June 28, 2026 - John 7:53-8:11 - Questions From A Questionable Text

June 28, 2026 - John 7:53-8:11 - Questions From A Questionable Text

It is one of the most famous stories in the Bible: a woman caught in adultery, an angry mob with stones in hand, and Jesus writing in the dirt. But did you know this well-known passage is also one of the most debated texts in Scripture? In week 22 of our series through the Gospel of John, Lead Pastor Dr. Scott Hood tackles John 7:53-8:11. Because many of the earliest manuscripts do not include these specific verses, it raises important questions about how we view and trust the Bible. At the same time, this text delivers a profound, undeniable picture of Jesus' radical grace and perfect justice. This week, we unpack the history and the heart of this passage by asking five crucial questions: * Is This Scripture?: Addressing the textual history of this passage and why we can still confidently trust the Bible we hold in our hands today. * Why Just The Woman?: Highlighting the blatant hypocrisy of the religious leaders who brought the woman to Jesus while conveniently leaving the guilty man behind. * Is Adultery The Unpardonable Sin?: Exploring the gravity of sexual sin, while celebrating the truth that no sin is beyond the reach of God's forgiveness. * Do You Have To Be Sinless To Judge?: Unpacking Jesus' famous statement, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone," and what it actually teaches about self-righteousness. * Does Sin Bring Condemnation?: The beautiful balance of Christ's response: offering absolute grace ("Neither do I condemn you") alongside a clear, loving call to holiness ("Go and sin no more"). Scripture: John 7:53-8:11Speaker: Dr. Scott HoodDate: June 28, 2026Series: The Gospel of John (Week 22)Location: Halls Community Park (Knoxville, TN)

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)