Point of Grace Online Worship - June 1, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        6.1.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Sent Ones”

Followers of Jesus are “Sent Ones!”

John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

Acts 1:1-14  “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

“Jesus, You are the Sender … I am the One Sent” 

The 10 Day Tension

The Sending “You will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth.”

The Promise “You will receive power “able-to-do-ness” when the Holy Spirit comes on you”

The Waiting “… but wait for the gift my Father promised”

What was it like to live with that “in a few days” uncertainty? 
What do you do with the questions?
“Don’t you think we ought to get started planning…He said, start in Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth… right..”
“What is our strategy?  How are we going to be the “sent ones” He called us to be?”
What did they do?

Acts 1:12,14,15   “Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem …  They all joined together constantly in prayer…a group numbering about a hundred and twenty”

In the Sending
and the Promise
and the Waiting
Jesus was forming in them the “Posture of Relentless Dependence”
that would characterize their lives as Sent Ones. 

“Jesus, You are the Sender … I am the One Sent” 

It is so easy and natural for us to say “Ok Jesus, I will take it from here!” 

“Jesus, You are the Sender … I am the One Sent,

I am Relentlessly dependent on You … for everything” 

His plan and resources and directions and provision and counsel and tactics and insight are so much better! 

Living as “One Sent” where I live, learn, work and play!     

In our “going” we are Sent to people we already know who do not yet know and trust Jesus. 

We get to B.L.E.S.S. them in Jesus’ name!
B – Begin with Prayer  (3x5 … or more)
L – Listen
E – Eat
S – Serve
S – Story to Share

Point of Grace Online Worship - May 25, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        5.25.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Sent Ones”

Followers of Jesus are “Sent Ones!”

John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

Matthew 28:16-20   16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

The Sending - “In your going… make disciples of all nations”

The Strategy -  

1.     “Baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” (new identity) and

2.      “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (new way of life)

The Sustenance – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (His Presence)

Why?                 Why live as “Sent Ones”?

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Why?                  The answer has to be love. 

Living “Sent”!     How?

In our “going” we are Sent to people we already know who do not yet know and trust Jesus. 

We get to B.L.E.S.S. them in Jesus’ name!
B – Begin with Prayer  (3x5 … or more)
L – Listen
E – Eat
S – Serve
S – Story to Share

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 8, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 10.8.23 Sermon Notes – “B.L.E.S.S. – Story!”

B.L.E.S.S – 5 everyday practices to love our neighbors and change the world

B-egin with Prayer

L-isten

E-at

S-erve

S-tory to Share

Why do the B.L.E.S.S strategy? We are in training! We are growing from hoping people trust Jesus to helping people trust Jesus!

It is amazing to see how our stories, humbly told, help others hope in Jesus!

1 Peter 3 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

John 9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him. ”But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

The man shares his “What difference has Jesus made?” story in a simple 3part paradigm:

Life Before ..... Encounter Jesus …… Life After

Life Then ........ Encounter Jesus …… Life Now

Life Without .… Encounter Jesus …… Life With

Acts 4 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

It is amazing to see how our stories, humbly told, help others hope in Jesus!

Our Stories – Our testimony is an unfolding series of stories, the “wow” stories and everyday life stories! It takes daily processing of life to notice and be able to talk about the ways Jesus is working in our lives.

Humbly told – Jesus is the Hero – He rescues us, He doesn’t help us rescue ourselves - Jesus sets us up so He can show up – He creates encounters we follow His lead – Remember the “gentleness and respect”

Help others Hope in Jesus – Jesus is the Hope…. Jesus is the savior – Faith is a process not a quick fix! It is a miracle that any of us have a living relationship with Jesus.

A Simple Tool for Storytelling

Part 1 – My Life before Jesus What was your life like before you met Jesus? Or if you grew up knowing Him what was life like when He was less real for you or your faith was less alive? You story begins with who you were.

Part 2 – How I Encountered Jesus How did you become a Christ-follower? When did He become more “real” to you? Was there a tough time in life? Were you invited? Did someone introduce you to Jesus? Was it a point in time or a process of discovery?

Part 3 – The Difference Jesus Makes What difference has following Jesus made in your life? How does He help you walk through the ups and downs of life? Our stories include hard times and good times, success and failure. Jesus shines through our weakness often more than our strengths. Don’t give easy, cliché’ answers – life is not like that. How does Jesus make a difference when we get it wrong, are confused, doubt, struggle……?

Jesus, Help me now reflect on our story together, past and present. When have I encountered Your realness and received Your comfort? When have I been lifted by hope and peaced by Your presence? How are you leading me by Your Spirit and how am I experiencing Your love? Jesus, If given the opportunity today to share about the hope I have in You, what story would I tell – what words would I use?

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 1, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 10.1.23 Sermon Notes – “Blessed to be a B.L.E.S.S.ing”

B.L.E.S.S – 5 everyday practices to love our neighbors and change the world

B-egin with Prayer

L-isten

E-at

S-erve

S-tory to Share

Listen

Being heard is so close to being loved that, for the average person they are indistinguishable -David W. Augsburger

“The first act of love is always the giving of attention” -Dallas Willard

“Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond. Listening is paying full attention to others and welcoming them into our very beings. The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends, to get to know their inner selves more fully, and even to dare to be silent with you.” - Henri Nouwen

1 John 5:13-15 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

“When we have received the Spirit of Jesus as the breath of God breathing within us – that Spirit creates in us a sacred space [middle space] where the other can be received and listened to. The Spirit of Jesus prays in us and listens in us to all who come to us with their sufferings and pains. When we dare to fully trust in the power of God’s Spirit listening in us, we will see true healing occur." - Henri Nouwen

This means that if we have a new life birth in us by the Spirit of Jesus, we can love people selflessly in ways like:

• Listening willingly before being listened to

• Seeking to understand before seeking to be understood

• Being interested before trying to be interesting  

We can be a people who listen, because we are people who have been listened to. Talk is cheap and plentiful, Listening is expensive and rare. How would the world change if we became known as people who listened? - Andrew Cordy

Eat

Jesus’ practice of “radical hospitality” at the table addressed a deep and abiding human need common to us all – the need to BELONG!

Luke 5 27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Luke 14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

Jesus’ radically showed that human beings (all of them) “belong” with God!

The absence of this relationship leaves us wanting… always longing to belong!

Serve

John 13:12-17 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Meeting tangible needs of people in Jesus name is an act of grace – unmerited favor that speaks volumes to a skeptical world.

Listening, Eating and Serving the Jesus way display the radical hospitality which was a core value and practice of His and the community of followers He formed.

Why should we dive headlong into these ancient practices of love and radically commit to this kind of lifestyle?

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 24, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 9.24.23 Sermon Notes – “Blessed to be a B.L.E.S.S.ing”

B.L.E.S.S.-

• is a freeing paradigm for sharing Jesus with people I know who need to know Him!

• is both an idea to own and an acronym to live.

• is a doable tool as Jesus trains us to live out our identity as His witnesses in our world!

B-egin with Prayer

Prayer helps us play our vital role in God’s work of bringing people into a trusting relationship with Jesus. We get to listen for “orders and intel” and to intercede on their behalf.

Ezekiel 37 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. 11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, …14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”

Ezekiel is called to participate in God’s work of salvation by proclaiming His promises and praying for God’s Spirit to come and bring new life.

Luke 11 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[e] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

How is Jesus training us?

Jesus is training us to “persevere in prayer” as “friends in the middle” who ask and keep on asking Him to come and fulfil His promises in our day, in our lives and in the lives of those for which we pray.

3x5 Praying is a tool which trains us to B.L.E.S.S. by Beginning with prayer!

Point of Grace Online Worship - June 18, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 6.18.23 Sermon Notes – “Overflow”

Overflow – the Jesus way of impacting the world!

John 7 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Acts 4 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him…..

17 “Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

B.L.E.S.S. – 5 Everyday ways to overflow with love for our neighbors and change the world!

B-egin with Prayer

L-isten

E-at

S-erve

S-tory to Share

Love Prays

9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”

Love Listens

James 119 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

“Seek to understand before you seek to be understood”

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”

Stephen R. Covey,

Love Eats

Matthew 9 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Love Serves

James 2 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

Love has a Story to Share

1 Peter 3 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”

It is amazing to see how our stories humbly told, help others hope in Jesus!

Point of Grace Online Worship - June 11, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 6.11.23 Sermon Notes – “Overflow”

John 7 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Healthy “Overflow” depends on healthy “Inflow”!

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” - Inflow

“Rivers of living water will flow from within them” – Overflow

“Overflow” that changes the world depends on “Inflow” that is changing me!

Ezekiel 47 The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side. 3 As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. 6 He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7 When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. 8 He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. 9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.

Jesus connects the dots.

Standing in the old Temple meant for God’s Presence Jesus says

“Come to me and drink”

(because He is the new Temple of God’s Presence)

“And I will make you Temples of God’s presence

overflowing with rivers of Living Water

transforming the world”

Overflow with B.L.E.S.S – 5 everyday practices to overflow with love for our neighbors and change the world

B-egin with Prayer

L-isten

E-at

S-erve

S-tory to Share

Point of Grace Online Worship - November 13, 2022

Point of Grace Worship 11.13.22 Sermon Notes – “B.L.E.S.S. – Story!”

B.L.E.S.S – 5 everyday practices to love our neighbors and change the world

B-egin with Prayer

L-isten

E-at

S-erve

S-tory to Share

Why do the B.L.E.S.S strategy?

We are growing from

Hoping people find Jesus

To

Helping people find Jesus

It is amazing to see how our faith stories,

humbly told,

help others hope in Jesus!

1 Peter 3 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

John 9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him. ”But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

The man shares his “What difference has Jesus made?” story in a simple 3part paradigm:

Life Before ... Encounter Jesus … Life After

Life Then ... Encounter Jesus … Life Now

Life Without … Encounter Jesus … Life With

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.”18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.” 24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

It is amazing to see how our stories,

humbly told,

help others hope in Jesus!

What is my “What difference has Jesus made?” Cardboard Testimony?

Jesus, please give me opportunities to share my “What difference has Jesus made?” story to help others hope in You! Amen

Imagine if we ….

PoG Vision “Pause to BLESS” 2022

Every PoG’er is equipped to B.L.E.S.S. by Fall 2022 and able to confidently and enthusiastically respond, at any time, to two questions: “Whose on my 3x5 list?” (3 people far from Jesus I am praying for 5 times a week.) “How am I practically getting to B.L.E.S.S. them?”