This week’s text invites us to walk alongside a grieving sister. The connection to your hearers will be easy, for life in this world provides no shortage of reasons to grieve.

This man lived his entire life in the darkness, that is, until he met Jesus.

The woman in our text probably did not expect much from her trip to the well that day, but Jesus did. Jesus planned to meet her.

Nicodemus remained silent. He stopped talking. He stopped asking questions. And he listened. He simply listened to Jesus. It was his smartest move yet.

The eternal Word of God became a mortal human being, but not in some far-off heavenly realm. No, He took up residence among us.

Matthew makes it abundantly clear that Joseph lacked one thing: Control. He may have been the titular head of his emerging household, but he was clearly not in charge. God was, as God always is.

John the Baptist’s question in our text offers you an opportunity to help your congregation take seriously the doubts experienced by those who live by faith.

The Lord is coming, that much is certain. He is coming to reign, not only over the heavens, but also over the members of your congregation.

Jesus came to His own people to bridge the rift which exists between humankind and God.

God commands we serve only Him. We serve Him with all we have and all we are, including the 90% of our income which does not go in the plates. What does it look like to serve God above money?

The heart of your sermon is the promise that God, in Jesus, has sought and found each of us. He receives us sinners and invites us to eat with Him at His table.

The reason nothing can come before Jesus is because nothing endures beyond the grave except for Jesus.