The Way of Life

The Way of Life | April 27, 2025

Pastor Bria Bradshaw

John 20:19-23 ESV - On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

✓ The risen Jesus still meets us where we are!

✓ Nothing can keep Jesus from coming and standing among us.

✓ When Jesus speaks, it is reality.

THE WAY OF LIFE

I. The Way of Life is to receive not produce.

John 20:21-22 ESV - Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Whatever is the source will be the outcome. If you are the source, the outcome will be you. If God is the source, the outcome will be God.

Acts 2:17-18 ESV - And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

Question - Are you receiving or are you too busy producing?

II. The Way of Life is to let go not hold on.

John 20:22-23 ESV - And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Question - What have you been holding on to that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to let go of?