... He Gave His One and Only Son...

This video is taken from a message given by Pastor Reggie Dabbs matched with images from the movie Most-- the story of a bridge operator who gave his young son to save a train full of passengers from an impending rail disaster. This is what God did for us.

I believe stories like this can be used in powerful ways to illustrate the gospel. Matthew 13:34 says of Jesus, (He) always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables" (TLB). However, one significant difference between this story and God giving His One and Only Son is that it was no accident. Revelation 13:8 describes Jesus as the Lamb "slain from the foundation of the world."

Long before God created you, He knew what it would cost to rescue us from sin. That's what John 3:16 means by, "For God SO loved the world..."

Matthew West In Concert Celebration Sunday, October 16th!

Matthew West will be in concert on Celebration Sunday, October 16th. Doors open at 6:00 P.M., concert begins at 7:00 P.M. Tickets can be ordered at www.itickets.com. For more about The Story of Your Life, check out this video from Matthew West.

"So Loved the World..." Questions for Reflection and Discussion

The beginning of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world” translated more literally reads, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son…”God’s love for us is active in that it prompted Him to give His One and Only Son. How is this different from how many define love?

In what ways do the following Scriptures reveal God’s love as active?

Romans 5:7-8—

Ephesians 2:4-5—

Deuteronomy 7:7-8—

Romans 8:38-39—

2 Corinthians 13:14—

How does God’s love transform human love?

1 John 4:19—

Ephesians 5:1—

Colossians 3:12-14—

Hosea 3:1—

1 John 2:15, 4:1-8, 11-12—

In view of the love God has lavished on us, how are we to love others? (see also Matthew 5:43-47)

3:16, Week Three

Sunday, 9/25—Read chapter 5, “THE ONLY ONE AND ONLY” in 3:16 Numbers of Hope, and Day 15, When Jesus Gets Into Your Boat (pages 163-164).
Monday, 9/26 – Read John 11 and Day 16, Chumming with the Mafia (pages 165-166).
Tuesday, 9/27 – Read John 12 and Day 17, Standing On His Word (pages 167-168).
Wednesday, 9/28 – Read John 13 and Day 18, The God-Man Jesus (pages 169-170).
Thursday, 9/29 – Read John 14 and Day 19, The Waves are Listening (pages 171-172).
Friday, 9/30 – Read John 15 and Day 20, The Hand He Loves To Hold (pages 173-174).
Saturday, 10/1— Read chapter 4, “THE HEART HE OFFERS” in 3:16 Numbers of Hope, and Day 21, When God Sighs (pages 175-176).

Life Book Give-A-Way

Pastor Nick and our student ministry leaders have challenged our middle school and high school students to give away hundreds of copies of the Life Book (gospels of John) to classmates and teammates the week of September 26th. In addition to giving away Life Books, our youth ministry is hosting two outreach events (next Wednesday, 9/28 and Thursday, 9/29). Pray for boldness on the part of our teens (Colossians 4:3) and receptivity of their friends.

Check out this video to learn more about the Life Book Movement.

Doug Fields talks about The Life book from The Life Book Movement on Vimeo.

3:16, "For God..." Questions for Discussion and Reflection

John 3:16, begins “For God.” This stands opposed to the philosophies of this world which view humanity as their center and starting point. Genesis 1:26 reveals “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.’” John 3:16 begins with God and ends with “life.” To experience this life, we must begin with God.

What do the following scriptures reveal about the importance of having God as our starting point?

Revelation 4:11—

Psalm 93:1—

Isaiah 40:22; 41:18-19—

1 Chronicles 29:12---

Matthew 10:29-30—

Ephesians 1:11—

1 Corinthians 11:30—

Jeremiah 18:6—

Philippians 2:13—

Jesus said in Matthew 10:39, “Anyone finding his life will lose it, and anyone losing his life because of Me will find it.” How is the slogan, “It’s not about you,” good news for the one who is looking to discover the “life” Jesus it talking about? In what specific way(s) is God calling you to start with Him?

3:16 Week 2-- September 18th thru 24th

Sunday, 9/18—Read chapter 3, “HOPE FOR THE HARD HEART” in 3:16 Numbers of Hope, and Day 8, Baptize You (pages 149-150).
Monday, 9/19 – Read John 6 and Day 9, Satan Stalked Him (pages 151-152).
Tuesday, 9/20 – Read John 7 and Day 10, Bifocals and Binoculars (pages 153-154).
Wednesday, 9/21 – Read John 8 and Day 11, Almighty—Not High and Mighty (pages 155-156).
Thursday, 9/22 – Read John 9 and Day 12, Just Call Her Grace (pages 157-158).
Friday, 9/23 – Read John 10 and Day 13, Christ’s Crazy Kin (pages 159-160).
Saturday, 9/24— Read chapter 4, “WHEN YOU GET BOOTED OUT” in 3:16 Numbers of Hope, and Day 14, Too Early to Retire (pages 161-162).

3:16 Numbers of Hope-- Sunday 9 AM, 10:45 AM & 6:00 PM

Sunday we continue our 40 focus on John 3:16. For the next four Sunday nights we'll watch John Piper's messages from John 3. Here's an excerpt of the message:

I'm often asked about the Bible translation I use most often when I am teaching. In seminary I was introduced to the HCSB. I appreciate it’s accuracy and clarity. This is especially the case when it comes to John 3:16. In the HCSB John 3:16 reads, "For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." Check out this video to discover why the HCSB tranlates the Greek word "houto" ("so") in John 3:16 more fully as "in this way" as well as other translation decisions made by the HCSB.

3:16 Nicodemus' Conversation with Jesus-- Questions for discussion and reflection

In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be “born again.” The term born-again refers to “inner re-creation (being made spiritually alive) of the person who believes in Jesus Christ for salvation.” What do the following scriptures reveal about the work of regeneration (being born-again)?

Ephesians 2:1, 5—

John 1:12-13—

1 Peter 1:3—

James 1:18—

John 6:63—

Titus 3:5—

1 John 5:1—

John 3:22 simple reports, “After this, Jesus and His disciples went to the Judean countryside” without revealing Nicodemus’ response to Jesus. We don’t know how or when, but Nicodemus did become a follower of Jesus. Read John 19:38-42. What changes in his life are evident from this account? Take some time to listen to the Holy Spirit. What changes would you like to see take place in your life as a result of this 40 day journey in John 3:16?

3:16 Week One

This Sunday, September 11th we begin a 40 day focus on John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Together as a church we'll read Max Lucado's book, 3:16 Numbers of Hope and the gospel of John. Lucado's book as well as the complementary workbook will be made avaiable Sunday (a donation of $10 for the book and $4 for the workbook is requested). Here's the reading scheduel for week one, September 11th thur September 17th.

Sunday, September 11th—Read chapter 1, “The Most Famous Conversation in the Bible” in 3:16 Numbers of Hope, and Day 1, An Extra-Ordinary Night (pages 135-136).
Monday, September 12th – Read John 1 and Day 2, Mary Cradles God (pages 137-138).
Tuesday, September 13th – Read John 2 and Day 3, Joseph, Caught in the Middle (pages 139-140).
Wednesday, September 14th – Read John 3 and Day 4, Because of Love (pages 141-142).
Thursday, September 15th – Read John 4 and Day 5, Jesus Goes Home First (pages 143-144).
Friday, September 16th – Read John 5 and Day 6, Chickens, Hammer, and Jesus (pages 145-146).
Saturday, September 17th— Read chapter 2, “No One Like Him” in 3:16 Numbers of Hope, and Day 7, Good-Bye Nazareth (pages 147-148).

The following audio clip is from Max Lucado's intorductory message to the 3:16 Number of Hope. Enjoy and be encouraged!

John 1-6 Overview: Questions for Discussion and Reflection

John 1:10 reads, “He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.” Read the following passages from John’s gospel. In each case, what truth about Jesus did His hearers not recognize?

John 2:18-22—

John 3:1-9—

John 4:7-15—

John 6:48-60—


How is the sacrifice of Jesus’ blood compared to “manna” God provided the Israelites in the wilderness (Psalm 78:23-25)? See Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:25; and Hebrews 9:22.

Read Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:25. For what specific purpose are we to partake in the Lord’s Supper?

Mediate on Deuteronomy 8:1-11 and Revelations 3:2-4. Why is remembering important for the Christian?

3:16 Numbers of Hope-- Kicks off 9/11/11

Beginning September 11th we begin a 40 Day Journey on John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." To compliment our study we're reading together Max Lucado's book, 3:16 Numbers of Hope. Included with his book is a 40 Day Devotional. As well, several of our classes and small groups will use the Small Group Study Guide accompanies this study. I can't wait to see what God will do in our church and community as a result of us focusing on the message of John 3:16!

Jersey Shore Men's Conference, Saturday September 17th

Josh Holland will be speaker for the Jersey Shore Men of Valor Conference, September 17th. Josh will challenge us from 1 Samuel 10:26. Check out this video from Josh to hear more of his heart for the upcoming conference.

Admission is $15. For more information visit www.jerseyshoremensconf.com.