Introduction
Have you ever gone shopping for someone but had no idea what to buy them? I have. In a situation like that you might say to yourself, "I will know what it is when I see it". The problem is, we begin a random search for that something and wind up relying on our emotions to tell us when we've actually found it. The pursuit is purposeless other than the fact that we are trying to achieve some end -- the purchase of the "right something", whatever that might be.
In today's text we find a group of people doing just that, pursuing something, but missing the Someone they should have recognized. The preceding day they had all been involved in a miraculous sign where Jesus fed over 5000 people with a mere 5 loaves and a couple of fish. These people were ready to crown him king of Israel at that very moment. Their stomachs were satisfied and emotions peeked and they were ready for the kind of kingdom this man would bring -- no more shopping!
But as we see in this text, they were pursuing Jesus passionately but for the wrong reason. They were ecstatic about the results of the sign but totally missed what the sign pointed to -- the long-awaited Anointed One from God. They were working for temporal things and missing the work that God required -- faith in the One He had sent.
In Hot Pursuit (John 6:22-29)
God offers eternal life only through faith in the person of Jesus Christ.
What is your main purpose in seeking Jesus?
What confusion are you facing about the person of Jesus and what can you do about it?
What works are you trying to do to substitute for the work that God requires?
As a believer, what work should you be pursuing, not to earn your salvation but out of gratitude for your Savior?
Signs or a Savior (John 6:30-33)
Jesus is both the sign from God and the Savior.
What signs are you asking God for and why?
What are you seeking by human means that only God can give and has given in the person of Jesus Christ?
How has the bread from heaven changed you?
Satisfaction and Security (John 6:34-40)
What Jesus offers is complete and permanent salvation.
Have you come to Jesus, the bread of life, for eternal life? If not, why not?
How have you thanked God lately for giving you to Jesus? In prayer? In a life lived for Him? In complete submission to His perfect will?
What are you struggling with in this life that needs to be looked at through the perspective of eternal life?
How are you wrongly striving to maintain a salvation that only God can give and no one can take away?
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Possible Impossibilities (John 6:1-21)
Introduction
Have you ever come to the end of a vacation only to discover you can't wait to get back to work so you can get some rest? Maybe you travelled too far, saw too much in too short a time, or things were stressful due to lack of planning.
Jesus and his disciples were heading to the eastern shore of the sea of Galilee in order to get a little down time -- some much needed rest. The disciples had just finished travelling around Galilee healing, casting out demons, and preaching about the Kingdom of God. Everywhere Jesus went, he was surrounded by crowds of needy people, even to the point where he and his disciples could not eat or sleep. On top of all these ministry commitments, news of John the Baptist's death had just come out and no doubt greaved the Lord and many if not all of the Twelve. They needed some time away!
In spite of their need for rest, God's plans always must take priority. Little did the disciples know, but waiting for them on the opposite shore of the Sea of Tiberias was a crowd of people, much like sheep looking for something, but not quite sure what. They wanted to be wherever Jesus was because where he was things were happening -- miraculous signs. And as the disciples saw this crowd, they saw people that would steal their rest, eat their food, and rob the intimacy that they so much wanted with their Rabbi. But Jesus saw them differently. He saw a need that went beyond the outer surface needs. He saw a people that needed to be fed with food that only he could give. Food that met the spiritual emptiness that all of them had.
Jesus had things that he wanted to teach his disciples. He was going to give them an opportunity to see that with him, any impossible situation had possibility. He was going to give them the privilege of being used by him to perform an unprecedented miraculous sign -- beyond their ability to fully comprehend.
The Impossible Meal (John 6:1-15)
Jesus can use our inabilities just as well as our abilities.
Jesus doesn't need what we have to offer but offers the privilege of seeing him use it anyway.
What are you hording that could be of greater use in the Master's hands?
How have you been privileged to be used by Jesus in spite of your inabilities?
What impossible situation are you currently facing? What possibilities does this present for God to be glorified in your life?
How are you feeding others from what Jesus is providing for you this year through the book of John?
What do you need to do in order to start nurturing an attitude of thankfulness to God whether in plenty or in want?
The Impassable Storm (John 6:16-21)
Obedience to God's will is no guarantee of smooth sailing.
Jesus will never give his disciples more than they can bear.
What kind of storms are you facing in your life right now? Illness? Loss of a friend? Loss of a job? Jesus knows exactly where you are and if you belong to him, he is right there with you.
Looking back on your life, what storms have you endured that you are now glad for because they built your faith?
What do you need to do in order to ask Jesus into the boat with you?
Have you ever come to the end of a vacation only to discover you can't wait to get back to work so you can get some rest? Maybe you travelled too far, saw too much in too short a time, or things were stressful due to lack of planning.
Jesus and his disciples were heading to the eastern shore of the sea of Galilee in order to get a little down time -- some much needed rest. The disciples had just finished travelling around Galilee healing, casting out demons, and preaching about the Kingdom of God. Everywhere Jesus went, he was surrounded by crowds of needy people, even to the point where he and his disciples could not eat or sleep. On top of all these ministry commitments, news of John the Baptist's death had just come out and no doubt greaved the Lord and many if not all of the Twelve. They needed some time away!
In spite of their need for rest, God's plans always must take priority. Little did the disciples know, but waiting for them on the opposite shore of the Sea of Tiberias was a crowd of people, much like sheep looking for something, but not quite sure what. They wanted to be wherever Jesus was because where he was things were happening -- miraculous signs. And as the disciples saw this crowd, they saw people that would steal their rest, eat their food, and rob the intimacy that they so much wanted with their Rabbi. But Jesus saw them differently. He saw a need that went beyond the outer surface needs. He saw a people that needed to be fed with food that only he could give. Food that met the spiritual emptiness that all of them had.
Jesus had things that he wanted to teach his disciples. He was going to give them an opportunity to see that with him, any impossible situation had possibility. He was going to give them the privilege of being used by him to perform an unprecedented miraculous sign -- beyond their ability to fully comprehend.
The Impossible Meal (John 6:1-15)
Jesus can use our inabilities just as well as our abilities.
Jesus doesn't need what we have to offer but offers the privilege of seeing him use it anyway.
What are you hording that could be of greater use in the Master's hands?
How have you been privileged to be used by Jesus in spite of your inabilities?
What impossible situation are you currently facing? What possibilities does this present for God to be glorified in your life?
How are you feeding others from what Jesus is providing for you this year through the book of John?
What do you need to do in order to start nurturing an attitude of thankfulness to God whether in plenty or in want?
The Impassable Storm (John 6:16-21)
Obedience to God's will is no guarantee of smooth sailing.
Jesus will never give his disciples more than they can bear.
What kind of storms are you facing in your life right now? Illness? Loss of a friend? Loss of a job? Jesus knows exactly where you are and if you belong to him, he is right there with you.
Looking back on your life, what storms have you endured that you are now glad for because they built your faith?
What do you need to do in order to ask Jesus into the boat with you?
Friday, November 20, 2009
Who Is This Man? (John 5:1-47)
Introduction
When the things you've believed in for years are questioned...
When your authority is challenged...
When your livelihood is threatened...
When your true motives are revealed...
...what is your response?
Jesus, in chapter 5, is dealing with some ingrained attitudes in Jerusalem. He is there to celebrate one of several feasts, mandated in the Old Covenant. While there, he compassionately addresses a man whose crippled condition has left him in a state of hopelessness -- 38 years as an invalid. The man is confronted by Jesus with the prospect of healing which forces him to reassess the hopelessness of being healed outside of some assistance into the pool of Bethesda. But Jesus points out that not only is he helpless to heal himself, his own prescription for healing is also flawed. He doesn't need Jesus to help him with his own solution, he needs the solution that only Jesus can give him.
When Jesus heals this man, the attitude of the religious leaders is revealed. The Sabbath was a 'sacred cow' to the religious leaders. They used it as a tool to regulate the people. Perhaps their original intent was good - stay as far from breaking the law as possible, but they had turned it into an exercise of their authority and a litmus test for piety. Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy in that they cared nothing about people and only cared about the outward appearances of their religious system.
Jesus places himself on an equal footing with God the Father and spends the rest of the interaction pointing out examples, revealing the truth of his assertions. He reveals His divine attributes as both life-giver and judge.
Jesus points out that all men will stand before him and be judged according to God's standard of good - absolute perfection. The implication is that only those who are truly good according to God's standard of perfection will see eternal life. All others with be condemned to eternal judgment. The conclusion for all men is that unless the Judge himself is my goodness, I have no hope on judgment day.
Finally, Jesus reveals several major barriers to belief that existed in his audience. They thought that salvation came through study of Scripture and adherence to a code but neglected to see that it really came through the Person the Scriptures pointed to. He also points out that these men sought approval from each other and failed to pursue God's approval.
The Healer of Body and Soul (John 5:1-15)
All men are spiritually crippled without Jesus.
What areas of your life look okay on the outside but are in actuality, really messed up? Will you bring them to Jesus?
How might you be using outward performance to compensate for hidden sin?
The Means and Meaning to Life (John 5:16-30)
Jesus offers the only life that can withstand his judgment.
If you stood before Jesus tonight, what would his verdict on your life be: life or condemnation? What standard are you basing your answer on, God's or yours?
What are you doing with the words you're hearing in the book of John so far this year? Are you believing them or dismissing them?
How might your treatment of Christ be dishonoring the Father?
The Fulfillment of Scripture (John 5:31-47)
Rejecting God's witnesses leads to rejection of God's Son.
What “light” has God given you this year and are you just enjoying it for the time being or is it leading you to Christ?
Whose approval are you seeking, man's or God's? What evidence do you have to back up your answer?
Where does your hope of eternal life lie? In printed page? In performance? Or in the person of Jesus Christ?
When the things you've believed in for years are questioned...
When your authority is challenged...
When your livelihood is threatened...
When your true motives are revealed...
...what is your response?
Jesus, in chapter 5, is dealing with some ingrained attitudes in Jerusalem. He is there to celebrate one of several feasts, mandated in the Old Covenant. While there, he compassionately addresses a man whose crippled condition has left him in a state of hopelessness -- 38 years as an invalid. The man is confronted by Jesus with the prospect of healing which forces him to reassess the hopelessness of being healed outside of some assistance into the pool of Bethesda. But Jesus points out that not only is he helpless to heal himself, his own prescription for healing is also flawed. He doesn't need Jesus to help him with his own solution, he needs the solution that only Jesus can give him.
When Jesus heals this man, the attitude of the religious leaders is revealed. The Sabbath was a 'sacred cow' to the religious leaders. They used it as a tool to regulate the people. Perhaps their original intent was good - stay as far from breaking the law as possible, but they had turned it into an exercise of their authority and a litmus test for piety. Jesus pointed out their hypocrisy in that they cared nothing about people and only cared about the outward appearances of their religious system.
Jesus places himself on an equal footing with God the Father and spends the rest of the interaction pointing out examples, revealing the truth of his assertions. He reveals His divine attributes as both life-giver and judge.
Jesus points out that all men will stand before him and be judged according to God's standard of good - absolute perfection. The implication is that only those who are truly good according to God's standard of perfection will see eternal life. All others with be condemned to eternal judgment. The conclusion for all men is that unless the Judge himself is my goodness, I have no hope on judgment day.
Finally, Jesus reveals several major barriers to belief that existed in his audience. They thought that salvation came through study of Scripture and adherence to a code but neglected to see that it really came through the Person the Scriptures pointed to. He also points out that these men sought approval from each other and failed to pursue God's approval.
The Healer of Body and Soul (John 5:1-15)
All men are spiritually crippled without Jesus.
What areas of your life look okay on the outside but are in actuality, really messed up? Will you bring them to Jesus?
How might you be using outward performance to compensate for hidden sin?
The Means and Meaning to Life (John 5:16-30)
Jesus offers the only life that can withstand his judgment.
If you stood before Jesus tonight, what would his verdict on your life be: life or condemnation? What standard are you basing your answer on, God's or yours?
What are you doing with the words you're hearing in the book of John so far this year? Are you believing them or dismissing them?
How might your treatment of Christ be dishonoring the Father?
The Fulfillment of Scripture (John 5:31-47)
Rejecting God's witnesses leads to rejection of God's Son.
What “light” has God given you this year and are you just enjoying it for the time being or is it leading you to Christ?
Whose approval are you seeking, man's or God's? What evidence do you have to back up your answer?
Where does your hope of eternal life lie? In printed page? In performance? Or in the person of Jesus Christ?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Supernatural Satisfaction (John 4:31-54)
Introduction
Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well showed his compassion for the lost in spite of their past. This woman was an outcast in her own, pagan, society not to mention what the Jewish religious leaders would have thought of her. But here is the Son of God, Messiah, speaking with her and all the while knowing intimate details of her life. He was interested in her soul and brought her face to face with her deepest need -- a relationship with God through the Living Water of Life, Jesus.
This woman did not waste any time after encountering the Christ (Messiah). Those who had talked behind her back and generally avoided direct conversation with this woman now were hearing from her lips about a Jewish man who cared about her in spite of her past. They knew her and had avoided her (perhaps). They knew that most Jews would have nothing to do with them as a people, let alone a woman and one with such a life as she had lived. "Could this be Messiah?"
Many heard her words and believed to the point of following her out to the well. Her words could not save them, but they could draw the hearers to the Living Word. And so many came, saw, heard, and believed. And the joy that was seen in this woman was also realized by many others who found life through God's Living Water.
Experiencing Joy (John 4:31-38)
Joy can only be found in obedience to God's will.
Ever wonder why your Christian life lacks joy? Could it be that you are not doing the will of God? If that's the case, what are you going to do about it?
What harvest opportunities have you missed because your mind was on other things?
What do you plan to do in order to see the harvest and be an active participant?
Will you ask God to remind you of the importance of sowing and reaping as well as for new opportunities to obey?
Encountering Jesus (John 4:39-42)
Salvation is only possible through an encounter with Jesus and His word.
With whom have you shared the gospel with lately?
What joy have you experience in seeing people come to faith through Jesus' word?
Has your time with Jesus in his word this year lead you to believe that He is the “Savior of the world”? If not, why not? How long are you going to resist him?
Enduring Discipline (John 4:43-54)
Unanswered prayer can strengthen faith.
What prayers do you have that you've stopped praying for because they seem to go unanswered? What does God want to teach you through this?
How has God deepened your faith through times of resistance?
What sign are you asking God for when His desire is for you to take him at his word?
Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well showed his compassion for the lost in spite of their past. This woman was an outcast in her own, pagan, society not to mention what the Jewish religious leaders would have thought of her. But here is the Son of God, Messiah, speaking with her and all the while knowing intimate details of her life. He was interested in her soul and brought her face to face with her deepest need -- a relationship with God through the Living Water of Life, Jesus.
This woman did not waste any time after encountering the Christ (Messiah). Those who had talked behind her back and generally avoided direct conversation with this woman now were hearing from her lips about a Jewish man who cared about her in spite of her past. They knew her and had avoided her (perhaps). They knew that most Jews would have nothing to do with them as a people, let alone a woman and one with such a life as she had lived. "Could this be Messiah?"
Many heard her words and believed to the point of following her out to the well. Her words could not save them, but they could draw the hearers to the Living Word. And so many came, saw, heard, and believed. And the joy that was seen in this woman was also realized by many others who found life through God's Living Water.
Experiencing Joy (John 4:31-38)
Joy can only be found in obedience to God's will.
Ever wonder why your Christian life lacks joy? Could it be that you are not doing the will of God? If that's the case, what are you going to do about it?
What harvest opportunities have you missed because your mind was on other things?
What do you plan to do in order to see the harvest and be an active participant?
Will you ask God to remind you of the importance of sowing and reaping as well as for new opportunities to obey?
Encountering Jesus (John 4:39-42)
Salvation is only possible through an encounter with Jesus and His word.
With whom have you shared the gospel with lately?
What joy have you experience in seeing people come to faith through Jesus' word?
Has your time with Jesus in his word this year lead you to believe that He is the “Savior of the world”? If not, why not? How long are you going to resist him?
Enduring Discipline (John 4:43-54)
Unanswered prayer can strengthen faith.
What prayers do you have that you've stopped praying for because they seem to go unanswered? What does God want to teach you through this?
How has God deepened your faith through times of resistance?
What sign are you asking God for when His desire is for you to take him at his word?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Natural Insatiability (John 4:1-30)
Introduction
In route from Judea to Galilee, Jesus takes a route that many Jews of his day would have avoided. Rather than passing through Samaria, many would have taken a circuitous meandering route around Samaria -- one that was almost twice as long. They did this so that they would not (in their estimation) become contaminated by the people and practices of the Samaritans. They were willing to treat the Samaritan people in a way that was worse than their sheep and cattle. They treated them as unclean animals.
There was no love lost in either direction between the Samaritans and Jews. Samaritans did not feel welcome to come to Jerusalem, to the Temple, to worship YHWH. And Jews looked at the history of Samaria with great contempt. After Solomon's death, the kingdom of Israel was split into the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern 10 tribes of Israel. The northern kingdom immediately began following idolatrous practices in an effort of the king to maintain sovereignty over and loyalty of his people.
Later, after the exile of Israel to Assyria, the king of Assyria transplanted peoples from all over his kingdom back into the northern kingdom. Along with the people came many pagan gods as well as a corrupted worship of YHWH. All of this history lent to the hatred between Jews and Samaritans.
Before God, all men are on an equal footing outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ. As Jesus obediently goes into Samaria, his intent is to share his message of new birth with a lady who had the same need as Nicodemus had. They both were in the same spiritual condition, howbeit vastly different culturally, ethnically, religiously, etc. Jesus saw them in the same light and saw past the outward adornments and into the real condition of the person - the soul.
As with Nicodemus, Jesus employs a teaching method with the woman at the well that addresses her ability to understand. He takes a metaphor that would be very familiar to her and uses it to illustrate a vastly more important principle -- the soul thirst that she had. Just as Nicodemus was unable, through his learning and striving, to obtain eternal life, this woman could never address her soul thirst through striving for what this life has to offer. Her only hope was the living water Jesus had. This water would produce a life within her that would obviate the need to find happiness in temporal pursuits.
My Well (John 4:1-14)
God's gift of living water has a single source.
Where are you seeking to find satisfaction in your life? Job? Relationships? Money? Popularity?
Do you know the source of living water at a personally level or in theory only?
My Mountain (John 4:15-26)
Exposure to Jesus exposes sin.
Faith in Jesus enables true worship.
What sins are you trying to hide from God? You know it's not possible, right?
What sins have been revealed to you – you've been convicted – but never come to repentance?
Is your worship the kind the Father seeks? If not, what is it lacking?
Who is the focus of your worship, you or God?
My Messiah (John 4:27-30)
Conversion should be contagious.
What impact is your life in Christ having on those around you?
Who might you be withholding the Gospel from due to the fact that they don't think like you, act like you, look like you?
In route from Judea to Galilee, Jesus takes a route that many Jews of his day would have avoided. Rather than passing through Samaria, many would have taken a circuitous meandering route around Samaria -- one that was almost twice as long. They did this so that they would not (in their estimation) become contaminated by the people and practices of the Samaritans. They were willing to treat the Samaritan people in a way that was worse than their sheep and cattle. They treated them as unclean animals.
There was no love lost in either direction between the Samaritans and Jews. Samaritans did not feel welcome to come to Jerusalem, to the Temple, to worship YHWH. And Jews looked at the history of Samaria with great contempt. After Solomon's death, the kingdom of Israel was split into the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern 10 tribes of Israel. The northern kingdom immediately began following idolatrous practices in an effort of the king to maintain sovereignty over and loyalty of his people.
Later, after the exile of Israel to Assyria, the king of Assyria transplanted peoples from all over his kingdom back into the northern kingdom. Along with the people came many pagan gods as well as a corrupted worship of YHWH. All of this history lent to the hatred between Jews and Samaritans.
Before God, all men are on an equal footing outside of a relationship with Jesus Christ. As Jesus obediently goes into Samaria, his intent is to share his message of new birth with a lady who had the same need as Nicodemus had. They both were in the same spiritual condition, howbeit vastly different culturally, ethnically, religiously, etc. Jesus saw them in the same light and saw past the outward adornments and into the real condition of the person - the soul.
As with Nicodemus, Jesus employs a teaching method with the woman at the well that addresses her ability to understand. He takes a metaphor that would be very familiar to her and uses it to illustrate a vastly more important principle -- the soul thirst that she had. Just as Nicodemus was unable, through his learning and striving, to obtain eternal life, this woman could never address her soul thirst through striving for what this life has to offer. Her only hope was the living water Jesus had. This water would produce a life within her that would obviate the need to find happiness in temporal pursuits.
My Well (John 4:1-14)
God's gift of living water has a single source.
Where are you seeking to find satisfaction in your life? Job? Relationships? Money? Popularity?
Do you know the source of living water at a personally level or in theory only?
My Mountain (John 4:15-26)
Exposure to Jesus exposes sin.
Faith in Jesus enables true worship.
What sins are you trying to hide from God? You know it's not possible, right?
What sins have been revealed to you – you've been convicted – but never come to repentance?
Is your worship the kind the Father seeks? If not, what is it lacking?
Who is the focus of your worship, you or God?
My Messiah (John 4:27-30)
Conversion should be contagious.
What impact is your life in Christ having on those around you?
Who might you be withholding the Gospel from due to the fact that they don't think like you, act like you, look like you?
Remake vs Remodel (John 3:1-31)
Introduction
Jesus is approached by Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader -- one of the Pharisees. This interaction between Christ and Nicodemus affords us a first glimpse at the radical nature of the new birth -- a birth that is absolutely necessary for anyone wishing to enter into the Kingdom of God.
Nicodemus came to Jesus as a member of God's chosen race -- Israel. In spite of his extensive learning he recognized the fact that Jesus signs signified the fact that he was from God. If Jesus was from God, then Nicodemus was interested in talking with him to understand his teaching. Perhaps Nicodemus recognized that in spite of his adherence to the Law of Moses and the strict traditions of his religious sect, there was an unsettling realization of guilt for sin. Perhaps he was living with the realization that salvation could never be obtained through strict adherence to a code, but must instead be something offered as a pardon by the One to whom sin's offence is directed.
In this dialogue, Jesus engages Nicodemus as teacher (Rabbi) to teacher. He draws Nicodemus to the point of realizing that salvation, as new birth indicates, is beyond his ability to obtain. Just as natural birth is necessary for a baby to enter into this world and experience what it has to offer. So too is birth from above necessary to experience the Kingdom of God.
Nicodemus came to Jesus, presumably, to find out what new teachings he might receive from him. But he left Jesus realizing that a new teaching was not what he needed, he needed a new birth that could only be obtained by a work of God. Jesus was given as an offering to accomplish, once for all, what the sacrifices of the Old Covenant could not accomplish -- both removal of sin and the guilt that accompanies sin.
Spiritual Birth (John 3:1-13)
Spiritual birth is a prerequisite to entering God's kingdom.
What religious beliefs and practices are keeping you out of God's kingdom?
What evidence is there in your life that you are born again?
What personal works are you adding to a work that only God can do by His Spirit?
Substitutionary Death (John 3:14-21)
Jesus' death is the means to eternal life.
Where do you stand tonight, in the dark or in the light?
Selfless Life (John 3:22-31)
Contentment is found in knowing one's purpose.
What task(s) has God called you to to which you are taking all the glory?
How is your work for God pointing people to Christ for salvation?
Where do you stand in relation to God? Does His wrath remain on you? Or has it been placed on Christ on your behalf?
Jesus is approached by Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader -- one of the Pharisees. This interaction between Christ and Nicodemus affords us a first glimpse at the radical nature of the new birth -- a birth that is absolutely necessary for anyone wishing to enter into the Kingdom of God.
Nicodemus came to Jesus as a member of God's chosen race -- Israel. In spite of his extensive learning he recognized the fact that Jesus signs signified the fact that he was from God. If Jesus was from God, then Nicodemus was interested in talking with him to understand his teaching. Perhaps Nicodemus recognized that in spite of his adherence to the Law of Moses and the strict traditions of his religious sect, there was an unsettling realization of guilt for sin. Perhaps he was living with the realization that salvation could never be obtained through strict adherence to a code, but must instead be something offered as a pardon by the One to whom sin's offence is directed.
In this dialogue, Jesus engages Nicodemus as teacher (Rabbi) to teacher. He draws Nicodemus to the point of realizing that salvation, as new birth indicates, is beyond his ability to obtain. Just as natural birth is necessary for a baby to enter into this world and experience what it has to offer. So too is birth from above necessary to experience the Kingdom of God.
Nicodemus came to Jesus, presumably, to find out what new teachings he might receive from him. But he left Jesus realizing that a new teaching was not what he needed, he needed a new birth that could only be obtained by a work of God. Jesus was given as an offering to accomplish, once for all, what the sacrifices of the Old Covenant could not accomplish -- both removal of sin and the guilt that accompanies sin.
Spiritual Birth (John 3:1-13)
Spiritual birth is a prerequisite to entering God's kingdom.
What religious beliefs and practices are keeping you out of God's kingdom?
What evidence is there in your life that you are born again?
What personal works are you adding to a work that only God can do by His Spirit?
Substitutionary Death (John 3:14-21)
Jesus' death is the means to eternal life.
Where do you stand tonight, in the dark or in the light?
Selfless Life (John 3:22-31)
Contentment is found in knowing one's purpose.
What task(s) has God called you to to which you are taking all the glory?
How is your work for God pointing people to Christ for salvation?
Where do you stand in relation to God? Does His wrath remain on you? Or has it been placed on Christ on your behalf?
The Wedding (John 2:1-25)
I was out of town for this lecture, so I have not outline. I will see if I can get Mark's outline to post in place of this comment.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Annunciation
Who Are You? (John 1:19-28)
A believer's life should point to Christ and not to self.
What are you doing for God that might cause people to question your motivation? And what do you tell them when they ask?
When you defend you faith, do you do it to win an argument, or to point others to Christ?
What are you willing to give up in order to point others to Christ?
What are you willing to take on in order to point others to Christ?
Who Is He? (John 1:29-34)
Jesus' death is sufficient for all sin.
Who do you need to talk to regarding the true reason Jesus came to earth?
What sacrifices are you still trying to make in order to be right with God?
What baptism have you received, John's or the one that only Jesus can give?
Come and See (John 1:35-51)
The person of Jesus is His own best evidence.
What's your excitement level about Christ and who knows your excited?
Are you really convinced that Jesus is the Christ and if so, who are you telling?
Who do you need to tell about Christ in spite of possible opposition?
A believer's life should point to Christ and not to self.
What are you doing for God that might cause people to question your motivation? And what do you tell them when they ask?
When you defend you faith, do you do it to win an argument, or to point others to Christ?
What are you willing to give up in order to point others to Christ?
What are you willing to take on in order to point others to Christ?
Who Is He? (John 1:29-34)
Jesus' death is sufficient for all sin.
Who do you need to talk to regarding the true reason Jesus came to earth?
What sacrifices are you still trying to make in order to be right with God?
What baptism have you received, John's or the one that only Jesus can give?
Come and See (John 1:35-51)
The person of Jesus is His own best evidence.
What's your excitement level about Christ and who knows your excited?
Are you really convinced that Jesus is the Christ and if so, who are you telling?
Who do you need to tell about Christ in spite of possible opposition?
Introductions
The Word (John 1:1-5)
Jesus is God the Son, the Author of life.
Where are you finding your fulfillment in life?
What potential has God given you that you have yet to put into practice?
The Witness (John 1:6-11)
Exposure to the Light does not guarantee life.
Which group do you identify with tonight, the majority who rejected the light or the minority who received the light?
Who do you need to witness to about the light?
The Choice (John 1:12-13)
Live is available to all who believe in Jesus' name.
What barriers to belief are you facing tonight?
Who are you depending on for a relationship with God?
The Incarnation (John 1:14-18)
To know Jesus is to know the Father.
What are you depending on for your standing before God: what God gave through Moses or what came through Jesus Christ?
What are some things God has given you, in Jesus, that you don't deserve?
Jesus is God the Son, the Author of life.
Where are you finding your fulfillment in life?
What potential has God given you that you have yet to put into practice?
The Witness (John 1:6-11)
Exposure to the Light does not guarantee life.
Which group do you identify with tonight, the majority who rejected the light or the minority who received the light?
Who do you need to witness to about the light?
The Choice (John 1:12-13)
Live is available to all who believe in Jesus' name.
What barriers to belief are you facing tonight?
Who are you depending on for a relationship with God?
The Incarnation (John 1:14-18)
To know Jesus is to know the Father.
What are you depending on for your standing before God: what God gave through Moses or what came through Jesus Christ?
What are some things God has given you, in Jesus, that you don't deserve?
Revelation and Belief
To The World
Jesus is the unique Son of God.
Who do you say Jesus is?
What barriers to belief are you carrying tonight?
If you were to ask Jesus to show you one thing, what would it be? If he showed you, would it change your view of who he is?
To His Own
Jesus' revelation of Himself includes basic truth.
What basic truths has God revealed to you from his word lately?
How are you using the truths that He has revealed to you?
What types of things do you want him to reveal to you this year? Will you ask him this week?
To The Cross
Knowing that Jesus died and rose again requires a response.
What sign do you require from Jesus before you will believe that he is who he claimed to be?
How do Jesus claims to be God conflict with your view of who God is?
How do they clarify your view of who God is?
Jesus is the unique Son of God.
Who do you say Jesus is?
What barriers to belief are you carrying tonight?
If you were to ask Jesus to show you one thing, what would it be? If he showed you, would it change your view of who he is?
To His Own
Jesus' revelation of Himself includes basic truth.
What basic truths has God revealed to you from his word lately?
How are you using the truths that He has revealed to you?
What types of things do you want him to reveal to you this year? Will you ask him this week?
To The Cross
Knowing that Jesus died and rose again requires a response.
What sign do you require from Jesus before you will believe that he is who he claimed to be?
How do Jesus claims to be God conflict with your view of who God is?
How do they clarify your view of who God is?
The Bible: More Than a Book
The Bible's Authenticity
The Bible proves its reliability as a source of truth.
What doubts do you have regarding the authenticity of Scripture? Will you ask God for answers this year?
What affect has the fact that God is the author had on your view of the Bible?
How often do you go to Scripture to find answers to life's questions?
The Bible's Story
The Bible answers life's ultimate questions.
What conclusions have you come to about God through the revelation of His word?
How has your view of yourself changed as a result of reading the Bible?
How have you responded to God's solution for sin?
John's Gospel
Eternal life can only be obtained through Jesus.
In your estimation, who was Jesus? A historical figure? A teacher? A good man? Or God incarnate?
What, if any, relationship do you have with Jesus?
What questions do you have regarding the person of Jesus? Will you ask God to reveal answers through His Word this year?
The Bible proves its reliability as a source of truth.
What doubts do you have regarding the authenticity of Scripture? Will you ask God for answers this year?
What affect has the fact that God is the author had on your view of the Bible?
How often do you go to Scripture to find answers to life's questions?
The Bible's Story
The Bible answers life's ultimate questions.
What conclusions have you come to about God through the revelation of His word?
How has your view of yourself changed as a result of reading the Bible?
How have you responded to God's solution for sin?
John's Gospel
Eternal life can only be obtained through Jesus.
In your estimation, who was Jesus? A historical figure? A teacher? A good man? Or God incarnate?
What, if any, relationship do you have with Jesus?
What questions do you have regarding the person of Jesus? Will you ask God to reveal answers through His Word this year?
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