Wednesday 27 January 2016

John 8:48-59 - Spending time in devotion to Jesus will help us battle feelings of condemnation and being judgemental

21:06 Posted by Matthew Beaney No comments


These ‘believers’ (verse 30) show their true colours as they attack and slander Jesus. They reveal that they are prideful, easily offended, concerned with their own status rather than seeking to obey God – the people, more than any others, who should be ready and welcoming the Messiah reject Him.
They judge Jesus as condemned by God because they don’t like what He is saying. As Christians we will face people's judgement and we even condemn ourselves at times. Jesus knew that what He believed, His mission and His identity were shaped by His Father; He was therefore impervious to their condemnation. Likewise, as we spend time in devotion to Jesus in His word and prayer, the truth will free us from all condemnation. 
So let's make it  our priority to spend time in devotion to Jesus each day. 
You may want to take 10 minutes to meditate (read slowly, repeatedly, prayerfully) on Romans 5:1 and 8:1
'Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ' (Romans 5:1)
'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' (Romans 8:1)

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DEVOTION FREES US FROM WRONG JUDGEMENT
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Going deeper – Personal daily study notes on 8:48-59
Monday: read John 8:48 and Matthew 10:24-25
Jesus is attacked and slandered for telling the truth. They accuse of Him of being ‘a Samaritan and demon possessed’. They are seeking to discredit Him in the most culturally pernicious ways they can. What are the modern forms of ‘mud-slinging’ that Christians might be discredited with?
Read Matthew 10:24-25, what does this say about suffering in a Christian’s life?
Leon Morris has said, ‘Jesus is not concerned that people should give him the glory that is His due; God is looking after that.’ He sets us a great example of doing God’s will regardless of the backlash, entrusting Himself and His reputation to the Father, who is the only real judge anyway.
Tuesday: read John 8:49-50 and Proverbs 29:25
Paul experienced similar dishonour from people whilst being honoured by God. He wrote, ‘through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown…’  (2 Cor. 4:6-9) How might fear of disrespect stop us from sharing our faith? Is fear of man being a ‘snare’ for you?
Wednesday: read John 8:49-50 & 59, 1 Corinthians 4:1-3 and Romans 8:1
As we see in 5:18; 8:59; 10:31-33, these Jews were judging Jesus as condemnable; they thought they were defending God’s glory, when they were actually opposing God and were under His judgement. Jesus sets us an example, as does Paul when he says, ‘I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court’ (1 Corinthians 4:1-3) of allowing God alone to be His judge- no one can really condemn you except God and God says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1)
Thursday: read John 8:49-50 and Romans 8:33-34
If you are a Christian, reject all human attempts to judge (I’m not talking about speeding and the legal system!); in Christ, God has declared you justified! Don’t lose confidence in God’s perfect justice – Jesus has taken the wrath of God for all who will put their faith in Him! Take a moment to meditate on Paul’s words from Roman 8:33-34
Friday: read John 8:50 & 54
The Father is committed to the glory of Jesus. We will face difficulties and many people are hostile to the message of Jesus, which can tempt us into losing confidence. How does the Father’s commitment to Jesus’ glory help us when it seems that so many disbelieve and even mock Christianity?
Saturday: read John 8:51-59
This is both a staggering promise and dire warning. Have we believed and obeyed Jesus’ word? Read Hebrews 2:14-15, are we living with freedom from the fear of death?

Jesus reveals His eternal, uncreated, divine nature, “before Abraham was born I am”.  The Jews’ violent reaction reveals that they understood that Jesus was claiming to be God.






Wednesday 13 January 2016

John 8:31 – Christians allow the bible to effect every aspect of their lives

18:37 Posted by Matthew Beaney No comments


John 8:30-31 provides us with lots of optimism as lots of people seem to become Christians; we might respond, “Wow, lots of influential people are believing in Jesus, let’s put something in the paper, on social media, God is moving in revival power…”
But Jesus knows their hearts (2:23-24; 5:42) and the course of events will show that their belief is not true faith. As Jesus begins to teach them, they will reveal hard-heartedness, they will accuse Him of being ‘demon possessed’, by the end of the section many of the ‘believers’ will be looking to stone Him!
When someone becomes a Christian, it’s essential that they be taught from the bible about who God is, who they are, and what pleases and displeases God etc. We call this discipleship; Jesus’ last words to His disciples on earth were,
Matthew 28:19-20 “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”
Jesus begins that process here in chapter 8:31 and the immediate question we must ask ourselves is how do we respond to Jesus’ word, will we ‘hold (Abide in) to His teaching’?
The word ‘hold’ (NIV) can translated ‘Abide (ESV) or to ‘dwell’. It speaks of someone who loves Jesus’ teachings over the course of their life. 

This love for Jesus and His word is a sign of new birth. Christians have a Spirit–fuelled passion for God and His truth in the bible, an appetite that can be neglected or fed; let’s become those whose appetite for Jesus’ grows throughout our lives. Let's listen to Jesus and learn to,
Make a home in Jesus' word.

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Going deeper – Personal daily study notes on 8:30-31 

Monday: read John 8:30-31
As Jesus began to disciple these ‘believers’, He immediately gets resistance, they don’t want to be taught! Someone once said, ‘How can you tell the difference between a sheep and a ram? A ram buts!’  Their reluctance to be taught reveals these ‘believers’ not to be Jesus’ sheep.
What must accompany ‘believing’ in order for us to be Jesus’ ‘disciples’? (See 8:47)
It is impossible for someone to be a Christian and yet not ‘hold to Jesus teaching’.
How do or will you abide in Jesus word?
What practices do you currently use or have you found helpful in the past?
How are you doing at or how can you include the following vital aspects in your life?
  • ·      Reading- Simply reading the bible; do you follow any plan?
  • ·      Studying- Reading and using other sources to understand a text, book, person, topic in more detail.
  • ·      Listening- Hearing the bible taught (expounded) each week in church.
  • ·      Memorising- committing texts to memory.
  • ·      Meditation- Reading (usually a shorter text) slowly, repeatedly and prayerfully.
  • ·      Praying the bible- very much linked to meditation – it’s praying the words and promises of scripture.

Tuesday: read John 8:31and Psalm 1.
Psalm 1 is an example of a person who abides in Jesus’ word. Let this promise wet your appetite for getting into scripture.
Spend some time meditating on verses 2-3 and asking God to make you such a person.
Wednesday: read John 8:31and Psalm 119:9&11
Purity means to be unmixed; pure water, for example, is water plus nothing. To be pure is to live for God and no one else, to love your wife and no one else etc.
How is purity developed and maintained through the bible and what will happen to our purity if we are lazy in regard to truth?
To ‘hide your word in my heart’ is to memorise and seek to apply truth. Make it a habit to memorise scripture, I have included a list below that you can use.
Thursday: read John 8:31 and Psalm 119:129-132.
Why does David obey scripture?
What does the truth of the bible give to those who read it prayerfully?
How would you summarise David’s attitude toward the bible?
Pray through these words for yourself.
Friday: read John 8:31 and Joshua 1:8
What will be the outcome for those who will have a whole-hearted approach to the bible? Today I’d like you to write out this verse of scripture and to read it prayerfully every hour, maybe set a reminder on your phone to help you.
Saturday: read John 8:31, Proverbs 2:1 and Ephesians 6:4
As parents it is vital that we teach our children to know and love scripture. Our children will learn what is valuable as they see us reading and studying the bible, and as we give family time to reading and explaining scripture. Personal circumstances may not always permit, but if at all possible try to have at least one half-hour session per week in family devotions; you could use these John studies or revisit the material they covered in the children’s work etc.

 Some topical bible memory verses you may like to use,
Some bible memory verses (based upon the Navigators topical system) you may like to use. Memorise the topic with the verse reference at the beginning and the end.
1.    Christ the centre 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  2 Cor. 5:17
2.    Christ the centre Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
3.    Obedience to Christ Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12:1-2
4.    Obedience to Christ John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:2
5.    God’s Word 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16
6.    God’s Word Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
7.    Prayer John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7
8.    Prayer Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
9.    Fellowship Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20
10. Fellowship Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
11. Witnessing Matthew 4:19  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
12. Witnessing Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Romans 1:16





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