Gospel of John Archives | Core Church LA

Equipped To Share Your Faith

When you give your life to Jesus, everything changes. You don’t need to be a pastor, go to Bible college, or have years of experience before you can tell others about Him. The truth is, once you’ve met Jesus, you are ready. That’s what 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 and John 4:6-10 show us so clearly. They remind us that once we know Christ, we are now His ambassadors. That means we speak for Him, live for Him, and love like Him.

Are You Equipped to Share Your Faith?

2 Corinthians 5:17 starts with something huge: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” The old you has gone. It doesn’t matter what you did before—God sees you as brand new. Your past no longer defines you. And that new life comes with a new job. Paul says in verse 20, “We are ambassadors for Christ.” That means you now represent Jesus to the people around you.

You don’t have to know everything. You don’t need all the answers. God doesn’t call perfect people—He calls willing people. If Jesus saved you, you already have the one story you need to begin sharing your faith. He didn’t save you to sit quietly. He saved you so others can meet Him too—through you!

Are You Equipped to Share Like She Was?

Let’s look at the woman at the well in John 4:6-10. She didn’t have a good reputation. In fact, she had five husbands and was living with a man who wasn’t her husband. She came to the well at the hottest time of day, maybe to avoid people who judged her. She was broken, tired, and full of shame.

But Jesus met her right there.

He didn’t ignore her sin. Instead, He called it out with truth, but He also offered her grace. He told her about living water—real life—eternal life. And something powerful happened. She believed Him. She dropped her water jar and ran back to town. This woman, who had been hiding from people, suddenly started telling everyone she met, “Come see a man who told me everything I ever did.”

She didn’t have a sermon, nor did she quote Scripture. She didn’t wait for a class. Ultimately, she just shared what Jesus had done in her life. And that’s what God wants from you. When Jesus meets you, He equips you to share your faith.

Are You Ready?

So, are you equipped to share your faith? If you know Jesus, you already have everything you need. God can use your story just like He used the woman at the well. She went from broken and ashamed to bold and unashamed in minutes. All because she met Jesus.

The same can happen with you.

God is looking for people who will say “yes” to Him. People who will speak up. People who know the joy of being made new and want others to know it too. You are His ambassador now. Let the world see what He’s done in you. Don’t wait. Don’t hide. You’re ready.

Because yes—you are equipped for this.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

These Two Things Will Keep You From Heaven

These Two Things Will Keep You from Heaven

The Bible makes it clear that salvation is available to everyone. But not everyone accepts it. Two kinds of people will never enter heaven, and Scripture gives us clear examples of both. The first kind loves sin more than God, like Esau. The second simply refuses to believe, like Pharaoh. John 3:19 and 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 reveal these truths, showing that people are not rejected by God but instead reject Him by their own choices.

Loving Darkness More Than Light

John 3:19 says, “This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.” Jesus is the light, and He came to save. But some reject Him, not because they don’t believe, but because they don’t want Him. They love their sin more than they love God.

Esau is a perfect example. He had access to the truth. He was born into a family that knew and worshiped God. He even had the birthright, which included the promise of God’s blessing. But he despised it. He sold it for a bowl of stew because he valued his appetite more than God’s plan (Genesis 25:29-34). Later, when he wanted the blessing back, it was too late (Hebrews 12:16-17). His love for temporary pleasures kept him from the eternal blessings of God.

People today do the same. They know the truth but reject it because they don’t want to give up sin. They believe in God, but they choose their desires over Him. That choice keeps them from heaven.

Refusing to Believe the Truth

The second kind of person who won’t enter heaven is described in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11: “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” This is not about those who struggle with doubt. This is about those who will not believe, no matter what.

Pharaoh is an example of this kind of person. He saw God’s power through Moses. He witnessed miracles and plagues that proved God’s authority. But he still refused to believe. The Bible says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart multiple times (Exodus 8:15, 8:32, 9:34). Eventually, God confirmed his decision and hardened Pharaoh’s heart further. This didn’t mean God forced Pharaoh into rebellion; it meant God let Pharaoh go down the path he had already chosen.

People today do the same. They don’t reject Jesus because of lack of evidence. They reject Him because they refuse to accept the truth. And when someone keeps rejecting God, there comes a point when God confirms their choice and lets them go their own way.

The Choice Is Yours

God doesn’t force anyone to reject Him. People do that on their own. Some love sin too much to follow Jesus. Others refuse to believe no matter how much truth they see. Both kinds of people will miss out on salvation—not because God didn’t want them, but because they didn’t want Him.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

When Jesus Agreed With Satan

Did Jesus Admit That Satan Rules the World?

At the start of Jesus’ ministry, He faced a direct attack from the devil himself. After fasting for forty days in the wilderness, Jesus was weak and hungry. That’s when Satan showed up, hoping to take advantage of His physical exhaustion.

One of the temptations Satan offered was power over all the kingdoms of the world. He took Jesus to a high mountain and showed Him everything, saying, “All this I will give You if You bow down and worship me” (Matthew 4:8-9).

Surprisingly, Jesus didn’t argue. He didn’t say, “These kingdoms don’t belong to you.” Instead, He simply responded, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’” (Matthew 4:10).

Satan is the Ruler of This World

Why didn’t Jesus correct Satan? Because what Satan said was true! The Bible tells us clearly that Satan is the ruler of this world.

• John 12:31 – Jesus calls Satan “the ruler of this world.”

• John 14:30 – Jesus says, “The ruler of this world is coming.”

• John 16:11 – Jesus confirms that “the ruler of this world has been judged.”

• 2 Corinthians 4:4 – Paul says, “The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers.”

This means that when Satan offered Jesus the kingdoms of the world, he wasn’t lying. He had real authority—authority that was given to him when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden.

Jesus Knew There Was a Better Way

Even though Jesus agreed with Satan’s claim of authority, He refused the offer. Why? Because Jesus didn’t come to take a shortcut to power. He came to defeat sin and take back what was lost—but not by bowing to Satan.

Satan was trying to get Jesus to bypass the cross. He wanted Jesus to take the easy way out. But Jesus knew that true victory would only come through His death and resurrection.

This is why He responded, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only’” (Matthew 4:10). Jesus refused to compromise, even when Satan offered Him everything.

Who Truly Owns the Kingdoms of the World?

While Satan has temporary rule over this world, his time is running out. Jesus didn’t need to accept Satan’s offer because He already had a plan to take back what was lost.

At the end of time, Revelation 11:15 tells us what will happen:

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever.”

Satan’s rule is temporary. Jesus is the true King, and one day, He will take full authority over the earth.

Conclusion: Satan’s Lies vs. God’s Truth

Yes, Jesus agreed that Satan had power over the world. But He refused to worship him because Satan’s rule is only temporary. Jesus knew that God’s plan was greater.

Satan still tries to tempt us with shortcuts today. He offers fame, power, and wealth, but at the cost of our souls. Like Jesus, we must stand firm and say, “It is written.” We must trust that God’s way is always better.

One day, Jesus will return and fully reclaim His kingdom. Until then, let’s follow His example and serve only the Lord!

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

The Greatest Act of Love

Calvary: A Place of Suffering and Love

Matthew 27:33 tells us that Jesus was led to a place called Golgotha, which means “the place of the skull.” This place, also known as Calvary, was nothing special—just a barren hill outside of Jerusalem. Yet, this was where the greatest act of love in human history took place.

The name Calvary comes from the Latin word “calvaria,” which means skull. Even today, if you look at the hillside, you can see the shape of a skull in the rock. This place was not random. It was chosen for a purpose.

Jesus, the Lamb of God, was taken just outside the city to be sacrificed—just like the lambs that were brought through the Sheep Gate to the temple. Undeniably, He became the final sacrifice for sin, once and for all.

Jesus Chose to Suffer for Us

Many people think that Jesus was a victim of circumstance, but that’s not true. Jesus chose to go to Calvary. He willingly laid down His life for us because He loves us more than we can ever imagine.

John 10:18 tells us that Jesus said, “No one takes my life from me. I lay it down on my own accord.” He could have called down angels to stop His suffering, but He didn’t. Instead, He took the full weight of our sin upon Himself.

At Calvary, He endured:

• Mocking and humiliation from the very people He came to save.

• Severe physical pain as He was beaten, whipped, and nailed to a cross.

• Separation from the Father as He bore the sins of the world.

Why? Because this was the greatest act of love.

The Lamb of God at Calvary

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29). In the Old Testament, people had to sacrifice animals to cover their sins, but those sacrifices were only temporary.

At Calvary, Jesus became the final sacrifice. His blood didn’t just cover our sins—it washed them away forever!

• Hebrews 9:22 – “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.”

• 1 Peter 1:18-19 – “You were redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

When Jesus died at Calvary, He made a way for us to be saved. His sacrifice was enough.

Will You Accept This Love?

The greatest act of love happened at Calvary. Jesus suffered so we could be forgiven, free, and have eternal life.

But love is a choice. In essence, Jesus already chose to love you—will you choose to love Him back?

If you haven’t given your life to Jesus, don’t wait. Come to the cross and receive His love today.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.

Why Was Jesus Thirsty?

Jesus’ Final Moments on the Cross

In Matthew 27:45-49, we read about the intense suffering Jesus endured during His crucifixion. One of the last things He said was, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28). This wasn’t just a random statement—Jesus was fulfilling prophecy. The Old Testament, written centuries before, had already foretold this moment.

Psalm 69:21 says, “For my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” The soldiers near the cross offered Jesus sour wine, just as the psalm predicted. But why did Jesus say He was thirsty? Let’s explore the deep meaning behind these words.

Jesus Was Fulfilling Prophecy

One of the key reasons why Jesus was thirsty was to fulfill Scripture. Every detail of His suffering had been foretold. The betrayal, the mocking, the piercing of His hands and feet—none of this was by accident. Jesus knew what had to be done to complete God’s plan for salvation.

When Jesus said, “I am thirsty,” He wasn’t just asking for water. He was pointing back to the prophecy in Psalm 69:21, proving once again that He was the promised Messiah. The Roman soldiers, unknowingly, helped fulfill this prophecy by offering Him vinegar (sour wine) to drink.

Jesus was in complete control, even in His suffering. He made sure that every prophecy about Him was fulfilled before He breathed His last breath.

Jesus’ Thirst Represents His Suffering

Another reason why Jesus was thirsty was because of the extreme physical torment He had endured. He had been beaten, whipped, and nailed to a cross. He had lost a massive amount of blood. His body was dehydrated, His strength was fading, and He was in unimaginable pain.

But this thirst wasn’t just physical—it was also spiritual. On the cross, Jesus was taking on the sins of the world. For the first time, He experienced separation from God the Father. This was the real agony of the cross. He wasn’t just thirsty for water—He was thirsting for the presence of His Father.

This is why Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). At that moment, He was carrying the full weight of our sin, and He felt the separation that sin brings.

What Does This Mean for Us?

Jesus’ thirst reminds us of the price He paid for our salvation. He suffered so that we could be saved. He took on our punishment so that we could be forgiven.

But there’s more. Just as Jesus thirsted on the cross, He offers living water to all who believe in Him. In John 7:37, Jesus says, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”

We all have a thirst inside us—a deep longing that nothing in this world can satisfy. Money, success, relationships—none of it truly fulfills us. Only Jesus can quench that thirst.

Conclusion: Jesus Thirsted So We Wouldn’t Have To

Jesus’ thirst on the cross was more than just physical. It was a picture of His suffering, His separation from the Father, and His fulfillment of prophecy. But because He thirsted, we can drink freely from the well of eternal life.

If you’re feeling empty, lost, or spiritually dry, Jesus is calling you to come to Him. He alone can satisfy the deepest thirst of your soul.

To watch the full message and bible study on this topic, CLICK HERE.

To view on YouTube, CLICK HERE.