How Old Are You 1 John 2:12-14

Tags

father, little children, young men

1 John 2:12-14 (NET) 12 I am writing to you, little children, that your sins have been forgiven because of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, that you have conquered the evil one. 14 I have written to you, children, that you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young people, that you are strong, and the word of God resides in you, and you have conquered the evil one.

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Context:

John has been providing challenging tests for those who say they have fellowship with the light/God:

Do you walk in the light?

Do you keep His commandments?

Do you love your fellow Christian?

Now John affirms believers of three different spiritual maturity groups: children, fathers, and young people.

Expositors’ Greek NT says…

The Apostle has been setting forth searching truths and is about to make an exacting claim; and here he pauses and with much tenderness reassures his readers: “I am not addressing you as unbelievers or casting doubt upon the sincerity of your faith. On the contrary, it is because I am assured thereof that I am writing this letter to you and wrote the Gospel which accompanies it”.

Phrases:

I am writing to you, little children, that your sins have been forgiven because of his name-

• John affirms the new believers, which he calls little children. Through faith in Jesus their sins have been forgiven. He could also mean actual children based on age. Others believe when addressing children he means all the believers as mentioned in 2:1 and 2:18.

• ‘Because of His name’ is referring to Jesus mentioned earlier in v6 and v8. This shows that God saves through the name of His Son.

Discussion Question:

• What pitfalls usually characterize a new believer?

• Do you remember when you first trusted Christ for forgiveness? Do you remember your thoughts and feelings after trusting in Him?

I am writing to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning-

• John affirms fathers in the faith. It is evident that they know Jesus by their maturity in obedience and love as mentioned earlier.

• ‘Him that has been from the beginning’ is still referring to Jesus as mentioned above. This verse supports Jesus’ divinity.

• Micah 5:2 (NET) (5:1) As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah – from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.

• John 1:1-2 (NET) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning.

Discussion Questions:

• Can you name some pitfalls that may accompany those long in the faith.

• Can you name some fathers in the faith that you personally know? What good characteristics stand out to you?

I am writing to you, young people, that you have conquered the evil one-

• John affirms those young people in the faith. Meaning those between children and fathers.

• ‘You have conquered the evil one means two things.

• First, their faith in Christ has given them victory over condemnation.

• Second, these believers are victorious over Satan’s many temptations of their flesh and faith. They are blameless. This does not mean they have never sinned or lost a battle to temptation, but means there is no sin in which they are continuously rebelling against God without repentance. Indeed, there may be sin that reoccurs, but they are continually repentant, and they are trusting in forgiveness through Jesus Christ. They have overcome the trying if their faith. When bad things happen, they persevere in trusting God and his plan instead of getting angry and forsaking Him.

Discussion Questions:

• Can you name some pitfalls related to those young in the faith.

• Can you name some young people that have overcome the evil one? How have they overcome?

I have written to you, children, that you have known the Father-

• Keener’s Bible Background Commentary says ..“I am writing” is probably not intended to convey a sense different from “I wrote”; it was common to vary style to make one’s writing more interesting. One could write “I have written” in a letter one was presently writing; grammarians call this convention an “epistolary aorist.”

• John again affirms the little children, but here he just calls them children.

• Before he said their sins are forgiven because of the name of Jesus, but now he affirms that they also know the Father.

I have written to you, fathers, that you have known him who has been from the beginning-

• John again affirms the fathers. He uses the exact same affirmation as earlier.

I have written to you, young people, that you are strong, and the word of God resides in you, and you have conquered the evil one-

• John again affirms the young people that they have conquered the evil one.

• But he affirms two new characteristics: they are strong, and the word of God abides in them.

• They are strong is not referring to their physical strength, although young people are stronger than children and elder fathers, but this means they are strong in grace which motivates them to use their strength for good works and resist evil.

• The ‘word of God abides’ in them is referring to Jesus. Though many believe it could also refer to scripture.

• 1 John 1:1 (NET) This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched (concerning the word of life –

• 1 John 4:4 (NET) You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

• John 1:1 (NET) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God.

Discussion Question:

• Which maturity group do you see yourself?

• What roles do you see of those in each group?

• How do you see yourself doing or did do in your current or past maturity group? How do you see yourself being in your future maturity group?

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Listening Prayer method – a method where you write what you think God would say to you after meditating and studying a Bible passage.

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How Old Are You?

Bob

Do you remember when you first came to believe in My Son? You were a child in the faith. You were forgiven, and you felt free. You felt ready that you could now die. You knew Me. You loved My Bible, and you absorbed it much. Many sins you immediately forsook.

Do you remember being a young man in the faith. You struggled with deeper seeded sins. You yielded to sin often, but you never gave up thinking and resisting. Then, your faith was tested like never before. As a child you had faith in My existence, but through this great trial you had to have faith in Me and in My plan for you. This was the defining moment of your faith. You even turned against Me briefly, yet I gave you good friends to help you through.

Now you are entering the father years. Your faith is stronger yet your body is starting to get weaker. You still know Me. Now, you have more wisdom and knowledge to disciple those I bring your way. Be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. Don’t get lazy and enjoy the world too much. Keep pursuing Me as you did as a child in your faith. Remember My great commission.

Do You Love or Hate? 1 John 2:2-11

Tags

hate, love, new commandment, old commandment

1 John 2:7-11 (NET) 7 Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have already heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the light but still hates his fellow Christian is still in the darkness. 10 The one who loves his fellow Christian resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his fellow Christian is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

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Context:

The last lesson provided a test for those who say they know God: do you keep God’s commandments?

In this lesson, the third ‘the one who says’ statement in verse 9, introduces another test: do you love your fellow Christian?

Phrases:

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have already heard –

• This old commandment and the new commandment are the same. It is stated in v10, to love your fellow Christian.

• The old commandment is a reference to the command to love your neighbor in Leviticus.

• Leviticus 19:17-18 (NET) 17 You must not hate your brother in your heart. You must surely reprove your fellow citizen so that you do not incur sin on account of him. 18 You must not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the children of your people, but you must love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

• Matthew 22:35-40 (NET) 35 And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you-

• John said above that he is not writing a new commandment to them, but he says now that he is writing a new commandment to them. So why does John seemingly contradict himself? John means that the old commandment to love your neighbor was ‘renewed’ by Jesus during His earthly ministry.

• John Gill says the commandment “…is renewed by Christ under the Gospel dispensation; it is newly explained by him, and purged from the false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees…”

• John 13:34-35 (NET) 34 “I give you a new commandment – to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 Everyone will know by this that you are my disciples – if you have love for one another.”

which is true in him and in you-

• The new (or rather the renewed) commandment to love one another is true in Jesus and John’s audience means this loving each other was exemplified by Jesus and by the examples of His followers.

• Cambridge Bible for School and College says “He reissued the commandment and was the living embodiment and example of it; they accepted it and endeavoured to follow it: both illustrated its truth and soundness.”

because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining-

• Meaning the darkness that covered the nations is now passing away and the light of the Gospel is shining to John’s audience and believers of all the nations causing them to love each other.

• Matthew 4:16 (NET) 16 the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, and on those who sit in the region and shadow of death a light has dawned.”

• John 12:46 (NET) I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness.

The one who says he is in the light but still hates his fellow Christian is still in the darkness-

• This is the third ‘one who says’ statement in this section of scripture.

• The phrase ‘the one who says he is In the light’ reverts back to those Christians mentioned all in 1 John 1:5-7 – meaning those who say they have fellowship with The Light.

• John Gill says …for persons may profess to be enlightened ones, and not be so: wherefore the apostle does not say, he that is in the light, but he that says he is…

• The phrase ‘still hates his fellow Christian’ means his hate has persisted, and he has not repented of this hate. Also, he has not forgiven his brother. This is a signal that he is not in the light but is still in darkness.

• Cambridge Bible for Schools and College says ..The light in a man is darkness until it is warmed by love.

• Matthew 6:14-15 (NET) 14 “For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins.

• Luke 23:34 (NET) [But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” ] Then they threw dice to divide his clothes.

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NET) 4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. 6 It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

• 1 John 3:15 (NET) Everyone who hates his fellow Christian is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

Discussion Question:

• Explain how you can be disappointed with someone yet still love them?

• Explain how you can you disagree with someone yet still love them?

• Explain when disappointment and disagreement turn into hate?

The one who loves his fellow Christian resides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him-

• ‘Resides in the light’, meaning the loving of fellow Christians is a proof that a professing believer resides in God.

• ‘No cause for stumbling’ maeaning in this believer who loves his fellow Christian there is nothing in him that has not been repented of or forgiven of in his relationships. He does not hate anyone. Therefore, there is nothing to stumble his profession with regard to relationships.

• Strongs definition for stumble is…σκάνδαλον;skan’-dal-on; (“scandal”); a trap-stick (bent sapling), i.e. snare (figuratively, cause of displeasure or sin)

• Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says ‘metaphorically, any person or thing by which one is (‘entrapped’) drawn into error or sin’

• Barnes Notes says regarding his love …He will have no envy toward them in their prosperity, and will not be disposed to detract from their reputation in adversity; he will have no feelings of exultation when they fall, and will not be disposed to take advantage of their misfortunes; and, loving them as brethren, he will be in no respect under temptation to do them wrong.

• John Gill says ..There is not in him that wrath, and malice, and envy, which lead on to the commission of other sins; for love works no ill, but fulfils the law, and will not suffer him to commit adultery, to kill, to steal, or bear false witness against his neighbour, friend, and brother…

Discussion Questions:

• What should a believer do if he discovers those scandalous motives in his heart mentioned by Barnes and Gill?

But the one who hates his fellow Christian is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes-

• The one who hates is repeated from above for emphasis. This professing Christian is actually in darkness.

• His walk is described as the walk of a blind man. He is lost and stumbling as he walks. He is not a tru believer.

• Cambridge Bible for Schools and and colleges says ..Animals kept in the dark, e.g. ponies in coal-mines, become blind: the organ that is never exercised loses its power. So also the conscience that is constantly ignored at last ceases to act.

• Isaiah 6:9-10 (NET) 9 He said, “Go and tell these people: ‘Listen continually, but don’t understand! Look continually, but don’t perceive!’ 10 Make the hearts of these people calloused; make their ears deaf and their eyes blind! Otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, their hearts might understand and they might repent and be healed.”

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Listening Prayer method – a method where you write what you think God would say to you after meditating and studying a Bible passage.

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Bob,

A professing believer who continues to hate his brother is no believer at all.

Does anger overwhelm you when you have been betrayed?

Does bitterness grow into evil thoughts after disagreements?

Quick, resolve the situation if possible. But if not possible, then forgive them. Some can’t see what you see. Some don’t understand what they are doing. Some are immature.

Be humble if you feel someone is wrong. Remember, you are far from perfect. You have been wrong often. Why raise the bar against them that you have failed to achieve?

Be humble. Forgive. Overcome evil with good.

When hate raises its head again, cut it off again in repentance – quickly before it reveals you are truly in darkness.

Do You Keep His Commandments? 1 John 2:3-6

Tags

abide, commandments, keep, proof, salvation, test, walk

1 John 2:3-6 (NET) 3 Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments. 4 The one who says “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. 5 But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him. The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.

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Context: The previous section of 1 John said God is light. A professing Christian who says they have fellowship with Him will keep walking in the light. This section is a continuation of that truth, but it is now restated by saying a professing Christian will obey God’s commandments.

In this section, after John says how to know you know God, the passages are divided by three sets of three statements.

• Three “the one who says…” statements.

• Three “I am writing to you…” statements.

• Three “I have written to you” statements.

In this lesson, we will only cover the first two “the one who says” statements.

Phrases:

Now by this we know that we have come to know God: if we keep his commandments-

• The Net English version translates the phrase ‘come to know Him’ as ‘come to know God’. Most commentaries believe this phrase ‘know Him’ is referring to Jesus because He was mentioned in the previous verse. While others believe the phrase refers to either God or Jesus. Yet, the Net translators believe the reference is not Jesus but rather of God mentioned back in 1:5 when it says ‘God is light’.

• Meyer’s NT Commentary confirms the Net translator’s interpretation by saying …”the deeper train of thought is … ‘He who has fellowship with God walks in the light;” the principal subject is God, and to it, therefore, αὐτόν is to be referred; so Calvin, Beza…’”

• Therefore, John writes that there is a test for us to know if we have come to know God. The test is, do we keep His commandments?

• The commandments refer to the moral laws which apply to all people, and they do not refer to Moses’ civil or ceremonial laws which applied to the nation of Israel.

• However, keeping these moral laws does not save you, but keeping the moral laws is a test which shows you have been converted. In your heart, you desire to obey Him because you love Him and love His commands.

• John Gill says these are not …”the commandments of the ceremonial law, which are abolished, particularly circumcision, which is opposed to the keeping of the commandments of God, 1 Corinthians 7:19; but either those of the moral law, and which are more particularly the commandments of God the Father; the observance of which, though it cannot be with perfection, yet being in faith, and from love to God, and with a view to his glory, is an evidence of the true knowledge of him and of his will…”

• Cambridge Bible commentary says …There is no real knowledge of God, no fellowship with Him, without practical conformity to His will. ….John is again condemning that Gnostic doctrine which made excellence to consist in mere intellectual enlightenment. Divorced from holiness of life, says S. John, no enlightenment can be a knowledge of God.

• Jeremiah 31:33-34 (NET) 33 “But I will make a new covenant with the whole nation of Israel after I plant them back in the land,” says the LORD. “I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts and minds. I will be their God and they will be my people. 34 “People will no longer need to teach their neighbors and relatives to know me. For all of them, from the least important to the most important, will know me,” says the LORD. “For I will forgive their sin and will no longer call to mind the wrong they have done.”

Discussion Questions:

• Describe the difference of obeying God out of obligation vs out of love?

• Describe the difference between obeying God to obtain salvation vs obeying God which proves your salvation?

• Cambridge commentary says that there is no real knowledge of God, no fellowship with Him, without practical conformity to His will, based on this statement, how would you describe our modern church?

• What areas of our own lives do we need to surrender to God, not out of obligation but by being motivated by our love for Him? Take a moment in quietness to reflect.

The one who says “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person-

• No Christian is sinless as stated in 1 John 1:8, but a professing Christian should be fighting against sin, repenting of sin, desiring to obey Him, and as mentioned in 1 John 1:9 is confessing their sins.

• If a professing Christian is living rebelliously in sin without resisting and repenting, if they have no desire to obey Him, then his profession is a lie, and he is void of truth.

• Mathew Poole commentary says this person is a “false, hypocritical pretender”.

• John Gill commentary written in 1748, says “He that saith I know him,…. God or Christ, as the Gnostics did, who pretended to great, even perfect, knowledge of divine things: and keepeth not his commandments; which the above persons had no regard to, and as many who profess great light and knowledge in our days show no concern for…is a liar; he contradicts what he says, and gives the lie to it; for though in words he professes to know God, in works he denies him, and which betrays his ignorance of him…

But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected–

• What is meant by the love of God, does it mean our love of God or the love of God for us?

• Commentaries argue one or the other, but how about both? Meaning the love of God has so perfectly and completely influenced the heart of the believer that the believer’s love of God now gives him a desire to obey Him.

• Vincent’s Word Studies says …The idea of divine love is thus complex. Love, in its very essence, is reciprocal. Its perfect ideal requires two parties. It is not enough to tell us, as a bare, abstract truth, that God is love. The truth must be rounded and filled out for us by the appreciable exertion of divine love upon an object, and by the response of the object. The love of God is perfected or completed by the perfect establishment of the relation of love between God and man. When man loves perfectly, his love is the love of God shed abroad in his heart. His love owes both its origin and its nature to the love of God.

Discussion Questions:

• Describe how love is reciprocated in a parent- child relationship?

• Describe how love is reciprocated in a marriage relationship?

• How are these two examples similar to the reciprocating love between God and men?

By this we know that we are in him–

• This phrase can be in interpreted to either complete the thought above or introduce the thought below.

• Punctuation in the verse differs within English translations depending on where the translators believe this phrase best fits.

The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked-

• Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines resides as …not to depart, not to leave, to continue to be present.

• There are many facets one could study on how Jesus walked (His love as mentioned in the following verses, His suffering, His sacrifice) but the context of the passage is obedience. Therefore, this means we should obey God just as Jesus obeyed His Father when He walked on earth.

• Meyer’s NT Commentary says ..”from the connection with what precedes, however, it is clear that the apostle points to Him in so far as He kept the commandments of God, and therefore walked in the light.”

• John 4:34 (NET) Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work.

• John 15:10,14 (NET) 10 If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

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Listening Prayer method – a method where you write what you think God would say to you after meditating and studying a Bible passage.

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Do You Keep His Commandments?

Bob,

I know you love Me because you want to obey My words. Even when you slip in word, thought, or deed you are quick to repent. Even if a sin weighs on you, if it takes hold of you you, if it drags along, then you are not content, then you are sickened, and then you fight it so it does not have victory over you.

Continue to abide in Me. Reciprocate love toward Me by your obedience like a child. Reciprocate love toward Me with a loving heart like a spouse.

Love Me as My Son loved Me and obeyed Me and did My will.

Are You Confessing Your Sins? 1 John 1:8 through 2:2

Tags

advocate, atonement, confession, perfectionism

1 John 1:8-10 (NET) 8 If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.

1 John 2:1-2 (NET) 1 (My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One, 2 and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.

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Context:

• In the previous passage, John corrected the false teaching that there is no need for a professing Christian to live a life of holiness, in other words, there is no need to walk in the light. Now in this passage John confronts two more false teachings.

Phrases:

If we say we do not bear the guilt of sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

• This is the second of three ‘if we say’ statements that John uses in this passage to correct false teachings.

• This phrase, ‘if we say we do not bear the guilt of sin’, or as other English translations say , ‘if we say we have no sin’ means John is correcting those Christians who believe they currently no longer maintain a sin nature and no longer sin. This is the heresy known as perfectionism.

•https://www.ligonier.org/blog/heresy-perfectionism/

• Paul also teaches against perfectionism. Romans 7:21 (NET) So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me.

• John goes on to say that the person who says he no longer is in a sinful state or no longer sins is lying to himself and he is void of the truth.

Discussion Question:

• If a professing believer thinks they are perfect, then what does that say about their knowledge of God’s holiness?

• How can thinking you are sinless harden your heart toward the Holy Spirit’s convicting work in your conscience?

But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

• Above, the false teaching was a person who says he has no sin, but the correct response is not to deny the presence of sin when feeling the guilt and doubts caused by it, but rather the correct response is to confess it.

• Though not mentioned, this confession should be with repentance. A person who confesses sins with no intention to change is confessing falsely.

• God is ‘faithful’ to forgive and cleanse us of unrighteousness because of His faithful and reliable nature. God keeps His word.

• God is ‘righteous’ and justified to forgive and cleanse us of unrighteousness because His wrath and judgement on man’s sin has already been executed on His Son.

• Notice the continual nature of the ‘forgiving’ and ‘cleansing’. This does not mean the believer must regain salvation after sin. The believer is always walking in God’s constant grace, forgiveness, and cleansing supplied by Jesus and received by faith. But after he sins, the believer’s confidence and assurance of salvation may be weak. Therefore, his confession and God’s promise of forgiveness and cleansing is a continuation of the grace, forgiveness, and cleansing that the believer is already walking in though he now may be doubting. This confession and trusting in this promise of forgiveness and cleansing will renew the believer’s confidence and assurance.

Discussion Questions:

• How would explain to a new believer how to confess their sins to God?

• What parallels can be drawn when confessing faults between parents and children and God and His children?

If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us.

• In the previous false teaching, the heresy was the professing Christian believed they were currently sinless. But in this false teaching, John refutes the false teaching that we have never sinned in the past.

• Instead of lying to self as in the last false teaching, here John says the person is lying to God. God knows all of our sinful thoughts, words, and deeds. God knows our past sins of commission and past sins of omission.

Discussion Questions:

• Have you ever met a person who proclaimed they have never sinned? What do you think is lacking in their understanding of God’s righteous standard?

(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.)

• This is parenthetical statement because it is between the ‘if we say’ and ‘but’ verses as is the pattern in this passage.

• My little children may mean John is old at the time of this writing or that those he is writing to are his disciples or his spiritual children.

• John provides another purpose for his writing all the things in this letter. He writes to instruct believers not to sin.

But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One-

• Although John writes that believers should not sin, yet he provides hope if anyone does sin.

• The believer’s hope is that Jesus Christ is their advocate before the Father.

• Webster defines advocate as…one who pleads the cause of another; specifically : one who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court.

• Jesus Christ, our advocate, is called the righteous One. It is not a sinful man who pleads our case, but the righteous One. The case that he pleads is we have received His righteousness and He has received our wrath as mentioned next.

• John Gill says beautifully, he allows in court all their sins, with all their aggravated circumstances; nor does he go about to excuse or extenuate them; but he is an advocate for the non-imputation of them, and for the application of pardon to them: he pleads in their favour, that these sins have been laid upon him, and he has bore them; that his blood has been shed for the remission of them, and that he has made full satisfaction for them; and therefore in justice they ought not to be laid to their charge; but that the forgiveness of them should be applied unto them, for the relief and comfort of their burdened and distressed consciences…

Discussion Question:

• How do you feel knowing Jesus Christ is pleading your cause before the Father when you sin?

and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins-

• Keeners Bible background commentary says…an atonement, a way to appease or satisfy the wrath of a God whose standard had been violated; it alludes to the sacrifices offered for atonement in the Old Testament.

and not only for our sins but also for the whole world-

• Meaning Jesus not only died for the sins of His Jewish disciples – see verses 1:1-4, but also for God’s elect throughout the world.

• John 1:29 (NET) On the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

• John 17:20-21 (NET) 20 “I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, 21 that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me.

Discussion Question:

• Knowing Jesus’ sacrifice was for the world, what do you feel is our responsibility to tell the world of this good news?

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Listening Prayer method – a method where you write what you think God would say to you after meditating and studying a Bible passage.

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Are You Confessing Your Sins?

Bob,

Since the time of Adam’s sin, men are born with a sinful nature. Though you have been redeemed, sin is still present with you.

Resist sin, and walk in the light. Yet if you sin, confess your sins. Confess them quickly and frequently. Don’t let them build up a wall between us. Be transparent. I know all, so there is no need to hide anything. Confess them with repentance. Don’t confess and go right back to it. Fight against it. Forsake it. Flee from it. Walk in the Spirit.

My Son, Jesus, is pleading your case before Me. He has made atonement for you with His life. My wrath is satisfied by His death on the cross for sin. You are forgiven and cleansed.

Go and tell the world the good news of what my Son has done and what He is doing.

Why Did They Suppress The Truth? Romans 1:18-25

Tags

idols, suppress the truth

Romans 1:18-25 (NET) 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, 19 because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

——

Phrases:

For –

• The word, for, connects this phrase with the last phrase and contrasts two groups of people: those made righteous by faith mentioned in the previous passage and those who practice unrighteousness mentioned in this passage.

the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people-

• In the previous passage, righteousness was revealed in the gospel. In this passage, God‘s wrath is revealed, from heaven, where God abides, against those who do wrong against God and against man.

• The method of God’s wrath in shown below in verse 24.

who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness-

• The motive for suppressing the truth is humanity’s own unrighteousness or sins.

Discussion Question:

• Can you name topics in our culture today where people suppress the truth to do what they want?

because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made –

• The truth they suppress is the knowledge of God revealed clearly by what He made.

• His invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature are clearly seen in creation, such as, His creativity in creating various forms of life and the vastness of the stars in the heavens, His goodness by providing for people and animals, His righteousness in creating moral beings with a conscience, His justice in that people die for their sin.

So people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks-

• Humanity is without excuse because of the witness of creation.

• Through creation they knew God, but they did not give him the grave respect due to the Creator nor give Him thanks for their many provisions.

but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened-

• Their thinking about God was foolish and in error.

• Not taking care of their convictions toward the true God their hearts were darkened.

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools –

• In their own minds they thought they knew how to worship God best, but instead they ignored what they knew from creation and foolishly did what follows:

and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles-

• Instead of carefully and gravely worshiping the invisible God, they made physical idols resembling people, birds, animals, and reptiles.

• Psalm 106:20 (NET) 20 They traded their majestic God for the image of an ox that eats grass.

• Jeremiah 2:11 (NET) 11 Has a nation ever changed its gods (even though they are not really gods at all)? But my people have exchanged me, their glorious God, for a god that cannot help them at all.

Discussion Question:

• They could have ignored worship altogether. Why do you think they created idols to worship?

Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves-

• This is the wrath of God mentioned in verse 18. Instead of destroying them like Noah’s flood or Sodom and Gomorrah’s fire and brimstone, He allowed them to fulfill their impurity.

• This sexual sin may in part be referring to the practice of their idol worship.

• Psalm 81:11,12 (NET) 11 But my people did not obey me; Israel did not submit to me. 12 I gave them over to their stubborn desires; they did what seemed right to them.

• Hosea 4:17,18 (NET) 17 Ephraim has attached himself to idols; Do not go near him! 18 They consume their alcohol, then engage in cult prostitution; they dearly love their shameful behavior.

Discussion Questions:

• Explain how the consequences of this method of God’s wrath may ripple through a culture of a people, a nation, or even a family?

• Explain how God’s mercy provided through the Gospel can restrain His wrath?

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen-

• Paul repeats his earlier statement of exchanging God for idols, but he words it in a different way.

• Paul calls the idols a lie.

• The last phrase of praising God is sometimes called a doxology.

Have You Received God’s Righteousness? Romans 1:14-17

Tags

faith, gospel, justification, righteousness

Romans 1:14-17 (NET) 14 I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 Thus I am eager also to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”

——-

Context: 

• In the last passage, Paul expressed his desire to visit the Romans that they may be mutually comforted by each other’s faith. Now Paul says he is also eager to preach in Rome the gospel which is God’s power for salvation. 

Phrases:

I am a debtor –

• Although Paul says he is a debtor to all, this does not mean that he owes them or is under obligation to them directly, instead he means that he is obligated to reach them because of God’s calling on his life. 

• Thayer Greek Lexicon Defines the Greek word for debtor as one held by some obligation, bound to some duty. 

• Acts 26:16-18 (NET) 16 But get up and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this reason, to designate you in advance as a servant and witness to the things you have seen and to the things in which I will appear to you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes so that they turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Discussion Question:

• Do you think we have the same obligation to share the gospel today?  If so, why?

both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish-

• Barns Commentary.  This term “barbarian,” Βάρβαρος, Barbaros, properly denotes one who speaks a foreign language, a foreigner, and the Greeks applied it to all who did not use their tongue

• Keeners Bible Background Commentary says…Gentiles (1: 13) included two categories, by the Greek division: Greeks considered everyone else in the world “barbarians”; they also often considered themselves wise and others foolish.
• Cambridge Bible For Schools and Colleges says the meaning for wise and fools is  …the cultured and the uneducated.

Discussion Questions:

• Why are Christians biased against other races, the poor, and the uneducated that they don’t make efforts to give them the gospel as they to toward others?

Thus I am eager also to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome-

• Meaning Paul was ready and willing to announce the good news specifically to the Romans as part of his mission to tell all the world. 

Discussion Question:

• How can we be better prepared to share the gospel?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel-

• Meaning Paul was not embarrassed of the gospel, meaning the faithfulness of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for our sins. 

for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes-

• Meaning the gospel is powerful to convert the believer from being condemned in sin to being justified and acceptable before God. 

Discussion Question:

• When did you understand the gospel and believe? Explain. 

to the Jew first and also to the Greek-

• Meaning the gospel came to the Jews first through Jesus and also through Paul who preached in the synagogues before going to the Gentiles.

• Acts 13:45-46 (NET) 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they began to contradict what Paul was saying by reviling him. 46 Both Paul and Barnabas replied courageously, “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles.

For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith-

• A) righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel – Meaning not God’s righteous character is revealed but rather God’s gift of righteousness and justification is uncovered in the gospel to the person who has faith in it. 

• B) faith to faith – The Cambridge Bible for schools and colleges says…(1) The initial step, the entrance to justification, is faith: (2) The life of the justified is maintained by faith: faith is the starting-point and the course.

just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”-

• Paul reiterates that the life of those justified is by faith and quotes Habakkuk 2:4. 
• Philippians 3:8-9 (NET) 8 More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung! – that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness – a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness.
• Romans 3:20-23 (NET) 20 For no one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God (which is attested by the law and the prophets) has been disclosed – 22 namely, the righteousness of God through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Are You Walking In The Light? 1 John 1:5-7

Tags

light, Sanctification

1 John 1:5-7 (NET) 5 Now this is the gospel message we have heard from him and announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him and yet keep on walking in the darkness, we are lying and not practicing the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

———

Context:

• In the previous passage, John described his eyewitness account of Jesus with the purpose of others having fellowship with John and the other Apostles. Now he describes the test of professing Christians and the benefits of those who walk in the light. 

Phrases:

Now this is the gospel message we have heard from him and announce to you-

• The message John and the Apostles heard directly from Jesus was…

God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all-

• This is one of three ‘God is’ statements in the New Testament.
• God is light.
• God is Spirit. 
• God is love. 

• God is light means God has all knowledge, all purity, all holiness, and He is without any mixture of ignorance or sin. 

• In the context of the next few verses, the emphasis of God being light is on His purity and holiness more so than his infinite knowledge. 

Discussion Question:

• If you were to describe God in one word, how would you describe him?

• Why is light associated with knowledge?

• Why is light associated with purity ?

If we say we have fellowship with him and yet keep on walking in the darkness we are lying and not practicing the truth-

• Meaning those who say (including John himself) that they have fellowship with this God of purity and holiness yet ‘keep on walking’ in darkness, meaning unrepentant sin, then they….
• A) are lying about their fellowship with Him, 
• B) and they are not practicing the truth of their profession. 
• Though a Christian is never perfectly sinless in this life, they are never comfortable living in a particular sin or sins, they continually fight against walking in sin, they continually repent of sin that has been discovered within them. 
• A professing Christian who takes no thought when sinning and takes pleasure indulging their sin shows their profession of fellowship with the Light is a lie. 

• John 3:19,20 (NET) 19 Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed.

• Ephesians 5:5-11 (NET) 5 For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them, 8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

• Romans 13:12-13 (NET) 12 The night has advanced toward dawn; the day is near. So then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light. 13 Let us live decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in discord and jealousy.

• 1 John 2:9(NET) 9 The one who says he is in the light but still hates his fellow Christian is still in the darkness.

Discussion Question:

• Why do you think teaching on holiness is neglected in the modern church?

But if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin-

• Meaning if Christians live their lives pursuing holiness as God is holy then…
• 1. They will have fellowship with other believers.  However, professing Christians living a life of unrepentant sin, such as sexual sins, seem to naturally cut off their fellowship from believers. If unrepentant professing Christians do not naturally move away from believers, then the church must take action to lovingly discipline them with the motive that they will repent and be restored. 

• 1 Corinthians 5:11 (NET) But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who calls himself a Christian who is sexually immoral, or greedy, or an idolater, or verbally abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person.  
• 2 Thessalonians 3:14 (NET) But if anyone does not obey our message through this letter, take note of him and do not associate closely with him, so that he may be ashamed.
• 2. Jesus’ blood cleanses them from all sin.   Meaning at the time of a believer’s conversion they were declared righteous through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice for sin, but from conversion onward the believer now continues a life of repentance and faith thus continually being cleansed by Jesus’ blood.

Discussion Question:

• Can you think of someone who was involved in unrepentant sin and then faded away from believers?

• If an unrepentant professing Christian continues walking in darkness, what does the verse imply regarding them being cleansed by Jesus’ blood?  What does this imply regarding their original conversion?

—————

Listening Prayer method – a method where you write what you think God would say to you after meditating and studying a Bible passage. 

—————-

Are You Walking In Light?

Bob

I am light. My knowledge is perfect. I am the One who enlightens the mind. I am pure. There is no mixture of sin within Me.  There is not one speck of darkness within Me.  I dwell in the light. I am the Father of lights.

Do not forsake teaching my children to walk in holiness. They must know that if they are children of light then they should walk as such.  Examine yourself as well. Do you have unrepentant sin in your heart?  Confess it, forsake it, resolve it if needed, and continue to trust My Son’s blood for your cleansing. 

Do You Have Vision To Visit? Romans 1:8-13

Tags

care, Paul, Rome, visitation

Romans 1:8-13 (NET)

Do You Have Vision To Visit?

8 First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit by preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness that I continually remember you 10 and I always ask in my prayers, if perhaps now at last I may succeed in visiting you according to the will of God. 11 For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, 12 that is, that we may be mutually comforted by one another’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often intended to come to you (and was prevented until now), so that I may have some fruit even among you, just as I already have among the rest of the Gentiles.

—-

Phrases:

First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world-

• Paul was thankful to ‘his God’ that the grace of God extended to the Romans.

• Paul heard about their faith everywhere he traveled (the northern portion of the Roman Empire above the Mediterranean Sea).

• Keener’s Bible Background Commentary says… “All roads lead to Rome”; due to the connections of the whole empire with Rome, Christians everywhere knew about the faith of believers in the capital.

Discussion Question:

• Can you name others for which you are thankful for their testimony in receiving Christ?

• Where is the the farthest point on earth that someone knows of your faith?

For God, whom I serve in my spirit –

• Meaning Paul’s spirit was motivated to serve God in the way shown in the next phrase…

• John 4:23,24 (NET) 23 But a time is coming – and now is here – when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

by preaching the gospel of his Son-

• Meaning proclaiming the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

(God) is my witness that I continually remember you and I always ask in my prayers if perhaps now at last I may succeed in visiting you according to the will of God-

• Meaning Paul had a long and persistent desire to visit the believers in Rome. Therefore, he was persistent to pray that he may visit. The below verse was his plans to go to Jerusalem and then to Rome- this did happen, but as a prisoner.

• Acts 19:21 (NET) 21 Now after all these things had taken place, Paul resolved to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. He said, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

Discussion Questions:

• What was Paul’s desire in his prayer?

• How can we be intentional to make local visits?

• What questions would you ask during a visit?

• What spiritual purposes and actions should be included in our visits?

• Have you ever been on a short term international mission?

For I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-

• The spiritual gift Paul wants to impart is the teaching and sharing of the Apostle himself.

• Ephesians 4:8, 11-12 (NKJV) 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…

that is, that we may be mutually comforted by one another’s faith, both yours and mine-

• Meaning the intended purpose of his visit was mutual comfort.

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I often intended to come to you (and was prevented until now)-

• Meaning he was prevented up until this writing because the needs of all the other places he had ministered.

Discussion Question:

What practical ways can we be persistent to schedule our visits?

so that I may have some fruit even among you-

Meaning Paul desire was to win souls and help the Roman Christians grow.

• Philippians 4:17 (NKJV) 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

• Colossians 1:6 (NKJV) 6 Which is come unto you, as [it is] in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as [it doth] also in you, since the day ye heard [of it], and knew the grace of God in truth:

just as I already have among the rest of the Gentiles-

• Meaning fruit from the rest of the Gentile churches that Paul already ministered to outside of Rome.

Are You Partners With The Apostles? 1 John 1:1-4

Tags

eternal life, eyewitnesses, fellowship, John, word of life

Are You Partners With The Apostles?

1 John 1:1-4

1 John 1:1-4 (NET) 1 This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched (concerning the word of life – 2 and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us). 3 What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us (and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ). 4 Thus we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

——-

First John is very difficult to outline. See why at this link.

Phrases:

This is what we proclaim to you-

• The meaning of ‘we’ is referring to John and the other Appstles who were with Jesus.

• The ‘you’ is not identified. But scholars believe this was a circulating letter to either Jewish believers or to both Jewish and Gentile believers since the audience is not identified.

what was from the beginning,

what we have heard,

what we have seen with our eyes,

what we have looked at and our hands have touched-

• Meaning John and the others were eyewitnesses of Jesus. They heard, seen, studied Him, and touched him.

• Luke 1:1-2 (NET) 1 Now many have undertaken to compile an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 like the accounts passed on to us by those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning.

• 2 Peter 1:16-18 (NET) 16 For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: “This is my dear Son, in whom I am delighted.” 18 When this voice was conveyed from heaven, we ourselves heard it, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Discussion Questions:

• Later John mentions that antichrists have come. Meaning those who deny Jesus came in the flesh. Knowing this reference, why did John mention details regarding how he experienced Jesus?

• What other New Testament passages refer to someone touching Jesus?

• Which New Testament ordinance today makes use of our senses to worship our Lord?

(concerning the word of life –

• Meaning Jesus. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is also called the, Word, who created all life.

• John 1:1-4 (NET) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.

Discussion Questions:

• Does calling Jesus the word of life refer to His humanity or his divinity? Explain?

and the life was revealed-

• Here Jesus is called life. The life was revealed as also shown in the Gospel of John 1:14.

• John 1:14 (NET) 14 Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.

and we have seen and testify and announce to you-

• John is using eyewitness language, ‘testify’, to persuade others that what he is announcing is true based on what he had experienced.

Discussion Question:

• Have you ever had to give an eyewitness testimony for a police report or court case?

the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-

• John now calls Jesus not only the life but the eternal life that was with the Father.

• By calling Jesus the eternal life it means Jesus is God who has lived eternally with the Father and has come to offer eternal life to the world.

• Micah 5:2 (NET) 2 (5:1) As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah – from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.

What we have seen and heard we announce to you too, so that you may have fellowship with us-

• John provides the first purpose for his writing his eyewitness account, that his audience will have fellowship with John and the other Apostles.

• Strong’s Definitions: κοινωνία koinōnía, koy-nohn-ee’-ah; partnership

• Kittle defines as participation, fellowship.

• Thayer’s defines as intercourse, fellowship, intimacy (Webster defines intercourse – connection or dealings between persons or groups)

• Bauer defines as association, communion, fellowship, close relationship

• Galatians 2:9 (NET) and when James, Cephas, and John, who had a reputation as pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

Discussion Question:

• By using the word, fellowship, how did John see the interaction between believers should be?

(and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ)-

• John makes clear that he has fellowship with both the Father and the Son. This is mentioned because of the antichrists mentioned later who deny that the Son has came in the flesh.

Thus we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete-

• First note how John says ‘we’ write unto you. Although John is the author the other Apostles also endorse the message of this letter.

• The second purpose in writing this letter is the joy of John and the other Apostles will be full if the believers reading the letter follow its instructions.

3 John 1:4 (NET) I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

Discussion Questions:

• How do you feel when your children follow your instructions vs when they do not follow?

—————-

Listening Prayer method – a method where you write what you think God would say to you after meditating and studying a Bible passage.

—————-

Bob,

I came in the flesh. The disciples heard Me, seen Me, touched Me. I just didn’t come for a brief appearance, but I stayed with them many years. They studied Me and knew Me well. Listen and trust their eyewitness testimony.

Not only did I come in the flesh, I Am also God. I am the word of life. All things were created by Me and for Me. I am the life. I am the eternal life.

Therefore, you are safe to have fellowship with Me. If you have fellowship with Me, then you also have fellowship with My Father. And if you have fellowship with us, then you also have fellowship with My Apostles and the other believers around you. Participate with those other believers around you. Be close to them. Partner and associate with them. Commune with them. Don’t isolate yourself from the family of God. Do this and My joy will be full.

Nimuel Chhatria India Missions Report – May – July 2018

Tags

missions, report

Our dear prayer partners ,Loving greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ,

1,REPORTING TIME PERIOD , MAY TO JULY 2018 ,

2,DONATION RECEIVED THROUGH THIS PERIOD ,Received through PayPal and Western Union ,

3,Donation Spent this period ,Spend all ,

4,ACCOUNT BALANCE END OF THIS PERIOD ,Contact for details.

5,LIST OF PEOPLE SERVED ,Total 121 people professed to Jesus Christ ,

6,LIST OF PLACES VISITED THIS PERIOD , 36 Villages

7,SPECIAL EVENTS THIS PERIOD ,

A, VBS program among the children and Youths ,

B,Bible training program among 22 people ,

C,Baptist Women Fellowship ,

D,Started a SAFE HOUSE among Leper’s Children,

E,Distributed daily needs among Leper people ,

F,Gospel meetings and reaching to new areas ,

8,PRAISES FROM THIS PERIOD ,

Thank God for His grace that enabling us to do the personal evangelism and many people professed to Jesus by grace through faith ,

Praise God for our HOPECELLS group ,VBS among Children and Youth ,

Praise God for our Youth meetings and many youth professed to Jesus and some surrendered their life to witness for Christ sake ,

Baptist Women’s fellowship ,praise God many Women are dedicated their life to be a witnessing life ,

Praise God for our prayer partners and gracious hands ,

9, PRAYER REQUEST ,

A, Pray for our gospel work ,as we are committed  for the gospel work , visiting Door to Door ,absolutely praying for a four Wheeler for gospel team work

B,Kindly pray for our new field and souls for their spiritual growth ,

C, kindly pray for SAFE HOUSE Lepers’ Children ,

D, Kindly pray our missionaries funds ,

E, Kindly pray for HOPE CELLS group ,

F,Kindly pray for two Church building ,

G,kindly pray for our Baptist Bible Training program should be continued ,

10, FUTURE PLAN ,

A, Gospel team work ,along with personal evangelism , Follow up work ,bringing testimony and build them to be a witnessing life ,

B, Gospel meetings in various places ,

C, Children program among Hindu people , teaching them who is Jesus Christ ,

D, Youth program ,

E, Leadership program ,

F, Baptist Bible Training program ,

D, Social work among Leper Camp ,Children as for their daily needs and teaching them the love of Jesus Christ ,

Above all kindly uphold us in your prayer as we have been praying for you all , your family members ,your jobs , and increase of believers in your house church ,let God name be glory through this ministry  ,

Total numbers of Missionaries ,Pastors ,32 , yet this month through our ministry around 6 Women Evangelist an interested  to join in our group but no funding

Total numbers of HopeCells group ,45, people 345.

Total numbers of Worship group ,40, people of House Church ,684.

God bless you all ,

in His glad service ,

President ,

Nimuel Chhatria ,

NEW LIFE MOVEMENT ,BAPTIST MINISTRIES IN INDIA ,

Cell ,+91 94377 39404