READ JOHN 1:35-51
35-51) Followers of John the Baptist now turn to Jesus
1) The first two to follow are Andrew and John, than came Peter and than Nathanael.
2) There are three things that determines the thinking of these disciples about Jesus at this time. v.38) Where are you staying? v.45) Son of Joseph, the carpenter?, and v.46) What good thing comes out of Nazareth?
3) They wanted to know His background. Ravi Zacharias, in his book Jesus Among Other Gods says, "...in the East, the home is the defining cultural indicator. Everything that determines who you are and what your future bodes is tied into your heritage and your social standing. Absolutely everything."
4) Ravi Zacharias goes on to say, "How in the name of reason could the answer to the hopes and dreams of Israel, in search of the Messiah, come from a city of such low esteem and from a family of such modest professional status? The best way for them to find out whether He could really be who John described Him to be was to follow Him to His house--to the earthly address of the One who claimed to be the Son of God."
5) Jesus shows them in v.51 that He is not from earth, but from heaven above. He gives them a picture of the heavens opening up and the Angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man. Again I will quote Ravi Zacharias, "Whether the disciples fully understood it or not, a thundering message was given when Jesus spoke those words to Nathanael. He staked a claim. Were they aware that the Lord who fashioned the heavens and the earth was standing beside them? Angelic hosts attended His abode...The word abode immediately brings to mind the concepts of residing and of boundaries, neither of which is a fitting term for One who is without beginning and is Omnipresent. Jacob found out that God's presence to bless could transform any location into the house of God. (Here Mr. Zacharias is speaking of Jacob and his vision of the Angels ascending and descending the stairway in Gen 28:13 and Jacob says in v. 16-17 "Surely the Lord is in this place and I was not aware of it...How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.") Now the disciples learned the same. They were inclined to judge Jesus by His earthly father, Joseph the carpenter. They were trying to measure His worth by His earthly home, Nazareth. He opened up to them the truth that any earthly setting at which He is present becomes the gateway to heaven. What comfort this must have brought them."
WHAT COMFORT IT IS FOR US TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT JESUS ABODE IN US IS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT! THERE IS CONSTANT COMMUNICATION GOING ON BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH, BETWEEN THE SAVED SINNER AND THE RISEN SAVIOR!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
THE REVEALING OF JESUS
READ JOHN 1:29-24
John the Baptist bore witness of Jesus as:
29) 1) Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
A) He was predicted according to Isaiah 53:7
B) He was the perfect sacrifice according to 1 Peter 1:14-19
C) He is the perfect redeemer according to Rev. 5:1-6,9
D) He is the perfect deliverer according to Rev. 7:9-17
E) He is the perfect King according to Rev. 22:1-5
30) 2) Eternal; existing before John.
31) 3) Manifested to Israel - manifest means to make something clear or abundant/giving Israel a clear understanding that Jesus was the Messiah, the One that they were longing and looking for.
32-33) 4) Anointed by God - the Spirit descending was the sign to John that this truly was the Christ, the Messiah and that this One will baptize in the Holy Spirit.
34) 5) The Son of God - the title that indicates Christ's deity.
HE IS GOD, ETERNAL KING, RIGHTEOUS REDEEMER AND DELIVERER OF THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM.
John the Baptist bore witness of Jesus as:
29) 1) Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
A) He was predicted according to Isaiah 53:7
B) He was the perfect sacrifice according to 1 Peter 1:14-19
C) He is the perfect redeemer according to Rev. 5:1-6,9
D) He is the perfect deliverer according to Rev. 7:9-17
E) He is the perfect King according to Rev. 22:1-5
30) 2) Eternal; existing before John.
31) 3) Manifested to Israel - manifest means to make something clear or abundant/giving Israel a clear understanding that Jesus was the Messiah, the One that they were longing and looking for.
32-33) 4) Anointed by God - the Spirit descending was the sign to John that this truly was the Christ, the Messiah and that this One will baptize in the Holy Spirit.
34) 5) The Son of God - the title that indicates Christ's deity.
HE IS GOD, ETERNAL KING, RIGHTEOUS REDEEMER AND DELIVERER OF THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
JOHN THE BAPTIST IS QUESTIONED BY THE JEWS
READ JOHN 1:19-28
19-21) Why did the Jews ask John if he was the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet?
In the Old Testament the Christ or Messiah is referenced as the Anointed One. (See Isaiah 61:1) Prophets, Priests, and Kings were considered as anointed by God and Jesus is all three; Prophet, Priest and King. Is John the Baptist the Anointed One. John's answer? NO!
In the Old Testament Elijah was a Prophet who was to return to earth. (See Malachi 4:5) Is John the Baptist Elijah? John's answer? NO!
In the Old Testament the prophet was mentioned by Moses as the one who will come in the future, "...a prophet like me from among you." (See Deut. 18:15) Is John the Baptist this prophet? John's answer? NO!
22-24) If are not the Christ, the Prophet, Elijah, than John who are you?
John's answer? "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord!" (See Isaiah 40:3)
MAKE STRAIGHT means to make level or plain
THE WAY means to remove the hindrances to the journey.
When making a road trip, the way to get to your destination is planned out. You check the correct highways to take and perhaps you check to make sure there are no road blocks or construction that would hinder your way. You want to have a clear understanding of how to successfully complete you trip. John was doing the same thing here. He was preparing the way for the Lord to come without any hindrances for the people to realize that Jesus is the Anointed One, the True Messiah.
25-28) But John, why is it that you are baptizing if you are not the Prophet, Elijah, ro the Christ?
John's answer? I baptise in water, but the One who comes after me is much greater than me. Let me express this farther, I am unworthy to untie the sandal of this man. He is among you, yet you do not know Him.
HE IS AMONG YOU, DO YOU KNOW HIM?
19-21) Why did the Jews ask John if he was the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet?
In the Old Testament the Christ or Messiah is referenced as the Anointed One. (See Isaiah 61:1) Prophets, Priests, and Kings were considered as anointed by God and Jesus is all three; Prophet, Priest and King. Is John the Baptist the Anointed One. John's answer? NO!
In the Old Testament Elijah was a Prophet who was to return to earth. (See Malachi 4:5) Is John the Baptist Elijah? John's answer? NO!
In the Old Testament the prophet was mentioned by Moses as the one who will come in the future, "...a prophet like me from among you." (See Deut. 18:15) Is John the Baptist this prophet? John's answer? NO!
22-24) If are not the Christ, the Prophet, Elijah, than John who are you?
John's answer? "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord!" (See Isaiah 40:3)
MAKE STRAIGHT means to make level or plain
THE WAY means to remove the hindrances to the journey.
When making a road trip, the way to get to your destination is planned out. You check the correct highways to take and perhaps you check to make sure there are no road blocks or construction that would hinder your way. You want to have a clear understanding of how to successfully complete you trip. John was doing the same thing here. He was preparing the way for the Lord to come without any hindrances for the people to realize that Jesus is the Anointed One, the True Messiah.
25-28) But John, why is it that you are baptizing if you are not the Prophet, Elijah, ro the Christ?
John's answer? I baptise in water, but the One who comes after me is much greater than me. Let me express this farther, I am unworthy to untie the sandal of this man. He is among you, yet you do not know Him.
HE IS AMONG YOU, DO YOU KNOW HIM?
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Monday, October 09, 2006
THE WITNESS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
READ JOHN 1:15=18
15-16) What did John Witness? 1) One greater than himself that has come, 2) One who existed before him, 3) One who gives fullness (abundance), and 4) One who gives grace for grace (the richest abundance of grace).
17) In the Old Testament the believers were saved by faith through the sacrificial system - it was temporary (Hebrews 9:18-28) Having the Law, given by Moses, was good, but Jesus was better.
Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. The far better grace is Jesus' sacrificial offering which is permanent and binding. (See Romans 3:24-26; Gal. 3:24-29; Hebrews 10:4-14).
Definitions taken from Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament
TRUTH - as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of His purpose through Christ, and respecting the duties of man (absolute). (In other words truth is the reality of God fully seen in Jesus and the work He has done on the cross. It also constitutes the responsiblity of man, who can come to the Father only through Jesus. See John 14:6)
GRACE - through pity for sinful men Christ left His state of blessedness with God in heaven and voluntarily underwent the hardship and miseries of human life and by His suffering and death procured salvation for mankind.
18) It is Jesus who has the knowledge to explain God, "...THE WORD WAS WITH GOD AND THE WORD WAS GOD. HE WAS IN THE BEGINNING WITH GOD." John 1:1-2. (See also John 6:46; Col. 1:15)
IN THIS WORLD THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTE TRUTHS, BUT AS A BELIEVER WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD AND CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S ABSOLUTE TRUTH: PEOPLE ARE LOST AND IN NEED OF A SAVIOR AND THAT SAVIOR IS JESUS CHRIST.
15-16) What did John Witness? 1) One greater than himself that has come, 2) One who existed before him, 3) One who gives fullness (abundance), and 4) One who gives grace for grace (the richest abundance of grace).
17) In the Old Testament the believers were saved by faith through the sacrificial system - it was temporary (Hebrews 9:18-28) Having the Law, given by Moses, was good, but Jesus was better.
Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. The far better grace is Jesus' sacrificial offering which is permanent and binding. (See Romans 3:24-26; Gal. 3:24-29; Hebrews 10:4-14).
Definitions taken from Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament
TRUTH - as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of His purpose through Christ, and respecting the duties of man (absolute). (In other words truth is the reality of God fully seen in Jesus and the work He has done on the cross. It also constitutes the responsiblity of man, who can come to the Father only through Jesus. See John 14:6)
GRACE - through pity for sinful men Christ left His state of blessedness with God in heaven and voluntarily underwent the hardship and miseries of human life and by His suffering and death procured salvation for mankind.
18) It is Jesus who has the knowledge to explain God, "...THE WORD WAS WITH GOD AND THE WORD WAS GOD. HE WAS IN THE BEGINNING WITH GOD." John 1:1-2. (See also John 6:46; Col. 1:15)
IN THIS WORLD THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTE TRUTHS, BUT AS A BELIEVER WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD AND CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S ABSOLUTE TRUTH: PEOPLE ARE LOST AND IN NEED OF A SAVIOR AND THAT SAVIOR IS JESUS CHRIST.
Friday, October 06, 2006
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
I know we are taking a long time to go through Chapter One, but isn't it exciting. Don't miss all that God is telling us in this fantastic chapter. Meditate upon it, think about the truth of God's precious Word. So far we have learned that Jesus is the Word, He is the Creator, He is the Light and now we will look at the fact that He has come to earth in flesh.
READ JOHN 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Something new has happened about the Word - it became flesh, it took on humanity and that human flesh came to dwell among us.
Last time God dwelt among His people was in the Tabernacle and than the Temple. (See Exodus 40:34; I Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chron. 5:13-14)
That cloud that so embraced and saturated the Tabernacle and than the Temple left at the Babylonian Captivity in 586 B.C. (see Ezekiel 10-11).
WE BEHELD HIS GLORY - The glory of the Lord returns in Jesus Christ, the only begotten from the Father. He is the incarnation, one of a kind human being, full of grace and truth. "Through the pity of the sins of mankind Jesus left His state of blessedness with God in Heaven and voluntarily underwent the hardshps and miseries of human life, and by his sufferings and death procured salvation for mankind." (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)
THE GLORY OF GOD HAS NOT LEFT AGAIN WHEN JESUS ASCENDED TO THE FATHER AFTER THE RESURRECTION. FOR WE AS BELIEVERS ARE NOW THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD AND THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT THE GLORY OF GOD RESIDES IN US. AWESOME ISN'T IT!
READ JOHN 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Something new has happened about the Word - it became flesh, it took on humanity and that human flesh came to dwell among us.
Last time God dwelt among His people was in the Tabernacle and than the Temple. (See Exodus 40:34; I Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chron. 5:13-14)
That cloud that so embraced and saturated the Tabernacle and than the Temple left at the Babylonian Captivity in 586 B.C. (see Ezekiel 10-11).
WE BEHELD HIS GLORY - The glory of the Lord returns in Jesus Christ, the only begotten from the Father. He is the incarnation, one of a kind human being, full of grace and truth. "Through the pity of the sins of mankind Jesus left His state of blessedness with God in Heaven and voluntarily underwent the hardshps and miseries of human life, and by his sufferings and death procured salvation for mankind." (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament)
THE GLORY OF GOD HAS NOT LEFT AGAIN WHEN JESUS ASCENDED TO THE FATHER AFTER THE RESURRECTION. FOR WE AS BELIEVERS ARE NOW THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD AND THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT THE GLORY OF GOD RESIDES IN US. AWESOME ISN'T IT!
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