Wednesday, February 23, 2011
2/23/2011 Devotional Thoughts from Acts... Apollos, the Helper, Is Helped (Acts 18:24-28)
Text: Acts 18:24-28 (NKJV)
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
Of all the people in the Bible that I identify with, I think Apollos is #1. Passionate, opinionated, eager to learn, and a helper. At least at this stage in my life, I am not really a Number One sort of guy, more of a Lieutenant to help the Number One. There are three important lessons that I think one should take from this passage.
We see that Apollos was a wise, eloquent man (ok, so the comparison with me isn't perfect) who was passionately preaching what he thought to be the truth. In fact, what he was teaching was not wrong. Not just a classic Old Testament Jew, he had adopted the teachings of John the Baptist about repentance. The first lesson we can take from this passage is to be passionate about what you teach. This is certainly true in any field if one is to be an effective teacher, but how much more important it is in the things of God! Though speculation, I would assume that his reception in the synagogue was mixed. Yes, he was a wise, educated man so he should be heeded; however, what he would have been saying would have been really edgy for the Jews- not a foul ball but certainly hugging the left field line. His fervor came from knowledge of what he spoke and a love for his God.
Next, we see a confrontation with the truth. This educated man from one of the intellectual centers of the world at that time (think someone with a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Harvard) is being corrected by a couple of lowly tentmakers? Not just common tentmakers but they made tents for shepherds and country travelers, an even lower rung on the social ladder. These people would have possessed no formal higher education like what Apollos had. Still, pulled aside and corrected by a couple of makers of shepherd tents, what does the mighty Apollos do? He showed us our second lesson, which is to be eager to learn, even if that means correcting our errors. Humility. Wisdom. Patience. All characteristics he must have possessed. When confronted with correction from God's Word, he easily received it.
In the same section, we should learn another lesson, but this time from the confronters. Our third lesson is to speak the truth of God's Word boldly, regardless of the mitigating circumstances. These tentmakers had no intellectual right to question Dr. Apollos, yet they did it because it was the right thing to do. If American Christians today had the boldness of Aquila and Priscilla, what mighty things might be done for Christ!
Last here, I want to point out Apollos as a helper. More than a generic helper, he was a discipler. An apologist (defender) of Christianity and an encourager of the church, he inspired people to grow in faith through his words and actions. This is a burden on my heart and something that I am very passionate about.
Applications:
So, I basically wove the applications into the devotional thoughts. To summarize: be passionate about what you preach, have an eagerly teachable spirit, and boldly speak the truth from Scripture.
Also, if you have a burden for helping Christians grow and encouraging them, do it! If not, you need to do it anyway.
Other Studies from Acts
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
Of all the people in the Bible that I identify with, I think Apollos is #1. Passionate, opinionated, eager to learn, and a helper. At least at this stage in my life, I am not really a Number One sort of guy, more of a Lieutenant to help the Number One. There are three important lessons that I think one should take from this passage.
We see that Apollos was a wise, eloquent man (ok, so the comparison with me isn't perfect) who was passionately preaching what he thought to be the truth. In fact, what he was teaching was not wrong. Not just a classic Old Testament Jew, he had adopted the teachings of John the Baptist about repentance. The first lesson we can take from this passage is to be passionate about what you teach. This is certainly true in any field if one is to be an effective teacher, but how much more important it is in the things of God! Though speculation, I would assume that his reception in the synagogue was mixed. Yes, he was a wise, educated man so he should be heeded; however, what he would have been saying would have been really edgy for the Jews- not a foul ball but certainly hugging the left field line. His fervor came from knowledge of what he spoke and a love for his God.
Next, we see a confrontation with the truth. This educated man from one of the intellectual centers of the world at that time (think someone with a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Harvard) is being corrected by a couple of lowly tentmakers? Not just common tentmakers but they made tents for shepherds and country travelers, an even lower rung on the social ladder. These people would have possessed no formal higher education like what Apollos had. Still, pulled aside and corrected by a couple of makers of shepherd tents, what does the mighty Apollos do? He showed us our second lesson, which is to be eager to learn, even if that means correcting our errors. Humility. Wisdom. Patience. All characteristics he must have possessed. When confronted with correction from God's Word, he easily received it.
In the same section, we should learn another lesson, but this time from the confronters. Our third lesson is to speak the truth of God's Word boldly, regardless of the mitigating circumstances. These tentmakers had no intellectual right to question Dr. Apollos, yet they did it because it was the right thing to do. If American Christians today had the boldness of Aquila and Priscilla, what mighty things might be done for Christ!
Last here, I want to point out Apollos as a helper. More than a generic helper, he was a discipler. An apologist (defender) of Christianity and an encourager of the church, he inspired people to grow in faith through his words and actions. This is a burden on my heart and something that I am very passionate about.
Applications:
So, I basically wove the applications into the devotional thoughts. To summarize: be passionate about what you preach, have an eagerly teachable spirit, and boldly speak the truth from Scripture.
Also, if you have a burden for helping Christians grow and encouraging them, do it! If not, you need to do it anyway.
Other Studies from Acts
Monday, February 21, 2011
February 21, 2011: "Phone's for You" Completed
1894 homes on the mailing list for the first mailer. This map is not inclusive but gives you a pretty good idea of the saturation of people on the mailing list within our target area, centered on the middle, left part of the image. Thank you to everyone who helped and/or prayed! Praise the Lord!!
2/21/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... John the Baptist and Jesus Again (John 3:22-36)
Text: John 3:22-36 (NKJV)
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
The Jesus narrative now moves to the countryside outside of Jerusalem. Jesus and His six disciples were at the river baptizing. Actually, according to John 4:2, Jesus was not actually doing the baptisms but was working through His disciples.
Here comes an important passage for us to learn from John the Baptist. Concerning the issue of purification, John the Baptist's followers come to him to resolve a dispute for them. Jesus is out baptizing as well, and these followers look to John the Baptist as the leader of their movement. Concerned that their movement was losing steam to Jesus, the naivete of their question is spread open in a humble reply by John the Baptist. He revisited his earlier remarks about how it was his purpose to point people to Jesus.
This, however, is followed by one of the greatest human statements of all time- "He must increase, but I must decrease." Wow, what a powerful remark. John the Baptist evidenced maturity that I can only dream of. Oh, I would certainly utter those words, but our actions often betray what we say. Though the English tonguetwister written in Greek by Paul (Romans 7:15-25) is at work at least in my case, it does not diminish the fact that I am consumed with pride. In fact, I would say that we pretty much all are. As Christians, let alone spiritual leaders, we must be willing to totally, 110% stand behind this statement in word, thought, and deed. I pray that as I mature in life this will become what people think of when they think of me- Jesus Christ. Not me; not my church; not my accomplishments- but rather Christ who lived within me.
The last verse in our section today has another clear statement about spiritual salvation. Belief / faith (pisteuo) is all that is required for everlasting life. No amount of penance, good deeds, Hail Mary's, or pilgrimages can do anything at all to work toward salvation. In fact, dependence on such things betrays a lack of true, saving faith. The concept requires total trust or dependence on something, in this case Jesus for spiritual salvation. That cannot be the case as long as one is trying to do more good than bad in order to get God's favor for spiritual salvation.
Applications:
Eliminate pride and be humble! So easy to say and so hard to do. The imperative is immediate, but this will likely take a lifetime of spiritual discipline to even come close to mastering the concept. Confess your pride to God daily (not as thoughtless repetition, but specific instances of it that day) and pray for God to teach you humility.
As I have said before, trust in Jesus alone for salvation from sin and Hell and to eternal life and Heaven.
Other Studies from John
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
The Jesus narrative now moves to the countryside outside of Jerusalem. Jesus and His six disciples were at the river baptizing. Actually, according to John 4:2, Jesus was not actually doing the baptisms but was working through His disciples.
Here comes an important passage for us to learn from John the Baptist. Concerning the issue of purification, John the Baptist's followers come to him to resolve a dispute for them. Jesus is out baptizing as well, and these followers look to John the Baptist as the leader of their movement. Concerned that their movement was losing steam to Jesus, the naivete of their question is spread open in a humble reply by John the Baptist. He revisited his earlier remarks about how it was his purpose to point people to Jesus.
This, however, is followed by one of the greatest human statements of all time- "He must increase, but I must decrease." Wow, what a powerful remark. John the Baptist evidenced maturity that I can only dream of. Oh, I would certainly utter those words, but our actions often betray what we say. Though the English tonguetwister written in Greek by Paul (Romans 7:15-25) is at work at least in my case, it does not diminish the fact that I am consumed with pride. In fact, I would say that we pretty much all are. As Christians, let alone spiritual leaders, we must be willing to totally, 110% stand behind this statement in word, thought, and deed. I pray that as I mature in life this will become what people think of when they think of me- Jesus Christ. Not me; not my church; not my accomplishments- but rather Christ who lived within me.
The last verse in our section today has another clear statement about spiritual salvation. Belief / faith (pisteuo) is all that is required for everlasting life. No amount of penance, good deeds, Hail Mary's, or pilgrimages can do anything at all to work toward salvation. In fact, dependence on such things betrays a lack of true, saving faith. The concept requires total trust or dependence on something, in this case Jesus for spiritual salvation. That cannot be the case as long as one is trying to do more good than bad in order to get God's favor for spiritual salvation.
Applications:
Eliminate pride and be humble! So easy to say and so hard to do. The imperative is immediate, but this will likely take a lifetime of spiritual discipline to even come close to mastering the concept. Confess your pride to God daily (not as thoughtless repetition, but specific instances of it that day) and pray for God to teach you humility.
As I have said before, trust in Jesus alone for salvation from sin and Hell and to eternal life and Heaven.
Other Studies from John
Saturday, February 19, 2011
2/20/2011 Devotional Thoughts from Jude... Contending for the Faith
Text: The Book of Jude (NKJV)
1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
The Book of Jude is very similar to Second Peter. Some contend that 2 Peter should not be in the Bible, and that it was an inauthentic rip-off of this book. I do not believe this to be the case; however, our focus here is on Jude.
Jude is unique in that it is the only New Testament book to clearly reference an Apocryphal book (a book rejected as not rightly part of the Bible) in verses 14-15.
Who wrote the book? The name "Ioudas" was very popular in the 1st Century A.D. in Israel because of the national hero by the same name (Judas Maccabaeus). The authorship of this book is debated by some Biblical scholars, but it seems to be pretty clear from internal content. Compare Jude 1 to Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3. Thus, the author of this book of the Bible is Jesus's half-brother (by Joseph and Mary), who did not actually believe in Jesus as Messiah and Savior until after His death (John 7:1-9, Acts 1:14).1
Moving on to the content of the book, we see that this short book is rich in doctrine and early church history. Jude was writing to an unidentified church, specifically calling for them to contend for purity in the faith from corrupt individuals within their organization.
Jude proceeded to describe the faults of these evil, wolves-in-sheeps'-clothing that had crept into this church. Their judgment is sure.
Verses 14 and 15 are a reference to the Apocryphal book of 1 Enoch 1:9. This neither validates 1 Enoch nor invalidates Jude as Scripture. It is a reference to a historical text, that was not inspired by God in its original recording in 1 Enoch but became part of the inspired record in Scripture here. We have to remember that non-Biblical books record truth as well. An history textbook has truth in it that is not inspired, but it also contains some error. Jude used valid information from an incompletely perfect source under inspiration of God the Holy Spirit.
Let's look more closely at verses 16-19. Notice the negativity of the individuals in question. They grumble and complain. Don't overgeneralize this as Jude is speaking specifically of their actions within the local church (although these are certainly not good qualities in other situations either). Basically, this is a group of nay-saying, complainers who usurp the authority in their local church by doing whatever they want, leading others astray into their ways. I am not accusing anyone here of being a wicked apostate like those here, but I think that many if not most Christians in America today grumble and complain. We need to be careful of our attitude in our local churches.
Jude then admonishes the true Christians to build each other up in the faith. This is in direct contrast to causing divisions by the apostates. Positive criticism, love, and compassion are important characteristics of every member of a healthy church body.
1. Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa, Talk Thru the Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983), 501.
Applications:
Stick true to right doctrine. That understanding of doctrine comes only from the Bible, so one has to study it at length to do this. Compromising truth a little for pragmatic purposes is not ok. Spiritually, the ends do not justify the means.
Have a spirit of unity in your local church body. You can only control you, so do it. If you don't agree about how something is being done, there are appropriate ways to voice that. Creating a viral attitude of negativity and subversion are not. Unity within a local church should always be maintained; however, one should understand that in the situation where some in a church pervert true doctrine, it is they who are breaking the unity not those involved in discipline or standing for purity in church doctrine. Unity does not mean permissiveness or acceptance of everything.
Develop a positive attitude within the church. Focus on serving others like Jesus did and loving them as He loved them. Remember the mercy He is showing you even now.
1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
The Book of Jude is very similar to Second Peter. Some contend that 2 Peter should not be in the Bible, and that it was an inauthentic rip-off of this book. I do not believe this to be the case; however, our focus here is on Jude.
Jude is unique in that it is the only New Testament book to clearly reference an Apocryphal book (a book rejected as not rightly part of the Bible) in verses 14-15.
Who wrote the book? The name "Ioudas" was very popular in the 1st Century A.D. in Israel because of the national hero by the same name (Judas Maccabaeus). The authorship of this book is debated by some Biblical scholars, but it seems to be pretty clear from internal content. Compare Jude 1 to Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3. Thus, the author of this book of the Bible is Jesus's half-brother (by Joseph and Mary), who did not actually believe in Jesus as Messiah and Savior until after His death (John 7:1-9, Acts 1:14).1
Moving on to the content of the book, we see that this short book is rich in doctrine and early church history. Jude was writing to an unidentified church, specifically calling for them to contend for purity in the faith from corrupt individuals within their organization.
Jude proceeded to describe the faults of these evil, wolves-in-sheeps'-clothing that had crept into this church. Their judgment is sure.
Verses 14 and 15 are a reference to the Apocryphal book of 1 Enoch 1:9. This neither validates 1 Enoch nor invalidates Jude as Scripture. It is a reference to a historical text, that was not inspired by God in its original recording in 1 Enoch but became part of the inspired record in Scripture here. We have to remember that non-Biblical books record truth as well. An history textbook has truth in it that is not inspired, but it also contains some error. Jude used valid information from an incompletely perfect source under inspiration of God the Holy Spirit.
Let's look more closely at verses 16-19. Notice the negativity of the individuals in question. They grumble and complain. Don't overgeneralize this as Jude is speaking specifically of their actions within the local church (although these are certainly not good qualities in other situations either). Basically, this is a group of nay-saying, complainers who usurp the authority in their local church by doing whatever they want, leading others astray into their ways. I am not accusing anyone here of being a wicked apostate like those here, but I think that many if not most Christians in America today grumble and complain. We need to be careful of our attitude in our local churches.
Jude then admonishes the true Christians to build each other up in the faith. This is in direct contrast to causing divisions by the apostates. Positive criticism, love, and compassion are important characteristics of every member of a healthy church body.
1. Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa, Talk Thru the Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983), 501.
Applications:
Stick true to right doctrine. That understanding of doctrine comes only from the Bible, so one has to study it at length to do this. Compromising truth a little for pragmatic purposes is not ok. Spiritually, the ends do not justify the means.
Have a spirit of unity in your local church body. You can only control you, so do it. If you don't agree about how something is being done, there are appropriate ways to voice that. Creating a viral attitude of negativity and subversion are not. Unity within a local church should always be maintained; however, one should understand that in the situation where some in a church pervert true doctrine, it is they who are breaking the unity not those involved in discipline or standing for purity in church doctrine. Unity does not mean permissiveness or acceptance of everything.
Develop a positive attitude within the church. Focus on serving others like Jesus did and loving them as He loved them. Remember the mercy He is showing you even now.
2/19/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... What does it Mean to be Born Again? (John 3:1-21)
Text: John 3:1-21 (NKJV)
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This passage contains the single most well-known Bible verse in the Western world today. John 3:16 appears in many places that other Bible verses are never considered- from signs at NFL games to tshirts, this verse has a place in pop culture that seems to have forgotten the rest of the Bible. This historical record of a conversation between Jesus and a prominent man named Nicodemus (likely one of the seventy most respected men in the nation at that time, from the Sanhedrin) serves as a clarifying point for what God's- and thus Jesus's- mission in the world was by sending Jesus to Earth.
Nicodemus was what I would call a seeker- he wanted to know more about Jesus. Nicodemus understood Judaism and God's Word as found in the Old Testament. He was seeking to reconcile the claims of Jesus with what he thought he knew, and his best conclusion underestimated Jesus as mere a human teacher sent by God. The education that Jesus gave this learned man is equally vital for us today.
Evangelicals in America are notorious for using the phrase "born again." It is often used by secular sources to refer to anyone within a broad conception of Christianity who is not Catholic. Still, I think it often rings as a hollow title, having no understanding of the meaning. Here (verse 3), Jesus introduced and defined it for us. Immediately (verse 4), Nicodemus got the elephant in the room out of the way- how can an adult be physically reborn? Not using so many words, he questioned the biology of how that would work. I think Nicodemus's question is indicative of the fact that he suspected that Jesus meant something more by the statement in verse 3, but this Jewish noble could not conceive of any other birth than the physical. Jesus turned the question on its head. Though there is controversy among theologians regarding the reference of Jesus in verse 5 to being born of water as a necessity to enter His spiritual kingdom, I believe that the understanding is clear. When taken in context, there are two types of birth discussed here- physical and spiritual. A baby is physically born shortly after a mother's "water" breaks. I believe that the best understanding would be as if, in our language and culture, we said "... by water AND the spirit..." Basically- ok Nicodemus. Yes, you are physically born. We all get that, but I am talking about something more here. Verses 6-7 further hammer this idea out with Jesus reiterating the thought for clarity to a man who was apparently confused.
Skipping ahead to the meat of the discussion in verses 15-21, we come to the main idea that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes on Him will not die spiritually but have eternal life. I think it is important here that I insert another passage to help us in our understanding here:
This is, as the hymn writer put it, how deep the Father's love [is] for us. In American culture today, love is cheap and fast. Yet God's love, was so profound that He sacrificed His only Son to pay the penalty for our offenses against Him. It would be like if bin Laden arranged the murder of President Obama's daughter Sasha, American soldiers captured him, American courts sentenced bin Laden to be executed, President Obama substituted his daughter Malia in the executioner's chair, granted a pardon to bin Laden, and then adopted bin Laden as a member of his family. As ridiculous as that scenario sounds, that is what God did for us here. While were as offensive as possible to Him, He sacrificed His Son for us so that we could have eternal life in Heaven.1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This passage contains the single most well-known Bible verse in the Western world today. John 3:16 appears in many places that other Bible verses are never considered- from signs at NFL games to tshirts, this verse has a place in pop culture that seems to have forgotten the rest of the Bible. This historical record of a conversation between Jesus and a prominent man named Nicodemus (likely one of the seventy most respected men in the nation at that time, from the Sanhedrin) serves as a clarifying point for what God's- and thus Jesus's- mission in the world was by sending Jesus to Earth.
Nicodemus was what I would call a seeker- he wanted to know more about Jesus. Nicodemus understood Judaism and God's Word as found in the Old Testament. He was seeking to reconcile the claims of Jesus with what he thought he knew, and his best conclusion underestimated Jesus as mere a human teacher sent by God. The education that Jesus gave this learned man is equally vital for us today.
Evangelicals in America are notorious for using the phrase "born again." It is often used by secular sources to refer to anyone within a broad conception of Christianity who is not Catholic. Still, I think it often rings as a hollow title, having no understanding of the meaning. Here (verse 3), Jesus introduced and defined it for us. Immediately (verse 4), Nicodemus got the elephant in the room out of the way- how can an adult be physically reborn? Not using so many words, he questioned the biology of how that would work. I think Nicodemus's question is indicative of the fact that he suspected that Jesus meant something more by the statement in verse 3, but this Jewish noble could not conceive of any other birth than the physical. Jesus turned the question on its head. Though there is controversy among theologians regarding the reference of Jesus in verse 5 to being born of water as a necessity to enter His spiritual kingdom, I believe that the understanding is clear. When taken in context, there are two types of birth discussed here- physical and spiritual. A baby is physically born shortly after a mother's "water" breaks. I believe that the best understanding would be as if, in our language and culture, we said "... by water AND the spirit..." Basically- ok Nicodemus. Yes, you are physically born. We all get that, but I am talking about something more here. Verses 6-7 further hammer this idea out with Jesus reiterating the thought for clarity to a man who was apparently confused.
Skipping ahead to the meat of the discussion in verses 15-21, we come to the main idea that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes on Him will not die spiritually but have eternal life. I think it is important here that I insert another passage to help us in our understanding here:
- Romans 6:5-11 (NKJV): 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Based on this understanding, we can now get a better understanding of how God is rightly the condemning Judge of those who do not accept the free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9) of eternal life offered in Jesus. To reference the bin Laden / Obama story earlier, it would be as if bin Laden turned down President Obama's offer for freedom and family right after Malia were put to death. Those who reject Jesus are guilty of the most heinous slap in the face possible following a life as a spiritual criminal. In reading the reader comments on some CNN story recently, I read a serious of posters saying things typified by one respondent, who said "I just can't believe in a God who sends someone to hell when they do something wrong." The reality is that the God of the Bible doesn't do that- He only sentences someone to judgment in Hell after a lifetime as a spiritual criminal climaxed by spitting in His face after God made the ultimate sacrifice for them.
So, what was the divine mission in sending Jesus to Earth? So that anyone can be saved from eternal death and to eternal life by simply believing on Jesus for that.
Applications:
It feels like I have said this many times (probably because I have), but the main application here in this passage is to be "born again" spiritually by believing in Jesus as your Savior.
For those who already having saving faith, we ought to live our lives in appreciation for what He did for us. He died physically so we do not have to die spiritually. It is not uncommon for war survivors to experience great lifestyle changes to fulfill the dying wish of a comrade who saved their life. We should do no less and so much more.
Other Studies from John
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
2/17/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13-25)
Text: John 2:13-25 (NKJV)
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”
18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”
19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This narrative tells us of how Jesus went up to THE Temple in Jerusalem coinciding with the Passover festival of the Jews. This was their most sacred place in the sacred city of the Promised Land during probably the most sacred holiday. I think you get the point that the setting is quite serious for the Jews of Jesus's day.
Jesus, physically visiting the Temple that existed to worship Him, is appalled by what He saw there. Fulfilling prophecy from the Old Testament, the spiritual significance of the Temple had been cheapened as it essentially became the Israelite Wall Street. Sacrificing was somewhat inconvenient and expensive, so people would buy their animals to sacrifice on sight. The shrewd business, as eager to make an easy buck in that day as now, were selling animals that mostly didn't meet sacrificial requirements. Still, needing to sacrifice, many Jews bought what was easily available and went ahead with it.
Back to Jesus, He entered the Temple and was appalled. This sacred place so desecrated. Now in human form, He apparently weaved some reeds together to create a makeshift whip. His divine presence and indignation drive out the businessmen. What a story of mercy! Prior to taking human form, Jesus knew what was going on. Then, He easily could have tossed a chunk or two of fire and brimstone to clean the place out in dramatic fashion. Really, He still had that power. Yet, in His mercy AND holiness, He cleansed the Temple to fulfill prophecy in what should have been a learning point for the Jews present.
Following the clearing of the scene, the Temple keepers requested a sign. Essentially, "Show us you have the right to do what you just did." Remember again the scene we set from verse 13- this is sacred time on sacred ground. Jesus responded with a prophecy that His audience did not understand until years later. Jesus promised to destroy the temple and rebuild it in 3 days. The Jews scoffed at His reply since the Temple had been quite the undertaking in building. Jesus was, in fact, speaking about His human body, how that He would die, be buried, and rise from the dead 3 days later. So eager for a sign, the Jews again missed the sign He gave on this one, through His actions, presence, and prophecy.
John concluded the story with a transition. Basically, Jesus performed more signs, and people followed Him. Well, they didn't really believe in Him; rather, they were just there for the spectacle. Jesus, being God, knew that the people there weren't really trusting in Him.
Applications:
Don't read too much into this narrative for your applications. This is an historical account, not a metaphor. Well, there was a metaphor in it, but the story is not. The application was primarily for His direct audience.
The most significant application for us today is to truly believe in Jesus. That is not just during the good times (as was the case here to see the spectacles), but to follow Him wherever He leads.
I suppose that it would not also be untrue to the text to warn against crassness or deadness in religious exercise. The Jews there, in the business of their religion, became so caught in the business that they missed the spirit of what they believed. We need to guard against that in our churches that we do not become nothing more than another non-profit company.
Other Studies from John
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”
18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”
19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body. 22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This narrative tells us of how Jesus went up to THE Temple in Jerusalem coinciding with the Passover festival of the Jews. This was their most sacred place in the sacred city of the Promised Land during probably the most sacred holiday. I think you get the point that the setting is quite serious for the Jews of Jesus's day.
Jesus, physically visiting the Temple that existed to worship Him, is appalled by what He saw there. Fulfilling prophecy from the Old Testament, the spiritual significance of the Temple had been cheapened as it essentially became the Israelite Wall Street. Sacrificing was somewhat inconvenient and expensive, so people would buy their animals to sacrifice on sight. The shrewd business, as eager to make an easy buck in that day as now, were selling animals that mostly didn't meet sacrificial requirements. Still, needing to sacrifice, many Jews bought what was easily available and went ahead with it.
Back to Jesus, He entered the Temple and was appalled. This sacred place so desecrated. Now in human form, He apparently weaved some reeds together to create a makeshift whip. His divine presence and indignation drive out the businessmen. What a story of mercy! Prior to taking human form, Jesus knew what was going on. Then, He easily could have tossed a chunk or two of fire and brimstone to clean the place out in dramatic fashion. Really, He still had that power. Yet, in His mercy AND holiness, He cleansed the Temple to fulfill prophecy in what should have been a learning point for the Jews present.
Following the clearing of the scene, the Temple keepers requested a sign. Essentially, "Show us you have the right to do what you just did." Remember again the scene we set from verse 13- this is sacred time on sacred ground. Jesus responded with a prophecy that His audience did not understand until years later. Jesus promised to destroy the temple and rebuild it in 3 days. The Jews scoffed at His reply since the Temple had been quite the undertaking in building. Jesus was, in fact, speaking about His human body, how that He would die, be buried, and rise from the dead 3 days later. So eager for a sign, the Jews again missed the sign He gave on this one, through His actions, presence, and prophecy.
John concluded the story with a transition. Basically, Jesus performed more signs, and people followed Him. Well, they didn't really believe in Him; rather, they were just there for the spectacle. Jesus, being God, knew that the people there weren't really trusting in Him.
Applications:
Don't read too much into this narrative for your applications. This is an historical account, not a metaphor. Well, there was a metaphor in it, but the story is not. The application was primarily for His direct audience.
The most significant application for us today is to truly believe in Jesus. That is not just during the good times (as was the case here to see the spectacles), but to follow Him wherever He leads.
I suppose that it would not also be untrue to the text to warn against crassness or deadness in religious exercise. The Jews there, in the business of their religion, became so caught in the business that they missed the spirit of what they believed. We need to guard against that in our churches that we do not become nothing more than another non-profit company.
Other Studies from John
Sunday, February 13, 2011
2/14/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... Jesus's First Miracle (John 2:1-12)
Text: John 2:1-12 (NKJV)
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. 12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
Having now discussed the glory and divinity of Jesus, John records the first evidence (aside from the supernatural knowledge of Nathanael) of such claims. This is the first recorded miracle of Jesus's public ministry. What Jesus did that day in Cana was beyond what any human could do- He changed the physical nature of something. He never physically touched the items as they were gathered to avoid the appearance of collusion. His act here identified Him as, at the least, divinely empowered. This transcended even a miracle and is properly translated as a "sign."
Verse 11 is significant because, unlike the prophets or Apostles, Jesus's miracles manifested His glory. All others were doing miracles in the power of God. I suppose that was true of Jesus too, but in that, He was doing it in His own power as God.
Another important thing about this story is that it is key to our understanding of Creation. "What?", you might say. Well, follow me here for a minute. Remember from John 1 that Jesus was the one who created the physical universe. Now, He creates wine; however, there are some important things to consider about wine.1 First, wine does not appear instantly- that is what grape juice is (actually, what grapes are or what a grape plant or a grape seed is... chicken or the egg?). Wine requires time for bacteria to ferment the sugary material to produce alcohol. Furthermore, it was not just wine; rather it was the good stuff, likely indicating wine that had more time to age (and ferment). "Ok," you think. "How does any of this relate to Creation?" Let me break it down- the Bible says that Jesus was the Creator of the universe. One main argument against Creationism is that there are supposed geological evidences along with Carbon-14 dating and the fossil record that "refute" young Earth Creationism (note that I question the veracity of this arguments, but will not address that right now). In the record of Jesus's first miracle, He created something with the appearance of age although it was, in fact, not aged. When Jesus created the universe, He easily could have created it with mountains (that supposedly take millions of years to form) and even fossils. The supposed appearance of great age simply does NOT negate Biblical Creationism.
Without getting too far into an analysis of the Biblical arguments about alcoholic beverages, this passage cannot be used either to support drunkenness or total abstinence. There are other passages to address that, and I will likely summarize the Biblical truth on this subject in a "From the Heart of a Pastor" posting some other day.
The important application of this passage is obedience to Jesus. When He speaks, we should do, regardless of how much sense it makes. Today, what He says to us is recorded in the Bible, so we should obey it.
We should also recognize and worship Jesus as God, because of His power and His glory.
Other Studies from John
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” 4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. 10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. 12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
Having now discussed the glory and divinity of Jesus, John records the first evidence (aside from the supernatural knowledge of Nathanael) of such claims. This is the first recorded miracle of Jesus's public ministry. What Jesus did that day in Cana was beyond what any human could do- He changed the physical nature of something. He never physically touched the items as they were gathered to avoid the appearance of collusion. His act here identified Him as, at the least, divinely empowered. This transcended even a miracle and is properly translated as a "sign."
Verse 11 is significant because, unlike the prophets or Apostles, Jesus's miracles manifested His glory. All others were doing miracles in the power of God. I suppose that was true of Jesus too, but in that, He was doing it in His own power as God.
Another important thing about this story is that it is key to our understanding of Creation. "What?", you might say. Well, follow me here for a minute. Remember from John 1 that Jesus was the one who created the physical universe. Now, He creates wine; however, there are some important things to consider about wine.1 First, wine does not appear instantly- that is what grape juice is (actually, what grapes are or what a grape plant or a grape seed is... chicken or the egg?). Wine requires time for bacteria to ferment the sugary material to produce alcohol. Furthermore, it was not just wine; rather it was the good stuff, likely indicating wine that had more time to age (and ferment). "Ok," you think. "How does any of this relate to Creation?" Let me break it down- the Bible says that Jesus was the Creator of the universe. One main argument against Creationism is that there are supposed geological evidences along with Carbon-14 dating and the fossil record that "refute" young Earth Creationism (note that I question the veracity of this arguments, but will not address that right now). In the record of Jesus's first miracle, He created something with the appearance of age although it was, in fact, not aged. When Jesus created the universe, He easily could have created it with mountains (that supposedly take millions of years to form) and even fossils. The supposed appearance of great age simply does NOT negate Biblical Creationism.
Without getting too far into an analysis of the Biblical arguments about alcoholic beverages, this passage cannot be used either to support drunkenness or total abstinence. There are other passages to address that, and I will likely summarize the Biblical truth on this subject in a "From the Heart of a Pastor" posting some other day.
- I want to note here that the underlying Greek term oinos can indicate fermented and unfermented wine, but in this situation, it is likely that the wine was fermented as it was the good stuff. This would have been the wine that had been given more time to rest (and ferment). Regardless, it supports the idea of the paragraph that Jesus's creation here had the appearance of age although created new.
The important application of this passage is obedience to Jesus. When He speaks, we should do, regardless of how much sense it makes. Today, what He says to us is recorded in the Bible, so we should obey it.
We should also recognize and worship Jesus as God, because of His power and His glory.
Other Studies from John
Saturday, February 12, 2011
2/13/2011 Devotional Thoughts from 3 John... A Lesson from Contrast within the Church
Text: The Book of 3 John (NKJV)
1 The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This is the shortest book in the Bible, but it is a deeply personal letter from John to a close friend of his, Gaius. Within the church where Gaius was, there was conflict. Not only conflict, but a wolf among the sheep. Gaius (and Demetrius) stood in stark contrast to the evil man among this church, Diotrephes. Gaius walked in truth, whereas Diotrephes was evil.
Gaius was a "do-weller." Everything he did within the church, he did well. Verse 6 is actually a request ("please" is found in the idiomatic "you will do well" in the NKJV translation) for Gaius to keep up the good work of showing Christian love to visitors. As missionaries passed through, Gaius was a beacon of love for them. What a model for us to follow today.
In contrast to the spiritual model found in Gaius, Diotrephes is the a model of evil. He attempted to usurp Christ's position within the church (compare verse 9 to Colossians 1:16-18), performed evil deeds, gossiped, and refused to be hospitable. Believers were told to avoid his model. Do not imitate those who are evil. Rather, 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) , written by the Apostle Paul, put it this way: "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." Imitate that which is spiritually worthy of imitation. This sounds obvious and easy, but there are many situations where we need to consider our friends (who we follow) and consider whether they fit the criteria here.
John then closed this letter as personally as the introduction and content.
Applications:
Take great joy from hearing that other Christians are doing good. That also means we need to lay aside our own pride and selfishness for the limelight.
Show love for ministers of God's Word, especially missionaries. They are bearing the Word as representatives of you and your church.
Look for a good human role model and avoid bad ones. I have found that having a more mature Christian to mentor me is extremely valuable.
1 The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This is the shortest book in the Bible, but it is a deeply personal letter from John to a close friend of his, Gaius. Within the church where Gaius was, there was conflict. Not only conflict, but a wolf among the sheep. Gaius (and Demetrius) stood in stark contrast to the evil man among this church, Diotrephes. Gaius walked in truth, whereas Diotrephes was evil.
Gaius was a "do-weller." Everything he did within the church, he did well. Verse 6 is actually a request ("please" is found in the idiomatic "you will do well" in the NKJV translation) for Gaius to keep up the good work of showing Christian love to visitors. As missionaries passed through, Gaius was a beacon of love for them. What a model for us to follow today.
In contrast to the spiritual model found in Gaius, Diotrephes is the a model of evil. He attempted to usurp Christ's position within the church (compare verse 9 to Colossians 1:16-18), performed evil deeds, gossiped, and refused to be hospitable. Believers were told to avoid his model. Do not imitate those who are evil. Rather, 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) , written by the Apostle Paul, put it this way: "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." Imitate that which is spiritually worthy of imitation. This sounds obvious and easy, but there are many situations where we need to consider our friends (who we follow) and consider whether they fit the criteria here.
John then closed this letter as personally as the introduction and content.
Applications:
Take great joy from hearing that other Christians are doing good. That also means we need to lay aside our own pride and selfishness for the limelight.
Show love for ministers of God's Word, especially missionaries. They are bearing the Word as representatives of you and your church.
Look for a good human role model and avoid bad ones. I have found that having a more mature Christian to mentor me is extremely valuable.
2/12/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... Jesus Starts Calling His Followers (John 1:35-51)
Text: John 1:35-51 (NKJV)
35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This passage records Jesus calling His followers, who would later be designated as the Apostles. As we saw in the last section, John the Baptist was not out to build a personal empire, and here two of his followers were transferred to Jesus. The transfer was not difficult, but it was swift and was a fulfillment of John the Baptist's ministry.
It is ironic that Jesus's first recorded words of His public ministry were "What do you seek?" considering that He was, in fact, God in human form. The passage does not contain a reply from Andrew and likely John (the author of this book) that is apparent to us today, but in reality it does. In calling Jesus "Rabbi," the two men indicated that they were seeking a teacher to follow. In that culture, following a teacher meant a literal, physical following of such a Rabbi. Jesus replies interestingly, "Come and see." This was more than an invitation to "Like" Him on Facebook- it was an invitation to join the Most High God in His mission on Earth.
In this passage, we also have the first example of someone leading another to Christ (aside from what has already been explored regarding John the Baptist). In the process of following Jesus, Andrew dashes to collect Peter. Our role today in "leading people to Christ" is little different. We share the Biblical truth as Andrew did in telling his brother that Jesus was the Messiah and bring them to Jesus. Now, we cannot physically bring them to Jesus today, but we do so intellectually as we explain the Scriptures about Him. It is ultimately Jesus who calls a person to salvation and not the Christian or the church.
Peter already became unique among the few followers of Jesus by having his name redesignated. This will again be significant later in their lives.
In the next section (verses 43-51), we see a similar story to that of Andrew bringing his brother to Jesus. Well, sort of. See, Philip basically did what Andrew did in bringing the message and physically bringing his brother to Jesus. The main difference though was in the initial response. Whereas nothing of a negative response is recorded of Peter, there is certainly skepticism in Nathanael. Nathanael was prejudiced against people from this certain part of Palestine, Nazareth, which was where Jesus was from. Nathanael was not alone as this area was really looked down on by the rest of the Israelites. It was also significant because there wasn't any Messianic prophecy about Nazareth. Note though, that Jesus was born, appropriate to prophecy, in Bethlehem, although his family was not from there. What follows in their interaction is where Jesus shows Himself to be the Messiah (and God) by showing His ability to exceed His human limitations. Jesus concluded this interaction with an allusion to Genesis 28:12-22 and Jacob.
Applications:
Just as in these instances roughly two thousand years ago, Jesus is calling followers. If you are not a true follower of Jesus, you should take that path today.
Do not hold prejudices against people based on their ethnic or national origin. This certainly isn't the primary thrust of this passage, but it is a clear principle. We also see elsewhere in the New Testament that such things as race or ethnicity are not of concern to God, so they should not be to us. That is not to say that some cultural/subculture practices (cannibalism, for example) are not an affront to God, but we should not, so to speak, judge a book by its cover.
Other Studies from John
35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
This passage records Jesus calling His followers, who would later be designated as the Apostles. As we saw in the last section, John the Baptist was not out to build a personal empire, and here two of his followers were transferred to Jesus. The transfer was not difficult, but it was swift and was a fulfillment of John the Baptist's ministry.
It is ironic that Jesus's first recorded words of His public ministry were "What do you seek?" considering that He was, in fact, God in human form. The passage does not contain a reply from Andrew and likely John (the author of this book) that is apparent to us today, but in reality it does. In calling Jesus "Rabbi," the two men indicated that they were seeking a teacher to follow. In that culture, following a teacher meant a literal, physical following of such a Rabbi. Jesus replies interestingly, "Come and see." This was more than an invitation to "Like" Him on Facebook- it was an invitation to join the Most High God in His mission on Earth.
In this passage, we also have the first example of someone leading another to Christ (aside from what has already been explored regarding John the Baptist). In the process of following Jesus, Andrew dashes to collect Peter. Our role today in "leading people to Christ" is little different. We share the Biblical truth as Andrew did in telling his brother that Jesus was the Messiah and bring them to Jesus. Now, we cannot physically bring them to Jesus today, but we do so intellectually as we explain the Scriptures about Him. It is ultimately Jesus who calls a person to salvation and not the Christian or the church.
Peter already became unique among the few followers of Jesus by having his name redesignated. This will again be significant later in their lives.
In the next section (verses 43-51), we see a similar story to that of Andrew bringing his brother to Jesus. Well, sort of. See, Philip basically did what Andrew did in bringing the message and physically bringing his brother to Jesus. The main difference though was in the initial response. Whereas nothing of a negative response is recorded of Peter, there is certainly skepticism in Nathanael. Nathanael was prejudiced against people from this certain part of Palestine, Nazareth, which was where Jesus was from. Nathanael was not alone as this area was really looked down on by the rest of the Israelites. It was also significant because there wasn't any Messianic prophecy about Nazareth. Note though, that Jesus was born, appropriate to prophecy, in Bethlehem, although his family was not from there. What follows in their interaction is where Jesus shows Himself to be the Messiah (and God) by showing His ability to exceed His human limitations. Jesus concluded this interaction with an allusion to Genesis 28:12-22 and Jacob.
Applications:
Just as in these instances roughly two thousand years ago, Jesus is calling followers. If you are not a true follower of Jesus, you should take that path today.
Do not hold prejudices against people based on their ethnic or national origin. This certainly isn't the primary thrust of this passage, but it is a clear principle. We also see elsewhere in the New Testament that such things as race or ethnicity are not of concern to God, so they should not be to us. That is not to say that some cultural/subculture practices (cannibalism, for example) are not an affront to God, but we should not, so to speak, judge a book by its cover.
Other Studies from John
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
2/10/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... John the Baptist and Jesus (John 1:19-34)
Text: John 1:19-34 (NKJV)
19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
And he answered, “No.”
22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”
23 He said: “I am
‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Make straight the way of the LORD,” ’
as the prophet Isaiah said.”
24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
John the Baptist claimed nothing for himself except the one who would break the way for the Messiah (Christ). This line of questioning required great humility. John the Baptist's replies do not give the sense that would have been hard for me not to convey- "Hey, I'm important too!"
Verses 26-27 are really the turning point of this narrative of John the Baptist. His prophesied purpose was not that he would be an end unto himself; rather, He was there to prepare for and announce the coming of Israel's Anointed One (Messiah). He recognized that his baptism with water was inferior to the Christ. Although it is not communicated here, it is unlikely that John the Baptist realized the irony in his statement. His baptism was inferior, and the physical act would soon come to be understood in Christianity as symbolic of the Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4), which provide us with spiritual baptism that happens at salvation. Water baptism is inferior to spiritual baptism, in that it cannot provide salvation.
Applications:
Thank Jesus for dying to pay for your sin. He never sinned, yet His death paid for all the sin of every single person of all time. He bore that for you. If you haven't, this is the time to accept Jesus as your Savior.
If you have been saved but not baptized by immersion, you need to find a good church that follows the Biblical pattern for baptism (immersion, not sprinkling or pouring). This should then bring you in as a member of that local church.
Work on your humility like John the Baptist. Although his prophesied, specific job was the announce Jesus as Messiah, we really actually have the same job on the other side of Jesus's life. Things are not about us or our social status. We aren't important- He is.
Other Studies from John
19 Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
And he answered, “No.”
22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”
23 He said: “I am
‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Make straight the way of the LORD,” ’
as the prophet Isaiah said.”
24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. 27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.”
28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
John the Baptist claimed nothing for himself except the one who would break the way for the Messiah (Christ). This line of questioning required great humility. John the Baptist's replies do not give the sense that would have been hard for me not to convey- "Hey, I'm important too!"
Verses 26-27 are really the turning point of this narrative of John the Baptist. His prophesied purpose was not that he would be an end unto himself; rather, He was there to prepare for and announce the coming of Israel's Anointed One (Messiah). He recognized that his baptism with water was inferior to the Christ. Although it is not communicated here, it is unlikely that John the Baptist realized the irony in his statement. His baptism was inferior, and the physical act would soon come to be understood in Christianity as symbolic of the Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4), which provide us with spiritual baptism that happens at salvation. Water baptism is inferior to spiritual baptism, in that it cannot provide salvation.
- I feel the need to parenthetically insert a note on baptism here. The English word "baptism" comes from the Greek root "baptizo." This Greek word indicates dipping, submersion, and total immersion. The idea of water baptism preceded Christianity, not exclusive to John the Baptist. It was used to initiate proselytes (converts) to Judaism prior to John, and here John the Baptist was using it to symbolize repentance from sin and begin to initiate the idea of Jews converting to following their Messiah for whom he was herald. In Christianity, immersion into water symbolized, as show in the aforementioned Romans passage, that someone, of their will, had committed to Jesus as their Savior. It was used to initiate those followers of Jesus into a local church (assembly of followers) as an institution. Note that this would require an individual choice for Jesus, so infant baptism is not of any use in Scripture. Spiritual baptism, by contrast, is not something that we see or experience physically. It is an act of God the Holy Spirit when the believer is spiritually baptized by the shed blood of Jesus Christ and initiated into the universal group of Christians from all time (1 Corinthians 12:13).
Applications:
Thank Jesus for dying to pay for your sin. He never sinned, yet His death paid for all the sin of every single person of all time. He bore that for you. If you haven't, this is the time to accept Jesus as your Savior.
If you have been saved but not baptized by immersion, you need to find a good church that follows the Biblical pattern for baptism (immersion, not sprinkling or pouring). This should then bring you in as a member of that local church.
Work on your humility like John the Baptist. Although his prophesied, specific job was the announce Jesus as Messiah, we really actually have the same job on the other side of Jesus's life. Things are not about us or our social status. We aren't important- He is.
Other Studies from John
Sunday, February 6, 2011
2/7/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... The Word, Jesus Christ- Part Deux (John 1:6-18)
Text: John 1:6-18 (NKJV)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”
16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
There are four main divisions within this passage. The first is verses 6-8, and it concerns John the Baptist. John was a harbinger (one who goes before) of Jesus Christ (Matthew 3). These section of verses contributes to our understanding of who/what "the Word" was from our previous passage. The Matthew 3 passage and John 8:12 where Jesus claimed to be the light of the world (note that this is in the same book we are studying) pretty much confirms our understanding that the Word is Jesus. John the Baptist's life fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
Next, verses 9-11 describe the rejection of Jesus during His physical life on Earth. He came to the Jews, but they rejected Him and were responsible for His execution. They rejected their own Messiah (anointed one) who was supposed to deliver them. Christ did offer deliverance in the form of freedom from sin and the Law, but they wanted political deliverance. It was ironic that the majority of the world, and especially His chosen people, did not recognize Him and ultimately rejected Him although He was responsible for their creation.
Verses 12-13 are important to our understanding of the transition from Israel to the church. To be one of God's people before Jesus, you basically had to be born Jewish. Christianity now has a much more international base not based on blood but on belief. While a joy to Christians, this is part of what the Jews of the 1st Century AD hated so much about Christianity- while Israel had been God's special, chose people for thousands of years, Christianity now claimed that they were no longer in that place and God's blessings were available to all.
Finally, in verses 14-18, we have the culmination of this amazing prologue. Here we see that Jesus has to be "the Word." Per verses 14-15 and Matthew 3, there can no longer be any doubt that Jesus = the Word. Thus, all the claims here about "the Word" are of Jesus. This passage testifies to Jesus's existence before His birth, His divinity, the Trinity, and His establishment of a new religion (Christianity) and not a transformation of Judaism. While the Old Testament Law came through Moses, Jesus brought grace (freely given, unmerited favor) and truth.
Applications:
These first eighteen verses of the Book of John are so profound. They teach us about Jesus Christ, the keystone of our religion. From this passage, we should accept Jesus as God and our Savior from sin. We should thank Him for bringing grace and truth for us to enjoy still today.
Other Studies from John
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’”
16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
There are four main divisions within this passage. The first is verses 6-8, and it concerns John the Baptist. John was a harbinger (one who goes before) of Jesus Christ (Matthew 3). These section of verses contributes to our understanding of who/what "the Word" was from our previous passage. The Matthew 3 passage and John 8:12 where Jesus claimed to be the light of the world (note that this is in the same book we are studying) pretty much confirms our understanding that the Word is Jesus. John the Baptist's life fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
Next, verses 9-11 describe the rejection of Jesus during His physical life on Earth. He came to the Jews, but they rejected Him and were responsible for His execution. They rejected their own Messiah (anointed one) who was supposed to deliver them. Christ did offer deliverance in the form of freedom from sin and the Law, but they wanted political deliverance. It was ironic that the majority of the world, and especially His chosen people, did not recognize Him and ultimately rejected Him although He was responsible for their creation.
Verses 12-13 are important to our understanding of the transition from Israel to the church. To be one of God's people before Jesus, you basically had to be born Jewish. Christianity now has a much more international base not based on blood but on belief. While a joy to Christians, this is part of what the Jews of the 1st Century AD hated so much about Christianity- while Israel had been God's special, chose people for thousands of years, Christianity now claimed that they were no longer in that place and God's blessings were available to all.
Finally, in verses 14-18, we have the culmination of this amazing prologue. Here we see that Jesus has to be "the Word." Per verses 14-15 and Matthew 3, there can no longer be any doubt that Jesus = the Word. Thus, all the claims here about "the Word" are of Jesus. This passage testifies to Jesus's existence before His birth, His divinity, the Trinity, and His establishment of a new religion (Christianity) and not a transformation of Judaism. While the Old Testament Law came through Moses, Jesus brought grace (freely given, unmerited favor) and truth.
Applications:
These first eighteen verses of the Book of John are so profound. They teach us about Jesus Christ, the keystone of our religion. From this passage, we should accept Jesus as God and our Savior from sin. We should thank Him for bringing grace and truth for us to enjoy still today.
Other Studies from John
Saturday, February 5, 2011
2/6/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... The Word, Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5)
Text: John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
We will formally establish this later in the chapter (verses 6-8, 14-18) based on the relationship between the "Word" and the Gospels' account of Jesus's life. For right now, please simply roll with the fact that I am ascribing Jesus to being "the Word" referred to here. While we are on this point, the underlying Greek word, logos, occurs 40 times in this book of the Bible. It has generic uses, but most commonly in the Bible it refers to God's revelation. This could "refer to the Old Testament, or the words of Jesus, or to Jesus himself."1 The use of logos here is not just part of God's "word" but it is THE Word. Since we will establish that this is Jesus, we should understand that this indicates that He was the pinnacle and physical embodiment of God's revelation of Himself to mankind.
There are three important parts to verse 1. First, Jesus was in the beginning. God has no beginning, so this certainly refers to the beginning of time. When was that? At creation. In other texts, we will prove that Christ actually existed eternally before Creation, but this passage only proves He existed prior to Creation since He was the active Creator. Second, Jesus was with God. Jumping ahead for a moment to the third truth, how can Jesus be God and be with God? This is an indicator of two parts of the doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity is impossible for us to perfectly communicate because nothing like it exists in our human context. There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), and Christianity is not, as some would assert, polytheistic (i.e. worshiping more than one god). The "with God" phrase is indicative of a distinct person in one Divine Being. There is one God, but there are 3 distinct persons within God; that is called the Trinity. Third, Jesus was God. There is no clearer affirmation of Jesus actually being God in the Bible. There are many others, but it just can't get clearer than this one- Jesus was God. Some deny that Jesus was fully God, but to do so requires one to deny this clear teaching of Scripture. Some (notably, Jehovah's Witnesses) claim that Jesus was just "a" god; however, the Greek construction requires the definitive adjective "the."
Verse 2 is very mind boggling. I mean, the interpretation is clear, but it is hard to comprehend. Then again, it was previewed for us in verse 1. So, Jesus is the same as God, but He was with God. Again, the same substance and essence yet distinct as a person.
Verse 3 teaches us that Christ was the agent of Creation. Each part of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son- Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit) each played a role in Creation, but Jesus was actually the one who did it. This refutes, if one accepts the Bible, evolution (He created all species), the Big Bang (unless you call Jesus speaking and it coming into existence as a big bang), and any other theory that does not hold Jesus as the absolute, direct Creator. (See also Colossians 1:16-17.)
Jesus was essentially life, and as Creator He was the origin of physical life, per verse 4. Not only does He bring life, but He also brings light. Goodness, holiness, truth, and the revelation of God Himself- these are all things that Christ brought that are unfortunately rejected by the majority of humanity. Every person has a glimmer of God's light in them as they were created in His image and likeness by Jesus. Imagine a world where no one has a conscience or intuitively knows right from wrong!
Applications:
Worship Jesus Christ as Creator God! Thank Him for the beauty of Creation and how we are "fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)"
Remember when you study His life in the Bible, you are studying God. A great deal of our application here is proper theological understanding.
1. K. O. Gangel, (2000). Vol. 4: John. Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (21). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
We will formally establish this later in the chapter (verses 6-8, 14-18) based on the relationship between the "Word" and the Gospels' account of Jesus's life. For right now, please simply roll with the fact that I am ascribing Jesus to being "the Word" referred to here. While we are on this point, the underlying Greek word, logos, occurs 40 times in this book of the Bible. It has generic uses, but most commonly in the Bible it refers to God's revelation. This could "refer to the Old Testament, or the words of Jesus, or to Jesus himself."1 The use of logos here is not just part of God's "word" but it is THE Word. Since we will establish that this is Jesus, we should understand that this indicates that He was the pinnacle and physical embodiment of God's revelation of Himself to mankind.
There are three important parts to verse 1. First, Jesus was in the beginning. God has no beginning, so this certainly refers to the beginning of time. When was that? At creation. In other texts, we will prove that Christ actually existed eternally before Creation, but this passage only proves He existed prior to Creation since He was the active Creator. Second, Jesus was with God. Jumping ahead for a moment to the third truth, how can Jesus be God and be with God? This is an indicator of two parts of the doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity is impossible for us to perfectly communicate because nothing like it exists in our human context. There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), and Christianity is not, as some would assert, polytheistic (i.e. worshiping more than one god). The "with God" phrase is indicative of a distinct person in one Divine Being. There is one God, but there are 3 distinct persons within God; that is called the Trinity. Third, Jesus was God. There is no clearer affirmation of Jesus actually being God in the Bible. There are many others, but it just can't get clearer than this one- Jesus was God. Some deny that Jesus was fully God, but to do so requires one to deny this clear teaching of Scripture. Some (notably, Jehovah's Witnesses) claim that Jesus was just "a" god; however, the Greek construction requires the definitive adjective "the."
Verse 2 is very mind boggling. I mean, the interpretation is clear, but it is hard to comprehend. Then again, it was previewed for us in verse 1. So, Jesus is the same as God, but He was with God. Again, the same substance and essence yet distinct as a person.
Verse 3 teaches us that Christ was the agent of Creation. Each part of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son- Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit) each played a role in Creation, but Jesus was actually the one who did it. This refutes, if one accepts the Bible, evolution (He created all species), the Big Bang (unless you call Jesus speaking and it coming into existence as a big bang), and any other theory that does not hold Jesus as the absolute, direct Creator. (See also Colossians 1:16-17.)
Jesus was essentially life, and as Creator He was the origin of physical life, per verse 4. Not only does He bring life, but He also brings light. Goodness, holiness, truth, and the revelation of God Himself- these are all things that Christ brought that are unfortunately rejected by the majority of humanity. Every person has a glimmer of God's light in them as they were created in His image and likeness by Jesus. Imagine a world where no one has a conscience or intuitively knows right from wrong!
Applications:
Worship Jesus Christ as Creator God! Thank Him for the beauty of Creation and how we are "fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)"
Remember when you study His life in the Bible, you are studying God. A great deal of our application here is proper theological understanding.
1. K. O. Gangel, (2000). Vol. 4: John. Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (21). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1.
Friday, February 4, 2011
2/5/2011 Devotional Thoughts from Matthew... Parable of the Wheat and Tares (Matthew 13:24-30)
Text: Matthew 13:24-30 (NKJV)
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
We can look just a few verses forward (verses 36-43) for Jesus to give us the interpretation of the parable. Let me summarize the characters and items in this parable and their given meanings:
There really isn't a whole lot for me to say on this one, since the Master gave the interpretation as preserved in the New Testament for us.
Applications:
First, consider whether you are a stalk of wheat or a weed. Have you really trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Second, beware of the weeds within the church. Notice that there was not a question left in this parable as to whether or not there would be weeds. There are weeds everywhere in the world today, but even within the local church you worship in it is likely that there are some people who are pretending. They may not be intentionally fabricating an alias or working for Satan, but they are in fact doing so whether or not they realize it. Test all things and all people by what the Word of God says. Yes, even (and especially) your Pastor(s).
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
We can look just a few verses forward (verses 36-43) for Jesus to give us the interpretation of the parable. Let me summarize the characters and items in this parable and their given meanings:
- Sower- Son of Man (Jesus)
- Enemy- Satan
- The Field- The world
- Good Seed / Wheat- True followers of Jesus
- Tares- False followers of Jesus who are actually allies of Satan
- Harvest- The end of time as we know it when Jesus returns to judge the world
- Reapers- Angels
- Fire- Hell
- Barn- The Kingdom of God; Heaven
There really isn't a whole lot for me to say on this one, since the Master gave the interpretation as preserved in the New Testament for us.
Applications:
First, consider whether you are a stalk of wheat or a weed. Have you really trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Second, beware of the weeds within the church. Notice that there was not a question left in this parable as to whether or not there would be weeds. There are weeds everywhere in the world today, but even within the local church you worship in it is likely that there are some people who are pretending. They may not be intentionally fabricating an alias or working for Satan, but they are in fact doing so whether or not they realize it. Test all things and all people by what the Word of God says. Yes, even (and especially) your Pastor(s).
Glossary of Not-So-Common Terms
More coming all the time...
Atonement: To pay for sin; to make something right. Jesus did this for all people when He died sinless on the cross.
Belief (see also- Faith, Repentance): The commitment of one to something without reservation. This is done by changing one's mind from one way of thought to another. In the context used in this blog, it will almost always refer to the only condition for our salvation (Acts 16:31- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved") and will be used synonymously in that way with faith. It may be understood through the illustration of a chair- one does not have faith in that chair until they actually take a seat in the chair. Trying to sit on two chairs that are nestled against each other (in this illustration, faith in Jesus Christ and doing good works) demonstrates no real faith in either one. A person must place their eternal dependence (only hope) on Jesus in order to be saved from the certain spiritual judgment in Hell that they would have received otherwise (Romans 3:23, 6:23).
Faith (see also- Belief, Repentance): The commitment of one to something without reservation. This is done by changing one's mind from one way of thought to another. In the context used in this blog, it will almost always refer to the only condition for our salvation (Acts 16:31- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved") and will be used synonymously in that way with belief. It may be understood through the illustration of a chair- one does not have faith in that chair until they actually take a seat in the chair. Trying to sit on two chairs that are nestled against each other (in this illustration, faith in Jesus Christ and doing good works) demonstrates no real faith in either one. A person must place their eternal dependence (only hope) on Jesus in order to be saved from the certain spiritual judgment in Hell that they would have received otherwise (Romans 3:23, 6:23).
Gospels, the: The first four books of the New Testament; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Hell: A place of judgment for sin. There will be people and spiritual beings (Satan, demons) who are there. There are technically differences between Hell, the Lake of Fire, etc., but for the purposes of this blog, the term "Hell" will be used inclusively of the place of eternal judgment for sin unless otherwise noted.
Redeemed / Redemption: To be relieved of the debt of sin (Romans 6:23) by the payment made when Jesus died sinless on the cross.
Revelation: Something that has been revealed. In this blog, it will be used in regard to God's revelation of Himself to mankind. In a general context, that was done through creating the universe where we see the hand of the Creator. In a special and specific context, that was done through Jesus Christ and the writing of the Bible.
Repentance (see also- Belief, Faith): To change one's mind completely. It involves a 180* turn of the mind. With regard to salvation, it is the part of faith where one turns from their sinful way of thinking about salvation (through the church, through doing more good than bad, etc.) to relying on Christ for salvation; thus, in this context, it is a way of describing the same idea as belief/faith.
Saved / Salvation: To be spiritually rescued from eternal punishment in Hell to eternal joy in Heaven. This comes by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior based on His payment for our sins. There is no other way.
Sin: Things that are done that do not please God. These can be found by studying the Bible.
Atonement: To pay for sin; to make something right. Jesus did this for all people when He died sinless on the cross.
Belief (see also- Faith, Repentance): The commitment of one to something without reservation. This is done by changing one's mind from one way of thought to another. In the context used in this blog, it will almost always refer to the only condition for our salvation (Acts 16:31- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved") and will be used synonymously in that way with faith. It may be understood through the illustration of a chair- one does not have faith in that chair until they actually take a seat in the chair. Trying to sit on two chairs that are nestled against each other (in this illustration, faith in Jesus Christ and doing good works) demonstrates no real faith in either one. A person must place their eternal dependence (only hope) on Jesus in order to be saved from the certain spiritual judgment in Hell that they would have received otherwise (Romans 3:23, 6:23).
Faith (see also- Belief, Repentance): The commitment of one to something without reservation. This is done by changing one's mind from one way of thought to another. In the context used in this blog, it will almost always refer to the only condition for our salvation (Acts 16:31- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved") and will be used synonymously in that way with belief. It may be understood through the illustration of a chair- one does not have faith in that chair until they actually take a seat in the chair. Trying to sit on two chairs that are nestled against each other (in this illustration, faith in Jesus Christ and doing good works) demonstrates no real faith in either one. A person must place their eternal dependence (only hope) on Jesus in order to be saved from the certain spiritual judgment in Hell that they would have received otherwise (Romans 3:23, 6:23).
Gospels, the: The first four books of the New Testament; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Hell: A place of judgment for sin. There will be people and spiritual beings (Satan, demons) who are there. There are technically differences between Hell, the Lake of Fire, etc., but for the purposes of this blog, the term "Hell" will be used inclusively of the place of eternal judgment for sin unless otherwise noted.
Redeemed / Redemption: To be relieved of the debt of sin (Romans 6:23) by the payment made when Jesus died sinless on the cross.
Revelation: Something that has been revealed. In this blog, it will be used in regard to God's revelation of Himself to mankind. In a general context, that was done through creating the universe where we see the hand of the Creator. In a special and specific context, that was done through Jesus Christ and the writing of the Bible.
Repentance (see also- Belief, Faith): To change one's mind completely. It involves a 180* turn of the mind. With regard to salvation, it is the part of faith where one turns from their sinful way of thinking about salvation (through the church, through doing more good than bad, etc.) to relying on Christ for salvation; thus, in this context, it is a way of describing the same idea as belief/faith.
Saved / Salvation: To be spiritually rescued from eternal punishment in Hell to eternal joy in Heaven. This comes by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior based on His payment for our sins. There is no other way.
Sin: Things that are done that do not please God. These can be found by studying the Bible.
The Importance of Personal Bible Study
At the foundation of this blog is the personal study of the Bible, leaving one with this important question- Why do I need to spend time studying the Bible for myself? I hope to begin the answer to that question here in this post. While this will not be an all-encompassing answer, I want to give you three answers straight from the Scriptures themselves.
That being said, there is much debate as to how often, how much, and when to study it. When I was growing up, I had pastors say you absolutely had to read it every day or it was sin. I also heard that the morning was the time appointed by God for Bible study and if you didn't read it then you were sinning. I don't believe that these are Biblical approaches to Bible study. I don't think people should impose legalistic standards to studying God's Word. Christ taught in Matthew 22:36-38 that the greatest commandment in all the Bible is to love God with all that you are and have. When considering your Bible study, does it reflect that attitude? How can you expect it to light your pathway through the day if you don't interact with it? How can you meditate on it (chew on it) if you don't read it? Rather than give out some legalistic edict, I want to leave you with this thought in relation to the topic of this paragraph- A Christian always needs and should always want to study the Bible more. What part of the day that translates into working best for your spiritual walk or spending some specific amount of time each day aren't the issue; rather, it is interacting with what your Lord God says in His Word as much as possible.
1. Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation (Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1999), 159.
- Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)
- But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
- Here, Jesus replied to the temptation of Satan by quoting from the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 8:3). In the Old Testament context, this referred to the Israelites relying on God to provide their nourishment while wandering in the desert wilderness, in the form of special bread that fell from Heaven called "manna." God was mighty enough to provide food for an entire nation simply by His word. Christ, tempted by Satan to use His power against the will of God to transform stones into bread. This would have violated Christ's spiritual fasting. Christ replied succinctly that He did not need physical bread, because the Word of God was sufficient to sustain Him. There is some ironic twist to this passage, since Jesus Christ is identified both as the "bread of life" (John 6:35) and the "Word [of God]" (John 1:1-18). It is the revelation of Jesus Christ, preserved for us in the New Testament, that provides eternal life. He provides the living water that provides eternal life for all those who accept Him as Savior (John 4:1-26).
- Ultimately the point here is that a God whose word is so powerful as to cause creation or provide food for a nation is a God who deserves our worship and obedience. Thus we see in this passage that the Word of God provides life and spiritual nourishment.
- Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)
- Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
- God's Word (the Bible) provides us with guidance for life. The Book of Proverbs is well-known for the wise-but-short teachings it contains. These are proverbs by which to live one's life; however, the entirety of Scripture is beneficial for us. It helps us find the right way and avoid the wrong way. In Matthew 7:13-14, we can see how important this is, since the way to Heaven is very narrow and relatively few people will find it.
- 2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NKJV)
- 15...the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- Verse 15... Here we see first that the Bible makes one wise for salvation. All of the truth that someone needs in order to be saved from Hell is found in the Bible. Neither the teachings of a church or religion (e.g. the Roman Catholic Church or the Hadith in Islam), a religious leader (the Pope, etc.), nor personal experiences provide any necessary information. Again, everything someone needs to be saved from Hell and to Heaven is found in the Bible.
- Verse 16... Scripture comes from God. It is His word. Explaining this verse in depth is another thing for another place, but it teaches that Scripture comes from God and is very useful to people.
- Verse 17... Paul used the figure of speech known as a pleonasm ("repetition of words or the adding of similar words, which in English would seem redundant."1) to hammer home his point that the Bible is sufficient not only for salvation but that it also provides everything that a Christian needs to be a Christian. At this time, Greek philosophy and mysticism would have likely been the things that were threatening to "add to" what the Bible said. There were also a group of Jewish Christians who attempted to superimpose the Old Testament laws on New Testament Christianity. Paul use two consecutive terms that meant almost the same thing in reference to what the Bible (alone, aside from the insertion of human or church teachings) produces in a person. Artios is first, properly translated "complete" here, having the connotation of being in tip-top shape. This is followed by exartizo, which is translated as "thoroughly equipped" here and in our modern vernacular might be stated as "fully equipped." The Bible provides everything someone needs to have eternal life and then to live as a Christian. There is no need for a church to come up with new teachings or for some religious leader to issue edicts. The Bible is all that a person needs spiritually. Period. Does the Bible tell us to study God's Word together and meet as a church? Yes, but it doesn't give the preacher/teacher the authority to make up new teachings. Their job is to help interpret and apply what the Bible already says.
That being said, there is much debate as to how often, how much, and when to study it. When I was growing up, I had pastors say you absolutely had to read it every day or it was sin. I also heard that the morning was the time appointed by God for Bible study and if you didn't read it then you were sinning. I don't believe that these are Biblical approaches to Bible study. I don't think people should impose legalistic standards to studying God's Word. Christ taught in Matthew 22:36-38 that the greatest commandment in all the Bible is to love God with all that you are and have. When considering your Bible study, does it reflect that attitude? How can you expect it to light your pathway through the day if you don't interact with it? How can you meditate on it (chew on it) if you don't read it? Rather than give out some legalistic edict, I want to leave you with this thought in relation to the topic of this paragraph- A Christian always needs and should always want to study the Bible more. What part of the day that translates into working best for your spiritual walk or spending some specific amount of time each day aren't the issue; rather, it is interacting with what your Lord God says in His Word as much as possible.
1. Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation (Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1999), 159.
Devotional Thoughts on John
- 2/6/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... The Word, Jesus Christ (John 1:1-5)
- 2/7/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... The Word, Jesus Christ- Part Deux (John 1:6-18)
- 2/10/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... John the Baptist and Jesus (John 1:19-34)
- 2/12/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... Jesus Starts Calling His Followers (John 1:35-51)
- 2/14/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... Jesus's First Miracle (John 2:1-12)
- 2/17/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13-25)
- 2/19/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... What does it Mean to be Born Again? (John 3:1-21)
- 2/21/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... John the Baptist and Jesus Again (John 3:22-36)
- 3/1/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... Jesus, Living Water (John 4:1-26)
- 3/2/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... The Disciples Learn about Obeying the Will of God (John 4:27-38)
- 3/4/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... The Conversion of the Samaritans (John 4:39-42)
- 3/5/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... Another Sign for the Jews (John 4:43-54)
- 7/6/2011 Devotional Thoughts from John... Jesus, God Indeed (John 5:1-30)
Thursday, February 3, 2011
2/4/2011 Devotional Thoughts from Matthew... Parable of the Bridegroom, New Cloth, and Wineskins (Matthew 9:14-17)
Text: Matthew 9:14-17 (NKJV)
14 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?”15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. 17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
Although there are three parables in this passage, they are all used to teach and illustrate the same idea. He used these illustrations strategically to respond to followers of John the Baptist. John the Baptist was focused on Jesus, as he put it, "He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)" Once Christ began his public ministry, John's followers began to be steered to follow Jesus. Their question here was logical- If you (Jesus) are supposed to be the great religious leader, then why are we more religious than your followers?
Jesus essentially replied to the followers of John the Baptist by portraying Himself as a bridegroom. He was the guest of honor, and it was a time to enjoy their time with Him while He was still with them. He also used this passage to imply that He would be taken from them. This must have been a little startling to the followers of John and also those of Christ. In fact, we see that even among the Apostles, they didn't really "get it" that He was going to die until the day He was executed. The Jewish Messiah was supposed to save His people, and how could a dead man do that? God's plan to have Jesus die to provide spiritual salvation for Israel (and eventually during the Tribulation as a nation) was not what Jews of this day wanted to see. They wanted a political savior who would deliver them from Roman oppression.
What Christ described in verse 16 makes sense still today, but it made even more sense in His day. Clothing technology had not made fabrics so resistant to things like stains or shrinking as it has today. Instead, your brand new, wool cloth would shrink tremendously after the first time it got wet and was then dried. Essentially, the patch would do more damage when it shrunk and tore a larger hole. Verse 17 drives home the point even deeper. If you put new wine in an old wineskin, the wine would continue to ferment and explode the wineskin.
The two latter parables are understood in light of the context of the first parable and the passage as a whole. Christ is the "unshrunk cloth" and the "new wine." Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament, and He brought newness. His influence would destroy the old system and bring a lively system to Earth. He brought the joy of life rather than the sorrow of fasting. Basically, He was teaching that Christianity was replacing Judaism as the proper religion for people (thus the church was replacing Israel in God's eyes). This culminated at the moment of His physical death when the veil of the Hebrew Temple was torn in half from top to bottom (indicating a divine action that could not have been caused by man).
Applications:
Christ taught that He was the religion of new life, to replace Judaism (or any other attempt at worshiping God). In fact, He taught that He was exclusively the way to eternal life in Heaven (John 14:6). Neither the teachings of the church, the Pope, keeping kosher, nor going on the hajj can give eternal life. The people of His day were to enjoy Him while He was with them. Since we do not have that privilege today, we should obey His teachings and eagerly wait to see Him in eternity where we will feast with Him.
Look Back at our Studies in the Parables of Jesus:
Introduction to Studying Parables
2/2/2011 Devotional Thoughts from Matthew... Parable of the Two Houses (Matthew 7:24-27)
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
Although there are three parables in this passage, they are all used to teach and illustrate the same idea. He used these illustrations strategically to respond to followers of John the Baptist. John the Baptist was focused on Jesus, as he put it, "He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)" Once Christ began his public ministry, John's followers began to be steered to follow Jesus. Their question here was logical- If you (Jesus) are supposed to be the great religious leader, then why are we more religious than your followers?
Jesus essentially replied to the followers of John the Baptist by portraying Himself as a bridegroom. He was the guest of honor, and it was a time to enjoy their time with Him while He was still with them. He also used this passage to imply that He would be taken from them. This must have been a little startling to the followers of John and also those of Christ. In fact, we see that even among the Apostles, they didn't really "get it" that He was going to die until the day He was executed. The Jewish Messiah was supposed to save His people, and how could a dead man do that? God's plan to have Jesus die to provide spiritual salvation for Israel (and eventually during the Tribulation as a nation) was not what Jews of this day wanted to see. They wanted a political savior who would deliver them from Roman oppression.
What Christ described in verse 16 makes sense still today, but it made even more sense in His day. Clothing technology had not made fabrics so resistant to things like stains or shrinking as it has today. Instead, your brand new, wool cloth would shrink tremendously after the first time it got wet and was then dried. Essentially, the patch would do more damage when it shrunk and tore a larger hole. Verse 17 drives home the point even deeper. If you put new wine in an old wineskin, the wine would continue to ferment and explode the wineskin.
The two latter parables are understood in light of the context of the first parable and the passage as a whole. Christ is the "unshrunk cloth" and the "new wine." Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament, and He brought newness. His influence would destroy the old system and bring a lively system to Earth. He brought the joy of life rather than the sorrow of fasting. Basically, He was teaching that Christianity was replacing Judaism as the proper religion for people (thus the church was replacing Israel in God's eyes). This culminated at the moment of His physical death when the veil of the Hebrew Temple was torn in half from top to bottom (indicating a divine action that could not have been caused by man).
Applications:
Christ taught that He was the religion of new life, to replace Judaism (or any other attempt at worshiping God). In fact, He taught that He was exclusively the way to eternal life in Heaven (John 14:6). Neither the teachings of the church, the Pope, keeping kosher, nor going on the hajj can give eternal life. The people of His day were to enjoy Him while He was with them. Since we do not have that privilege today, we should obey His teachings and eagerly wait to see Him in eternity where we will feast with Him.
Look Back at our Studies in the Parables of Jesus:
Introduction to Studying Parables
2/2/2011 Devotional Thoughts from Matthew... Parable of the Two Houses (Matthew 7:24-27)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Introduction to Studying Parables
As one studies the Gospels (the first four books of the New Testament- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the parable will be a common literary form that is seen. It is important to lay a groundwork for understanding both what a parable is and how it fit into the culture of Jesus.
The first question we must look at is- what is a parable? Most people would say it is some sort of allegorical, wise saying, although maybe not in those words. That is basically correct. Coming from Greek roots meaning "to throw alongside," the word parabole can mean a "story thrown alongside the truth to illustrate the truth... short statements (sometimes called similitudes) and to proverbs."1 This would often be the use of some object lesson to illustrate a point. Making our interpretation of these challenging is that they used things familiar to the people the speaker was directly addressing; thus, the culture of the time must be explored in depth. Many things, although understandable as a literal thing, carried far deeper meaning. In our culture, we can understand what a car literally is, but a fully-restored 1969 Camaro means a lot more than just a car. A thousand years from now, that meaning will likely be lost. For the parables to make sense and be properly understood, we just have to get to the bottom of the culture of Jesus's day. Given the nature of this blog, I will post information from what I believe to be reputable sources and my understanding. You are welcome to dig deeper, but that is simply not going to be a good use of time for most readers.
To be continued...
1. Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation (Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1999), 194.
The first question we must look at is- what is a parable? Most people would say it is some sort of allegorical, wise saying, although maybe not in those words. That is basically correct. Coming from Greek roots meaning "to throw alongside," the word parabole can mean a "story thrown alongside the truth to illustrate the truth... short statements (sometimes called similitudes) and to proverbs."1 This would often be the use of some object lesson to illustrate a point. Making our interpretation of these challenging is that they used things familiar to the people the speaker was directly addressing; thus, the culture of the time must be explored in depth. Many things, although understandable as a literal thing, carried far deeper meaning. In our culture, we can understand what a car literally is, but a fully-restored 1969 Camaro means a lot more than just a car. A thousand years from now, that meaning will likely be lost. For the parables to make sense and be properly understood, we just have to get to the bottom of the culture of Jesus's day. Given the nature of this blog, I will post information from what I believe to be reputable sources and my understanding. You are welcome to dig deeper, but that is simply not going to be a good use of time for most readers.
To be continued...
1. Roy B. Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation (Colorado Springs: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1999), 194.
2/3/2011 Devotional Thoughts from Matthew... Parable of Two Houses (Matthew 7:24-27)
If you haven't already done so, I would highly suggest you take the 1-2 minutes to read my introduction to studying parables.
~~~~~
Text: Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV)
24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
These words are the words of Jesus Christ, and that is why they would likely appear in red in your Bible (as I have also done here).
I think most reasonable people would come to the conclusion that building a house (permanent dwelling) on a rock foundation makes a lot more sense than building it on sand; however, our understanding of this is enriched by an understanding of Palestinian geography and culture of Jesus's day. Building a house in the Palestinian desert was no small matter. The region was a desert, so it didn't get much rain. Still, when the rainy season would come, so too flash floods would rush through the region. To build a house on sand was more than risky- it set one on an inevitable path to destruction.
The message of this teaching of Christ in parable form is this- Obedience the teachings of provides perfect protection when Judgment Day comes, but failing to heed His teachings will result in inevitable destruction on Judgment Day. Please also note here that Jesus assumed the hearing of His teachings- that is easy. It is obeying them that is hard. My mind goes to an account of one of Christ's interactions with a rich young ruler, almost as if Christ had this in mind when he spoke our parable here in Matthew. The record of the exchange went like this: (Luke 18:18-27, NKJV)
18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”
27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
The interpretation of this passage is another thing for another day (maybe tomorrow), but my point here is that this young man heard the words of Jesus, but he did not obey them. It is not enough to sit in church your whole life in order to be saved from spiritual death at Judgment Day. One must accept the teachings of Christ, primarily that He was the Son of God who paid the penalty for our sins with his sinless death.
Applications:
Obey the teachings of Christ! C.S. Lewis popularized the idea that Jesus had to be either a lunatic, liar, or the Lord (what He claimed to be). This might start your study of studying Christ, but you have to continue learning from His wisdom and applying it to your life. That starts with accepting Him as your personal Savior from spiritual judgment and death, but the Christian should continue to grow at following Him.
~~~~~
Text: Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV)
24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
These words are the words of Jesus Christ, and that is why they would likely appear in red in your Bible (as I have also done here).
I think most reasonable people would come to the conclusion that building a house (permanent dwelling) on a rock foundation makes a lot more sense than building it on sand; however, our understanding of this is enriched by an understanding of Palestinian geography and culture of Jesus's day. Building a house in the Palestinian desert was no small matter. The region was a desert, so it didn't get much rain. Still, when the rainy season would come, so too flash floods would rush through the region. To build a house on sand was more than risky- it set one on an inevitable path to destruction.
The message of this teaching of Christ in parable form is this- Obedience the teachings of provides perfect protection when Judgment Day comes, but failing to heed His teachings will result in inevitable destruction on Judgment Day. Please also note here that Jesus assumed the hearing of His teachings- that is easy. It is obeying them that is hard. My mind goes to an account of one of Christ's interactions with a rich young ruler, almost as if Christ had this in mind when he spoke our parable here in Matthew. The record of the exchange went like this: (Luke 18:18-27, NKJV)
18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”
27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
The interpretation of this passage is another thing for another day (maybe tomorrow), but my point here is that this young man heard the words of Jesus, but he did not obey them. It is not enough to sit in church your whole life in order to be saved from spiritual death at Judgment Day. One must accept the teachings of Christ, primarily that He was the Son of God who paid the penalty for our sins with his sinless death.
Applications:
Obey the teachings of Christ! C.S. Lewis popularized the idea that Jesus had to be either a lunatic, liar, or the Lord (what He claimed to be). This might start your study of studying Christ, but you have to continue learning from His wisdom and applying it to your life. That starts with accepting Him as your personal Savior from spiritual judgment and death, but the Christian should continue to grow at following Him.
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