The night before Jesus went on the cross He told His disciples to expect persecution on this earth. Jesus said in John 15:19b, "I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." In the free world we enjoy much freedom and do not experience a lot of the blatant outward persecution which is found in some parts of the world. There is subtle persecution in the free world also, however. Further, as the free world moves ever increasingly toward the acceptance of all kinds of immoral behavior, we will also increasingly see more open persecution of believers. Already we as followers of Jesus Christ are considered narrow and judgmental, if we do not follow or accept the life styles and philosophies of the world around us.
The world does not understand the wisdom of God and of His Holy Word. They do not understand our love for the the Lord and our desire to serve Him. It is difficult sometimes to live for the Lord in this world. The Lord Jesus promised His disciples to send the Holy Spirit, however, to help them. The Holy Spirit is our helper also today. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and leads us to Christ. The Holy Spirit guides us into all of God's truth and speaks God's truth into our hearts. He does this through God's Holy Word. He gives us the guidance we need when we need it. He makes known to us what God, the Father and God, the Son, wants us to know and understand.
The night before Jesus died on the cross Jesus tried to tell His disciples that He would soon be dying on the cross for their sins. Jesus further tried to explain to His disciples that He would be leaving this world to return to the Father. This was necessary so that He could pay for our sins and then go to prepare an eternal home for His people. Jesus said to His disciples in John 16:16, "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see Me," Jesus'words must have been confusing and a cause for grief for the disciples. Sometimes we don't see Jesus in the difficult circumstances of our lives either. Sometimes it is difficult to hang on to our faith during these times in our lives.
Jesus told His disciples that they would grieve temporarily, but their grief would turn to joy. This would happen when Jesus rose from the grave victorious over sin, Satan, and death! Jesus told His disciples in John 16:22 that when this happened "no one will take away your joy." We too may have suffering and difficulties in this life. Our final victory, however, has been won through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection even the trials of life can not rob us our our joy in the Lord! Also someday Jesus will return for us. What joy! What glorious expectations we have in Christ Jesus!
While we are on this earth we need to abide in Christ. John 16:24 tells us that if we abide and remain in Christ, we can ask for anything form the Father in Jesus Christ's name. We can go directly to the Father in prayer. Jesus says this is true in John 16:27 when He says, "the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I come from God."
If we abide in Christ we experience His peace. It is a peace which the world can not understand or take away from us. We should not be shocked if we often face difficult obstacles in this world. Jesus says in John 16:33b, "In this world, you will have trouble." Trials of various kinds are inevitable in this world. Jesus goes on to say in that same verse, however, that we should not become discouraged. Jesus says, "But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus has won the final victory! Everything is under His control, even the smallest details of our lives. He gives us grace to meet each and every trial that He allows in our lives. Hence, in Jesus Christ we have His joy and His peace in our lives.
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Thursday, July 7, 2016
John 15:9-17
"I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name." John 15:16
Jesus tells us in John chapter fifteen that the only way we can expect to live spiritually fruitful lives is by remaining in Him. Jesus is like the vine. We are like the branches. A branch can only survive when it is attached to the vine. We can only live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord when we are doing it in the Lord's strength. Our strength alone will fail ever time. God's strength in our lives is all-sufficient.
One way we show that we are remaining in Jesus Christ's love is by obeying His commands. We can not just have a lukewarm affection for the Lord. Our love for the Lord must be a passionate love. Our love for Him must be demonstrated in a love for His Holy Word and in a desire to obey the Lord in all areas of our lives. Christ demonstrated this kind of obedient love for the Father. Christ was willing to endure the horrors of hell on the cross, so He could be obedient to the Father's will.
Another way we can show that we are remaining in the Lord's love is by loving our fellow Christians. We need to love each other, as the Lord has loved us. Jesus Christ was willing to go to the cross because of His love for us! This was sacrificial love beyond our comprehension! We need to show sacrificial love for each other. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends." In verse fourteen of John chapter fifteen Jesus says to us, "You are My friends if you do what I command." Proof that we are remaining in the Lord's love is obeying His commands, and one of the Lord's commands is to love each other.
When we abide in the Lord it brings joy to His heart. When we show spiritual fruit in our lives and a passion and love for the Lord it also brings joy and delight to the Lord's heart. If we are abiding and remaining in the Lord it further brings joy to our own lives. Jesus says in John 15:11, "I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
Joy in the Lord is much deeper than the joy and happiness found in pleasant and peaceful circumstances. The Lord's joy is found in our lives, because we delight in the Lord. The Lord's joy is found in our lives because of our love for Him, and this joy is present even in the midst of very difficult trials in our lives. The Lord's joy is constant and enduring in spite of outward circumstances. The Lord's joy in our lives is abundant and overflowing. We must draw daily from the Lord for our joy and strength. That joy will then overflow to others. The Lord's joy is found in obedience to Him and in our love of others.
Finally, the Lord's joy is found in fulfilling the purpose for which we were put on this earth and that purpose is to bring glory and honor to God. Jesus says in John 15:16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name." God chose you and me to bring glory to Him and to bear spiritual fruit. We must be willing to serve Him in this world in the place where He has placed us. We must bear spiritual fruit for Him and continue to grow in our love and obedience of Him. May this be our passion and desire.
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name." John 15:16
Jesus tells us in John chapter fifteen that the only way we can expect to live spiritually fruitful lives is by remaining in Him. Jesus is like the vine. We are like the branches. A branch can only survive when it is attached to the vine. We can only live our lives in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord when we are doing it in the Lord's strength. Our strength alone will fail ever time. God's strength in our lives is all-sufficient.
One way we show that we are remaining in Jesus Christ's love is by obeying His commands. We can not just have a lukewarm affection for the Lord. Our love for the Lord must be a passionate love. Our love for Him must be demonstrated in a love for His Holy Word and in a desire to obey the Lord in all areas of our lives. Christ demonstrated this kind of obedient love for the Father. Christ was willing to endure the horrors of hell on the cross, so He could be obedient to the Father's will.
Another way we can show that we are remaining in the Lord's love is by loving our fellow Christians. We need to love each other, as the Lord has loved us. Jesus Christ was willing to go to the cross because of His love for us! This was sacrificial love beyond our comprehension! We need to show sacrificial love for each other. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends." In verse fourteen of John chapter fifteen Jesus says to us, "You are My friends if you do what I command." Proof that we are remaining in the Lord's love is obeying His commands, and one of the Lord's commands is to love each other.
When we abide in the Lord it brings joy to His heart. When we show spiritual fruit in our lives and a passion and love for the Lord it also brings joy and delight to the Lord's heart. If we are abiding and remaining in the Lord it further brings joy to our own lives. Jesus says in John 15:11, "I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
Joy in the Lord is much deeper than the joy and happiness found in pleasant and peaceful circumstances. The Lord's joy is found in our lives, because we delight in the Lord. The Lord's joy is found in our lives because of our love for Him, and this joy is present even in the midst of very difficult trials in our lives. The Lord's joy is constant and enduring in spite of outward circumstances. The Lord's joy in our lives is abundant and overflowing. We must draw daily from the Lord for our joy and strength. That joy will then overflow to others. The Lord's joy is found in obedience to Him and in our love of others.
Finally, the Lord's joy is found in fulfilling the purpose for which we were put on this earth and that purpose is to bring glory and honor to God. Jesus says in John 15:16, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name." God chose you and me to bring glory to Him and to bear spiritual fruit. We must be willing to serve Him in this world in the place where He has placed us. We must bear spiritual fruit for Him and continue to grow in our love and obedience of Him. May this be our passion and desire.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
John 15:1-8
"Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me." John 15:4
When we know someone we love is about to die we tend to cling to their every last word. John chapters thirteen through seventeen reveal Jesus' last words and prayers for his disciples. Jesus spoke these words the night before He went on the cross. These were truths that were very important to the Lord. Jesus wanted His disciples to apply these very important truths to their lives. We need to pay attention to what the Lord said to His disciples then and says to us today.
In John chapter thirteen Jesus speaks of the importance of servanthood in our lives. In John chapter fourteen Jesus comforts the disciples and speak of His preparing a place for us in Heaven. In John chapter fourteen Jesus also tells us that He is the only way to the Father. Then in chapter fifteen Jesus speaks of the need for fruitful service in our lives. Jesus says that He is like the vine, and we are like branches.
Jesus goes on to say that God, the Father, is like the gardener. In judgement God, the Father, will cut off branches that bear no spiritual fruit in their lives. These are people who profess to be Christians but really are not true believers. God, the Father, who is like the gardener, also prunes all the branches that do bear fruit. This represents true believers who show spiritual fruit or evidence of faith in their lives.
Pruning of plants involves cutting away unwanted parts on a plant. This pruning process produces more fruit from plants. God, the Father, also does pruning in our lives. He seeks to prune the undesirable things out of our lives, so we can grow spiritually and bear even more spiritual fruit in our lives. God often uses trials and difficulties in our lives to rid our lives of undesirable things and to help us become more like Jesus in our thoughts, motives, and actions. This pruning process in our lives can be painful sometimes. It is necessary, however, if we are going to grow spiritually.
The only way we can expect to be fruitful in our service to the Lord is by remaining in Jesus. Jesus says in John 15:4, "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me." We have no spiritual fruitfulness in our lives apart from fellowship and union with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we, the branches, are out of contact with Jesus, the vine; we are useless and lifeless.
Jesus goes on to say in John 15:5b, "apart from Me you can do nothing." We may struggle and struggle on our own, but without Christ in our lives we can do nothing. We must give control of our lives completely over to the Lord. We must not seek to be self-reliant, but we must seek to rely on God's all-sufficiency alone. This is the secret to a spiritually fruitful life which is lived for the Lord. It is the secret to a life which truly shows the evidence of faith in one's thoughts, motives, and actions.
Remaining and abiding in the Lord is the secret also to a fruitful prayer life. If we desire a fruitful prayer life, we must remain in Jesus and live in constant fellowship with Him. We also must be certain that we daily read His Holy Word with a passionate desire to seek His will for our lives. The Lord's words in the Bible will prune, control, and direct our desires in the right direction. If we do this, we are in a position for the Lord to hear and answer our prayers.
We bring glory to the Father by bearing spiritual fruit in our lives. This is the reason for which we were created. We can only bear spiritual fruit in our lives, if we are remaining in Jesus and finding our strength in Him alone. It must be our consuming desire to bear spiritual fruit for Him.
When we know someone we love is about to die we tend to cling to their every last word. John chapters thirteen through seventeen reveal Jesus' last words and prayers for his disciples. Jesus spoke these words the night before He went on the cross. These were truths that were very important to the Lord. Jesus wanted His disciples to apply these very important truths to their lives. We need to pay attention to what the Lord said to His disciples then and says to us today.
In John chapter thirteen Jesus speaks of the importance of servanthood in our lives. In John chapter fourteen Jesus comforts the disciples and speak of His preparing a place for us in Heaven. In John chapter fourteen Jesus also tells us that He is the only way to the Father. Then in chapter fifteen Jesus speaks of the need for fruitful service in our lives. Jesus says that He is like the vine, and we are like branches.
Jesus goes on to say that God, the Father, is like the gardener. In judgement God, the Father, will cut off branches that bear no spiritual fruit in their lives. These are people who profess to be Christians but really are not true believers. God, the Father, who is like the gardener, also prunes all the branches that do bear fruit. This represents true believers who show spiritual fruit or evidence of faith in their lives.
Pruning of plants involves cutting away unwanted parts on a plant. This pruning process produces more fruit from plants. God, the Father, also does pruning in our lives. He seeks to prune the undesirable things out of our lives, so we can grow spiritually and bear even more spiritual fruit in our lives. God often uses trials and difficulties in our lives to rid our lives of undesirable things and to help us become more like Jesus in our thoughts, motives, and actions. This pruning process in our lives can be painful sometimes. It is necessary, however, if we are going to grow spiritually.
The only way we can expect to be fruitful in our service to the Lord is by remaining in Jesus. Jesus says in John 15:4, "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me." We have no spiritual fruitfulness in our lives apart from fellowship and union with the Lord Jesus Christ. If we, the branches, are out of contact with Jesus, the vine; we are useless and lifeless.
Jesus goes on to say in John 15:5b, "apart from Me you can do nothing." We may struggle and struggle on our own, but without Christ in our lives we can do nothing. We must give control of our lives completely over to the Lord. We must not seek to be self-reliant, but we must seek to rely on God's all-sufficiency alone. This is the secret to a spiritually fruitful life which is lived for the Lord. It is the secret to a life which truly shows the evidence of faith in one's thoughts, motives, and actions.
Remaining and abiding in the Lord is the secret also to a fruitful prayer life. If we desire a fruitful prayer life, we must remain in Jesus and live in constant fellowship with Him. We also must be certain that we daily read His Holy Word with a passionate desire to seek His will for our lives. The Lord's words in the Bible will prune, control, and direct our desires in the right direction. If we do this, we are in a position for the Lord to hear and answer our prayers.
We bring glory to the Father by bearing spiritual fruit in our lives. This is the reason for which we were created. We can only bear spiritual fruit in our lives, if we are remaining in Jesus and finding our strength in Him alone. It must be our consuming desire to bear spiritual fruit for Him.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
John 14:15-31
"If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be in you." John 14:15-17
"Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you." John 14;19b-20
Jesus gave His all for us on the cross. Jesus, the Son of God, paid the horrible penalty for our sins on the cross. We need to be filled with gratitude and love to the Lord for the awesome sacrifice He made for us. We show our love and gratitude to the Lord by our obedience to His Holy Word. Our salvation is all of grace through faith. We can do nothing to earn our salvation. Thankful obedience always accompanies true faith, however.
Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, you will obey what I command." Jesus said these words to His disciples the night before He went on the cross, and He says these same words to His children today. Jesus promised His disciples to send the Holy Spirit as their helper in their life of obedience. The Holy Spirit today also helps us in our comprehension of God's Holy Word and in the comprehension of God's will.
Jesus tells us in John 14:17 that the Holy Spirit will be with us forever and that He is "the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit brings us to the truth of God. The Holy Spirit always stands by us who are God's children. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, encourager, counselor, advocate, and the One who strengthens us. The world does not understand this, but Jesus' promise to you and I in John 14:17b is that the Holy Spirit "lives with you and will be in you."
As children of God we will live eternally! Jesus says to us in John 14:19b, "Because I live, you also will live. Jesus goes on to say in John 14:20b, "I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you." Jesus, the Son of God, is in the Father. Furthermore, we are in Jesus Christ, and He is in us! Isn't that an exciting thought?
Jesus goes on to remind us again in verse twenty-one, however, that we need to show we are children of God by our lives. We show we are children of God and show our love for Him by our obedience. Then and only then will the Lord reveal Himself to us. Then the triune God will come and make His home in our lives and hearts!
The Holy Spirit is our homemaker and lives in us to transform our lives lives and hearts into a fit dwelling place for the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit in our hearts teaches us and reminds us of God's commands and promises in His Holy Word. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, and He comforts us in our times of difficulty. He helps us to experience the peace of Christ in our lives even in the worst of times. The Holy Spirit also helps us in our obedience to the Lord. Jesus' life was a perfect example of obedience to the Father. Jesus said in John 14:31b, "I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me." Jesus was speaking here of His death on the cross the very next day! Jesus paid the entire penalty for your and my sins! We owe Him our obedience. We owe Him our all!
"Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you." John 14;19b-20
Jesus gave His all for us on the cross. Jesus, the Son of God, paid the horrible penalty for our sins on the cross. We need to be filled with gratitude and love to the Lord for the awesome sacrifice He made for us. We show our love and gratitude to the Lord by our obedience to His Holy Word. Our salvation is all of grace through faith. We can do nothing to earn our salvation. Thankful obedience always accompanies true faith, however.
Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, you will obey what I command." Jesus said these words to His disciples the night before He went on the cross, and He says these same words to His children today. Jesus promised His disciples to send the Holy Spirit as their helper in their life of obedience. The Holy Spirit today also helps us in our comprehension of God's Holy Word and in the comprehension of God's will.
Jesus tells us in John 14:17 that the Holy Spirit will be with us forever and that He is "the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit brings us to the truth of God. The Holy Spirit always stands by us who are God's children. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, encourager, counselor, advocate, and the One who strengthens us. The world does not understand this, but Jesus' promise to you and I in John 14:17b is that the Holy Spirit "lives with you and will be in you."
As children of God we will live eternally! Jesus says to us in John 14:19b, "Because I live, you also will live. Jesus goes on to say in John 14:20b, "I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you." Jesus, the Son of God, is in the Father. Furthermore, we are in Jesus Christ, and He is in us! Isn't that an exciting thought?
Jesus goes on to remind us again in verse twenty-one, however, that we need to show we are children of God by our lives. We show we are children of God and show our love for Him by our obedience. Then and only then will the Lord reveal Himself to us. Then the triune God will come and make His home in our lives and hearts!
The Holy Spirit is our homemaker and lives in us to transform our lives lives and hearts into a fit dwelling place for the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit in our hearts teaches us and reminds us of God's commands and promises in His Holy Word. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, and He comforts us in our times of difficulty. He helps us to experience the peace of Christ in our lives even in the worst of times. The Holy Spirit also helps us in our obedience to the Lord. Jesus' life was a perfect example of obedience to the Father. Jesus said in John 14:31b, "I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me." Jesus was speaking here of His death on the cross the very next day! Jesus paid the entire penalty for your and my sins! We owe Him our obedience. We owe Him our all!
Thursday, June 16, 2016
John 14:1-14
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am." John 14:1-3
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
"And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in My name, and I will do it." John 14:13-14
In chapter 14 of the Gospel of John it is the night before Jesus is to go on the cross for our sins. Jesus is telling His disciples of his imminent death. Jesus is also speaking of leaving His disciples and returning to God, the Father. The disciples are probably confused and troubled by what Jesus is saying to them. Jesus tells them in John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me."
When we are troubled by life's circumstances the first place we need to run it to the Lord. We need to turn our worries or grief over to the Lord in trust. We can do this, because even though we have difficulties and grief in this world we have a certain eternal future. Jesus is preparing an eternal place for us with Him right now! Jesus says to us in John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."
Furthermore, the Lord will return some day to take us to be with Him! John goes on to say in John 14:3, "and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where where I am." Any difficulties we may have in this life are of little significance in light of the glories of an eternity with the Lord!
Jesus goes on to tell us that He is the only way to the Father and to life eternal. Jesus says in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." The world tells us that we are being judgmental and narrow, if we say Jesus is the only way to eternal life. The Lord makes it very clear in His Holy Word, however, that He is the only way to the Father and to eternal life. There is only one price sufficient to purchase our way to heaven; and that is the death of Jesus, the Son of God, on the cross.
God, the Father, gave us His Son, Jesus, to be punished for our sins and to pay the price for our sins. Jesus is the only way, truth, and life. He will lead us safely through this life to eternal life! We must trust in Him alone, because Jesus is the very Son of God. Jesus is God incarnate, and thus He is the only way to the Father and to an eternity with Him.
As His children we have intimate fellowship with the Lord. Verse twelve of John chapter fourteen suggests that we will and can do great things in Jesus' name. If we are totally submissive to His will and desirous of serving Him, He can use us in powerful ways. John goes on to say in John 14:13-14. "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in My name, and I will do it." If we are asking for things in our prayers which will bring glory and honor to God, the Lord will hear and answer such prayers. The Lord will answer those prayers in a powerful way. This is what gives meaning to life. Jesus and living for Him is the way to joy, life, and truth. Jesus Christ is the only way to blessings now and for eternity
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
"And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in My name, and I will do it." John 14:13-14
In chapter 14 of the Gospel of John it is the night before Jesus is to go on the cross for our sins. Jesus is telling His disciples of his imminent death. Jesus is also speaking of leaving His disciples and returning to God, the Father. The disciples are probably confused and troubled by what Jesus is saying to them. Jesus tells them in John 14:1, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me."
When we are troubled by life's circumstances the first place we need to run it to the Lord. We need to turn our worries or grief over to the Lord in trust. We can do this, because even though we have difficulties and grief in this world we have a certain eternal future. Jesus is preparing an eternal place for us with Him right now! Jesus says to us in John 14:2, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."
Furthermore, the Lord will return some day to take us to be with Him! John goes on to say in John 14:3, "and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where where I am." Any difficulties we may have in this life are of little significance in light of the glories of an eternity with the Lord!
Jesus goes on to tell us that He is the only way to the Father and to life eternal. Jesus says in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." The world tells us that we are being judgmental and narrow, if we say Jesus is the only way to eternal life. The Lord makes it very clear in His Holy Word, however, that He is the only way to the Father and to eternal life. There is only one price sufficient to purchase our way to heaven; and that is the death of Jesus, the Son of God, on the cross.
God, the Father, gave us His Son, Jesus, to be punished for our sins and to pay the price for our sins. Jesus is the only way, truth, and life. He will lead us safely through this life to eternal life! We must trust in Him alone, because Jesus is the very Son of God. Jesus is God incarnate, and thus He is the only way to the Father and to an eternity with Him.
As His children we have intimate fellowship with the Lord. Verse twelve of John chapter fourteen suggests that we will and can do great things in Jesus' name. If we are totally submissive to His will and desirous of serving Him, He can use us in powerful ways. John goes on to say in John 14:13-14. "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask for anything in My name, and I will do it." If we are asking for things in our prayers which will bring glory and honor to God, the Lord will hear and answer such prayers. The Lord will answer those prayers in a powerful way. This is what gives meaning to life. Jesus and living for Him is the way to joy, life, and truth. Jesus Christ is the only way to blessings now and for eternity
Thursday, June 9, 2016
John 13
"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:15
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
Displaying a servant attitude towards others is not a popular concept in the world's philosophy. The world believes that we need to "look out for number one" and defend our rights. Jesus, however, commands us to lovingly serve each other. Jesus so desired for us to show a servant attitude to one another that it was one of the last things He talked about with His disciples the night before He went on the cross.
Jesus not only talked about being a servant, however, but He demonstrated it by washing His disciple's feet. The streets and roads of those days were not paved and so were dusty. Hence, it was important for feet to be washed after being out in the dirty streets. This was a menial task usually performed by a servant. It seems as if this time no servant was available, and not one of the disciples were willing to perform this task. Perhaps they thought washing feet was below their dignity.
Verse three of John chapter thirteen reads, "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God." In spite of the fact that Jesus was the Son of God and had all power, something amazing happened next in verses four and five! Jesus began to wash the disciple's feet! He performed a servant's job which the disciples had thought was below their dignity! Peter at first objected to Jesus washing his feet. Jesus told Peter in John 13:8b, however, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me." The foot washing was symbolic of the spiritual cleaning from sin that Peter needed. It is also symbolic of the spiritual cleansing that you and I need as well.
Jesus Christ's demonstration of what it meant to be a servant extended far beyond foot washing, however. The very next day Christ died the horrible death on the cross for your and my sins! Christ being a servant for you and I involved Jesus being forsaken on the cross by God the Father. Jesus Christ was willing to pay the punishment for all God's wrath against our sins! Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for your and my sins! The wonder of what He did for us is almost too much to comprehend!
Our lives should be lived in eternal gratitude for what He has done for us. One way we can do this is by showing a servant attitude to each other. Jesus said in John 13:15, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Later in verse seventeen Jesus said, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." Jesus was saying that you and I will find joy in life by having a servant attitude towards others! Jesus went on to say in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Our standard for our love for others is Christ's love for us! It is the distinguishing mark of Christ's followers. We are to carry the aroma of Christ to those around us! How far you and I fall short in all this! We must not become discouraged, however. The Holy Spirit is working in our hearts and lives to make us more and more conformed to the Lord's will.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35
Displaying a servant attitude towards others is not a popular concept in the world's philosophy. The world believes that we need to "look out for number one" and defend our rights. Jesus, however, commands us to lovingly serve each other. Jesus so desired for us to show a servant attitude to one another that it was one of the last things He talked about with His disciples the night before He went on the cross.
Jesus not only talked about being a servant, however, but He demonstrated it by washing His disciple's feet. The streets and roads of those days were not paved and so were dusty. Hence, it was important for feet to be washed after being out in the dirty streets. This was a menial task usually performed by a servant. It seems as if this time no servant was available, and not one of the disciples were willing to perform this task. Perhaps they thought washing feet was below their dignity.
Verse three of John chapter thirteen reads, "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God." In spite of the fact that Jesus was the Son of God and had all power, something amazing happened next in verses four and five! Jesus began to wash the disciple's feet! He performed a servant's job which the disciples had thought was below their dignity! Peter at first objected to Jesus washing his feet. Jesus told Peter in John 13:8b, however, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me." The foot washing was symbolic of the spiritual cleaning from sin that Peter needed. It is also symbolic of the spiritual cleansing that you and I need as well.
Jesus Christ's demonstration of what it meant to be a servant extended far beyond foot washing, however. The very next day Christ died the horrible death on the cross for your and my sins! Christ being a servant for you and I involved Jesus being forsaken on the cross by God the Father. Jesus Christ was willing to pay the punishment for all God's wrath against our sins! Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for your and my sins! The wonder of what He did for us is almost too much to comprehend!
Our lives should be lived in eternal gratitude for what He has done for us. One way we can do this is by showing a servant attitude to each other. Jesus said in John 13:15, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." Later in verse seventeen Jesus said, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." Jesus was saying that you and I will find joy in life by having a servant attitude towards others! Jesus went on to say in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Our standard for our love for others is Christ's love for us! It is the distinguishing mark of Christ's followers. We are to carry the aroma of Christ to those around us! How far you and I fall short in all this! We must not become discouraged, however. The Holy Spirit is working in our hearts and lives to make us more and more conformed to the Lord's will.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
John 10
"He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." John 10:3b
In Biblical times a group of eastern shepherds would keep small flocks of sheep together in one fold or sheep pen during the nighttime hours. They would do this for the common protection of their sheep. This sheep pen was a type of court area surrounded by walls and open to the sky. The sheep pen had only one entrance, and it served to keep the sheep from wandering or being harmed by wild animals. When the shepherd returned in the morning for the sheep the sheep would recognize and listen for the shepherd's voice. They would follow the shepherd, because they recognized and trusted the shepherd.
John 10:3b-5 tells us that the shepherd "calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
Jesus is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He calls and knows each of us, His sheep, by name! He knows everything about us and has planned our entire lives! In fact, in Jeremiah 1:5 God tells us, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Before we were a speck in our mother's bodies, Jesus, our Shepherd, knew us and had set us apart to be His chosen sheep!
Jesus, our Shepherd, also leads us, His sheep; and we must follow. He goes on ahead of us and paves the path for us. He protects us from lurking dangers and wisely leads us to safe pastures. We do not always understand why we have to endure certain difficult circumstances in our lives, but we must also trust our Lord's leading. He is infinitely wiser than you and I. Our job is to simply follow Him in trust and obedience. Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, can be fully trusted. Running after pleasures that the world offers is like following false or pseudo shepherds. Following or running after anything or anyone but the Lord will only lead to distractions and destruction.
John 10:10b tells us however, that our Good Shepherd has come that we "may have life, and have it to the full." The Lord Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, is the only way to joy and peace. He alone can make our lives beautiful for Him. He alone can shape our lives into lives which are pleasing and honoring to Him. He is also the only way to eternal life. Jesus said in John 10:11, "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." Only because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross can we be forgiven of our sins and experience the joy of being His sheep forever. He is also our gate into an eternal relationship with Him!
Some of the religious leaders of Jesus' day expressed contempt and rejection of Jesus. In response, Jesus simply reiterated the fact that that He was the Good Shepherd. Jesus said in John 10:27-28, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." We must listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. We must follow Him in trust and obedience. He knows us better than we understand ourselves, and He will meet our every need. Our Shepherd gives us eternal life through His sacrifice on the cross. We are not only saved from sin's consequences, but we are saved for a joyful love relationship with Him. We are saved to bring glory and honor to the Lord, our Shepherd. We are eternally secure in the Good Shepherd's love! Praise His name!
In Biblical times a group of eastern shepherds would keep small flocks of sheep together in one fold or sheep pen during the nighttime hours. They would do this for the common protection of their sheep. This sheep pen was a type of court area surrounded by walls and open to the sky. The sheep pen had only one entrance, and it served to keep the sheep from wandering or being harmed by wild animals. When the shepherd returned in the morning for the sheep the sheep would recognize and listen for the shepherd's voice. They would follow the shepherd, because they recognized and trusted the shepherd.
John 10:3b-5 tells us that the shepherd "calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."
Jesus is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He calls and knows each of us, His sheep, by name! He knows everything about us and has planned our entire lives! In fact, in Jeremiah 1:5 God tells us, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Before we were a speck in our mother's bodies, Jesus, our Shepherd, knew us and had set us apart to be His chosen sheep!
Jesus, our Shepherd, also leads us, His sheep; and we must follow. He goes on ahead of us and paves the path for us. He protects us from lurking dangers and wisely leads us to safe pastures. We do not always understand why we have to endure certain difficult circumstances in our lives, but we must also trust our Lord's leading. He is infinitely wiser than you and I. Our job is to simply follow Him in trust and obedience. Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, can be fully trusted. Running after pleasures that the world offers is like following false or pseudo shepherds. Following or running after anything or anyone but the Lord will only lead to distractions and destruction.
John 10:10b tells us however, that our Good Shepherd has come that we "may have life, and have it to the full." The Lord Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, is the only way to joy and peace. He alone can make our lives beautiful for Him. He alone can shape our lives into lives which are pleasing and honoring to Him. He is also the only way to eternal life. Jesus said in John 10:11, "I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." Only because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross can we be forgiven of our sins and experience the joy of being His sheep forever. He is also our gate into an eternal relationship with Him!
Some of the religious leaders of Jesus' day expressed contempt and rejection of Jesus. In response, Jesus simply reiterated the fact that that He was the Good Shepherd. Jesus said in John 10:27-28, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand." We must listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, our Shepherd. We must follow Him in trust and obedience. He knows us better than we understand ourselves, and He will meet our every need. Our Shepherd gives us eternal life through His sacrifice on the cross. We are not only saved from sin's consequences, but we are saved for a joyful love relationship with Him. We are saved to bring glory and honor to the Lord, our Shepherd. We are eternally secure in the Good Shepherd's love! Praise His name!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)