johnmarkharris.net

Pastors have to field many questions, some are very off the wall, but most people have similar types of questions. We all want to know “why” at times (for which there is not always a clear answer), we all want assurance as well, but once I heard a question answered that really got under my skin (this is not an easy thing to do).

Someone asked the question online “can I tell my child that God loves them?”

This is a quite honest and heartfelt question, and one that I think is easy enough to answer, but I was shocked and astounded when the reply was “well, yes and no…”

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Jesus was invited to a wedding, and he helped the caterer.

When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”

John 2

Jesus turned water into wine, it was a miracle. Jesus’ miracles, especially as they are depicted in John, are meant to show who he is. Not only is he divine, he is a servant. He helps. He cares about even the little things, and so should we. Are you in a position to help someone? Do it, in Jesus’ name.

In a word, “Yes” heaven is for real. This is one of the topics I’ll be covering in our series “Elephant in the Room” starting Easter Sunday 2014 at Crossroads Baptist Church.

All of us pastors hear from our people “oh, I read this book and it’s great!” I first received a question like this regarding the “Left Behind” series, which I believe is best left behind.

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Here’s a (repost)

My favorite gospel is John. Not only is it written (in my view) by the apostle who was closest to Jesus (and thus, in my opinion, more thoughtful than the synoptics) it also has the best name 🙂

So here are the first five words of John’s Gospel:

ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος

To translate this “word for word” and preserve the same word order it would be:

in beginning was the word…

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Obviously we are supposed to be preaching the gospel (cf. Mark) and making disciples (cf. Matthew) but what else does that mean?

repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Luke 24

It means preaching repentance and forgiveness. That’s the gospel, you (whoever you are) may have 100% forgiveness if you will simply turn to Jesus.

Will you?