John 5:1-9
1After these things was the feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now is in Jerusalem by the Sheep, a pool, the one being called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five covered walkways. 3In these were lying a great multitude of ones being sick, blind, lame, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For at a set time an angel would be descending into the pool and would be stirring up the water, then the first having stepped in after the troubling of the water became well of whatever disease he was being held.
5Now was a certain man there having the infirmity thirty-eight years. 6Jesus having seen this one lying and having known that a long time he had already, He says to him, “Do you wish to become well?” 7The one being sick answered Him, “Lord, I not have a person that, whenever the water is stirred up, he should put me into the pool, but while I am coming another descends before me.” 8Jesus says to him, “Get up! Take up your cot, and be walking about.” 9And immediately the man became well and took up his cot and began walking about! But it was a Sabbath on that day.
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" This is going to be at least a two set Study. The reason is that the story is so long, and once again the verses alone would take up all the words allowed.
Concerning the lesson, it reads like a story rather than something that actually happened. On the other hand if it isn't true, there are too many verses to add into an established writing of an author such as the Apostle John, although it is possible. Unfortunately this happened to the great Apostle John in another portion of this Gospel.
Today's easy lesson: The whole lesson is summed up in the last sentence of our verses, but as Christians most don't pay much attention to them. Why? Because no matter what most Christians say, they don't keep the Sabbath. Interesting to me is that it's in the beginning of the Ten Commandments, and how many God Fearing Christians claim we must be obedient to The Ten Commandments or we just can't be called an authentic Christian. How can we reconcile that? Oh, I know, IJohn I:9, we confess our sins, but then we can't mean it because we keep doing the same thing every week. How do we reconcile that? Oh, God is flexible about the day, and Jesus died for our sins so we don't have to worry because we go to church on Sunday, everyone does, so does the pastor, so it must be OK. Nothing complicated about this one. I can see why the Ten Commandments mean so much to so many people.
What is the message? It is two fold, actually more, because there is more to come as noted above. One, keeping the Ten Commandments is impossible. There is no question that if you study IJohn I:9 that it doesn't refer to confession of Christian's common sins. That aside, what we have are Christians that just want to live the Christian life as they believe it should be. By that they mean they will do the best they can, and God will accept that. Good for most sects of Christianity, not good to God in any case unless it is Grace, and Grace alone. Otherwise why send Jesus? Two, a word is missing in our Scripture above. The word Gate right after Sheep. It wasn't there originally, yet every Bible I know uses it. Just as a reminder, our current translations are not perfect. Worship the God of the Bible, the message will be made plain to God's Children by the Holy Spirit. The Ten Commandments were given to the Israelites (a people) coming out of Egypt, the Jews (a religion) were misusing them. Most importantly they have no place for anyone after the Cross. The Bible fits together like a glove, believing like our example above, you would have to take things out of context and bend like a pretzel to keep that belief system together. That's never God, that's mankind. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 4:43-54
43But after the two days He went out from there and went away into Galilee. 44For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet does not have honor in his hometown. 45So when He came into Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all which He did in Jerusalem at the feast, for they also went to the feast.
46So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee, where He made the water wine. And was a certain royal official whose son was sick in Capernaum. 47This one, having heard that Jesus is coming out of Judea to Galilee, went away to Him and kept asking Him that He come down and heal his son, for he was about to die. 48So Jesus said to him, “Unless see signs and wonders shall by no means believe.” 49The royal official says to Him, “Lord, come down before my young child dies!” 50Jesus says to him, “Be going; your son lives!” And the man believed (trusted) the word which Jesus said to him and was going.
51But already as he was going down, his slaves met him and reported, saying, “Your child lives!” 52So he inquired of them the hour in which he got better. And they said to him, “Yesterday at the seventh hour (1:00 p.m. Jewish time or 7: 00 p.m. Roman time) the fever left him.” 53Then the father knew that in that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives!” And he himself Believed (Trusted), and his whole house. 54This again second sign Jesus did, having come out of Judea to Galilee.
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!'' Most Christians know of these verses, or have heard about them in a sermon having to do with either the lack of Faith people have, or the Power Jesus has when He wants things done. Both are good observations, but there is more to it than that.
What if the message had little to do with either of the subjects, lack of Faith or the Power of Healing from Jesus? Let's see what the Spirit has to say.
Today's easy lesson: Two things are probable in our verses above. One is that Jesus had to prove Himself to the hometown crowd because they thought they new Him pretty well. Jesus was the head of the family, Joseph Jesus' earthly father was most likely dead by now, putting Jesus in charge because He was the oldest. Now think of this: Most likely He was not taking on the responsibility of all that the position would entail. Things like teaching the boys, like James, the family business, and keeping the carpentry business going. Dealing with those things that every male family leader must do to feed, cloth, and keep a roof over everyone's head. Why? He is the Son of God. His Mission was not to raise the family, it was to learn as much as He could about His Heavenly Father, and how to deal with the people. He also had to learn the timing and teaching that was to come and when it was to be taught. There had to be some doubt in every neighbors mind as to how credible Jesus was as the Messiah when there was a place they thought He needed to be, and likely He was not dedicated to it. It had to play similarly with the family. As you will recall at one point, a good portion of them, if not all, went to a meeting place where Jesus was healing and tried to retrieve Him as they thought He had lost His mind. All of this goes into the reasoning that it took lots of time to get people from around His earthly home to take Him seriously.
What is the message then? The statement Jesus made saying “Unless see signs and wonders shall by no means believe,” was not a put down as most teach. It was a challenge, and the official picked up on it. He started running back home showing his belief. When his servants found him and told him his son was well, consider this; most likely, when he heard of the timing, that is where his belief turned into solid Trust. That Trust was so strong, his whole household was also convinced. Experiencing what your Father teaches you through the time you spend in the Bible, reading Studies such as these and other activities are all wonderful. However, your Belief will only grow to Trust if you build a relationship by talking to your Father about everything, giving Him a chance to prove how much better your Life is with Him than on your own. Don't trust me, don't trust your pastor, or anyone else that is trying to guide you along the way. Trust the only One who can actually do something to bring peace, love, and joy into your Life, at all times and in all places. Your Abba, Daddy, Father. He can do that, and He will. People like me can point you in the right direction, but your Father? He can get you there. It's that simple. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 4:39-42
39Now from that city many of the Samaritans believed (trusted) in Him, because of the word of the woman testifying, “He told me all - as many as I did.” 40So when the Samaritans came to Him, they kept asking Him to remain with them, and He remained there two days. 41And many more believed because of His word. 42And so they were saying to the woman, “No longer do we believe because of your speech, for we ourselves have heard and know that this is truly the Savior of the world - the Christ!”
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" Again as I sat here and read our verses for this Study I had a plan, but the Holy Spirit said, "Whoa, slow down there Mr. Typer, there is a different lesson here than you are thinking."
The way I was thinking would have taken all our allotted words and used our verses for the entire Study. Just one reason I don't try to put my two cents in. What does the Holy Spirit have in mind?
Today's easy lesson: Lately we have been going over the idea that worshiping the Bible Version you have or any Bible version for that matter as being wrong. Truth says to worship the God of the Bible. Above is a perfect example of why this is true. The Bible is like the Samaritan Woman, she knows only that Jesus is special, He may be the Messiah, but until the people heard proof from Jesus' own words, they didn't come to fully Trust in Him, they only believed what the woman said. Big difference.
What is the message? Many people believe that Jesus came, lived, was a great philosopher, a man of wonderful works, attracting great crowds and made quite a name for Himself. That's all they believe. They heard of Jesus through someone, could have been Bill Moyers, after all he speaks of Him often enough. More likely mom or dad or some local church preacher or evangelist brought Jesus to their attention. Lots of believers, so few of them actually know that they must Trust Jesus and what He has done to get them into the Family of God. To many people, Jesus was just a great man, but the Son of God? Maybe, but then they believe we are all children of God. You have heard it yourself. Just like the Samaritans, even though they are truly trying to live a good life and worship God the best they know how, they are not Trusting, and by that, they are lost as lost can be. If there is one serious enough portion of your life to consider it life or death, it is this one. Don't play around with God's Plan, His Son, or His Will. Your Father takes this all very seriously, so should you. The Bible will help you Believe, but your personal experience with God will create the Trust you need. Are you getting the gist of what the Bible is for? Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 4:25-38
25The
woman says to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming, the one being called
Christ, when that One comes He will tell us all things.”
26Jesus says to her, “Am, the One speaking to you.” 27And
upon this His disciples came, and they were marveling that He was
speaking with a woman, although no one said, “What are You seeking?” or
“Why are You speaking with her?” 28Then the woman left her water jug and went away into the city. And she says to the people, 29“Come! See a Man who told me all - as many as I did! This is not the Christ, is it?” 30They went out from the city and were coming towards Him. 31But in the meantime His disciples were asking Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32But He said to them, “I have food to eat which do not know.” 33So the disciples said to one another, “Someone has not brought Him to eat, has he?”
34Jesus says to them, “My food is that I should be doing the Will of the One having sent Me and should finish His Work. 35Do
not say, ‘It is yet four months and the harvest comes?’ Listen! I say
to, lift up eyes and see the fields, that they are already white to
harvest. 36And the one reaping receives a reward
and gathers fruit to Eternal Life, so that both the one sowing and the
one reaping shall rejoice together. 37For in this the Word is True, ‘One is the one sowing and another is the one reaping.’” (Judges 6: 3,4; Micah 6: 15) 38I sent to be reaping what have not labored; others have labored, and have entered into their labor."
Good
Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" How surprising to see the lack of interest in one of the most important
findings in all of our Studies. That is, in the last Study the word
wasn't "Jew" it was "Judah". The same can be said of the prior Study
concerning not worshiping your Bible, but the God that the Bible speaks
of.
Mankind
has taken the massiveness of our Creator, boxed up our Creator, set our
Creator up for marketing, making the One and Only God as being pitched
all over the world as this or that in one Religion and that and this in another. It is a fallacy of the greatest proportions. It boggles the mind at the lack of enthusiasm by sincere Christians.
Today's easy lesson: Our
verses in this Study are so easy that just reading them will tell you
all you need to know. 1) Jesus admits to being the Messiah. 2) The
Disciples come along and don't understand the difference between
Spiritual Food and food you eat. Seems odd, but understand they still
expect a worldly Hero. 3) Jesus instructs the Disciples who don't even
get the issue in 2) that there are those that sow and those that reap,
yet both will end up in the same place. And 4) All those that have done
the sowing are dead. They were from the O.T.
What is the message? If you are a Grace Believer you know that God along with Jesus did all the Work. If
you cannot find a Church Group that Believes in this absolute Truth,
don't confuse yourself and continue to listen to sermons that are mixing
Law and Grace. The Apostle Paul never told early Grace Believers to go back to the Synagogue, never. To
that end it would be much better to form a local like-minded group,
just as happened when the Apostle Paul started his various Churches.
Meet somewhere comfortable, in a home, at a restaurant, any place quiet.
Keep expenses low, fellowship, sing together, each take a turn
either reading, leading, or possibly hosting, and always allow everyone
to feel welcome and able to ask any question without repercussions. You
will both honor your Father by doing things this way, and you will keep
your Faith intact, both with your Father's Power and the help of a Godly
Family that is near and able to love on you like no one else. The
world is changing quickly, and Truth is no longer thought of as
important. Lies well told are more the way things have become. Your
heart tells you that, and you can see it everywhere you look or listen.
Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 4:16-24
16Jesus says to her, “Be going, call your husband and come to this place.” 17The woman answered and said, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus says to her, “Correctly you said, ‘I do not have a husband.’ 18For five husbands you had, and whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.”
19The woman says to him, “Lord, I perceive that are a prophet. 20Our fathers prostrated themselves in worship in this mountain, and say, ‘In Jerusalem is the place where it is necessary to be prostrating in worship.’” 21Jesus says to her, “Woman, be believing Me, that an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will prostrate yourselves in worship before the Father. 22Prostrate yourselves in worship before what do not know; we prostrate ourselves in worship before what we know, because salvation is from the JUDAH (NOT Jews!). 23But an hour is coming and now is when the true worshipers will prostrate themselves in worship before the Father in Spirit and Truth, for indeed the Father is seeking such to be prostrating themselves in worship before Him. 24God Spirit, and it is necessary the ones prostrating themselves in worship before Him to be prostrating in worship in Spirit and Truth.”
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" This is a section of Scripture that has troubled me. The word in verse 22 is translated Jews. That is a preconceived notion, not what the word should be. The Greek is actually several variations of Judah, but in reality, it is not in any case: Jew.
This makes perfect sense, because Jesus is from the Tribe of Judah, the largest of all the Israelite Tribes. When you use the correct words, all of a sudden the sentence makes sense. Jesus is simply telling the Truth. Salivation comes through Him.
Today's easy lesson: Rarely have I been so fired up to type a Study! This is amazing news and it follows what we discussed in the last Study. You cannot worship the Bible, regardless of the version. We have Students that are into the Word well enough to understand that when people decide to translate from one language to another, the outcome can be largely based on what they think they know, or what they want it to say. Was Jesus a Jew? It doesn't matter, and for certain he didn't come to take the "church attending" to the wood shed. He came to break the chokehold the Jewish Religion had on God's Chosen, the Israelites.
What is the message? The fact that these things happen should encourage you to see the simplicity of how the entire Bible has no argument with itself. You do not have to twist and make a pretzel out of your Faith to understand and worship the Father properly. There is only One God, One Savior, One Way through the One Gate, where many are called, but few become Chosen. Those of you who have an ear, understand; God is not religious, nor has He made finding Him complex. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 4:1-15
NOTE: After finishing this Study, it is imperative that you go to the next, John 4:16-24, and see the proof in Truth.
1So when the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus is making and baptizing more disciples than John 2( although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples), 3He left Judea and went away into Galilee. 4And it was necessary Him to be passing through Samaria.
5Then He comes to a city of Samaria, being called Sychar, near the place which Jacob gave to Joseph his son. 6Now a well of Jacob was there. So Jesus, having grown weary from the journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about 12: 00 noon Jewish time or 6: 00 p.m. Roman time.
7A woman comes from Samaria to draw water. Jesus says to her, “Give Me to drink.” 8( for His disciples had gone away into the city, so that they should buy food.) 9So the Samaritan woman says to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask to drink from me, being a Samaritan woman?” (for Jews do not associate with Samaritans).
10Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the free gift of God and who is the One saying to you, ‘Give Me to drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11The woman says to Him, “Lord, You do not even have a vessel to draw with, and the well is deep; from where then do You have this living water? 12Are not greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well, and himself drank out of it, and his sons and his cattle, are You?”
13Jesus answered and said to her, “Every drinking of this water will thirst again. 14But whoever drinks of the water which I will give to him will never thirst again! 15The woman says to Him, “Lord, give this water to me so that I shall not be thirsting nor coming to this place to be drawing.”
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" Well, well, well, Jesus is speaking to A) a woman, and B) a half Israelite/half Gentile, both of which are not to be done in accordance with the Law.
There is something more to the verses above than this story. Do you see what it is? An author of any type has a particular way about them. We are at the 4th Chapter of John's Gospel, and at this point we know how he writes. He certainly doesn't use parentheses in exchange for sentences. That is until now. Intriguing to say the least. That parts of this section are not John's wording, to say the most.
Today's easy lesson: The lesson is easy to pick out. A novice could pick it out. It is the theme of this Gospel, so much so, that we could change the name from John's Gospel to John's Jesus Came To Give You Life Gospel. There is a reason John's Gospel is so different from the other three, the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
What is the message? The lesson we discussed, and it is obvious. What is not so obvious is the worship of various Scripture Translations from the first English version for all people, the Authorized or King James Bible, to the Hundreds of others available throughout the world. You cannot worship these words. Why? Because they tell a history, a story about some of the attributes of God, but the Books themselves have been toyed with by any number of people. The message is unmistakable; yet whatever Translation you find the wording has mistakes. Perhaps the originals did not. But we have NO originals, not even a single letter, not a jot or tittle, nothing. This is a shock to many of you, but you must understand the Bible, like anything that might be considered Holy, is a man made product, the message is Holy, but not every single detail. If you decide other than that, whatever sect of Christianity or Religion you may belong to is flawed. The Truth is simple, the message of Grace is obvious, and it doesn't matter what Bible it comes from; Grace still shines through. Don't worship the Bible; Worship the God of the Bible. The Holy Spirit will lead you to all Truth. Everything else? Jesus said it best, "The blind leading the blind...who are worse off after being taught than before." (Paraphrased) Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 3:31-36
31The One coming from above is above all; the one being from the earth is from the earth and speaks from the earth; the One coming from heaven is above all. 32And what He has seen and heard, this He testifies, and no one receives His testimony. 33The one receiving His testimony certified that God is true. 34For whom God sent speaks the sayings of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35The Father loves the Son and has given all into His hand. 36The one Believing (Trusting) in the Son has Eternal Life. but the one refusing to Believe the Son will not see Life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (cp. 1John 5: 12)
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" The Bible is the most interesting Book in many ways, but one thing no other book can compete with is how much knowledge is gained by reading just a few verses. It is the consummate Book of Knowledge.
The reason that is so is because every paragraph is filled with one fact after another. The words and lessons are easy to understand, too easy, because people that read it want to bend it in some way to prove their point. That is easy to do, but not if you keep everything tied together by proper context.
Today's easy lesson: If you are a Child of God, and make no mistake we are not all Children of God as repeated over and over again. A Child of God Trusts Jesus for Eternal Life, that is, that even though your body may give out, your spirit, your soul as some would call it, continue on. For those that are not Trusting they are Children of Adam and Eve. God would like them to be His Children but Adam had God's Spirit, all of it, as did Eve, until they decided they could be like God, and at the moment they decided to do just that, the Spirit was removed from them, because they didn't want to be a Child of God, but their own god.
What is the message? When you learn of Christ Jesus, reasons He came, the fact that only He knows the Father intimately, and that only God's Children can take the journey to know their Father in a similar manner, your Trust immediately calls out to God and all that represents Him is given to you in the Holy Spirit. Do you know how to access this magnificent power? No, of course not, your humanity gets in the way. Make no mistake, the Father doesn't give a little to this one, less to that one, and more to another. We all have enough of the Holy Spirit that we can learn, do, and say things we never thought possible, but it is not used for just anything we want. God still controls all things, and if you do not give your will to Him, you cannot use His Power, Free Will doesn't stop after you're Born Again. God's Power is used for good, for building His Family, for encouraging peace, love, joy, calm, gentleness, kindness, patience, and self-control. These attributes can manifest themselves in innumerable ways so you can do the most incredible things. One important fact; It isn't you, it is always Him. It is never you, it is always Him. That is why you have the full measure of the Holy Spirit, trusting mankind leads to weakness and death. Trusting in Him leads to strength and Life. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 3:22-30
22After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was staying with them and was baptizing. 23But John was also baptizing in Aenon, near to Salem, because was many waters in that place. And they were coming and were being baptized- 24for John had not yet been cast into the prison.
25Therefore, occurred a dispute from the disciples of John with a Jew concerning purification. 26And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, Look!, this One is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” 27John answered and said, “A person is not able to be receiving anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28Yourselves testify that I said, ‘I myself am not the Christ’, but ‘I have been sent before that One.’ 29The one having the bride is bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, the one standing and hearing him, rejoices with joy because of the voice of the bridegroom. Therefore, this my joy has been fulfilled. 30It is necessary that One to be increasing, but me to be becoming less.”
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" This group of verses is interesting because of what it assumes you know as a reader, and what it teaches that you should know as a reader.
The story of John the Baptist and his eventual arrest is passed by as though you know the story. The lesson itself is so important that perhaps that is why John the Apostle is skipping details.
Today's easy lesson: John the Baptist, teaching a variation of the Law and Judaism, hence the reason to baptize, was working within the Jewish Community. That is why a man came to John to challenge what Jesus was doing (probably a Pharisee or Sadducee-Lawyers of the Jewish Law), to see if there was a way to start a fight between Jesus and John the Baptist. John was a thorn in the side of both the Jews and the Ruling Romans, because of what he considered an illegal marriage. No better way to get two thorns in your side off their stride, killing two birds with one stone, than getting Jesus and John the Baptist fighting. It didn't work. John simply stepped aside, as was necessary, and Jesus continued to grow in popularity and stature.
What is the message? There is a saying that "You always have you on your mind." This is a problem in trying to build any kind of relationship, but even more so with someone that can do something for you. Look at how we are raised. Do this or do that and you get this or that. Do well in school, or on your job and you are rewarded. It is simply the way of the human race. So what happens when we approach God? He can do anything! We must have to do something very special to prove our worth, to get His attention, to make it so He will get us that new Mercedes Benz, as Linda Ronstadt sang. There in lies the reason for religion, rites, rituals, and works. Not because we want to please God. If we are honest, it is because we want something from Him. The Apostle John is pointing out that if that is what you are thinking, change your thinking. God has done it all, Jesus made sure of that, and all you have to do is grab hold of the gift of new cars, nice homes, great clothes, lots of money...no-Life. That is your gift, Life. There is more, but primarily it is Life, and if you don't have Life, what do you have? Death. Take the gift. You will Live forever, and out of a grateful heart you can do things that will both please the Father, and benefit you too! Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 3:19-21
19Now this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their works were evil. 20For every practicing wicked hates the Light and does not come towards the Light, so that their works shall not be exposed. 21But the one doing the truth comes towards the Light, so that their works shall be revealed, that they have been done in God.
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" When we discuss the Biblical verses including those above we cannot help but come to them with a prejudice. How? By merely hearing from as young as a toddler anything that may possibly taught about Christ Jesus. It stays with us, and some how we tend to use whatever basic knowledge we have and use it when reading or learning all things, including the verses of the Bible.
John seems to be an incredibly intelligent Apostle. He had a mind of someone who thought things through, understood more than just what appeared to be and looked behind the curtain, so to speak, so that he could come to terms with what Jesus was trying to say during his brief time with the Apostles. Perhaps that is why John is noted to be the Apostle that Jesus Loved.
Today's easy lesson: Above we spoke of prejudice, better would be preconceived thought. For example John 1:1-4 says "In beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...All came to be through Him...In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of the people. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." Personally, I always took the beginning of John's Gospel as a simple comparison to Genesis. Yet, look at two words that become one, and the verses become intriguing. John transforms Word to Light, and the Light to Jesus. What John has done is more than compare, the Apostle John has made the Light, Life itself, which in turn is the primary reason for Jesus' visit.
What is the message? The Apostle John knew that Jesus' plan was to come and do more than eliminate sin as a stumbling block, because to be human in any and all cases leaves you in a state of sinfulness that could never be overcome by mankind in any way or form. To be human is to be in a state of sin. Sin leads to death. Jesus had to remove the stumbling block of constant focus on sin, which is to focus on oneself constantly. At the same time it was necessary to open the door to His Father's Home, heaven, by overcoming the result of sin, which is death. If Jesus could overcome death, the Father could build relationships with His Children, which was His want starting with Adam. Now we as humans can begin anew without regard of self-centered focus, and tie our hopes and dreams to the only One who can do anything about them for our good. This is Love, but it isn't the kind of Love we speak of when we have feelings for one another. No, it is much stronger than that. The Love of God and of Jesus, is the full commitment to you at all times, in all places, regardless of your thinking or your actions. It is never taken away, and more, it requires that His actions are never stopped on your behalf, His eyes never leaving you. Even if you are hiding in a dark place somewhere thinking you are alone and on your own. His Love transcends all or it wouldn't be worth bothering with God at all. He is Faithful, even when you are not. That is the message of the Bible. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 3:16-18
16For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten (unique) Son, so that every Believing (Trusting) in Him shall not perish, but shall be having Eternal Life! (1John 4:14) 17For God did not send His Son into the world so that He should judge the world, but so that the world shall be saved through Him. 18The one Believing (Trusting) in Him is not judged, but the one not believing already has been judged, because he has not believed in the Name of the only-begotten (unique) Son of God.
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" Nearly all people in the United States, and all the people that are interested in Sports emanating from the United States have seen a sign or banner or placard reading: JOHN 3:16 The verse is underlined for you above.
When the Father wants to make a point He tends to say things more than once, in this case in just a couple of sentences, once here in the verses above, and once in the prior verses from the last Study. He states virtually the same thing. Then it is repeated again later in Scripture. It is an important message, but there is another message that many miss in these five short verses. Let's see what the Spirit wants to teach us.
Today's easy lesson: John 3:16 is no doubt an easy verse to get people to read and it is easy enough to understand. Just as important are the verses that follow it. Many preachers, teachers, and pastors have taught the significance of Trusting in Christ Jesus, and they talk about the judgement to come. That is a mistake. What do the verses above say? They don't say the judgement is coming, they say it has already occurred. It is as plain as can be that if you don't Trust Jesus' Finished work on the Cross for the forgiveness of sins, and His Resurrection from the dead to defeat death, you are already judged, and you have been found guilty.
What is the message? There is all this teaching of heaven and hell and in the mother Church, purgatory, a place between the two where those that are not quite perfect go and are purged of their remaining sins or inequities so they can enter heaven. You can see all that teaching above, God is making that clear. NOT. No man nor woman on earth can compare themselves to God no matter what they accomplish in this life. To God no one can create, no one understands the ways of His Creation, and frankly we don't even understand the reason for conscience. These facts alone prove we are judged as unacceptable to a perfect God. His Unique Son volunteered to take on both our lack of purity, and our sin unto death. By doing so, Jesus allows all that Trust in His Works, become both Children of God, and are granted Eternal Life. Your old body will become as waste, but not the Spirit inside. As His Child you are renewed, you obtain Life, and for the second time in just a few words John the Apostle assures you of that. It is a gift, it cannot be earned, all you have to do is accept the facts. Once done, the gift cannot be taken away from you, your Life is forever securely wrapped in the Love of the God of Love. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 3:13-15
13“And no one has ascended into heaven, except the One having descended from heaven-the Son of Humanity, the One being in heaven. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness (Numb 21: 6-9), so it is necessary the Son of Humanity to be lifted up, 15so that every Believing (Trusting) in Him shall not perish, but shall be having Eternal Life.”
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" Of all the things that people will tell you for the reason that they should go to heaven, the one above is one rarely if ever given. I am willing to wager that it would not be in top ten reasons. I am also willing to wager the number one reason is that they are good people.
We are 7,000,000,000 (seven billion) people on earth, give or take a couple. Can you imagine? Of those, only a billion, and few hundred million have even heard of Christ Jesus, let alone Believe in Him. Yet we are told everyone knows who Jesus is. That's true if you live in the west, other than that? You may have heard the name, but to know who He was, it's not likely.
Today's easy lesson: The figure above is actually close to the number of people in the world that claim to be Christians. The lions share of those are Roman Catholics at just over a billion. That leaves somewhere between 200 and 300 million other Christians of various sects. When we started with the idea that if you asked people why they would go to heaven, we could actually be speaking only about Christians.
What is the message: So many people go to church so that God can count the days they have spent going to worship Him, even though they rarely look into the reasoning behind their church to begin with. Then the group that go due to their need for business contacts, those that want to show themselves as good people, and add those that are the sincere wanting God to know that His "Only Begotten Religion" is being faithfully tended to by them. You always notice them, they are always there, they help in every way possible, giving in more ways than any other could possibly give. God isn't interested in any of these reasons. He is interested in the one or perhaps a few people in that church group, if any, that know and Trust that the Gift of God in Christ Jesus isn't the forgiveness of sins, or any number of obeyed commandments or rules, or even the number of rites, rituals and attendances a person has accumulated. He wants those that know and act as though they recognize the greatness of Life Everlasting. That is the Gift of Grace. Nothing more is needed, everything less is so insignificant. How can you miss it when it is all over the New Testament? Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 3:1-12
1Now there was a man from the Pharisees, Nicodemus his name, a ruler of the Jews. 2This one came to Him by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come a teacher from God, for no one is able to be doing these signs which You are doing unless God is with him.” 3Jesus answered and said to him, “Most positively, I say to you, unless someone is born from above (born again), he is not able to see the Kingdom of God.” 4Nicodemus says to Him, “How is a person able to be born, being old? He is not able to enter into the womb of his mother a second time and to be born, is he?”
5Jesus answered, “Most positively, I say to you, unless someone is born from water and Spirit, he is not able to enter into the Kingdom of God. 6The having been born from the flesh is flesh, and the having been born from the Spirit is Spirit. 7Stop marveling that I said to you, ‘It is necessary to be born from above (born again).’ 8The Spirit breathes where He desires, and you hear His voice, but you do not know from where He comes and where He goes. (cp. John 20: 22; Acts 2: 2-4) In this manner is every having been born from the Spirit.”
9Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How are these things able to happen?” 10Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel, and you do not know these things! 11Most positively, I say to you, We speak what We know, and We testify what We have seen, and do not receive Our testimony. 12If I said to the earthly and do not believe, how if I should say to the heavenly will believe?
Good Day Child of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" What you are reading above is a perfect example of someone with a bent in their thinking as they parse the Greek to transliterate this Gospel. It may seem innocent enough, but the small words tell of someone who thinks a certain way.
This is not new, in fact, most Theologians, those experts in Biblical Studies, are actually fairly religious in not only their thinking, but in their actions. Their bent can be easily found by checking their Church affiliation.
Today's easy lesson: This is one of the simplest of all the verses in the Bible. Except for the idea that Jesus refers to Himself as We, which many take to be He and the Apostles, read it again, and see if that is the intent you get from the verses. It is arguable, so I am not going into it now, it won't matter in your daily Life whatever the answer is.
What is important here is that in times past, in older Bible translations, the words born again are used exclusively when Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus. This whole section is a test to a Pharisee, that is someone so learned in the Law, that of all people Nick should know what Jesus is trying to say. The problem is Nick's mind is firmly set on things on earth rather than on the One who is both not of the earth, and not visible. To make it plain, Jesus is playing with Nick as though He were speaking in parables, which He is not.
What is the message? John tells us what Jesus is saying. Being born of water is being born of a woman, period. If you are not born, you don't exist. Being from above requires Faith and/or Trust, and when that happens at the point in time that Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, it is Faith in the Father, not Jesus as the Messiah. However, Nicodemus is fixated on the Law, it's both his job and his pride. Neither of those things will glean God's favor. Pastors, teachers of the Bible, Preachers, all of you that think your hard work and belief system is going to get you to heaven, you have it wrong. Faith in God's Provision in Christ Jesus having done the work none of could do to please the Father, is the single answer to what is meant by being Born Again. Do you Believe in what Jesus did? Do you Trust that His work is done for you and that is your ticket to Heaven? Then you are given the Holy Spirit, and now are born of water through your mother, and born of the Spirit through the tiny Faith you have in God's Provision in Jesus' work. That is it. Nothing more is needed but perhaps a respectful thanksgiving to your Father for His Love and Care. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 2:23-25
23Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, at the feast, many trusted in His name, watching the signs which He was doing. 24But Jesus Himself was not trusting Himself to them, on account of Him knowing all 25and because He did not need that any should testify concerning humanity, for He Himself was knowing what was in humanity.
Good Day Child of God! "Farther? Your Will Be Done!" Do you know God? He knows you. As a group, and as an individual. To us, we are complicated, to the One who constructed us, it is not that complicated.
God Created everything, and what is interesting is that the key to our world is the thought that man has dominion over it, but most people don't quite grab hold of what God was trying to say. Let's find out what the Spirit has to say.
Today's easy lesson: Two things are obvious in our three verses above. Jesus, and consequently the Father, knows what mankind is made of. In fact if Jesus wanted to point out each and every persons attributes He could do that. The good news is God is that powerful, the bad news is we are not nice, nor are we trustworthy. In fact, Jesus thinks so little of that group, they are in the Temple mind you, people who just agreed with Him and trusted what He just taught them, well, He didn't trust them. On top of that, not a one of them was good enough for Jesus to want to exact an endorsement from any one of them. That's a sad statement on mankind isn't it?
What is the message? In pasts Studies we have discussed many times how God knows you better than you know yourself. Above Jesus is telling you that is true. You see, you think a new car, home, clothes, better school, bigger television, boat, girl friend, boy friend, husband, wife, you name it will fix your life. In Truth, what you are seeking is: peace, love, joy, gentleness, kindness, patience, and self-control. In Truth, you don't know that, and you don't think that's what you want. What God knows, what He will provide, will scratch that itch that has you going in circles trying to find an answer to a question you are asking an answer for, but don't even know it. You see how that works, and yet time and again, we all go to the Father and ask Him to Bless our decisions based on our flawed thinking. It's wrong, and it brings sadness more often than not. Give your Father the wheel to your Life, that is your will, and allow Him to bring those things into your Life that will satisfy, bringing both joy and peace in and around you. Your Father knows you; He Loves you. Trust Him to provide for you. In the most important way He already has, providing you with everlasting Life, so you have nothing to lose. Wouldn't it be great to have it more abundantly as well, giving your Life more meaning? Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete New Testament Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
John 2:18-22
18But the
Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, that these things
You do?” 19Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three
days I will raise it up!” (Matt 26: 61; Mark 14: 58) 20Then the Jews said,
“This Temple was built forty and six years, and will raise it up in three
days?” 21But that spoke concerning the temple of His body. 22So when He
was raised from dead, His disciples remembered that He said this. And they
Believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus said.
Good Day Child
of God! "Father? Your Will Be Done!" This seems like a simple enough
group of verses yet the lesson that should be simple enough, is more complex
than expected.
There are those
that maintain that Jesus must spend seventy-hours in the grave, others that
cannot understand how that is possible given the time span, and therefore this
section is improperly translated, and then there are even more people who don't
give it a thought.
Today's easy
lesson: The only way that Jesus could have spent the time necessary to
complete His prophecy correctly is to have had an extra day other than the
Sabbath. If his arrest, trial, beatings, and Crucifixion happened on
Friday, the day of preparation, it would go like this; Friday just before dusk
Jesus is buried, Friday Night/Saturday Midnight and all day Saturday in the
tomb, Saturday Night/Sunday Midnight until after Sunrise and the
Resurrection. That could possibly be three days and three nights depending on
Mary and Martha's arrival time. However, most theologians believe that Jesus
and the Apostles ate the Passover meal early, so that Scripture would be
fulfilled. That is, Jesus was the Passover Lamb, and that would put Him in the tomb
a day earlier. This also fits within the context of Scripture. As you can tell
this is not simple at all. To quote a famous politician, “What difference does
it make?”
What is the
message? When the Israelites were captive in Egypt, it was the timing of
preparing the Sacrificial Lamb and the spreading of the blood around the
doorpost, which caused the Angel of Death to Passover that home. Jesus did what
He did in accordance with the first Passover to show that He was taking on the
Angel of Death as the Passover Lamb, and those that Believe that He did this
properly, become Children of God. Most of you don't know these details because
most of you are not Israelites, nor are you so familiar with the Old Testament
to understand. Keep in mind as a Gentile; Jesus did not come for us. You and I are only grafted in because of the
failure of the Israelites to understand God's Gift of Grace. They were blinded
by the intellect that brought them to Trust Judaism, not the God of that
religion. Do you know anyone like that? Your worship style or church preference
isn't getting you through the gates of heaven fellow Students. Faith in Jesus’
works are going to do that. If you think any differently, it is time to reflect
and reconsider. Ask your Father for guidance, study it for yourself, it is
plain as it can be that Trust is the answer, not belonging to a particular
church group. Have a Grace Day!
Brother Glenn
This blog link: http://askgodsword.blogspot.com/
Complete N.T. Grace Studies link: http://gracehouseministry.blogspot.com/
