The First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton

What Christians Do: Love

What unites Christians all over the world and throughout history? Most would say that we are united by a common faith - we are united by what we believe. But is this true? This summer we will explore the idea that evangelism - being a Christian in public - is primarily shaped by what Christians do, not what we believe. Fundamentally, Christians are called to love. This is the first thing we do, and from this act comes every other.

The Gospel of John: Twin Trials

Before his journey to the Cross, Jesus is tried before the religious authorities and the civil authorities to the same effect. In both cases, he is found guilty without evidence. According to John, this is all the evidence we need to find the institutions, themselves, guilty. Instead, he offers a crucial reminder: Jesus did not come to serve the government or religious authorities - he came to replace them. The Church is not called to be an institution, but a faithful group of followers living as Christ lived.

The Gospel of John: Judas and Peter

Jesus comes to do what only he can do. He makes us clean, he forgives us, and he loves us just as we are. Pride tells us that God's grace is always for someone else. Jesus tells us - dirt and all - that we are loved and accepted.

The Gospel of John: Love or Fear

The life we build is constructed through an endless series of small choices. Each choice reflects our core orientation to the world: do we choose fear or love? The Resurrection is about the victory of life over death. But it is not the victory of just any kind of life - it is about the victory of a life defined by love, not fear.

The Gospel of John: Reading the Signs

The Gospel narrative is not single-dimensional. With every perspective, the contours of its story change, broaden, and vary. John does not satisfy our longing for a simplistic tale of black and white morality, where every scene clearly communicates the significance of Jesus’ every action. Instead, John uses ambiguity to challenge our preconceived notions. He squarely asks us: do you really understand the Gospel? Or are you just following along?