Calvary Kona

What is Happening?:Jesus Weeps, Lazarus Rises, and Faith Learns to Trust | John 11

Why does God sometimes seem silent when we need Him most? In John 11, Mary and Martha send word to Jesus that Lazarus, the one He loves, is sick — yet Jesus delays. By the time He arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. In this message from Calvary Kona, we walk through the grief, honesty, confusion, and faith found in John 11:28–44. Mary and Martha both say, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” It is a deeply human moment — the kind of moment where we ask, “God, why?” But this passage reminds us that even when Jesus delays, He is not absent. Even when we cannot see what He is doing, He is still working. Jesus enters into our sorrow, weeps with those who weep, confronts the power of death, and reveals that He is the Resurrection and the Life. This teaching explores unanswered prayer, grief, suffering, the sovereignty of God, functional faith, and the glory of God revealed through the resurrection of Lazarus. If you have ever wrestled with disappointment, loss, or the question “Why did God allow this?”, this message will encourage you to trust Jesus even when His timing is not what you expected.  Keywords: John 11 sermon, Lazarus resurrection, Jesus wept, why does God delay, unanswered prayer, grief and faith, trusting God in suffering, Calvary Kona, Christian podcast, Bible teaching, verse by verse Bible study, Resurrection and the Life, Mary and Martha, faith in hard times, God’s timing, Jesus and suffering, Christian encouragement, Gospel of John sermon.

When the Sheep Hear His Voice: The Promise of the Good Shepherd John 10

In John 10:22–42, Jesus stands in the temple during the Feast of Dedication and gives one of the most comforting promises in all of Scripture: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” In this message, Pastor Christian looks at the beauty of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the security of eternal life, and the danger of a heart that refuses to hear. While the religious leaders saw Jesus as a threat, His sheep heard the voice of life. This teaching reminds us that Jesus does not abandon His people in the dark. He knows them, keeps them, and no one can snatch them from His hand. SEO Search: John 10, Good Shepherd, Jesus, My sheep hear My voice, eternal life, no one can snatch them, Gospel of John, Bible teaching, Christian sermon, Calvary Kona, Pastor Christian Dobson, Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, I and the Father are one, following Jesus

Jesus the Good Shepherd: Healing the Cast Out and Exposing False Shepherds | John 10

What kind of shepherd is Jesus? In this teaching from John 10, Pastor Christian continues the story of the man born blind from John 9 and shows how Jesus not only heals, but also hears, finds, protects, and leads His sheep. After the healed man is cast out by the religious leaders, Jesus finds him and begins teaching about the difference between false shepherds and the Good Shepherd. False shepherds use, control, abandon, and harm the sheep, but Jesus lays down His life for them. He is both the Door and the Shepherd, the only way into the flock of God and the One who stays with His people through the darkest valleys. This message also looks at the church culture Jesus calls His people to build: a culture that cares for the wounded, seeks the lost, strengthens the weak, and reflects the heart of the Good Shepherd in the community God has placed us in.  Keywords included naturally: John 10, Good Shepherd, Jesus the Shepherd, false shepherds, Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23, church leadership, Calvary Kona, Jesus lays down His life, Gospel of John, Christian sermon.

Though I Was Blind, Now I See | John 9

In this verse-by-verse study through John 9, Pastor Christian teaches on the healing of the man born blind and the power of a simple testimony. While the religious leaders looked for blame, Jesus revealed a greater purpose: “that the works of God might be displayed in him.” This message explores suffering, spiritual blindness, the urgency of doing God’s work while it is day, and the unique power of your testimony. The man in John 9 did not have every theological answer, but he had one undeniable truth: “Though I was blind, now I see.” His simple testimony exposed the blindness of the religious elite and pointed directly to Jesus, the Messiah.  SEO Keywords / Tags: John 9, though I was blind now I see, man born blind, healing of the blind man, power of testimony, Jesus heals the blind, spiritual blindness, Bible teaching, verse by verse Bible study, Gospel of John, Calvary Kona, Calvary Chapel, Christian podcast, sermon podcast, Jesus the Messiah, freedom in Christ, works of God, light of the world

The Truth Will Set You Free | John 8:31–47

In this verse-by-verse study through John 8:31–47, Pastor Christian teaches on the freedom that comes from abiding in the words of Jesus. As Jesus confronts both belief and rejection, we see that what we hold in our hearts—and what our hearts reject—shapes the way we see Him. This message also reflects on the early journey of Calvary Kona, from stepping out in faith to plant a church in Kona, to seasons of waiting, wrestling, and watching God confirm His Word. Through every challenge, the call remains the same: hold fast to the truth of Christ, reject the lies that enslave, and walk in the freedom only the Son can give.  SEO Keywords / Tags: John 8, John 8:31-47, truth will set you free, abide in my word, freedom in Christ, slave to sin, Jesus and Abraham, father of lies, Bible teaching, verse by verse Bible study, Calvary Chapel, Calvary Kona, Christian podcast, sermon podcast, Gospel of John, faith in Jesus, spiritual freedom