In Jesus' final public teaching in the Gospel of John (10:22-42), the people of Jerusalem tried to pin him down. They wanted him to declare openly who he was. In keeping with his indirect public style, Jesus pointed them to his words and works. He also boldly declared, "I and the Father are one." This statement sent them looking for rocks to stone him, since they thought he was a man who made himself out to be God. They grasped that he claimed identity with God, but they got things exactly backwards. (sermon notes)
Because Acts 25 shows us that things aren't always as they seem, we need to walk by faith and not by sight.
Once Jesus ascended on high, he sent the Father's promised Spirit to light up the church and empower her for her mission.
In another dispute with his people in Malachi 3:6-12, God gave his people of that day a lesson in generosity, which Christians need to...
