Fountain of Life

Peter | Eyewitness | Pastor Hans Hess

Easter Series 2026: Eyewitnesses of Jesus
Part 3: Peter
Peter’s story is not just about failure…it’s about what Jesus does after the failure. Peter didn’t drift away slowly, he denied Jesus directly. Face to face with pressure, he said: “I do not know that man.” Three times. And when it was over, Scripture says he went out and wept bitterly. This is the weight of sin, not just what he did, but the realization of it. And that's where grace came looking for him. After the resurrection, the angel says: “Go tell His disciples and Peter…” Why mention Peter? Because Jesus knew something...Shame would try to keep Peter from coming back. So before Peter could even make a move toward Jesus…Jesus made a move toward him. That's where the restoration of what shame tried to steal comes in. When they meet again, Jesus doesn’t say: “Explain yourself.” He says: “Do you love Me?” Three times. Each question wasn’t reopening the wound, it was healing it. And then Jesus speaks purpose again: “Feed My sheep.”
The Depth Behind "Feed My Sheep":
Your failure didn’t cancel your calling.
Your mistake didn’t erase your identity.
Your story isn’t over.
What Forgiveness Does:
Your sins have been sent away, not partially, but completely.
You are pardoned and your debt is cancelled with nothing left to repay.
You are FREE...It breaks your chains, where you are no longer bound.
Peter’s lowest moment didn’t define him, Jesus’ forgiveness did. He went from weeping in shame…to walking in purpose.
The full series message concludes:
John → You are loved
Thomas → You can believe
Peter → You are forgiven
Key Takeaway - You don’t have to stay where you fell, because Jesus is still calling your name.

Thomas | Eyewitness | Pastor Hans Hess

Easter Series 2026: Eyewitnesses of Jesus
Part 2: Thomas
This message shifts our focus to Thomas, not to shame his doubt, but to reveal what Jesus does through it. Thomas is often labeled “Doubting Thomas,” but Scripture shows something deeper: he wasn’t the only one who doubted…he was just the one honest enough to say it out loud.
I. More Than a Doubter
Thomas wasn’t weak, he was loyal and courageous.
- In John 11, he was willing to die with Jesus
- In John 14, he asked questions others were afraid to ask
- He stayed with the disciples even in uncertainty
- Thomas wasn’t faithless, he was searching.
II. The Reality of Doubt After the resurrection, when the disciples said, “We’ve seen the Lord,” Thomas responded: “Unless I see…I will not believe.” But here’s the truth: All the disciples struggled with unbelief. (Mark 16:9–14)
- They heard the testimony and still didn’t believe
- They walked with Jesus and still wrestled
- Doubt is not the absence of faith, it’s often the place where faith begins.
III. Jesus Meets Us in Our Doubt Eight days later, Jesus comes back…for Thomas.
- He didn’t rebuke him harshly
- He didn’t reject him
- He met him right where he was
“Reach your finger here…do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And in that moment, Thomas declares: “My Lord and my God!”
The greatest confession came from the one who doubted the loudest.
IV. Blessed Are Those Who Believe
Jesus responds with a powerful truth: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This shifts the message from Thomas…to us. We weren’t in the room. We didn’t see the scars. But we are still called to believe, because faith isn’t built on sight, it’s built on trust.
V. How to Eliminate Doubt
Doubt doesn’t have to control you, you can fight it:
1. Replace It and Feed Your Faith
What you consume shapes what you believe.
Fill your life with truth, not fear.
2. Fight It and Stand on the Word
Faith grows when you stand on God’s promises, not your feelings.
3. Stop Saying It
Your words reinforce your belief system.
Stop speaking doubt and start declaring truth.
Thomas could have been remembered as “the one who doubted”…But instead, he became the one who believed.

John | Eyewitness | Pastor Hans Hess

Easter Series 2026: Eyewitnesses of Jesus
Part 1: John
This Easter series begins by looking at the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus through the eyes of those who were closest to Him. And first, we see it through John, not as a title of pride, but as a testimony of identity: I am the one Jesus loved.
I. A Son of Thunder
John didn’t start soft, humble, or loving.
He was bold, intense, and even prideful
He and his brother James wanted positions of honor
He was willing to call down fire on people who rejected Jesus
John was passionate…but misplaced. Yet Jesus didn’t reject him, He transformed him.
II. The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
John wasn’t just another follower, he was invited into deeper moments:
Jairus’ house - witnessing miracles
The Transfiguration - seeing Jesus in glory
Gethsemane - seeing Jesus in sorrow
The Last Supper - leaning close to Jesus
John didn’t earn this closeness, he simply stayed near. And instead of labeling himself by his past, he chose a new identity: “The one Jesus loved.”
III. Faithful to the End
When others fled…John stayed.
He stood at the cross
He witnessed the suffering
He was entrusted with caring for Jesus’ mother
Love kept him present when fear drove others away.
IV. A Transformed Elder
The same “Son of Thunder” became the apostle of love. “Let us love one another, for love is of God…” - 1 John 4
John’s life became proof of this truth: When you truly experience the love of Jesus, you don’t stay the same. His story isn’t just about who he was…it’s about who he became. He could have said: “I’m the one who wanted power.”...“I’m the one who got it wrong.”...But instead, he chose this identity: “I am the one Jesus loved.”
Jesus wants you to know that your past doesn’t define you and your mistakes don’t name you. If you are in Christ, your identity is this: You are the one Jesus loves.

Baptism | Pastor Hans Hess

Pride is the enemy of Love | Love: The Greatest Commandment | Pastor Hans Hess

Eliminate Double-Mindedness | Love: The Greatest Commandment | Pastor Hans Hess

Forgiveness | Love: The Greatest Commandment | Pastor Hans Hess

Love is the Way | Love: The Greatest Commandment | Pastor Hans Hess