Beyond the Breakwater Introduction Episodes 1 & 2

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." - Acts 1:8

Episode 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-1-introduction/id1694064788?i=1000618130572

Episode 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-2-what-does-beyond-the-breakwater-mean/id1694064788?i=1000619114273

Introduction to Episodes 1 & 2

• How do ships, harbors, and breakwaters help us understand the mission of the church?
• Why do so many congregations stay in the "harbor" and never venture beyond the breakwater?
• What areas of community need are we addressing? What others in our community can we address both individually and as a congregation?

Preview these episodes below for next week:

Episode 3: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-3-poverty-alice-and-above/id1694064788?i=1000620512535

Episode 4: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-4-a-l-i-c-e/id1694064788?i=1000621374978

The Seven Signs of Christ in John's Gospel

"These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." –John 20:31

The Seventh Sign: Raising Lazarus From the Dead (John 11:1-45)

• Jesus did not rush to heal Lazarus when he was ill – this last sign would be greater than the ones that had come before.
• The signs had now become so clear and far-reaching that the plot to kill Jesus reaches its crescendo – it even includes the plot to kill Lazarus to lessen the sign.
• Martha's initial comfort came from the promised resurrection on the last day. The resurrection of Lazarus further strengthens that confidence and the assurance that the final resurrection is by the grace and power of Jesus Christ.

The Seven Signs of Christ in John's Gospel

"These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." –John 20:31

The Sixth Sign: Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind (John 9:1-40)

• Although sin is the foundation cause of all tragedy and trials in this life, there is not always a specific sin that leads to a particular struggle.
• Even after the healing, there are those who refuse to believe in Jesus or even acknowledge the miracles He performed.
• The blind see (literally and figuratively) and those who can see are blind and do not see (figuratively).

The Seven Signs of Christ in John's Gospel

"These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." –John 20:31

The Fifth Sign: Walking on Water (John 6:16-21)

• The darkness is both literal and figurative as the disciples still do not fully understand who Jesus is.
• The disciples' fear comes from a lack of control. Jesus demonstrates who is always and only in control.
• The walking on water would have brought to mind Moses and the parting of the Red Sea.
• Jesus not only has the power to walk on water, but as soon as He gets into the boat, the waters calm so they can immediately get to the other side.

The Seven Signs of Christ in John's Gospel

"These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

–John 20:31

The Fourth Sign: Feeding the 5,000 (John 6:1-15)

• "Testing" is not to see if Philip got it right, but to strengthen his faith (see the purpose of John's Gospel in John 20:31)
• The usual human approaches made the issue seem impossible
• Jesus does big things with very little
• The reason Jesus has started small is seen in the people's response, wanting to make Him king

The Seven Signs of Christ in John's Gospel

"These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

–John 20:31

The Third Sign: Healing a Paralyzed Man (John 5:1-15)

• 38 years of paralysis of body also led to paralysis of motivation
• The healing is once again by the power of Jesus' words (5:8-9)
• Like the first two signs, word only gets out about what has happened by the testimony of one or few witnesses (5:15)