June 21, 2026 - John 7:32-52 - Believe in Jesus the Christ and Bless Others

June 21, 2026 - John 7:32-52 - Believe in Jesus the Christ and Bless Others

Where do you turn when your soul is completely parched? In week 21 of our series through the Gospel of John, Pastor Dr. Scott Hood explores the climax of the Feast of Booths. As the religious leaders actively plot to arrest Him, Jesus stands up in the middle of the crowd and offers a powerful, open invitation to anyone who is thirsty. Yet, His bold claims cause a massive divide among the people. This week, we look at the life-giving promise of the Holy Spirit and the polarizing nature of Jesus' identity through three key points: * Not believing hurts you and others (v.32-36): The tragic reality of rejecting Christ, and the sobering ripple effect our unbelief has on those around us. * Drink deeply from the well that never runs dry (v.37-39): Jesus' incredible promise that those who believe in Him will not only have their own spiritual thirst quenched, but will overflow with "rivers of living water" to bless others. * Is Jesus the prophet, the Christ, the offspring, or the deceiver? (v.40-52): The crowd's divided response to His teaching, forcing every single one of us to answer the ultimate question of who we truly believe He is. Scripture: John 7:32-52Speaker: Dr. Scott HoodDate: June 21, 2026Series: The Gospel of John (Week 21)Location: Halls Community Park (Knoxville, TN)

June 14, 2026 - John 7:14-31 - Who Should We Believe?

In a world full of conflicting voices and competing authorities, how do we discern who to listen to and who is speaking the truth? In week 20 of our series through the Gospel of John, guest teacher John Steinke takes us to the middle of the Feast of Booths. As Jesus steps into the temple to teach, the crowds are divided. They question His lack of formal education, criticize His past actions, and make assumptions about His origins. Through this tension, Jesus radically redefines what true, God-given authority looks like compared to the world's standards. This week, we look at how to recognize true spiritual authority through three key points: * The Credentials of a Godly Man: Why Jesus' divine authority and submission to the Father matter infinitely more than formal, worldly education. * The Righteousness of a Godly Man: The challenge to look past superficial, outward appearances and learn to judge with true, righteous judgment. * The Background of a Godly Man: Understanding that a true calling originates from the Father, even when the crowd misunderstands where you come from. Scripture: John 7:14-31Speaker: John Steinke (Guest Teacher)Date: June 14, 2026Series: The Gospel of John (Week 20)Location: Halls Community Park (Knoxville, TN)

June 7, 2026 - John 7:1-13 - Timing is Everything

How do we respond when God's timeline doesn't match our own? In week 19 of our series through the Gospel of John, Lead Pastor Dr. Scott Hood looks at a moment where Jesus faces intense pressure from His own family. As the Feast of Booths approaches, His brothers urge Him to go to Jerusalem and make a public spectacle of His miracles. But Jesus refuses to be rushed, demonstrating what it looks like to live in perfect submission to the Father's schedule. This week, we explore the tension of trusting God's timing through two key points: * Obedience in Waiting (v.1-9): The challenge of staying still and trusting God's plan, even when the world—or our own family—pressures us to rush ahead, force an outcome, or prove ourselves. * Obedience in Action (v.10-13): The courage required to move boldly and precisely when God says it is finally time, regardless of the danger, the whispers, or the opinions of the crowd. Scripture: John 7:1-13Speaker: Dr. Scott HoodDate: June 7, 2026Series: The Gospel of John (Week 19)Location: Halls Community Park (Knoxville, TN)

May 31, 2026 - John 6:22-51 - Hard Truths

Following the "Bread of Life" discourse, Jesus' teaching becomes even more difficult for the crowds to stomach. In week 18 of our series through the Gospel of John, Lead Pastor Dr. Scott Hood tackles the challenging conclusion of this chapter. When Jesus speaks in graphic, spiritual terms about His upcoming sacrifice, the line is drawn in the sand, and many of His followers decide to walk away. This passage forces us to confront the reality of a Savior who doesn't just offer miracles, but demands complete surrender. This week, we look at the polarizing nature of Christ's message through two key points: * Eating Flesh (v.52-59): Unpacking the shocking imagery Jesus uses to explain the absolute necessity of deeply abiding in Him and trusting fully in His sacrifice. * Dying Messiah (v.60-71): The difficult reality of a Savior who came to suffer and die, forcing the disciples to decide whether they will abandon Him when the teaching gets tough, or recognize that He alone has the words of eternal life. Scripture: John 6:52-71Speaker: Dr. Scott HoodDate: May 31, 2026Series: The Gospel of John (Week 18)Location: Halls Community Park (Knoxville, TN)

May 24, 2026 - John 6:22-51 - The Mystery of Believing

After feeding the five thousand, the crowds are desperate to find Jesus again, but are they looking for a Savior, or just another free meal? In week 17 of our journey through the Gospel of John, Lead Pastor Dr. Scott Hood unpacks the profound "Bread of Life" discourse. Jesus challenges the crowd's superficial desires and points them to the deeper, spiritual reality of what it truly means to believe. This week, we explore the tension between what we want and what we actually need through five key points: * Everybody is seeking an answer (v.22-26): The human condition is marked by a restless search for satisfaction, often driven by temporary, physical appetites. * There is an Answer (v.27): Jesus redirects our focus from the food that perishes to the eternal nourishment that only the Son of Man can provide. * Most are satisfied with an inferior answer (v.28-34): The danger of settling for quick fixes or temporary signs when God is offering us the Bread of Heaven. * Jesus is the Answer (v.35): The profound, exclusive claim that Christ Himself is the Bread of Life, and whoever comes to Him will never go hungry. * God's Sovereignty and Man's Responsibility in Salvation (v.36-51): Navigating the beautiful, theological mystery of the Father's drawing grace alongside our call to actively believe. Scripture: John 6:22-51Speaker: Dr. Scott HoodDate: May 24, 2026Series: The Gospel of John (Week 17)Location: Halls Community Park (Knoxville, TN)