The religious leaders got really upset about Jesus healing the lame man on the Sabbath. They got even more upset that Jesus referred to God as his Father.
click here for an online Bible John 5:16-30
The religious leaders were so upset with Jesus that they began to plot to kill him. In their minds, Jesus was committing blasphemy. Even worse, he is developing a following. Notice how Jesus responds to their opposition. He doesn’t tone down his message. He doesn’t soften the message or try to reinterpret what he said in a more inclusive manner. He basically says, “So you don’t like that. How about THIS!” They wanted to kill him for saying he was the Son of God. So he amplifies the message. He is not only the Son of God, but he can do whatever the Father can do. He is due all of the honor that is due the Father. He has the power to raise the dead, forgive sin, give eternal life, and judge all men.
This kind of talk requires a response. C. S. Lewis presented this argument which became known as the Lewis Trilemma. If Jesus made these claims and they were false, but he thought they were true, then he was crazy. If he made these claims and they were false, and he knew they were false, then he was a deceiver. If he made these claims and he was right, then he is God. You have to chose. He was Lord, Liar, or Lunatic. Mad, Bad, or God. He can’t be just a good teacher, or just a nice guy.
We should not be afraid to make the same arguments about Jesus. He argued for exclusive faith in himself. If somebody asks if people who do not place their faith in Christ will go to hell, we don’t have to skirt the issue or try to dumb down the answer. If you have a high speed internet connection, here are three videos to watch. There are five different “Christian” leaders each with the opportunity to give the gospel on Larry King’s program.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx6tlL5ThcE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BZ-N4pruFo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfwYU2pmWYQ
It is hard to stand up for the exclusivity of Christ. Exclusivity sounds so mean and we so want to be nice. But isn’t the epitome of meanness to allow somebody to go to hell thinking they were on good terms with God and we didn’t tell them the truth.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Friday John 5:1-15
Jesus heals a man in the temple area.
click here for an online Bible John 5:1-15
The man wanted healing. He some kind of faith that God could heal him. He did what others in his condition did, they waited for an angel to stir up the water in the pool then rushed to be the first in the pool. John doesn’t say that anyone ever actually received healing but they believed that they could. I can imagine the chaos of those who were desperate for healing. They sat or laid there for years watching for a ripple in the water. How many false alarms where there? A leaf falls in the water and somebody yells, “The water has been stirred!” Then all of those lamb and sickly people clamoring to be the first to the water.
Jesus touched this man where he was open. The man did not have faith in Jesus, but Jesus healed him anyway. The man was clinging to a myth for hope and Jesus stepped in a showed that he was the answer, not the myth.
We often encounter people who are clinging to myths and false sources of hope. We can show them the true hope of Christ. Some of these myths are false religions or twisted forms of Christianity. Some of these myths are cults. We can not take the position that we are glad that they have something to believe in if they are believing in a lie. That means that we have to know the truth.
Not all religions are true. Only Christianity is true. That sounds arrogant, but truth is truth. Many people who claim to be Christians are leading people astray. Many cults claim to be Christians, but they teach lies. You don’t have to be an expert in all of the false teachings to reach others. You need to know the truth. Christ is the truth.
click here for an online Bible John 5:1-15
The man wanted healing. He some kind of faith that God could heal him. He did what others in his condition did, they waited for an angel to stir up the water in the pool then rushed to be the first in the pool. John doesn’t say that anyone ever actually received healing but they believed that they could. I can imagine the chaos of those who were desperate for healing. They sat or laid there for years watching for a ripple in the water. How many false alarms where there? A leaf falls in the water and somebody yells, “The water has been stirred!” Then all of those lamb and sickly people clamoring to be the first to the water.
Jesus touched this man where he was open. The man did not have faith in Jesus, but Jesus healed him anyway. The man was clinging to a myth for hope and Jesus stepped in a showed that he was the answer, not the myth.
We often encounter people who are clinging to myths and false sources of hope. We can show them the true hope of Christ. Some of these myths are false religions or twisted forms of Christianity. Some of these myths are cults. We can not take the position that we are glad that they have something to believe in if they are believing in a lie. That means that we have to know the truth.
Not all religions are true. Only Christianity is true. That sounds arrogant, but truth is truth. Many people who claim to be Christians are leading people astray. Many cults claim to be Christians, but they teach lies. You don’t have to be an expert in all of the false teachings to reach others. You need to know the truth. Christ is the truth.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Thursday John 4:43-54
Jesus was on his way to Galilee when he went through Samaria and encountered the woman at the well. He spent a couple of days with the people in Sychar then went on to Galilee.
click here for an online Bible John 4:43-54
The people were familiar with Jesus because they had been at Jerusalem for the Passover when Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple. He went to Cana, the town where he had turned the water into wine. The royal official approached Jesus with a request that Jesus come to Capernaum and heal his son. Jesus makes a strange comment, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe."
The official believed something about Jesus. He knew that Jesus was a miracle-worker and wanted a miracle. When his servants told him that his son was healed at the same time Jesus pronounced the healing from twenty miles away, he believed something more. He recognized that Jesus was not just a miracle-man, but he truly had power over creation.
John’s gospel is about believing. Jesus chastised the people for their need to see signs in order to believe (verse 48). Compare this to John 20:24-31. In that passage, Thomas needed to see in order to believe. Jesus said that those who believe without seeing will be blessed. Then John tells why he wrote the Gospel, “so that you can believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”
The royal official believed something, but it wasn’t enough. Then he believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Then based on his testimony and the son’s healing, his whole family believed.
I am reminded that I can never make assumptions about what people really believe. They may use a lot of churchy language and seem to believe in Jesus, but I need to find out want they really believe about Jesus and do they believe in Jesus. What we believe matters.
Then there is more. We not only must believe in Jesus, but we must believe Jesus. That means we believe what he says enough to actually obey him.
click here for an online Bible John 4:43-54
The people were familiar with Jesus because they had been at Jerusalem for the Passover when Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple. He went to Cana, the town where he had turned the water into wine. The royal official approached Jesus with a request that Jesus come to Capernaum and heal his son. Jesus makes a strange comment, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe."
The official believed something about Jesus. He knew that Jesus was a miracle-worker and wanted a miracle. When his servants told him that his son was healed at the same time Jesus pronounced the healing from twenty miles away, he believed something more. He recognized that Jesus was not just a miracle-man, but he truly had power over creation.
John’s gospel is about believing. Jesus chastised the people for their need to see signs in order to believe (verse 48). Compare this to John 20:24-31. In that passage, Thomas needed to see in order to believe. Jesus said that those who believe without seeing will be blessed. Then John tells why he wrote the Gospel, “so that you can believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”
The royal official believed something, but it wasn’t enough. Then he believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Then based on his testimony and the son’s healing, his whole family believed.
I am reminded that I can never make assumptions about what people really believe. They may use a lot of churchy language and seem to believe in Jesus, but I need to find out want they really believe about Jesus and do they believe in Jesus. What we believe matters.
Then there is more. We not only must believe in Jesus, but we must believe Jesus. That means we believe what he says enough to actually obey him.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Wednesday John 4:27-42
Jesus’ disciples came back to Jesus and found him talking to the Samaritan woman.
click here for an online Bible John 4:27-42
They were amazed but didn’t ask what was going on. I’ll bet that they had been around long enough to learn not to challenge Jesus as to what he was doing. If you suggest that Jesus is doing something improper, you likely end up as the subject of a sermon. Maybe they were getting to the point that they trusted that he knew what he was doing. I have to be reminded of that often. God does know what he is doing. Sometimes I tend to make judgments based on whether or not I like the plan or understand the plan. The issue is discerning God’s plan, not making my own plan then blaming it on God.
Just as Jesus had a spiritual conversation with the woman about water, he has a spiritual conversation with his disciples about food. The most important aspect of life is following God and doing his will. He then talks about the harvest. Apparently there was a proverb of that time about waiting four months for a harvest. He makes the point with his disciples that the harvest is ready. How many times are we guilty of saying that we will be ready to participate in evangelism after some barriers are removed. I’ll share my faith after I get some training. I’ll share my testimony after I get some issues straightened out. I’ll (do something) after (a barrier is removed). The harvest is all around us and the only prerequisite is that we have a relationship with Christ.
The Samaritan woman immediately went into town and told others about Jesus. They came to see for themselves and many people believed.
click here for an online Bible John 4:27-42
They were amazed but didn’t ask what was going on. I’ll bet that they had been around long enough to learn not to challenge Jesus as to what he was doing. If you suggest that Jesus is doing something improper, you likely end up as the subject of a sermon. Maybe they were getting to the point that they trusted that he knew what he was doing. I have to be reminded of that often. God does know what he is doing. Sometimes I tend to make judgments based on whether or not I like the plan or understand the plan. The issue is discerning God’s plan, not making my own plan then blaming it on God.
Just as Jesus had a spiritual conversation with the woman about water, he has a spiritual conversation with his disciples about food. The most important aspect of life is following God and doing his will. He then talks about the harvest. Apparently there was a proverb of that time about waiting four months for a harvest. He makes the point with his disciples that the harvest is ready. How many times are we guilty of saying that we will be ready to participate in evangelism after some barriers are removed. I’ll share my faith after I get some training. I’ll share my testimony after I get some issues straightened out. I’ll (do something) after (a barrier is removed). The harvest is all around us and the only prerequisite is that we have a relationship with Christ.
The Samaritan woman immediately went into town and told others about Jesus. They came to see for themselves and many people believed.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Tuesday John 4:1-26
While Jesus and his disciples are traveling through Samaria on the way to Galilee, they stop at a town. The disciples went off to buy food while Jesus waited at the well. We can learn a lot from Jesus’ encounter with this Samaritan woman.
click here for an online Bible John 4:1-26
Don’t be afraid to cross cultural barriers to spread the gospel. In Jesus’ time, men didn’t speak to women and Jews didn’t speak to Samarians. Jesus crossed both of these barriers in speaking to the Samarian woman. She was a surprised by his speaking to her and probably somewhat suspicious.
Don’t be afraid to push a conversation in a spiritual direction. Jesus got her interest by talking about living water that will take care of thirst forever. She said she wanted to have that kind of water. You can’t push every conversation in a spiritual direction. You can insert some kind of spiritual remark in a conversation and see if there is interest. In this case, she was interested.
Don’t be afraid to talk about sin. Jesus shows her that he knows about her sinful lifestyle. The whole point of a savior is salvation from being a sinner.
Don’t get dragged into a debate. The woman wanted to shift the discussion to which mountain was the proper mountain for the temple. Jesus kept bringing her back to the issue of a relationship with God. Sometimes people have real questions or stumbling blocks. We must be sensitive to these issues but not get sidetracked.
Don’t forget to tell them about Jesus. She recognized truth from Jesus and said that the Messiah would straighten everything out. Jesus said, “that’s me.” Ask the question, “Do you want to meet Jesus?”
click here for an online Bible John 4:1-26
Don’t be afraid to cross cultural barriers to spread the gospel. In Jesus’ time, men didn’t speak to women and Jews didn’t speak to Samarians. Jesus crossed both of these barriers in speaking to the Samarian woman. She was a surprised by his speaking to her and probably somewhat suspicious.
Don’t be afraid to push a conversation in a spiritual direction. Jesus got her interest by talking about living water that will take care of thirst forever. She said she wanted to have that kind of water. You can’t push every conversation in a spiritual direction. You can insert some kind of spiritual remark in a conversation and see if there is interest. In this case, she was interested.
Don’t be afraid to talk about sin. Jesus shows her that he knows about her sinful lifestyle. The whole point of a savior is salvation from being a sinner.
Don’t get dragged into a debate. The woman wanted to shift the discussion to which mountain was the proper mountain for the temple. Jesus kept bringing her back to the issue of a relationship with God. Sometimes people have real questions or stumbling blocks. We must be sensitive to these issues but not get sidetracked.
Don’t forget to tell them about Jesus. She recognized truth from Jesus and said that the Messiah would straighten everything out. Jesus said, “that’s me.” Ask the question, “Do you want to meet Jesus?”
Monday, August 4, 2008
Monday John 3:31-36
Today’s passage is fairly short, full of truth.
click here for online Bible John 3:31-36
Here the apostle John summarizes the two events of chapter three, Jesus with Nicodemus and John the Baptist with his disciples. Jesus explained the meaning of “born again” to Nicodemus. Following God requires faith in Jesus as the savior. John the Baptist explained that his purpose was not to create a following for himself, but to point others to Christ.
Now, John the apostle as the narrator of the gospel summarizes with commentary. John the Baptist was a messenger from God with a message from God. Jesus is much more than just a messenger. He is the message. He is God.
John’s summation in verse 36 is the bottom line. There are two classes of people, those who have the forgiveness of Christ and those who are condemned. We do not live in some kind of neutral state until the end of life, then our lives are put in the scales and judged worthy or unworthy. We are born under condemnation. We deserve and face the wrath of God because of our sinfulness. Until we come to faith in Christ and receive forgiveness, we are already guilty and condemned.
This makes me think about people differently. I shouldn’t think of them with labels. I need to see them as saved or lost, having eternal life or under eternal judgment. Even many people in the church are really lost. They may say all the right things, but unless their hearts are aligned to God, they are not saved.
click here for online Bible John 3:31-36
Here the apostle John summarizes the two events of chapter three, Jesus with Nicodemus and John the Baptist with his disciples. Jesus explained the meaning of “born again” to Nicodemus. Following God requires faith in Jesus as the savior. John the Baptist explained that his purpose was not to create a following for himself, but to point others to Christ.
Now, John the apostle as the narrator of the gospel summarizes with commentary. John the Baptist was a messenger from God with a message from God. Jesus is much more than just a messenger. He is the message. He is God.
John’s summation in verse 36 is the bottom line. There are two classes of people, those who have the forgiveness of Christ and those who are condemned. We do not live in some kind of neutral state until the end of life, then our lives are put in the scales and judged worthy or unworthy. We are born under condemnation. We deserve and face the wrath of God because of our sinfulness. Until we come to faith in Christ and receive forgiveness, we are already guilty and condemned.
This makes me think about people differently. I shouldn’t think of them with labels. I need to see them as saved or lost, having eternal life or under eternal judgment. Even many people in the church are really lost. They may say all the right things, but unless their hearts are aligned to God, they are not saved.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sunday John 3:22-30
Sorry this is late gettin out.
click here for online Bible John 3:22-30
John the Baptist was still baptizing people even after he baptized Jesus and some of his disciples had left him to follow Jesus. His message was still valid. People needed to repent and prepare for the coming Kingdom of God.
I’m not sure what to make of verses 25 and 26. One of John’s disciples got into a dispute with a Jew about purification. When the gospel speaks of the Jews, often it is referring to the Jewish leaders. John the Baptist did not invent baptism, it was practiced by the Jews as a ceremonial washing or purification. Possibly one of the religious leaders was criticizing was John was doing, so his disciples came to him to straighten things out. Why they refer to Jesus is not clear. Perhaps they are saying, “Jesus goes toe-to-toe with the religious leaders and speaks with authority and people are following him because of that. Maybe you should too.”
John holds true to this calling and tells his disciples that it is good for Jesus to increase in popularity. Jesus is the Son of God. He has the truth. He is the source of eternal life.
We all have to remember this. It’s not about us, it’s about Him. I have to remember this. I don’t want people to be attracted to me, I want them to be attracted to Him.
click here for online Bible John 3:22-30
John the Baptist was still baptizing people even after he baptized Jesus and some of his disciples had left him to follow Jesus. His message was still valid. People needed to repent and prepare for the coming Kingdom of God.
I’m not sure what to make of verses 25 and 26. One of John’s disciples got into a dispute with a Jew about purification. When the gospel speaks of the Jews, often it is referring to the Jewish leaders. John the Baptist did not invent baptism, it was practiced by the Jews as a ceremonial washing or purification. Possibly one of the religious leaders was criticizing was John was doing, so his disciples came to him to straighten things out. Why they refer to Jesus is not clear. Perhaps they are saying, “Jesus goes toe-to-toe with the religious leaders and speaks with authority and people are following him because of that. Maybe you should too.”
John holds true to this calling and tells his disciples that it is good for Jesus to increase in popularity. Jesus is the Son of God. He has the truth. He is the source of eternal life.
We all have to remember this. It’s not about us, it’s about Him. I have to remember this. I don’t want people to be attracted to me, I want them to be attracted to Him.
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