Devotional Tuesday 6/12/16 – John 18:15-18 Sin desires to have us!

Too often we can speak boldly about what is right and wrong until temptation visits us. We become emotionally desirous of things we know to be wrong or unwise. Let’s learn to be people of integrity!

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:15-18 ‘Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.’

Genesis 4:6-7 ‘Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”’

1 Cor. 10:12-13 ‘So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’

Temptation will often come from unexpected directions: we lose our temper, say things we wish we could take back, we meet an exciting, attractive, considerate person whilst our marriage is strained or desire a relationship; we are offered a new job in a new location which (falsely) promises fulfillment whilst we are discouraged or disillusioned.

How are you doing at the moment? Often tiredness, busyness and disappointment make us more vulnerable to sin or unwise decisions. As Paul says ‘if you think you are standing firm, be careful…’ Let’s never become overly confident, thinking that we are invulnerable. We are weak creatures, but as we remain close to God, reliant on Him, willing to go through the ‘fire’ of temptation by faith, we will stand.

Too often we can speak boldly about what is right and wrong until temptation visits us and we give way and cut ourselves slack to do that which we know to be wrong.

Let’s remain consistent to our values even when they are being challenged, particularly if we are emotionally attracted to things and ways of doing things that are ungodly or wise. Sin is crouching at our door desiring to have you, beware you don’t open the door of your heart so that you desire to have it!

Let’s hear God’s warning to be on our guard, ‘…In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.’ (2 Cor. 2:11)

You can catch up on all the messages in the John series at:

http://www.communitychurchputney.com/community-church-putney--audio---resources.html

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Devotional Monday 5/12/16 – John 18:15-18 Sin sneaks up on Peter

Sin sneaks up on Peter. Brothers and sisters, let’s take warning from this incident.

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:15-18 ‘Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.’

John 13:38 ‘Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”’

James 1:14-15 ‘But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.’

Jesus has predicted Peter’s betrayal. Peter doesn’t see his own treachery sneaking up on him: a friend opens the door, he sits by the fire, and an unsuspecting moment of fear gives opportunity to the sinful treachery in his heart.

Temptation and the work of the devil are guileful. Like any war, the enemy doesn’t come head on. Our downfall comes in camouflage, pretence; it’s attractive and promises good for us.

Sometimes sin enters our lives like a bomb – suddenly and unexpectedly. But normally we’ve allowed ourselves to become relaxed with certain ‘minor’ sins; give ourselves the luxury of thinking about sin if not doing it – ‘window shopping’ is you like. We develop bad habits over time that, in the end give way to a more serious moral fall or to passivity and coldness of heart.

Let’s all be alert to our weakness and sins’ guile.

You can catch up on all the messages in the John series at:

http://www.communitychurchputney.com/community-church-putney--audio---resources.html

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Devotional Saturday 3/12/16 – John 18:12-14 One man has died

Our salvation was only possible by the death of one man who was also God!

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:12-14 ‘Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.’

Exodus 12:21-23 “…Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb… put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe…When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.’

Jesus is taken to the High Priest, head of the religious life of Israel. Only the priests could make sacrifices in the temple. John, along with recording events, is pointing to Jesus, as the ‘Lamb of God’ (Passover Lamb) dying for the sins of the people, to set them free.

The sacrificial system of Israel was pointing to Jesus’ perfect offering. At the be beginning of this gospel we have John the Baptist’s prophetic words,

John 1:29 ‘The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”’

He has died, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins needed! No matter how you feel, good or bad, Jesus has died, He is our perfect Saviour. 

Let’s finish by letting the amazing words of Hebrews fill us with fresh joy and confidence in Christ alone,

Hebrews 10:14 ‘For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.’

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Devotional Friday 2/12/16 – John 18:11 Jesus has a cup

We can drink from the cup of salvation because Jesus drank our cup of sin and judgement.

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:11 ‘Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”’

Mark 14:35-36 ‘Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”’

1 John 4:10 ‘This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.’

The ‘cup’ speaks of Jesus’ death for sin. He will ‘drink the cup’ of betrayal and rejection of people and of God’s wrath and death for our sin.

All of us have a cup brimming over with sin and judgement. Compared to other people you may be very good; but compared to God, and when we look at His laws, we have fallen woefully short!

C. J. Mahaney wrote about Jesus praying in the Garden at the prospect of the cross and drinking our cup,

‘Jesus is saying, “Father, I willingly drink this cup by Your command – I’ll drink it all.” And He will. He’ll drink all of it, leaving not a drop. Not only will He leave nothing in that cup of wrath for us to drink… but today you and I find ourselves with another cup in our hands. It’s the cup of salvation. From this precious new cup we find ourselves drinking and drinking eternally… for the cup of salvation is always full and overflowing. We can drink from this cup because Jesus spoke those words about the other cup: “Yet not what I will, but what You will.”

Have you asked Jesus to be your Saviour? Do you understand that He has emptied your cup; its ‘poison’ was taken by Him! You are now free to drink from the clear waters of life.

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Devotional Thursday 1/12/16 – John 18:10 Peter has a sword

A man trying to protect God! Will we choose to trust God? Let’s only take action by faith and trust rather than out of fear, anger or pride.

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:10 ‘Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)’

Matthew 16:21-23 ‘From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”’

Peter does not trust in Jesus’ control of the situation.

In the heat of the moment he forgets all that Jesus has said currently (the cup is reference to the cross) and previously about His death and so chooses to try and control things himself.

Peter had failed to listen and learn from Jesus; he had been rebuked by Jesus on a previous occasion when Peter had tried to keep Jesus from going to the cross, saying,

“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”’

Even seemingly good intentions can actually be demonic in origin when they distort the gospel and the truth of scripture. Many ‘good’ people seek to protect the image of Jesus by saying that everyone goes to heaven regardless of their faith; all sexual preferences are fine – why would a loving God mind! You don’t need to seek to be holy, give generously, honour marriage, discipline our children… Whatever we do, we must not undermine the gospel and the clear teaching of scripture in order to protect Jesus!

A man trying to protect God! Will we choose to trust God? Let’s only take action by faith and trust rather than out of fear, anger or pride.

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Devotional Wednesday 30/11/16 – John 18:7-9 “I have not lost any”

If you are a Christian, you will never be lost! Just as He protected the twelve on this dark night, so He is aware of you, and is protecting you each and every day.

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:7-9 ‘Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”  This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”’

John 17:12 “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”

John 6:39 “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.”

Here we see the glorious confidence of Christ that He will not lose any of the disciples. In 17:12, we saw how, although Judas was lost, this was known by God in advance, and was a vital part of God’s plan of salvation (without Judas, there would be no cross!)

If you are a Christian, you will never be lost! Just as He protected the twelve on this dark night, so He is aware of you, and is protecting you each and every day.

Take a moment to remember and express again your trust that God has you in His hand. He will protect you every day. He will take you to heaven.

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Devotional Tuesday 29/11/16 – John 18:4-6 “I am He”

Jesus is constantly teaching us to trust, often through the ‘storms’ and conflicts of life.

To meditate/pray upon

John 18:4-6 ‘Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)  When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.’

John 8:58-59 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.’

John wants to communicate Jesus’ complete control over this situation.

Firstly, He goes to meet His betrayers, which has been ordained by God;

Secondly, He uses this term “I am” (NIV translates the Greek “I am He”). This is a reference to His deity, as Jesus identifies himself as the God who met with Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3)

Their falling to the ground expresses something of Jesus’ divine authority over the situation as He chooses to go to death for us.

The disciples’ needed to learn to trust in the power and care of Jesus; we see them learning this through incidents such as when the disciples are in fear of their lives, but Jesus calms the storm,

Matthew 8”26-27 ‘He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”’

Throughout this and the other gospels, Jesus reveals and teaches us His absolute authority over all things. Jesus is constantly teaching us to trust, often through the ‘storms’ and conflicts of life. Let’s all of us take these things to heart.

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