Read: John 4
It is hard for me to know where to start this morning. John 4 will take quite a bit to work through and we will be looking at verses 1-42. I feel still yet slightly distracted. Yesterday was a hard day, homeschool days are tough. Behaviors and defiance get get under your skin; and the relentless cyclical cycle of cook, clean, teach, cook, clean, teach. I hard a hard time motivating myself; and was incredibly frustrated with a few of my kids yesterday. We ended up outside, turning over our garden and mucking out of chicken coop. ( we have a pic ax and pitch fork- so this is all manual) and it is grueling, stinky labor. However, the labor will bring harvest. We do see the fruit of our endeavors; whether yesterday, by collecting eggs; or what was once clay after a couple years of tilling and chicken poo and composting has now become rich worm filled dark soil. To watching the robins land in the garden and pluck out what they need; and counting all the strawberry plants that rooted from last fall that were given by a friend. The cyclical nature of the work has it blessings- sometimes its easy to get distracted by the oozing blisters and chicken poop smell; and the reminder with the rain last night that I left my muck boots out in said rain :( LOL
The work and the harvest and the questions remind me of our study today. John 4 is a intense, rich, beautiful picture of Jesus and his teachings. Starting in verse one...Jesus purposed to go through Samaria. He didn't have too; he chose to walk through a region considered lesser by the Jews. Yet; there he set out to travel. Being the Son of God; he knew what was to come. Jesus feeling the human limitations of his flesh, felt weary and sat by a well. I have heard and read that the factor of being noon was important as it would draw out different persons from the town, because it was the heat of the day. Not the best time to be fetching water, but the time when less persons would be there.
And out comes the Samaritan woman. Her exchange with the Messiah is beautiful. Jesus asks her for a drink; to which she says incredulously, are you a Jew to ask me a Samaritan woman for a drink. It was at the time unthinkable for a man, and for that matter a Rabbi to speak to a woman in the street, let along a Jewish man speaking to a Samaritan woman. The question asked is both serious and snarky. Are you talking to me?! Ha, little did she know her question was right but not in context. She should have been more bewildered that the Son of God was talking to a daughter of Adam. The sinless to the sinner. Yet, Jesus, in his tender mercies and love; asks give me a drink? Proceeding her response, he says if you knew who was asking- you would ask me for water instead. Jesus teaches about living water. A water that will never allow for thirst. The woman replies with inquisition and a poor understanding in ways. She wants to know more, but then also draws from her teachings on Jacob and the way they understood God. She perceives He is a prophet, but then likens in to what she heard; rather than realizing that the Christ had come. The Samaritans would have accepted the first 5 books of Moses; but rejected the rest of the Old Testament.
Jesus gently rebukes her, basically saying you do not understand. He says the hour in coming and is now here when true believers will worship in spirit and in truth. For the Father is seeking such a people to worship him. God is Spirit and those who worship him, must worship in spirit and in truth. The study notes in my bible read: True worship takes place when the Holy Spirit engages the human Spirit with God's Word. The outward worship that largely characterized the temple of the old covenant was being replaced by the simplicity and privilege of access to the Father in the Spirit through faith in the Son.
We must worship in spirit and in truth. Do we in our hearts understand what that means? That Jesus came that we might have access to the Father through the Son? That once was a chasm set in place by Adam has now been redeemed by the blood of Christ? Do we lean on the Word to understand the truth of the message? Have we received a new life through Jesus Christ that we may now worship freely? Have we allowed the Spirit to do and continue to do its workings by convicting us of our sins that we might repent and come before the throne of God? Before Christ the law condemned us to death- after Christ we have the chance to receive eternal life through Jesus Christ the Lord! He is the living water that will cause us to never thirst again. He alone fills our satisfactions and our longings. He alone is worthy of all praise. Do not get lost in religiosity. Do not get lost in laws and rituals that bind you to workings rather than grace in mercy. Ask God where you are lacking in Spirit and in truth. We serve a majestic and holy savior who is worthy of all praise and all glory. In the right way- and in the proper understanding of Jesus Christ. One pastor puts it- don't serve your leftovers to a Holy God.
The woman replies... I know a Messiah is coming. And Jesus responds " I am He."
This is a huge deal. I get goosebumps every time I read it. This woman who was living under sin and had now come under conviction of sin, says; there is one coming who will do as you say... and Jesus tells her I am He. Think on this, he will asks his disciples who do you think I am? Nicodemus has just asked how can these things be? Yet to this woman at the well, he reveals himself. And the woman, leaves her pot- and runs to tell the others. She has found the messiah. No longer concerned of her earthly water- she has found the living water and run to tell others.
This is a beautiful glimmer of what should occur when we seek out Jesus and when we find him. When we are convicted of sins and come and confess; He covers us with his righteousness. Do we respond by running to tell others? Do we put down out water pots and fleeting needs to pursue His Kingdom and His righteousness? Do we worship in Spirit and in Truth, the Son of God, who laid down His life for us, that we might have living water?
Attached today is a sermon by RC Sproul and a worship song. Have a glorious weekend.
Sermon: Righteousness revealed
Songs: whate're my God ordains is Right
Christ the sure and steady anchor
Hallowed be Your name
Friday, March 20, 2020
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
John 3 He must increase
Read: John 3 focus today will be verses 22-36.
I won't lie. This virus is very distracting to me. Not out of reasons of fear, but reasons of urgency. find myself wanting to beg other Christians not to waste their time, their hours, their season of rest. To not become intoxicated by the anxieties and worries of the world but to be a voice of reason and Hope. Proverbs 17 says a joyful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up bones. We can either be a joyful heart to a world gone mad; or be one of the crushed allowing our fears to fallow into decay of heart and soul. I remind myself to keep my eyes fixed on things that are above, and to labor through this study because, it is the reason that I live. Christ is the reason I get out of bed in the morning and the hope I have as I lay my head down at night. As Paul says to live is Christ, to die is gain. (Not that I am putting myself in situations begging for sickness) Rather the later, we feel the best way to exhort the goodness of God and be given gospel opportunities to share our faith, is to honor the government and their measures and restrictions. To love our neighbors by going for family walks daily but just chatting from the sidewalk to them in their yard, to call not visit those who might need something and to pray that this awakens the church to what it means to be the bride of Christ. We take so much for granted. Two weeks ago we had taken for granted our gatherings. We went to bed Saturday supposing we would go to church, or choosing, willing to skip it, because we went "enough times" this month. Yet here we are; and it is good for us. We assume, and yet one can never.
James 4:13-17 speaks into this: 13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
We have been instructed in the matter. We boasted in our plans; and now they are gone. The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps. Truly we should take confidence that scripture has spoken into our situation already. That we are known by God and our ways our known to Him. Yet this is His Sovereign will for us right now.
I promise this is not a rabbit trail as I feel it thoroughly relates to our passage today. We are focusing on John the Baptist. His entire purpose in life was to declare the way of the Lord. And now the time has come; where he once had the majority of followers that they are now following after Christ. At our Advent study we spent a bit of time on John when we worked through John 1:1-18. John came to prepare the way and declare the way of the Lord. Much like we are left to do today! We are now here to declare the King is coming again. John tells his followers that his job is nearing completion, "therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease." How beautiful are these words. The one who proclaimed heard the voice of the the bridegroom and was satisfied. John does not try to compete with Jesus; He worships Jesus.
We can see this has gone a bit awry our days. Mega church pastors and bible teachers who want it to be about them. Who claim and try to share fame with the Lord. Who trade in biblical truths for somewhat scriptural tweets and hashtags; and who try to set a trend rather than trying to set me free. This is not the way. We are not to try and share followers with the Savior! We are all to follow; and John leads the way.
Verse 31 "He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all...Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal in this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for the Spirit gives without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
John proclaimed and prepared the way. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. We must do more than simply believe in what someone teaches and says. He doesn't say those who trust my words; he says those who believe in the Son will have eternal life. So much as we talked about yesterday we must look to Jesus. We must cling to Jesus and put our hope and rest in Jesus.
The way and path which we are tracking this has been since the beginning. We established God as Creator, Christ as Mediator. That because of the sin of the Garden, this has now been set into play- the Redemption plan. The fact that God would send His Son to die for our sins that we might have eternal life. John has declared it- the voice in the wilderness- who lived without that he could profess more and more. His entire life was a gospel message. Even in that he says, I must decrease. What more can he give up? The message ultimately will cost him his head.
Where are you on this journey today? It is good to know and be honest. Are you trying to figure out if Jesus is who He says He is? Have you put your hope in a preacher or bible teacher rather than the Father? Have you declared Jesus as Lord? Are their areas in your life that need to decrease that he might increase? I can't think of a better season of life to ask these questions. Do not throw away what we might never get back. Immerse yourself in this mandated decrease- ask that God may be glorified so that He might increase, in you, your family, and those who have yet to hear the good news of the Saving work of Jesus Christ our Lord!
Worship for the day:
Come ye sinners poor an needy.
I won't lie. This virus is very distracting to me. Not out of reasons of fear, but reasons of urgency. find myself wanting to beg other Christians not to waste their time, their hours, their season of rest. To not become intoxicated by the anxieties and worries of the world but to be a voice of reason and Hope. Proverbs 17 says a joyful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up bones. We can either be a joyful heart to a world gone mad; or be one of the crushed allowing our fears to fallow into decay of heart and soul. I remind myself to keep my eyes fixed on things that are above, and to labor through this study because, it is the reason that I live. Christ is the reason I get out of bed in the morning and the hope I have as I lay my head down at night. As Paul says to live is Christ, to die is gain. (Not that I am putting myself in situations begging for sickness) Rather the later, we feel the best way to exhort the goodness of God and be given gospel opportunities to share our faith, is to honor the government and their measures and restrictions. To love our neighbors by going for family walks daily but just chatting from the sidewalk to them in their yard, to call not visit those who might need something and to pray that this awakens the church to what it means to be the bride of Christ. We take so much for granted. Two weeks ago we had taken for granted our gatherings. We went to bed Saturday supposing we would go to church, or choosing, willing to skip it, because we went "enough times" this month. Yet here we are; and it is good for us. We assume, and yet one can never.
James 4:13-17 speaks into this: 13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
We have been instructed in the matter. We boasted in our plans; and now they are gone. The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps. Truly we should take confidence that scripture has spoken into our situation already. That we are known by God and our ways our known to Him. Yet this is His Sovereign will for us right now.
I promise this is not a rabbit trail as I feel it thoroughly relates to our passage today. We are focusing on John the Baptist. His entire purpose in life was to declare the way of the Lord. And now the time has come; where he once had the majority of followers that they are now following after Christ. At our Advent study we spent a bit of time on John when we worked through John 1:1-18. John came to prepare the way and declare the way of the Lord. Much like we are left to do today! We are now here to declare the King is coming again. John tells his followers that his job is nearing completion, "therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease." How beautiful are these words. The one who proclaimed heard the voice of the the bridegroom and was satisfied. John does not try to compete with Jesus; He worships Jesus.
We can see this has gone a bit awry our days. Mega church pastors and bible teachers who want it to be about them. Who claim and try to share fame with the Lord. Who trade in biblical truths for somewhat scriptural tweets and hashtags; and who try to set a trend rather than trying to set me free. This is not the way. We are not to try and share followers with the Savior! We are all to follow; and John leads the way.
Verse 31 "He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all...Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal in this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for the Spirit gives without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."
John proclaimed and prepared the way. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. We must do more than simply believe in what someone teaches and says. He doesn't say those who trust my words; he says those who believe in the Son will have eternal life. So much as we talked about yesterday we must look to Jesus. We must cling to Jesus and put our hope and rest in Jesus.
The way and path which we are tracking this has been since the beginning. We established God as Creator, Christ as Mediator. That because of the sin of the Garden, this has now been set into play- the Redemption plan. The fact that God would send His Son to die for our sins that we might have eternal life. John has declared it- the voice in the wilderness- who lived without that he could profess more and more. His entire life was a gospel message. Even in that he says, I must decrease. What more can he give up? The message ultimately will cost him his head.
Where are you on this journey today? It is good to know and be honest. Are you trying to figure out if Jesus is who He says He is? Have you put your hope in a preacher or bible teacher rather than the Father? Have you declared Jesus as Lord? Are their areas in your life that need to decrease that he might increase? I can't think of a better season of life to ask these questions. Do not throw away what we might never get back. Immerse yourself in this mandated decrease- ask that God may be glorified so that He might increase, in you, your family, and those who have yet to hear the good news of the Saving work of Jesus Christ our Lord!
Worship for the day:
Come ye sinners poor an needy.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
How can these things be?!
Read: John 3
This chapter is so full and packed of rich truths to work through- but I feel April racing upon us! ( I know its a month a way but still) There is so much grace and truth written in the chapter but in leaning towards our theme of the first and last Adam I will be focusing in on 9-21.
The more time I am in the Word the more I become acutely aware of our need to be saturated in His Word. It holds such glorious depths of the riches of God's love and mercy for His people. It teaches us about who He is and what Christ has done for us. It points us to life, and life everlasting. It becomes the only way to truly hold the weight of temporary things to verse eternal matters. Knowing scripture and sound doctrine within that scripture is a necessity to preserve our hearts and minds. I always wonder what separates today's church and the contemporary believer from the heroes of the faith. The men and women from biblical times to the present age who are willing to forsake it all for the sake of Christ. I think it is because they believe that what God says is true. They are invested in the word and not content with a quick fix but are so engrossed in the Word and sound doctrine that they are able to have a foundation that cannot be shaken. It is what enables them to live in faith, now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11). We cannot have that faith unless we too know in whom and by whom and for how we have that hope. That hope is Jesus Christ.
V9-15: Nicodemus has come under the guise of darkness to talk to Jesus. A pharisee, a teacher of the law; desiring to know if Christ was a fulfillment of the law. Pharisees are a second that started at some point the in second century B.C. Their greatest stumbling block- allowing man-made rituals and traditions on the same level as scripture. He says to Jesus, How can these things be, when speaking of being born again. Nicodemus a teacher of the law cannot understand the grace of Jesus Christ. He cannot understand that there is nothing he, himself can do to come to Christ, but it is only through what Christ can do for him. How can one be born again he previously asks. He is limited by his own works. He is not personally capable of fulfilling the law. He cannot be born a second time physically. You can almost feel the conviction. Years of teaching tradition and ritual, in keeping perfect law and following scripture to a t...and it isn't enough. It will never be enough, because it is under the banner of our own sin. It is under the curse of Adam and man can toil and fret and worship and sacrifice but apart from the work of Jesus Christ and the cleansing of our sins that only faith in Christ through his bodily death and resurrection can do. Jesus sites the the prophecy that he is about to fulfill. "Just as Moses..." At the hand of the sins of the Israelites, Moses was commanded to place a serpent on a pole and lift it up, so all who were suffering as a result of their sin, could look upon it and be healed. A foretelling as Jesus says here, "So must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." Christ lifted on the Cross. All who are sinners, who look to the cross; who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who is the Way the Truth and the Life, who repent for their sins and put their faith and hope in He who was lifted- are given the ultimate cure from the agony of sin and sickness- eternal life. And this is good news.
There are so many times we come to scripture, come to Jesus and ask, "How can these things be?" Part of it is out of disbelief. Part of it is out of ignorance, or driven by fear. We cannot fathom that we can't be our own heroes. That we can't earn our salvation. That we can't merit our own worthiness to God. We are simply gifted salvation. It makes it almost too hard to accept for some. When we see who we are, and who God is; this free gift of salvation becomes all the more glorious but to those who struggle with believing it becomes all the more incredulous. How can these things be! Jesus is telling Nicodemus, it is; because He is. He is the only way. It is by him, and through Him and from Him and for Him. It is for His glory. It is through His blood and it is by His grace.
Do not assume that because you go to church, because you know the words, because you do all the things... that you know the Savior. We discussed this a few days ago, even the demons believe...and shudder. We need to do more than read. We need to embrace Christ as the One who is the giver of Life. We need to be born again as Jesus taught. It is by grace through faith, it is a gift of God, so that no one may boast.
V16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Romans 5:17 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
We are all given the gift of time right now. (well most unless you are an "essential" employee) use it wisely. Use it to be with Christ. I think of a story I heard about a pastor who was imprisoned for preaching. 7 years, in a cell; he goes on to talk about what a gift that time was; instead of seeing his isolation and solitude as a death sentence he called it a "honeymoon with His Savior." We are going into the celebration of the Resurrection of our King! Do not waste this time of preparation! Do not be caught without oil in your lamp when He comes!
I want to end with the words of Patrick in lieu of St. Patty's Day (we are O'Neills after all)
"Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."
One thing that set Patrick apart "Patrick, says Fletcher, “was soaked in the Bible.”
Do we desire this much of Christ and the Word today? Oh that we may use this time in history as a glorious honeymoon with our savior!
This chapter is so full and packed of rich truths to work through- but I feel April racing upon us! ( I know its a month a way but still) There is so much grace and truth written in the chapter but in leaning towards our theme of the first and last Adam I will be focusing in on 9-21.
The more time I am in the Word the more I become acutely aware of our need to be saturated in His Word. It holds such glorious depths of the riches of God's love and mercy for His people. It teaches us about who He is and what Christ has done for us. It points us to life, and life everlasting. It becomes the only way to truly hold the weight of temporary things to verse eternal matters. Knowing scripture and sound doctrine within that scripture is a necessity to preserve our hearts and minds. I always wonder what separates today's church and the contemporary believer from the heroes of the faith. The men and women from biblical times to the present age who are willing to forsake it all for the sake of Christ. I think it is because they believe that what God says is true. They are invested in the word and not content with a quick fix but are so engrossed in the Word and sound doctrine that they are able to have a foundation that cannot be shaken. It is what enables them to live in faith, now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11). We cannot have that faith unless we too know in whom and by whom and for how we have that hope. That hope is Jesus Christ.
V9-15: Nicodemus has come under the guise of darkness to talk to Jesus. A pharisee, a teacher of the law; desiring to know if Christ was a fulfillment of the law. Pharisees are a second that started at some point the in second century B.C. Their greatest stumbling block- allowing man-made rituals and traditions on the same level as scripture. He says to Jesus, How can these things be, when speaking of being born again. Nicodemus a teacher of the law cannot understand the grace of Jesus Christ. He cannot understand that there is nothing he, himself can do to come to Christ, but it is only through what Christ can do for him. How can one be born again he previously asks. He is limited by his own works. He is not personally capable of fulfilling the law. He cannot be born a second time physically. You can almost feel the conviction. Years of teaching tradition and ritual, in keeping perfect law and following scripture to a t...and it isn't enough. It will never be enough, because it is under the banner of our own sin. It is under the curse of Adam and man can toil and fret and worship and sacrifice but apart from the work of Jesus Christ and the cleansing of our sins that only faith in Christ through his bodily death and resurrection can do. Jesus sites the the prophecy that he is about to fulfill. "Just as Moses..." At the hand of the sins of the Israelites, Moses was commanded to place a serpent on a pole and lift it up, so all who were suffering as a result of their sin, could look upon it and be healed. A foretelling as Jesus says here, "So must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." Christ lifted on the Cross. All who are sinners, who look to the cross; who believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who is the Way the Truth and the Life, who repent for their sins and put their faith and hope in He who was lifted- are given the ultimate cure from the agony of sin and sickness- eternal life. And this is good news.
There are so many times we come to scripture, come to Jesus and ask, "How can these things be?" Part of it is out of disbelief. Part of it is out of ignorance, or driven by fear. We cannot fathom that we can't be our own heroes. That we can't earn our salvation. That we can't merit our own worthiness to God. We are simply gifted salvation. It makes it almost too hard to accept for some. When we see who we are, and who God is; this free gift of salvation becomes all the more glorious but to those who struggle with believing it becomes all the more incredulous. How can these things be! Jesus is telling Nicodemus, it is; because He is. He is the only way. It is by him, and through Him and from Him and for Him. It is for His glory. It is through His blood and it is by His grace.
Do not assume that because you go to church, because you know the words, because you do all the things... that you know the Savior. We discussed this a few days ago, even the demons believe...and shudder. We need to do more than read. We need to embrace Christ as the One who is the giver of Life. We need to be born again as Jesus taught. It is by grace through faith, it is a gift of God, so that no one may boast.
V16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Romans 5:17 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
We are all given the gift of time right now. (well most unless you are an "essential" employee) use it wisely. Use it to be with Christ. I think of a story I heard about a pastor who was imprisoned for preaching. 7 years, in a cell; he goes on to talk about what a gift that time was; instead of seeing his isolation and solitude as a death sentence he called it a "honeymoon with His Savior." We are going into the celebration of the Resurrection of our King! Do not waste this time of preparation! Do not be caught without oil in your lamp when He comes!
I want to end with the words of Patrick in lieu of St. Patty's Day (we are O'Neills after all)
"Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."
One thing that set Patrick apart "Patrick, says Fletcher, “was soaked in the Bible.”
Do we desire this much of Christ and the Word today? Oh that we may use this time in history as a glorious honeymoon with our savior!
Monday, March 16, 2020
Full of Grace and Truth
Read: John 1:1-14
Good morning! As we jump back into our study I pray you had a good weekend. We are facing an unprecedented time in our history, one we have never seen in our lifetime; and I hope that by focusing in on time in God's word and truth you can re-calibrate yourselves for what this week may hold.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among them. Have you ever read greater words! Have you ever heard a more exciting truth?! This was the beginning of the promise from the garden. The Seed had arrived. He would soon crush Satan. Proverbs 15:30 says, the light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes its bones. Can you think of none better this morning! Jesus Christ came, so that He might give us life everlasting. My study bible says grace and truth can also be translated undeserved favor and faithfulness. Ain't that the truth! We did nothing to earn it! Christ came, while we were yet sinners, and died for us! This is why in John 17 in the high priestly prayer we hear Christ praying for those with him then, and those yet to come. Us. Christ had all of His children on His mind as the Roman soldiers lifted Him up on the Cross. His blood was shed for you, and for me.
The Word became flesh, and dwelt among them. Jesus walked and talked among His people. This happened at the beginning, in the garden when all was right and good; and now post fall; it is happening again that all may be set back in order to what is right and good. This is incredible. The Bible is true. The countless promises and prophecies of the OT were fulfilled.
Did you know for Jesus to fulfill just 8 of the OT prophecies as 1 single person the mathematical possibility is 10 to the 17th power. To put that in understandable terms...imagine the state of Texas covered 2 feet deep with half-dollars. On one of those coins an x is placed on the backside. A blind man is then placed in the state at random and the first coin he picks up would have to have the x on it. (From How to Study the Bible, John MacArthur)
The Prophecies of the God-man coming came about. Jesus is who He says He is. Do we believe it? Do we really believe it? If we do, we are obedient to God's Word. Dr. James Montgomery Boice writes, "Jerusalem was destroyed because the people were wanting only to be entertained by God's Words, not to obey the instructions. Isaiah said the same thing in words Jesus later referred to when he was teaching his disciples: "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me'" Is 29:13. Jesus also used this text to reprove teachers of the law who made a profession of adhering to God's words when actually they were obeying only man-made regulations. He called them hypocrites and blind guides (Matthew 15:1-14. Mark 7:1-16)
If Jesus is who he says he is, then everything changes. If we read the words, and the Word became flesh and profess it, but change not...are we merely hypocrites? I think of Romans 2:19-24 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourselves? We are in unprecedented times. Many of you reading will be home with your children and spouses. Stop telling the world that you are "stuck" with them. Consider it a joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. When we post, may we remember that we represent not the ordinary but the peculiar when we write. Even our social distancing should be done with honor that God may be glorified.
We have been given time. May we feast at the Lord's table. May we use our time wisely. May we guard ourselves against temptation. May we lavishly love on our families and neighbors that they might be able to see the Good News of Jesus Christ. May we live in such a way, that this year on Resurrection Sunday we may have hearts that cry out, OUR GOD REIGNS, JESUS IS ALIVE; and may our behaviors have been a reflection of that truth.
I cannot think of a better time to be home. We talked at Advent about becoming the voice in the wilderness, that we be given the opportunity to tell others that the King has come and will come again- We literally we all just given the time to do it. Will our time at home be a testimony to Christ, or will it peg us as a hypocrite. It is not a promise of ease, but with our eyes fixed on the Cross, we can do anything through Christ who gives us strength.
May your day be filled with the overflowing truth that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. His truths are enough, Jesus is enough!<3
Worship for today:
Come Behold the Wonderous Mystery
Oh the deep deep love
Good morning! As we jump back into our study I pray you had a good weekend. We are facing an unprecedented time in our history, one we have never seen in our lifetime; and I hope that by focusing in on time in God's word and truth you can re-calibrate yourselves for what this week may hold.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among them. Have you ever read greater words! Have you ever heard a more exciting truth?! This was the beginning of the promise from the garden. The Seed had arrived. He would soon crush Satan. Proverbs 15:30 says, the light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes its bones. Can you think of none better this morning! Jesus Christ came, so that He might give us life everlasting. My study bible says grace and truth can also be translated undeserved favor and faithfulness. Ain't that the truth! We did nothing to earn it! Christ came, while we were yet sinners, and died for us! This is why in John 17 in the high priestly prayer we hear Christ praying for those with him then, and those yet to come. Us. Christ had all of His children on His mind as the Roman soldiers lifted Him up on the Cross. His blood was shed for you, and for me.
The Word became flesh, and dwelt among them. Jesus walked and talked among His people. This happened at the beginning, in the garden when all was right and good; and now post fall; it is happening again that all may be set back in order to what is right and good. This is incredible. The Bible is true. The countless promises and prophecies of the OT were fulfilled.
Did you know for Jesus to fulfill just 8 of the OT prophecies as 1 single person the mathematical possibility is 10 to the 17th power. To put that in understandable terms...imagine the state of Texas covered 2 feet deep with half-dollars. On one of those coins an x is placed on the backside. A blind man is then placed in the state at random and the first coin he picks up would have to have the x on it. (From How to Study the Bible, John MacArthur)
The Prophecies of the God-man coming came about. Jesus is who He says He is. Do we believe it? Do we really believe it? If we do, we are obedient to God's Word. Dr. James Montgomery Boice writes, "Jerusalem was destroyed because the people were wanting only to be entertained by God's Words, not to obey the instructions. Isaiah said the same thing in words Jesus later referred to when he was teaching his disciples: "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me'" Is 29:13. Jesus also used this text to reprove teachers of the law who made a profession of adhering to God's words when actually they were obeying only man-made regulations. He called them hypocrites and blind guides (Matthew 15:1-14. Mark 7:1-16)
If Jesus is who he says he is, then everything changes. If we read the words, and the Word became flesh and profess it, but change not...are we merely hypocrites? I think of Romans 2:19-24 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourselves? We are in unprecedented times. Many of you reading will be home with your children and spouses. Stop telling the world that you are "stuck" with them. Consider it a joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. When we post, may we remember that we represent not the ordinary but the peculiar when we write. Even our social distancing should be done with honor that God may be glorified.
We have been given time. May we feast at the Lord's table. May we use our time wisely. May we guard ourselves against temptation. May we lavishly love on our families and neighbors that they might be able to see the Good News of Jesus Christ. May we live in such a way, that this year on Resurrection Sunday we may have hearts that cry out, OUR GOD REIGNS, JESUS IS ALIVE; and may our behaviors have been a reflection of that truth.
I cannot think of a better time to be home. We talked at Advent about becoming the voice in the wilderness, that we be given the opportunity to tell others that the King has come and will come again- We literally we all just given the time to do it. Will our time at home be a testimony to Christ, or will it peg us as a hypocrite. It is not a promise of ease, but with our eyes fixed on the Cross, we can do anything through Christ who gives us strength.
May your day be filled with the overflowing truth that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. His truths are enough, Jesus is enough!<3
Worship for today:
Come Behold the Wonderous Mystery
Oh the deep deep love
Friday, March 13, 2020
Instead of panic....pray.
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. (Proverbs 12:25, ESV)
This might be a joint bible study/prep talk for you as you go into a weekend with a panicking world. As we have been looking at who God is as Creator, who Christ is as sustainer; we now have the ability to practice what we are learning. To not fall into the same folly of always learning but never arriving at truth, but to cling to the truth in order to save others who are floundering around us.
We have an opportunity to closely examine what we hold dear at this impasse of our history. We were born purposely right in this season. We had no control over what generation we were placed in; so you and I were meant to live through this now global pandemic. Our days were numbered before we were born Psalm 139:16. As things, sports, events are cancelled, I ask myself, and now as you- are they of eternal value anyways? Are the hours that we invest into sports, hobbies, leisure, etc that can just like that be gone; worth the time and energy that we pour into them? Do we spend our days on things that are here one moment and gone the next, or have we set our eyes on things that are above? Have we and do we invest in our eternal state and the eternal state of our friends, family and neighbors the same way we have been running after these fleeting things? Now is a great time to pause and see what we have been chasing. It is not that these things are necessarily bad; but if you are in despair because they are gone for a time; we might be holding them too tightly.
We have been talking with our kids a lot about the opportunity solitude can bring us. We can be undistracted before the Savior to pray and read and abide in Him. We can spend vested hours praying over our neighbors, pray for doctors, nurses, grocery store clerks and cleaning persons who will receive a brunt of what we can close our doors too. Pray for opportunities to share and love on these persons. Check on elderly neighbors or family members- call people! Have a good hearty conversation with people that we are normally to busy to chat with. Pray for the unreached and unsaved, those in countries like China and Iran who maybe have yet to hear the Gospel. Pray for the missionaries and pastors there; where false religion or no religion abounds- that a glorious revival can come about, where believers can have the confidence to share why they are not panicking; because our hope is in the Lord.
But we can only share our hope is in the Lord...if our hope is in the Lord. The Gospel Coalition put out an excellent article yesterday highlighting Martin Luther's response to the bubonic plague. He exercises both biblical and practical wisdom. There is a lot of false doctrine being promoted right now by terrible teachers. Running a muck, offering false healing and binding whos-its and whats-its galore. This is not a biblical response. Don't offer false hope; don't bind the devil where he may not be... offer Christ. Our sure Salvation. Offer Christ who takes away the sins of the world. Offer Christ who is the way the truth and the life. Offer Christ, who came to die that we might be redeemed. Offer Christ who is the bread of life and living water. Offer Christ because He is Hope. He is Peace, and He is Love. Perfect love casts out all fear. Do you love Christ in such a way, do you know him such a way that He is able to cast out fear in your own heart; that you might then share this peace with others?
One thing I have learned is do not waste suffering and adversity. I have. There are seriously hard tribulations I wish I could go back and live through with better faith and more courageous hope. Because I saw how sovereign God was on the other side. Hope now is the byproduct of my genuine love, trust and servitude to our Savior.
Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Don't waste this time. Use it to His glory. Pray, intercede, love...don't touch your face or lick door nobs. What will be your testimony of God's glory when all of this is over?!
Worship for the weary:
Come behold the wonderous mystery
abide with me- this history of this song---- very worth the read. Read it here prior to listening.
This might be a joint bible study/prep talk for you as you go into a weekend with a panicking world. As we have been looking at who God is as Creator, who Christ is as sustainer; we now have the ability to practice what we are learning. To not fall into the same folly of always learning but never arriving at truth, but to cling to the truth in order to save others who are floundering around us.
We have an opportunity to closely examine what we hold dear at this impasse of our history. We were born purposely right in this season. We had no control over what generation we were placed in; so you and I were meant to live through this now global pandemic. Our days were numbered before we were born Psalm 139:16. As things, sports, events are cancelled, I ask myself, and now as you- are they of eternal value anyways? Are the hours that we invest into sports, hobbies, leisure, etc that can just like that be gone; worth the time and energy that we pour into them? Do we spend our days on things that are here one moment and gone the next, or have we set our eyes on things that are above? Have we and do we invest in our eternal state and the eternal state of our friends, family and neighbors the same way we have been running after these fleeting things? Now is a great time to pause and see what we have been chasing. It is not that these things are necessarily bad; but if you are in despair because they are gone for a time; we might be holding them too tightly.
We have been talking with our kids a lot about the opportunity solitude can bring us. We can be undistracted before the Savior to pray and read and abide in Him. We can spend vested hours praying over our neighbors, pray for doctors, nurses, grocery store clerks and cleaning persons who will receive a brunt of what we can close our doors too. Pray for opportunities to share and love on these persons. Check on elderly neighbors or family members- call people! Have a good hearty conversation with people that we are normally to busy to chat with. Pray for the unreached and unsaved, those in countries like China and Iran who maybe have yet to hear the Gospel. Pray for the missionaries and pastors there; where false religion or no religion abounds- that a glorious revival can come about, where believers can have the confidence to share why they are not panicking; because our hope is in the Lord.
But we can only share our hope is in the Lord...if our hope is in the Lord. The Gospel Coalition put out an excellent article yesterday highlighting Martin Luther's response to the bubonic plague. He exercises both biblical and practical wisdom. There is a lot of false doctrine being promoted right now by terrible teachers. Running a muck, offering false healing and binding whos-its and whats-its galore. This is not a biblical response. Don't offer false hope; don't bind the devil where he may not be... offer Christ. Our sure Salvation. Offer Christ who takes away the sins of the world. Offer Christ who is the way the truth and the life. Offer Christ, who came to die that we might be redeemed. Offer Christ who is the bread of life and living water. Offer Christ because He is Hope. He is Peace, and He is Love. Perfect love casts out all fear. Do you love Christ in such a way, do you know him such a way that He is able to cast out fear in your own heart; that you might then share this peace with others?
One thing I have learned is do not waste suffering and adversity. I have. There are seriously hard tribulations I wish I could go back and live through with better faith and more courageous hope. Because I saw how sovereign God was on the other side. Hope now is the byproduct of my genuine love, trust and servitude to our Savior.
Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Don't waste this time. Use it to His glory. Pray, intercede, love...don't touch your face or lick door nobs. What will be your testimony of God's glory when all of this is over?!
Worship for the weary:
Come behold the wonderous mystery
abide with me- this history of this song---- very worth the read. Read it here prior to listening.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Knew him not John 1
I originally thought I would wrap up John 1 today, but I can't. A verse struck my heart today and I would like to linger here a moment. John 1:10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
We have spent much time already devoted to God as Creator, and now Christ as by whom all things were created. I have this glorious picture in my head of the cosmos being formed and swirling about and the planets lining up, and the earth....down to the grass and dirt and the mysteries the earth holds beneath our feet. The DNA of creatures twirling and forming... all by the Hands of One. And then He, who fashioned all things, stepped down off His throne, and His creation knew him not. The term known here is associated commonly with love or intimacy. So he came into the world, and the world loved him not. This is crushing. But we do it all the time even yet today.
We can say we know God, but this is so different than being known by God. We can say we love Jesus with our words; but does our life reflect such truths? What do we use our free time for? Does a quick 5 minute devotional suffice our satisfaction for and to the One who gave us that 5 minutes? Do we feel liberated to live and do the rest of our day without second thought of the Savior? Do we hold people who live zealously after God as overkill, ridiculous, or "called?"
Even the demons believe, and shutter. I know we have talked about this before, but in the New Testament time and time again we see the demons calling Christ by Name, when Jesus encounters the man with the legion of demons, they don't say who do you think you are, they call Him "Jesus, Son of the Most High God." There are 'religious,' people today who won't even use that title. Or will use it; but do not believe it. I was reading a book yesterday and the author talked about Satan's doctrine...and it made me wonder- is it better than mine? Do I have an understanding of God, that does not make me fear in the way they shudder, but fear in the sense of awe and reverence?
Tomorrow, we will talk about verses 14-18. I think today, it is good to pause and ask ourselves, Do I believe Jesus is who he says He is? Does my life reflect that Christ is King and Lord of All? He who holds the universe together by the Word of His power, the very essence and nature of God, came in the flesh, to die for our sins. This, is remarkable. This is good news. This is more than enough.
In the midst of a world, in panic and fear, driven by not sickness as one would have you to believe, but the matter that drives the fear- death. I challenge you, myself, and all believers to use this time as a divine Gospel opportunity. All of it is falling in the season of Resurrection Preparation. Pray for your neighbors, check on them; pray for the elderly, use this time home wisely, make phone calls, pray for those who don't know Jesus. Let our actions be driven out of love and not fear, because perfect love casts out all fear. Let us not look back at this season not as time wasted but opportunity well spent- whether it be in beautiful solitude before the King, or the hands and feet to those who are scared and hurting. It is wise to be prepared, but rather than starting on temporal preparations, let us use this to make confident our hope which is in Jesus Christ, the Lord.
He was in the world, and the world knew Him not; may the world know Him through your example today.
We have spent much time already devoted to God as Creator, and now Christ as by whom all things were created. I have this glorious picture in my head of the cosmos being formed and swirling about and the planets lining up, and the earth....down to the grass and dirt and the mysteries the earth holds beneath our feet. The DNA of creatures twirling and forming... all by the Hands of One. And then He, who fashioned all things, stepped down off His throne, and His creation knew him not. The term known here is associated commonly with love or intimacy. So he came into the world, and the world loved him not. This is crushing. But we do it all the time even yet today.
We can say we know God, but this is so different than being known by God. We can say we love Jesus with our words; but does our life reflect such truths? What do we use our free time for? Does a quick 5 minute devotional suffice our satisfaction for and to the One who gave us that 5 minutes? Do we feel liberated to live and do the rest of our day without second thought of the Savior? Do we hold people who live zealously after God as overkill, ridiculous, or "called?"
Even the demons believe, and shutter. I know we have talked about this before, but in the New Testament time and time again we see the demons calling Christ by Name, when Jesus encounters the man with the legion of demons, they don't say who do you think you are, they call Him "Jesus, Son of the Most High God." There are 'religious,' people today who won't even use that title. Or will use it; but do not believe it. I was reading a book yesterday and the author talked about Satan's doctrine...and it made me wonder- is it better than mine? Do I have an understanding of God, that does not make me fear in the way they shudder, but fear in the sense of awe and reverence?
Tomorrow, we will talk about verses 14-18. I think today, it is good to pause and ask ourselves, Do I believe Jesus is who he says He is? Does my life reflect that Christ is King and Lord of All? He who holds the universe together by the Word of His power, the very essence and nature of God, came in the flesh, to die for our sins. This, is remarkable. This is good news. This is more than enough.
In the midst of a world, in panic and fear, driven by not sickness as one would have you to believe, but the matter that drives the fear- death. I challenge you, myself, and all believers to use this time as a divine Gospel opportunity. All of it is falling in the season of Resurrection Preparation. Pray for your neighbors, check on them; pray for the elderly, use this time home wisely, make phone calls, pray for those who don't know Jesus. Let our actions be driven out of love and not fear, because perfect love casts out all fear. Let us not look back at this season not as time wasted but opportunity well spent- whether it be in beautiful solitude before the King, or the hands and feet to those who are scared and hurting. It is wise to be prepared, but rather than starting on temporal preparations, let us use this to make confident our hope which is in Jesus Christ, the Lord.
He was in the world, and the world knew Him not; may the world know Him through your example today.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
In Him is life. John 1
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jesus not only creates life, not only sustains life, but He himself is life. Jesus says I am the way, the truth and the life. He creates, upholds, and keeps. This is overwhelmingly good news, especially in light of what we have learned about the separation of our sin to our Savior. Christ came, piercing the darkness offering us the light of salvation. This is remarkable to me every time I think on it.
The hymn I am attaching has a beautiful line, "By His Son God now has spoken, Tis the True and Faithful Word." God gives life to men through His Son Jesus Christ. "When John called Jesus 'the Word,' he implied that Christ not only brings us a message from God but is Himself the message!"(RHB,pg 1512). Jesus is the Redeemer, He is the Way, and He alone provides the way.
We live in a word with no absolute truth. People have turned it into an abstract sliding scale where truth is relative and as long as your on the scale to what degree you are on it does not matter. One close or even not that close look will prove it, from entertainment, to gender to abortion, things that should be a solid yes or a solid no have varying degrees of acceptance. This is a lie from the pit of hell, and it is seeping into the church. We have false teachers who offer varying shades of repentance and the Christian life dictated by how much you work or give or do. This is not the way to the Lord. Narrow is the path that leads to life, and wide is the gate that leads to hell. There is but one way, and that is through Jesus Christ, there is but one light that darkness cannot overcome and it is the radiance of the Glory of God as shone through the exact imprint of His Nature on His Son Jesus Christ, the Lord.
As we journey to the cross, we can actually get distracted by the cross at times. We become hyper-focused on the physical cross, the physical pain Jesus would endure, and in our humanness we stop and dwell there. We feel sorrow because of the pain Jesus felt. But I encourage you to push your understanding deeper yet, when Jesus asks if this cup could pass, it is not the physical pain he alone is speaking into, it is the wrath of God about to be poured out on Him. He would become sin, and only Christ has the capability as the God-man of fully understanding the wrath God has for sin. He became sin, who knew no sin, so that we might become His righteousness.
Jesus, the light of the World, came that we might become His light radiating out into the darkness. Matthew 5 discusses how when given a light we do not hide it under a bushel but lift it up, so that all may see. Sister, if you are a professing believer; this is the time, amid panic of sickness and death, in a generation lost and destitute to raise your light so that men may see your love of Jesus Christ and glorify God, who is both the giver and the provider of the Light.
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