change.
By: Judy Moore
Bible Reading: Book of John (Chapter 1, verses 43-51)
Recorded: Sunday 19/04/2020 (Online Service)
Longing For Hope: You'll See:
This encounter between Jesus and Nathanael is often overlooked. It comes very near the beginning of John’s gospel and reveals something very important. In a time of such global disruption, where should we look for answers? And where shouldn’t we look? From the opening words of John’s gospel, we discover that life has a meaning, a purpose, all centred on the person of Jesus. Nathanael doubts this is true. He’s already got his mind made up about Jesus, and proudly dismisses him because of preconceived ideas. (v46 - Nazareth?!? Can anything good come from there?!) But, an actual encounter with the real Jesus changes everything for him. His friend Philip has tried to get him to see the hope of Jesus - perhaps he has found the other so-called answers on offer to be empty and unconvincing?, but it’s only when he begins to explore real Jesus for himself that everything changes. He discovers that Jesus knows everything about him, but treats him with gentleness and grace (v47-48). Not only that, he begins to discover that Jesus is even more impressive - much greater - than he could ever imagine (v50-51)! In a time of such chaos, Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus helps us see that we can’t rely on our prejudices about Jesus. We’re all looking for answers, but we discover that He knows us inside and out, and is bigger than all of this. In this time of global and personal reconfiguration we need to know that God really is with us, and for us. Jesus’ words in v51 link back to Jacob’s dream in the book of Genesis, chapter 28. They are a signpost that Jesus is God’s presence with us. There really is hope. God has come.
For full videos of our livestream services please visit our YouTube Channel - http://bit.ly/RiversideChurchOnline
What's true of Riverside Church when we meet together physically on a Sunday morning is still true of us online. We exist to help people get to know Jesus and grow as his followers. Whoever you are, whatever you believe, you're so welcome in this community.
To find out more about Riverside Church and to find our social media account infomration please visit: https://riverside-church.org.uk/
Note: While this talk is based on the above listed sections of the Bible, the actual bible readings used during our services may sometimes change.
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