John Bible Study - Lesson 38

John Bible Study - Lesson 38

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 14:15-31 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be^[a] in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

²² Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. ²⁴ Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. ³⁰ I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,³¹ but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.

John 14:15-31 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

¹⁵ “If you love me, obey^[a] my commandments. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,^[b] who will never leave you. ¹⁷ He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.^[c] 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.¹⁹ Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. ²⁰ When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

²² Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

²³ Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.²⁴ Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. ²⁵ I am telling you these things now while I am still with you.²⁶ But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

²⁷ “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.²⁸ Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. ²⁹ I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

³⁰ “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, ³¹ but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus tells His disciples that to those that believe in Him, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, will be sent and remain with them forever.

·        Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Spirit will guide them in all truth,

·        Jesus also says that the sinful world will reject the Holy Spirit.

·        Jesus says believers will know the Holy Spirit and at some point the Holy Spirit will live in every believer.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that He will be leaving but will not abandon them.

·        Jesus tells them that He will be raised to life again and that they will understand the spiritual connection between Jesus and the Father and all believers.

·        Jesus makes this very powerful statement: “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

·        Jesus tells His disciples that all who love Him will obey what He says.

          And that, “My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home

          with each of them.” Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me.”

·        Jesus reminds His disciples that what He is telling them is from the Father who sent Him.

·        Jesus tells His disciples: “when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

·        Jesus promises peace for His disciples and tells them not to fear because even though Jesus will go away, He will come back to them.

·        Jesus tells His disciples He is going to be with the Father.

·        Jesus tells His disciples certain events that will come to pass in order to strengthen their belief in Him when those things He told them actually come about.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that Satan will be stepping up His game. He also said that the time is approaching to for Him to fulfill God’s plan proving His love for the Father. Jesus reassures His disciples that Satan has no power over Him.

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit.

·        50 days after Jesus returns to the Father, the Holy Spirit indwells in those who are followers of Jesus. This day is known as the Pentecost.

What does the word “Pentecost” mean?

The English word “Pentecost” is a transliteration of the Greek word pentekostos, which means “fifty.” It comes from the ancient Christian expression pentekoste hemera, which means “fiftieth day.” (Patheos - Mark D. Roberts)

This event is recorded in the New Testament book known as The Acts of the Apostles. Chapter 2:

Acts 2:1-13 New International Version (NIV)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” ¹² Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

What is Pentecost Sunday?

Pentecost Sunday is a commemoration and celebration of the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the early church. John the Baptist prophesied of the first Pentecost when Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Matthew 3:11 New International Version (NIV)

 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Jesus confirmed this prophecy with the promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples:

John 14:26 New International Version (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

·        Jesus states that whoever loves Him will obey His commands.

·        As believers we are called to obey Jesus teachings, surrender our will to God’s and die to self-interest. That is why it is important to read and study the bible. That is why it is important to apply what we have learned to our lives.

The Bible tells us about the importance of being doers of the Word:

James 1:22-25 New Living Translation (NLT)

²² But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ²³ For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. ²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. ²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

·        The Holy Spirit will teach followers of Jesus everything and will remind them of everything Jesus has said. That is why it is important to live a Spirit filled life. We all need wisdom, truth, direction, strength, peace, comfort, love and fellowship with God. The Holy Spirit is our connection to having a supernatural relationship with God.

We can either live according to the flesh or according to the Spirit:

Romans 8:5-11 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life^[a] because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of^[b] his Spirit who lives in you.

Galatians 5:16 New Living Translation (NLT)

Living by the Spirit’s Power

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

The importance of living by the Spirit and not by the flesh:

Romans 8:13-14 New International Version (NIV)

¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God

How to live by the Spirit:

Ephesians 4:20-24 New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Romans 12:2 New International Version (NIV)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

·        Jesus tells us that the 2 greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor.

Matthew 22:35-40 New International Version (NIV)

³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

·        When we obey God’s Word and submit to His teaching that is the proof we love God.

·        The challenge we have is this: will we strive to live our lives that proves we love God and others? Will our most important identity be in Christ?

·        Our actions speak louder than our words to an unbelieving world.

·        Jesus is preparing His disciples to the day He will be crucified and He is also telling them not to fear for He will be raised to life again.

·        Looking back on what Jesus did we can be grateful and have assurance that everything Jesus has said will come to pass.

·        Followers of Jesus know that they are never alone because they have the Holy Spirit who continually reminds them of God’s love for His people.

·        On those days that they struggle believers know they have access to God through prayer and can always look to God’s Word for encouragement and strength. 

Jesus tells us to come to Him for rest and a place to unload our burdens:

Matthew 11:28-30 New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

****What an awesome God we have who is filled with Grace, mercy compassion and love!

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Connect with God every day through prayer, Bible Study, community with other believers, and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

·        Eliminate anything that hinders your relationship with God.

·        Go to Jesus for your rest, comfort, spiritual healing and supernatural love.

·        Live a Spirit filled life and maintain your eternal perspective even when you are faced with difficulties and distractions.

·        Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

·        Love your neighbor as yourself.

·        Strive to obey Jesus’ teachings.

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        In what ways are you living a Spirit filled life?

·        If not, what is hindering the Holy Spirit in your life?

·        How is the Holy Spirit transforming your life?

·        What are the things you do that prove you are obeying God’s Word?

·        How are you loving God with all you heart, soul, mind, and strength?

·        How are you loving your neighbor?

·        What actions are you taking to put on the new self?

Have a great week…………….Dave

The offsetting reality of intergalactic weirdness Part 15

The offsetting reality of intergalactic weirdness Part 15

      

• When science studies the behavior of nothing is that still something?

 

• Being able to comprehend existence means existence exists.

 

• God is the Agent who creates the mechanism.

 

• Even if you have trouble understanding God, you can still observe what He created.

 

• No explanation is still an explanation.

• Eternity will not be boring based on the fact that time, the way we understand it, does not exist.

 

• When all hell breaks loose will we experience climate change?

 

• If you want to live forever know that your options are limited.

 

• Beware of the subatomic wedgie!

 

• Virtual vacations are still cheaper than real ones.

 

• If science has the answer why do scientists keep saying they don’t have the answer?

 

• If people love the idea of space travel does that mean they’re spaced out?

 

• Who has big enough tools fix a broken world?

John Bible Study - Lesson 37

John Bible Study - Lesson 37

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 14:1-14 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know^[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14:1-14 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus, the Way to the Father

14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.^[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?^[b] 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.”

⁵ “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.^[c] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

⁹ Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. ¹¹ Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

¹² “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. ¹³ You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. ¹⁴ Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        Jesus tells His disciples that He has prepared a place for them in Heaven.

·        Jesus also tells them that He will take them there.

·        The disciples are still not sure where Jesus is going.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that He is the way, the truth and the life and the only way to the Father.

·        Phillip asks Jesus to show them the Father and they will be satisfied.

·        Jesus explains that He and the Father are one and that the disciples have seen the Father in Jesus.

·        Jesus tries to help His disciples understand the relationship that He has with the Father.

·        Jesus also points to the work He has been doing which is the power of God working in Him and through Him.

·        Jesus tells the disciples that His followers will do even greater works than He will once He goes to be with the Father.

·        Jesus tells the disciples that they can ask anything in His name and He will do it.

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        Jesus tells His disciples that He is leaving to prepare a permanent dwelling place where they would live with Him forever.

·        Jesus is inviting His disciples to trust Him.

·        What we should take to heart is that every believer has been adopted into God’s family and has been given an invitation to live in God’s House.

·        Jesus promises to return and take His disciples with Him.

·        Jesus fulfilled His purpose on the cross and was resurrected. Jesus will return a second time to take His people home.

Jesus’ Second Coming:

·        Jesus encouraged His listeners to expect His sudden return

·        One of every 20 verses in the New Testament relates to Jesus’ return.

·        According to God’s Word, Jesus will return personally, physically and visibly, and in the same fashion He went up into Heaven.

What will happen When Jesus returns?

·        He will judge and bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

·        He will evaluate the character, personal relationships, thoughts, motivations, words and works of everyone.

·        Even though we will all be judged, those who repent, trust, and believe in Him as Lord and Savior will not be condemned.

Romans 8:1 New International Version (NIV)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

·        Everyone who trusts in Jesus can be confident He paid the price for their sins. They have received His grace, forgiveness and eternal life.

·        Jesus tells His disciples that He is the only way to the Father which means there is no other way. This truth revealed by Jesus sets Christianity apart from any other religions or faiths. First of all, we should be grateful God has even prepared one way to salvation. Second, other religions or faiths require works or good deeds on the part of the one seeking favor with their god. For Christians, we rely on Jesus’ work alone to accomplish what we could never do, earn or pay for ourselves. Salvation is in Christ alone, through His grace, through His work, and through His love and willing sacrifice. The Bible teaches that no one is righteous. It is only through Jesus’ righteousness’ that we have eternal life and friendship with God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 New International Version (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 3:10 New International Version (NIV)

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;

Romans 3:23 New International Version (NIV)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

2 Timothy 1:9 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

1 Corinthians 1:30 New Living Translation (NLT)

³⁰ God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

Romans 5:19 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man t(Adam) he many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:10-11 The Message (MSG)

^9-11 Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we’re at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!

·        Through Jesus we can know the Father.

·        Jesus reveals God perfectly to us.

·        To see Jesus is to see God.

Jesus claims equality with God: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!”

Mark 14:60-64 New International Version (NIV)

⁶⁰ Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ⁶¹ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

⁶² “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

⁶³ The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. ⁶⁴ “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death.

Evidence of Jesus’ equality with God:

·        Jesus’ teachings, unequaled claims, authority of His Words

·        Jesus’ miracles: for example, calming the storm, feeding thousands, raising Lazarus from the dead, healing those physically and spiritually ill

·        Jesus’ disciples doing the work He has called them to do which includes the spread of the gospel.

·        Answered prayer in Jesus’ name

·        Jesus’ authority to forgive and to save

·        Jesus’ prophetic words

·        Jesus fulling the prophecy of the Messiah

Jesus is God’s Son:

John 3:16-17 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Jesus’ identity and equality with God revealed:

John 1:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome^[a] it.

John 1:9-14 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God’s confirmation of Jesus identity:

Matthew 17:5 New International Version (NIV)

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

·        Jesus says we will do even greater works than He

We have been commissioned by Jesus to share the gospel:

Matthew 28:18-20 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Believers receive the Holy Spirit and receive the power and authority to carry the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth:

Acts 1:8 New International Version (NIV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

·        Jesus says that anything we ask in His name He will do:

Praying in Jesus’ name means praying with His authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers because we come in the name of His Son, Jesus. Praying in Jesus' name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God.

1 John 5:14-15 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus:

Saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is not a magic formula. If what we ask for or say in prayer is not for God’s glory and according to His will, saying “in Jesus’ name” is meaningless. Genuinely praying in Jesus' name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name. (Excerpt from GotQuestions.org)

·        Prayer is a major part of the spiritual discipline of the Christian life:

Matthew 18:19-20New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Ephesians 6:18-19 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

James 5:16 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

1 Thessalonians 5:17New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ pray continually,

·        Therefore, be a prayer warrior, continue daily to ask, seek and knock:

Matthew 7:7-8 New International Version (NIV)

Ask, Seek, Knock

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Live a prayer filled life.

·        Trust Jesus when He tells you about what He will do for His people.

·        Live a life filled with praise, honor and worship of God.

·        Make your identity in Christ over any position or status you desire.

·        Make your requests known to God.

·        Surrender your burdens to Jesus.

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        Do you believe Jesus has prepared a place for you?

·        Do you know where you are going?

·        Do you have confidence you have been saved?

·        Do you trust Jesus when He says He is the way, and the truth, and the life?

·        Do you believe Jesus is the only way to the Father?

·        Would Jesus lie to you?

Have a great week…………….Dave