If Jesus Did Not Rise . . .

The Gospel of John tells of Mary Magdalene who, upon discovering the empty tomb, is panicked by the idea the Lord has been “taken away” (John 20:13). First she deals with Jesus’ death, and now the possibility someone has stolen his body, perhaps as some cheap stunt. Whatever hope she had placed in Jesus seems READ MORE

Heads Down, Shoulders Slumped

Prompted by Bethel Church’s sermon series entitled, “Manhood: A Bold Call For Men of Nobility,” my friend Kay Kiefer, an amazing woman who serves on the front lines of helping people make life-affirming choices, sent me this note. Pastor Matthew . . . . thank you for this sermon series. One of the most stark READ MORE

A Glimpse Forward

Within the next couple of weeks we at Bethel Church will be completing the Gospel of John. By the time it is said and done we will have moved through fifty-one sermons in the Gospel of John. No doubt that is a lot; some would say too much. I remember some years ago sitting with READ MORE