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Wednesday Men's Bible Study August 23, 2023 Chapter Eight---Searching for Wisdom Join us at New Life Fellowship Church building fellowship, singing, studying, and praying 6:30 PM 
What We Learned Together This Sunday August 20, 2023
INTRODUCTIONToday will be the first of three special messages during this transition time before starting our new series in the Book of Colossians in September. We as a church body learn and grow how we might minister to one another as a church family using the spiritual gifts bestowed upon this body of believers. This is Christian ministry through every gifted individual as members of the body of Christ. Therefore the presence and the work of the Spirit of God through every member. Many Images used in the New Testament to describe the church: Flock of God, People of God, Temple of God, the Bride of Christ, Vine and Branches, stones and building, Shepherd and His Sheep, The Body of Christ With Christ Jesus as the Head. The Christian life is a call to do things together and understand the one anothers as we gather together as a body of believers. Some questions to consider today. What places has God given me in this church body so that we would show the unity of the body and diversity of the gifts? How are you using your gifts so that God would be glorified as the one who placed us in this body? His will would rule and not my will decide in my participation and action as a member of this church body. The reason why people are not more involved in the church body because of ignorance of spirituals gifts [cf. 12:1-2]. Throughout this chapter there is the emphasis and focus on the work of God in the Body of Christ. First, there is 1 Corinthians 12:7, “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Second, 1 Corinthians 12:11-12, “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” Third, 1 Corinthians 12:18, “But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired.” Fourth, 1 Corinthians 12:24, “But God has so composed the body . . .” Fifth, 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” The title of the message this morning is “Being Members of the Body of Christ.” Here are a few thoughts to get us to First Corinthians 12:14 this morning. In verses 4-11 Paul begins with Christian Ministry Is The Variety of Gifts and Diversity of Individuals in the Church Body Manifesting the Spirit of God for the Common Good. The point being taught is the lack of understanding the use of spiritual gifts in church ministry will hinder the working of the Spirit in and through the church of God. In verses 4-6 “the same Spirit . . . the same Lord . . . the same God.” Also in verses 4-6 “there are differences/varieties of gifts . . . ministries . . . effects” and the statement “but the same God working all things in all.” The main point is found in verse seven “but each one given the manifestation of the Spirit to the common good.” Every believer has a gift and every bestowal of a gift for the benefit of all. Paul reminds us again these are given [1 Corinthians 4:6-7]. And verse eleven “all these things works the one and the same Spirit.” The Spirit of God is at work is the emphasis in the work of the church. The design of God according to the desire of the Spirit. In verses 12-13 Paul continues his teaching with Christian Ministry Reveals The Unity of the Body and the Diversity of the Members as the Body of Christ. The indwelling presence of the Spirit of God in the church and individual believers. [cf. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20] The point being taught is the lack of functioning according to desires of the Spirit in church ministry will cause the deviating from the design of God for His church. The Structure of the Body As One With Many Members. Paul using the Illustration of the human body with diversity in unity, and one whole body with many members. Throughout this chapter the body is described fourteen times. Another Scripture passage also shows this theme. “For just as we have many parts in one body and all [f]the body’s parts do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another.” [Romans 12:4-5] The Nature of the Body by One Spirit in One Body---The members give testimony of this act with the Spirit by their ministry towards other members of the body of Christ. John Baptist described Jesus as the One who would baptize with the Holy Spirit [Cf. Matthew 3:11; John 1:33]. And seeing verse fourteen, “For the body is not one part, but many.” Now we look at verses 14-27 with the teaching this morning. The title of the message this morning is “Being Members of the Body of Christ.” Christian Ministry Teaches The Unity of the Body and the Activity of the Functions of Each Member of the Body of Christ. As we begin the understanding of Different members of the human body which have different purposes, abilities, functions, roles, and designs. And yet at the church of Corinth there was much missing, as there is in many American churches. Thinking that you are a member of Christ here! Each member functions the way it is deigned in the proper working of the whole body. First, Misunderstanding the Importance of Your Place Being A Member of the Church Body [vv. 15-20]. In verses 14-17 Defective Attitude of Insignificance. The statements repeated “I am not a part of the body.” Such words stating, “I am nothing and they are something.” Paul describes his argument this way, “If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand . . . And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye . . .” And both perspectives conclude “I am not a part of the body.” Here is the undervaluing one’s role in the church body because of other members. Yes there is something special about the eye and something ordinary about the ear! Also unity involves mutual dependence and ministry together as the body. This would then teach us that personally using your gifts promotes unity of the body. In verses 18-20 Unity of A Body With The Biblical Approach As A Body. Especially verse 18, “But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired.” Divinely arranged according to the desire and design of God. In verse are four truths declared which we testify as a body: “placed the members . . . each one of them . . . in the body . . . just as He desired.” [cf. 12:28]. It is about what is He will and why He placed you here in this body. Much more God orientated in understanding these truths about the church body. For the last phrase tell us so much, “just as He desired.” We all give expression of this reality and responsibility in this church body! If every one of us was being a member of this body then we would never have need for more workers! And we want the Lord to bless the ministries of New Life Fellowship so more members loving and serving for the next season of this church body. This is where we must think clearly about these matters not my gifts but our gifts in this church body. We must be thinking about what God desires and wills for me in this body than what I think I want to do and will not do according to my opinions and selfishness. Enough of the defective attitude of insignificance! Because you are placed in this body as a member for the desire of God for this church body. Think about the illustration of the orchestra different instruments, different parts with four families: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Such a special sound and so much great music made together with each part playing their role. What place are taking in this church body so that the gifts which have been given produces ministries to be done? There is a much different picture of the church body in these verses. Second, Misrepresenting the Significance of Your Place Being A Member of the Church Body [vv. 21-27] In verses 21-22 Divisive Attitude of Independence “I have no need of you.” Such words stating, “I am somebody and they are nobody.” Here is the overestimating one’s role in the church body because of other members. Also individually using your gifts pictures diversity of the body. Notice how Paul explains this point in verses 21-21. “And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again, the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” His conclusion is then, “On the contrary, it is much truer that the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.” In verses 23-27 Ministry of The Body With The Biblical Action As A Body. Verse 24 says, “But God has so composed the body . . .” Divinely composed according to the plan and purpose of God. This word means “to cause parts to fit together in an overall arrangement ‘to put together, to compose, to structure.” More truths declared which we value as a body [cf. 12:24-26] including care, honor, and sympathy. Paul describes what he means with the phrases, “And if one part . . . all the parts . . . if a part is . . . all the parts . . .” Look at verse 27, “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” It is as if Paul ends this section calling upon the church to be the church body as though he was saying, “Be this! Being members! Be individuals who hold these truths as a church body.” There is the Illustration describing “A Carpenter’s Tools.” CONCLUSION In this Scripture passage there is both encouragement and exhortation being members of the Body of Christ. So grateful for so many who need encouragement because you are taking your place, using your gifts, serving the body of Christ here at New Life Fellowship. There are also those who need exhortation because either the defective attitude or the divisive attitude remains in your life, and therefore affecting your involvement here in this church body. First, confronting any spectator mindset and every attender only mentality. The most obvious and yet the clearest lesson for us in the American church culture. Our spectator culture produces limited involvement and gives room for such attitudes confronted here in this Scripture passage. Each one gifted is necessary & needed for the Spirit has given to the body. We will not be and cannot become all that this church body will be according to these verses is any one of us doesn’t understand the importance of our place in this church body. Third, unity of the body and ministry of the body being our Christian testimony. Fourth, remember the grace you have been given with the presence of gifts here. And finally, learn the place each one of us has being a member of the Body of Christ. When people hear the phrase, "the body of Christ" some think it refers to the literal body of Jesus like the one he had while on the earth. The term actually refers to the members of his church throughout history. Therefore every Christian is a part of the body of Christ. Just like a human body, the body of Christ is made up of many different parts but all are meant to function together in unity. Limbs, when left alone are useless but when they come together there is movement and purpose. The ultimate purpose of every Christian is to glorify God. Imagine the power that comes from a church that functions as a whole unit with every body part in its place. Sadly, the Corinthian Christians were a bunch of separated limbs. I'm not sure where it was first told, but the story below sums it up well...
A carpenter’s tools were having a conference. Brother Hammer was presiding, but the others informed him that he’d have to leave because he was too noisy. "All right," he said, "I’ll go, but Brother Plane must withdraw too. There’s no depth to his work. It’s always on the surface." Brother Plane responded, "Well, Brother Rule will also have to go too. He’s constantly measuring people as if he were the only one who’s right." Brother Rule then complained about Brother Sandpaper, saying, "He’s rougher than he ought to be. He’s very abrasive and he's always rubbing people the wrong way." Brother Sandpaper was annoyed by Brother Saw, claiming that he had a very sharp and cutting personality. Brother Saw leveled his criticism at Brother Level, saying that he always tends to blame others for being crooked and unbalanced. Brother Level had a major problem with Brother Hand Drill, accusing him of coming along and sticking his long penetrating nose into other people's business. And wouldn't you know it, Brother Hand Drill was really bothered by Brother Clamp because Brother Clamp always seemed so uptight and never seemed relaxed. In the midst of this bitter discussion, the Carpenter of Nazareth walked in. He spoke sternly to all the tools, rebuked them, and told them to hold their peace. He shared with them that everyone of them had a purpose and that they were uniquely made to fulfill that purpose. He told them that everyone of them was important and had a special job to do. The Carpenter told them that He needed every one of them in order to do His work. He then went to His workbench to make a pulpit from which to preach the gospel. He used the hammer, the plane, the rule, the sandpaper, the saw, the level, the hand drill and the clamp. Not one tool was untouched or unused. After the pulpit was finished, Brother Rule arose and said, "I see now that all of us are laborers together with God." There's no such thing as an unemployed Christian in the church. We all have something to contribute and we all need each other to accomplish the work God has for us! Wednesday Men's Bible Study August 16, 2023 Chapter Seven Becoming Like Christ Join us at New Life Fellowship Church building fellowship, singing, studying, and praying 6:30 PM
What We Learned Together This Sunday August 13, 2023
INTRODUCTION And there was a wealthy man [Painting of A Story on Peace] . . A picture of true, perfect peace because it is within the storms of life . . . Peace means a state of rest and satisfaction, a condition that is right and whole, good and safe, pleasant and confident---waters of our heart calm & still. This means there is the condition of untroubled and undisturbed tranquility. Throughout the Bible God describes Himself as the God of Peace. For example, in Isaiah 26:2-4, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.” [Cf. Numbers 6:22-26] And there is also Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” And verse nine also, “As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” [Philippians 4:9] In chapter sixteen of the Gospel of John we have seen already the blessed understandings in these words of Jesus as a fountain of joy. Also in this chapter we have learned about the blessed assurances with the words of Jesus as a garden of peace [ cf. John 16:1, 7, 20, 23, 25, 33]. Today we look at verses 29-33 with our sermon title being A Promise of Peace In Jesus for His Disciples. Last week we studied The Promise of Hope for The Future By Believing What is True According to the Words of Jesus [16:25-28]. In those verses it is shown to us Their Future and The Hope in Him as His Disciples. This week wea re studying verses 29-33 The Promise of Peace In The Present By Experiencing What Is Real According to the Words of Jesus [16:29-33]. In these verses it is shown to us Their Faith and The Peace in Him as His Disciples. So in verse 33 Jesus said, These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.” And also back in John 14:27 Jesus had said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” Jesus was fully aware of the impact of this world upon the hearts and minds of His disciples. Where peace is much needed and necessarily is applied in the lives of His disciples. First, The Disciples of Jesus Proclaiming Their Faith Is Real In What Jesus Has Said and Promised [16:29-30]. In verse 29 we see the Proclaiming Their Faith With Such Confidence. “His disciples said, “behold, now You are speaking plainly. . .” This is in reference to what Jesus previously said in verse 25, “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language.” And there is also verse 28, “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world; I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” In verse 30 we see the Proclaiming Their Faith By Simple Confession. “Now we know that You know all things . . .” What they believe about Jesus now! And “by this we believe that from God You came forth.” They were believing His words “having caught a glimpse of His meaning (it was nothing more), they eagerly express their satisfaction.” [Cf. John 3:2; 13:3; 16:16-18]. A present active verb used here by the disciples and later verified by Jesus Himself in His prayer [cf. 17:6-8]. But there were also many things left out of their thinking which were troubling them earlier in this chapter in verses 16-18. It is almost as if they were thinking that Jesus was now not going to the Father as they leave those words behind in their words to Jesus. Are you believing the words of Jesus? But how many of His words that very night had they believed? How many of His words are you believing this morning even after all of the messages about His words here in this Upper Room Discourse? Second, The Lord Jesus Proclaiming His Faithfulness Is Real In What He Will Suffer and Be Victorious [16:31-33]. In verses 31-32 Proclaiming His Faithfulness Because They Will Leave Him. “Jesus answered them, “Do you just now believe?” Different ways this phrase could be translated with a focus on their belief in Jesus according to the words of Jesus. “Now you believe,” or “Now at this time you believe?” or “you believe now?” Jesus would say to us here today, “Do you now believe?” As one commentator wrote, “Their belief in Christ was genuine as far as it went” [A.T. Robertson] So what do you believe about Jesus and what are you believing about Him today and this season in your life? And Jesus continues, “Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come . . .” According to verse 25 nearer draws the matters of that hour for His suffering and death. Again the near and far prophecies of the Lord Jesus in this Upper Room Discourse. Remember the prophecies of Jesus in John 13:21 and John 13:38. He completely understands all that is going to happen as His own words tells us back in John 16:16 “A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.” Also Jesus spoke repeatedly about such matters. In John 13:19, “From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.” Also John 14:29, “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.” And John 16:4, “But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.” At the end of verse 32 Proclaiming His Faithfulness Because He Trust in the Father. Here Jesus says, “and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” Both verbs are in the present tense. Again Jesus states and shows His confidence in the Father. And in His prayer in John chapter seventeen Jesus demonstrates His confidence in the Father. And finally in verse 33 Proclaiming His Faithfulness Because He Promises Peace [16:33] “These things I have spoken to you . . .” So often repeated emphasis throughout this Upper Room Discourse where Jesus places His words before His disciples [cf. 14:25; 15:3, 11; 16:1, 4, 6, 25]. “ . . . so that in Me peace you may have.” We could define peace as “sit down in one’s heart.” Here the words of Jesus give attention to purpose and what is present with such a personal encouragement. Then Jesus concludes “In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.” [John 14:1, 27] Here there is a command and a promise. Here this command means “be bold, be confident, be cheerful.” And the promise He has overcome so He gained the victory there is triumph in Jesus because of His resurrection and exaltation. The presence of the Father, confidence in the Son, and dependent upon the Spirit in the lives of His disciples. On that very dark night these words of encouragement bring such light for them there and us here today. The Illustration of “Peace in the Fray.” The world needs the peace of Jesus. What a Christian testimony we can have as disciples of Jesus! So many questions flood our minds and invade our hearts in the tribulations in this world. Such questions as: What will happen next? What could happen now? What will I do because of this? How will this turnout? Why would they do that? Who will do that again to me? Why is this happening? Why is this happening to me? Why is this happening again? The enemy of worry attacks and the army of anxiety surrounds us throughout this battle in the world and there is a fight with the Promise of Peace in Jesus for His disciples. A song that many of you know which tell us this message. That song is Trust and Obey . . . When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey Trust and obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies But His smile quickly drives it away Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear Can abide while we trust and obey Oh, Trust and obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet Or we'll walk by His side in the way What He says we will do, where He sends we will go Never fear, only trust and obey Trust and obey, for there's no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey CONCLUSION Jesus comes to the end of His words in this Upper Room discourse and says to you and me: trust Me and obey Me. We who are disciples of Jesus have and receive what is impossible all alone or on our own The Presence of Jesus and The Excellence of Jesus. We are called upon as disciples of Jesus to believe who Jesus is and what He has done that His words would direct our way in this world. Our Practice and Experience in Jesus. We would truly be Christians even with all of the struggles in this world. The very victorious One would enable and empower our victorious living as His disciples. We have purpose for living this Christian life with these words of Jesus and His promises given to us here. Our Obedience and Peace in Jesus. We as disciples of Jesus give testimony of His faithfulness as our faith is in Him and not ourselves. Our Assurance and Confidence in Jesus. Oh believe in Him as the only hope for salvation! Understanding what Jesus wants to do in our lives as we give testimony of His grace and peace. Believing His words as His disciples that the truth about Him demonstrated in the peace He gives in a world of tribulation. How long would it take for someone to hear about the faithfulness of Jesus in your life? Do you boast of your faithfulness before others without mentioning the faithfulness of Jesus? Dear friends have you put your faith in the faithfulness of Jesus? So that we would believe what is true and experience what is real as His disciples because of His words. "But much more commonly Christ uses it to denote all in the present state of things which opposes God and leads man away from God. We speak of worldliness as fatal to the spirit, because worldliness means preference for what is external and present to what is inward and both present and future. Worldliness means attachment to things as they are--to the ways of society, to the excitements, the pleasures, the profits, of the present. It means surrender to what appeals to the sense--to comfort to vanity, to ambition, to love of display. Worldliness is the spirit which uses the present world without reference to the lasting and spiritual purposes for the sake of which men are in this world. It ignores what is eternal and what is spiritual; it is satisfied with present comfort, with what brings present pleasure, with what ministers to the beauty of this present life, to the material prosperity of men. And no soul whatsoever or wheresoever situated can escape the responsibility of making his choice between the world and God. To each of us the question which determines all else is, Am I to live for ends which find their accomplishment in this present life, or for ends which are eternal? Am I to live so as to secure the utmost of comfort, of ease, of money, of reputation, of domestic enjoyment, of the good things of this present world? or am I to live so as to do the most I can for the forwarding of God’s purposes with men, for the forwarding of spiritual and eternal good? There is no man who is not living for one or other of these ends. Two men enter the same office and transact the same business; but the one is worldly, the other Christian: two men do the same work, use the same material, draw the same salary; but one cherishes a spiritual end, the other a worldly,--the one works, always striving to serve God and his fellows, the other has nothing in view but himself and his own interests. Two women live in the same street, have children at the same school, dress very much alike; but you cannot know them long without perceiving that the one is worldly, with her heart set on position and earthly advancement for her children, while the other is unworldly and prays that her children may learn to conquer the world and to live a stainless and self-sacrificing life though it be a poor one. This is the determining probation of life; this it is which determines what we are and shall be. We are, every one of us, living either with the world as our end or for God. The difficulty of choosing rightly and abiding by our choice is extreme: no man has ever found it easy; for every man it is a sufficient test of his reality, of his dependence on principle, of his moral clear-sightedness, of his strength of character." John 16:33 The Expositor's Bible Commentary
Wednesday Men's Bible Study August 9, 2023 Chapter Six Getting In Touch with Reality Join us at Lowey's House for food and fellowship, singing and studying
What We Learned Together Today Sunday August 6, 2023
INTRODUCTION The title of the message today is A Promise of Hope for The Future Because of His Resurrection. Jesus comforts His disciples at the time with His words about the future so that they would have hope and peace as His disciples. Look at how Jesus encourages His disciples throughout this chapter knowing their situation [16:1, 7, 20, 23, 25, 33]. We have seen the blessed understandings in these words of Jesus. Now there are the blessed assurances with the words of Jesus. In this final section of chapter sixteen in these final words by Jesus he repeats His teaching about the Father. Jesus states, “ . . . the Father . . .” [vv .25, 26, 27 [2x], v. 28 [2x], v. 32]. The main teaching in this first section would be A Promise of Hope for The Future By Believing What Is True According to the Words of Jesus [16:25-28]. Next week A Promise of Hope for the Future by Experiencing What Is Real According to the Words of Jesus [16:29-33]. Both Understanding What Jesus Has Said and Knowing What He Has Done. Three themes for believing what is true: deeper knowledge, higher privilege, and greater advantage. In verse 25 there is the Deeper Knowledge of Truth About The Father [16:25] Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language . . .” Transition to a change and how things will be different in the days ahead for His disciples. Also Jesus said, “an hour is coming . . . but will tell you plainly of the Father.” See also John 16:32 His reference to the Father [cf. John 1:18; 4:25; 10:6; 16:12, 29]. This is an unique word used only here by Jesus “to announce or inform, with possible focus upon the source of information—‘to tell, to inform.’ Their Future and The Hope in Jesus as His Disciples is this Christian Clarity promised by Jesus. For the disciples ot have hoper for the future there will be increased knowledge of God the Father. Consider all that we learn about the Father through the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. What it means that He is the Father revealed by the Son. Who He Is as the Father connects with what Jesus says next in verses 26-27. In verses 26-27 there is the Higher Privilege of Prayer To The Father [16:26-27] Jesus says, “In that day you will ask in My name.” Such personal requests and present needs of His disciples brought to the Father. Again all that He is and what He has done “ask in My name.” He states they have personal access to the Father. A future day after His cross and His resurrection—in that day. Look at verses 23-24 as Jesus repeats Himself putting emphasis on this matter for His disciples. As one commentator wrote, “all Christ’s disciples give themselves to prayer.” [Matthew Henry] Their Future and The Hope in Jesus as His Disciples is this Real Relationship promised by Jesus. And then Jesus says, “and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf.” Jesus does intercede on our behalf as our High Priest in heaven before the very presence of God the Father in heaven. Here His words emphasize how personal their relationship is with the Father as the Father they ask and that Jesus does not need to speak on our behalf or assist their prayer to be heard by the Father. The disciples of Jesus do not need the arm of Jesus for their prayers to get to the ear of the Father. And then in verse 27 Jesus adds, “for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me . . .” The word here is phileo meaning love of affection and delight, association and friendship. Different from agapao meaning love of action and decision usually based upon sacrifice. See the use by Jesus in previous teachings in the Upper Room Discourse [John 14: 21, 23; 15:13-14 17:23]. Two-fold emphasis by Jesus describing His disciples as “have loved Me . . . have believed . . .” Literally translated, “for the Father Himself loves you because you yourselves me have loved and have believed . . .” In contrast to the world hating the disciples of Jesus and Jesus Himself [cf. John 15:18-20]. Jesus knows who His disciples are, and His disciple know they are His disciples because they love Him and believe Him. This relationship then shows heart of the disciples of Jesus toward the place loving Jesus. This relationship then reveals feet of the disciples of Jesus on the path following Jesus. This relationship then informs the mind of the disciples of Jesus for the promise knowing Jesus. And this relationship then manifests the hands of the disciples of Jesus in the position serving Jesus. In verse 28 there is the Greater Advantage of The Certainty About Jesus [16:28]. Jesus summarizes the accomplishment of His mission and fulfillment of His promises by the whole personal promise of these actions as the Son of God. “I came forth from the Father and . . .” Their Future and The Hope in Jesus as His Disciples is this personal promise by Jesus. Remember what Jesus said back in John 16:7. And Jesus said, “I am leaving the world again and going to the Father.” Remember what John wrote about Jesus at the beginning of this Upper Room Discourse [John 13:1, 3]. His words in verse 28 include His Incarnation, His Resurrection, and His Exaltation [cf. John 18:37]. All that He has promised His disciples in this Upper Room Discourse delivered by His victory and majesty as the Son of God demonstrated in these actions. CONCLUSION A Promise of Hope for the Future by Believing What is True. The lesson of crocus flowers. These wonderful bulbs herald the end of winter. They often bloom just as the snow melts, before winter finally retreats. “If you have ever lived in a place with harsh winters, you know that the coming spring is welcome with great anticipation. In some places, winter can last for around half the year, with bitter cold, snow, and dead vegetation. However, when winter is fading away the crocus appears. Even during an early spring snowstorm, this flower will still bloom. It is a sign of winter ending and spring beginning, even when there is still snow on the ground.” These final words of Jesus picture this great anticipation of what is next for His disciples. We can understand the truth in Jesus and about Jesus because of His words given to us by the ministry of the Spirit of truth. Being a disciple who is asking the Father in the name of Jesus holding to these words of Jesus are yours because you are His. Being a disciple who is knowing, asking, believing because of what is real. It is true that my relationship with the Father is not based on anything about myself but everything about Jesus Himself. Therefore He is exalted as the Son of God, Savior of the world, and the resurrected Lord in my life! Having Love for Jesus as His disciple because you are believing His words telling us that the Father loves us. It is not based on my experience alone and my feelings only in knowing the Father loves us. Wednesday Men's Bible Study August 2, 2023 Chapter Five Mortifying the Flesh Join us at Knowlton's House for food and fellowship, singing and studying
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Pastor Timothy J. AtkinsHusband, Father, Grandfather, Pastor, Teacher, Discipler, and Follower of Jesus. Archives
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