Week 32 Day 3

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 32 Day 3

Introduction…Once Jesus died, there was short time left for His burial for the Sabbath was upcoming and no work could be done. Jesus’ disciples were not wealthy and unable to give Jesus a fitting burial, but two prominent believers did come forward to provide the committed leadership and make financial decisions to honor Jesus. I bet today and everyday throughout eternity, those two people are thankful the put forth their determined effort, were courageous and not ashamed, nor were they withholding financially, but did their all and best for the Master.

Read John 19:38-42 “After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of Jews is to bury. Now the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jew’s Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.”

Bible Study

• Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the most powerful and ruling body, the Sanhedrin. Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus, but now he made his discipleship known by courageously stepping forward, boldly going to Pilate and providing a rightful tomb for Jesus’ body.
• Nicodemus was also a member of the Sanhedrin. Another secret follower until now. Remember, he came to Jesus privately at night to ask questions, draw closer and birth his faith in Christ (See John 3:1-21). Nicodemus brought expensive burial spices befitting a king…His King.
• The death of Jesus, was the wake up call for Joseph and Nicodemus. It provided the acid test of their faith. Would they remain accepted, included and a safe part of the status quo, or forsake the power and prestige, risk it all and follow Christ?
• Jesus had not been dead 1 hour for His prophetic words to come true. Nicodemus and Joseph became true, active and committed disciples. “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” John 3:14 and 12:32.
• The power of the Cross draws true believers still today. Only our faith in Christ can motivate a life that will be rewarded by God for eternity. See 1 John 1:9
  • Our part is to confess our sins. The work of Jesus on the Cross enables our confession to be effective. See Romans 5:15-19
  • God’s part is to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. Jesus paid a very high price to grant us this incredible privilege of being forgiven. God foretold in Isaiah 1:18 and 43:25 that He would do a great and gracious work of cleansing us, “Be holy for I am holy.” See 1 Peter 1:6. He forgives and removes all unrighteousness associated with sin.

Application

• Don’t give your tributes, accolades and honor of a person only after they are gone…give honor and show your love now! Speak praises and show appreciation today! A flower today is more valuable than a wreath at their grave.
• Don’t wait until you are old or near death to reach out to God. Do it now! Step toward God while you can!
• “Today is the day for salvation.”
• Give of your best to the Master.

Tags: Take 10

Week 32 Day 5

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 32 Day 5

Introduction…When we disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ lose a loved one who also knows the Lord, we often cry, weep, mourn and become bewildered at our loss. The absence of someone who positively impacted us, someone we depended upon, knew well, enjoyed, trusted and loved is gone from us and from this world. It seems life will never be the same. At the same time, it is incomprehensible for us to be able to see and know the joy of the loved one who now is in the presence of the Lord, healed, whole and the battles of life and faith for them are over. We cannot see, feel, conceive what God has prepared for those that love Him. See 1 Corinthians 2:9. Meanwhile we grieve…for ourselves…and that is OK. We sorrow not as the world sorrows. See 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

Read  John 20:11-18 “But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angles in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her. ‘woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have laid Him?’ Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ She supposing he was the gardener, said to Him, ‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father, but go to my brethren and say to them, ‘ I am ascended to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”

Bible Study

• Mary was the first person to see the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord. Why was she the first?
  • She was the first to be there, to go to the tomb.
  • We know, per Hebrews 11 that God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.
  • We know per Jeremiah 29:11 that when you seek for God with all your heart, then you will find Him.
  • God showed honor and value to women. Of course to God He made male and female both to honor Him
  • God honors not an original disciple, but a convert, a mere sinner saved by grace?
  • God shows up, is there, is here, with us, He sees and hears our cry.
• How did Mary not recognize Jesus there in the garden, outside the tomb?
  • Because of the tears in her eyes, the grief in her heart blocked the reality of the Lord
  • Though sincere and loving, Mary was grieving and imagined there was more negative news coming since the arrest and crucifixion, now Jesus was moved or taken custody by someone? The gardener?
• Death to an unbeliever is the end. But even in saying goodbye to someone in several languages, the awareness we all have in death is that the person now is in God’s hands. “Adieu” or “Addios” means literally, “to God.”
• The confusing statement in this passage of Scripture of “not touching me because, I have not ascended to my Father” simply is Jesus saying, “don’t be afraid or hold me here, go and tell the disciples, I am here!”
• Confucious, Buddha and/or Mohammed are all dead and gone, but only Jesus raised from the dead, is our only hope, our Savior and The Resurrection and Life.

Application

• Be a God Seeker. Seek God early and often. Know that He can be found.
• Realize that as a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are not in a religion, nor religious, but in a personal relationship with Christ and you serve a living Savior.
• He is alive! Because He lives, we too shall live!

Tags: Take 10

Week 30 Day 1

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 30 Day 1

Introduction…Seven times in the 17^th chapter of John, Jesus speaks of Christians, as those given to Him by the Father. We know from John 3:16, that God so loved the world that He gave Jesus Christ. Now in this chapter we see that whoever believes in Jesus as their Savior becomes the Father’s gift of love to Jesus Christ. It is enlightening and thrilling to observe the beautiful loving relationship unfolding between the Father and Son. Jesus commits the believer to the Father for safekeeping indicating the believer’s security is based upon the perfect faithfulness of the Father to His Son, Jesus Christ. What unity and love! It is no wonder that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Read John 17:9-19 “It is for them that I pray. It is not for the world that I pray, but for those whom you have given me because they are yours. All that I have is yours and all that you have is mine. And through them glory has been given to me. I am no longer in the world and they are no longer in the world, and I go to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you gave to me, that they may be one, as we are one. When I was with them I kept them in your name, which you gave to me. I guarded them and none of them went lost, except the one who was destined to be lost and this happened that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. And now I come to you. I am saying these things while I am still in the world that they may have my joy completed in themselves. I gave them your word and the world hated them because they are not of the world. I do not ask that you should take them out of the world, but that you should preserve them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Consecrate them by the truth. Your word is truth. As you send me into the world, I send them into the world. And for their sakes I consecrate myself, that they too may be consecrated by the truth.”

Bible Study

• We understand through this Scripture that the believer disciple of Jesus Christ…
  • Is given to Jesus by God. Remember, no one comes to God unless they be drawn by God (John 6:44, 12:32).  The Spirit of God moves in us and upon us. All we can do is respond. If we accept, believe and follow, we are His.
  • Brings glory to Jesus through our obedience, love and development as a mature believer that is committed to following Him.
  • Is committed to be an ambassador. As Jesus was sent, so are we, His disciples. We are commissioned to ‘go into the world and lead them to Christ.’ See Matthew 28:18-20, the Great Commission given by Jesus.
• Jesus tells His disciples that following Him would bring them joy, yet He warns the world would hate them, since their values and purposes were different.
• Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples…
  • To be kept and engaged with the world, but to be unlike this world in purpose, calling and connection.
  • Not to leave this world or belong to it, but be victorious and that the world through them might be won to Christ. We are pilgrims in this world and we belong to God. Children of God. He is our Father.
  • For unity among the disciples. Divisions, exclusivity, or competition hinder the work of the God and is contrary to Jesus’ prayer for us.
  • For protection from the Evil One. Lead us not into temptation and cover over us with the Blood of Jesus. We battle not people, but powers of evil.
  • To be consecrated by truth. The word in Greek is hagios and means to be holy, different and separated for a task. It also means to be equipped by God.

Application

• We are Jesus’ modern day disciples. Do you sense the calling and purpose for your life?
• We too are set apart, “hagios”, for a special task. Jeremiah 1:5 reveals an amazing fact where God speaks, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born, I consecrated you…”
• We too are equipped by God with qualities of mind, heart and character, which are necessary for the task we have been given by God.
• God equips us for what He calls us to do! Live in that truth!

Tags: Take 10

Week 30 Day 5

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 30 Day 5

Introduction…A person’s feeling of self sufficiency is a myth perpetuated by personal pride or temporary success. Our health, wealth, circumstances or success can disappear instantly, as can life itself be gone in a moment. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we should rejoice in our insufficiency and at the same time be at peace with our vital dependency upon God for our strength. The Word warns us, when we think we stand, take heed unless we fall See 1 Corinthians 10:12. The Word also teaches us that God’s strength in us works wonders, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” See 2 Corinthians 12:9

Read John 18:15-18, 25-27 “Simon Peter was following Jesus with another disciple. That disciple was known to the High Priest and he went in with Jesus into the courtyard of the High Priest’s house. Peter was standing at the door outside. The other disciple, who was known to the High Priest came out and spoke to the door keeper and brought Peter in. The maid servant, who kept the door, said to Peter, ‘you are not one of this man’s disciples are you?’ Peter said, ‘I am not.’ The servants and the officers stood beside a charcoal brazier they had kindled because it was cold and they were warming themselves, and Peter too was standing with them warming himself….As Simon Peter was standing warming himself. They said to him, ‘surely you too are one of his disciples?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not.’ One of the servants of the High Priest, a relation of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, ‘did I not see you in the garden with him? Again Peter denied it and immediately the cockcrow sounded.”

Bible Study

• Even though Peter and the disciples slept instead of praying with Jesus in the garden, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter courageously jumped to defend Jesus. So much so, Peter, a fisherman was wielding a sword and cut off the ear of Malchus. That must have been the first act of violence in the life of Peter!
• Jesus reprimanded Peter for being out of character for a disciple of Christ and corrected the situation by healing the man’s ear. Think about this amazing scene!
• No doubt the happenings that night were sequentially firsts for Peter. It all started with Jesus hours before while celebrating the Passover, Peter questioned Jesus about washing the disciples feet, then when Jesus said one of them would betray Him, Peter protested that he would go to his death for Christ. Jesus said to the contrary, that Peter would deny him 3x before morning. See John 13:36-38. Then hours later, Peter defended Jesus with the sword.
• Peter was not being led by the Spirit. Jesus was fulfilling and obeying the plan of God and Peter was out of sync with that plan and will of God.
• After Jesus was arrested the disciples scattered for fear, except for bold Peter and ‘the other disciple’, probably John. Peter, following his courageous heart and love for Jesus, tried to keep his word and follow the happenings from a distance.
• Yes, Peter failed in denying the Lord 3 times, but he did so while bravely staying close to Jesus, who he loved, during the tense and dangerous arrest process.

Application

• Who are we…really? It is said that sometimes, only under pressure, or when we are squeezed that the real person comes out.
• Jesus knew Peter would fail and deny Him, but Jesus knew Peter’s heart, just as He knows our heart. The Word says, “man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks upon and knows our heart.”
• King David, the Psalmist, killed and committed adultery, but God said about him that, “he was a man after God’s heart.” Plus, God chose David to be in the lineage of Jesus and write anointed Scripture.
• Do we know our heart? God does!
• Do we know the heart of God? We can!
• He loves us…thinks the best and wants the best for us!

Tags: Take 10

Week 29 Day 5

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 29 Day 5

Introduction…The entire 17^th chapter of the John is Christ’s high priestly intercessory prayer. The words in this chapter was Jesus’ prayer to the Father. We are able to look deeply into the heart of the Son of God as the prayer is personal (see verses 1-5) and intercessory for His disciples (see verses 6-19) then and for believers yet to come (see verses 20-26). Remember…when we see Jesus, we see what God is like. (see John 14:9).

Read John 17:6-8 “I have shown forth your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours and you gave them to me and they have kept your word. Now they realize that everything you gave me comes from you because I gave them the words you gave to me and they received them, and they truly know that I came forth from you and they believe you sent me.”

Bible Study

• Jesus’ work was all about representing, showing, manifesting the name of God…exemplifying God and showing us His expressed image. See Hebrews 1:3
  • Showing forth His name means the whole character of God is revealed.
  • Psalms 9:10 says, “Those who know your name put their trust in you.”
  • Psalms 20:7 says, “Some boast of chariots, and some of horses, but we boast of the name of the Lord our God.” We know who we believe in!
  • Isaiah 52:6 says, “My people will know my name.” We are God’s people.
• Jesus’ work was breaking down the barriers and walls that separated man from God.
  • Jewish people of Jesus’ day would not even pronounce the sacred name of God, Yahweh, because to them He was feared and sacred.
  • Jesus came to teach us about God’s nature and His name is to be mentioned on everyone’s lips in love and respect for our mighty God.
  • Ephesians 2:14-18 tells of the amazing work of Jesus for us, “For He is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us…we both have access by Spirit unto the Father.”
  • Jesus is the only mediator needed between God and man. Hebrews 8:6, 9:15 and 12:24 tells us Jesus is the mediator of a better and new covenant.
• Discipleship is based upon the realization that Jesus came from God. Following Jesus is following after God. We are God Seekers. John 10:27 “my sheep hear my voice and follow me.”
• Discipleship is based upon obedience to whom we are following…Jesus. Jesus submitted and obeyed the Father and we must take up our cross and follow Him, submit ourselves to Him, obey Him. Philippians 1:21 says it right, “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
• Discipleship is God destined for us. Linked vitally with our Creator God and following hard after Him is our purpose driven life. In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, “For I know my plans for you, thoughts of peace… and give you an expected end.”

Application

• Do you fear God to the extent you do not communicate with Him?
• Did the relationship with your Father cause you to distrust your heavenly Father?
• Do you know God? Are you open and intimate with Him?
• Jesus showed us the amazing love and grace of God our Father. Jesus was the express image of God. He loves us and gave Himself for us.
• The work Jesus did on the Cross, opens up the relationship, links us to God through Jesus and brings us so close to God. Do you know Him? Love Him?

“He is our Peace”

He is our peace, He has broken down every wall

He is our peace, He is our peace

So cast your cares on Him, He cares for you

He is our peace, He is our peace.

Tags: Take 10

Week 28 Day 1

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 28 Day 1

Introduction…The book of John was written between 85-90AD by John the Beloved, a close disciple of Jesus Christ. After Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension to the Father, the disciples ministered the Gospel and thousands were saved. The new believers and the disciples went into all the world with their testimony of faith and the world was coming to Christ. But this spiritual revival came with the price of great persecution. See Acts 8:1. John was exiled to a remote island of Patmos because of His faith. The persecution the early Church faced was fierce. The first century believers were threatened, tortured and martyred for their faith and yet the Church of Jesus Christ flourished because it was built upon the truth and the fact, they had seen Jesus live, die for them, rise again and ascend to the Father. Their faith was not in fables nor did they give their lives in vain.

Read John 15:18-23 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own, but the world hates you because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Remember the word which I spoke to you. The servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours. But they will do these things to you because of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have no excuse for their sins. He who hates me hates the Father too.”

Bible Study

• The disciples were not stopped when threatened or surprised when persecution came because Jesus warned them clearly and repeatedly…it will happen.
  • “They will deliver you up to councils and you will be beaten in synagogues and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them…and they will put them to death and you will be hated by all for my name sake.” See Matthew 10:17-29, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 12:2-9,51-53.
• The Roman government and society of the day, hated the Christians, in fact it became illegal to be a Christian in the first century. Why were they hated?
  • The Christians would not call Caesar, “the Lord.” That title was rightfully reserved only for the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Christians moved to the beat of a different drum…that of God and the Word. They were not impressed by Roman rule or moved by their threats.
  • Christians were hated because they did not conform to the world around them and appeared as rebels fearlessly living out their faith.
  • Christianity’s Godly lifestyle and higher standards espoused by the believers made non believers uncomfortable and resentful.
• The world that hates the Christian can be defined as…human society organizing and establishing itself while disregarding God and His Word.
  • Be it known, the source of the hatred and disregard for God is Satan and the object of the hate and disdain is focused on the way, truth and life…our Savior Jesus Christ.
• In Matthew 10:28 Jesus offers perspective saying, “Fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Application

• Two notable ministers of the 20^th century made these true statements:
  • J.C. Ryle… “A man’s religion may well be suspected when he is content to go to heaven alone.”
  • C.H. Spurgeon…“Better for us to die than to live if souls be not saved.”
• When we pray for the Church of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven…remember those believers today who are facing persecution and pray… “God give your Church courage, great faith and put your angels about us as your Church boldly ministers your Gospel.”

Tags: Take 10

Week 28 Day 2

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 28 Day 2

Introduction…The book of John was written between 85-90AD by John the Beloved, a close disciple of Jesus Christ. After Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension to the Father, the disciples ministered the Gospel and thousands were saved. The new believers and the disciples went into all the world with their testimony of faith and the world was coming to Christ. But this spiritual revival came with the price of great persecution. See Acts 8:1. John was exiled to a remote island of Patmos because of His faith. The persecution the early Church faced was fierce. The first century believers were threatened, tortured and martyred for their faith and yet the Church of Jesus Christ flourished because it was built upon the truth and the fact, they had seen Jesus live, die for them, rise again and ascend to the Father. Their faith was not in fables nor did they give their lives in vain.

Read John 15:18-23 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own, but the world hates you because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Remember the word which I spoke to you. The servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours. But they will do these things to you because of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have no excuse for their sins. He who hates me hates the Father too.”

Bible Study

• The disciples were not stopped when threatened or surprised when persecution came because Jesus warned them clearly and repeatedly…it will happen.
  • “They will deliver you up to councils and you will be beaten in synagogues and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them…and they will put them to death and you will be hated by all for my name sake.” See Matthew 10:17-29, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 12:2-9,51-53.
• The Roman government and society of the day, hated the Christians, in fact it became illegal to be a Christian in the first century. Why were they hated?
  • The Christians would not call Caesar, “the Lord.” That title was rightfully reserved only for the Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Christians moved to the beat of a different drum…that of God and the Word. They were not impressed by Roman rule or moved by their threats.
  • Christians were hated because they did not conform to the world around them and appeared as rebels fearlessly living out their faith.
  • Christianity’s Godly lifestyle and higher standards espoused by the believers made non believers uncomfortable and resentful.
• The world that hates the Christian can be defined as…human society organizing and establishing itself while disregarding God and His Word.
  • Be it known, the source of the hatred and disregard for God is Satan and the object of the hate and disdain is focused on the way, truth and life…our Savior Jesus Christ.
• In Matthew 10:28 Jesus offers perspective saying, “Fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul, but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Application

• Two notable ministers of the 20^th century made these true statements:
  • J.C. Ryle… “A man’s religion may well be suspected when he is content to go to heaven alone.”
  • C.H. Spurgeon…“Better for us to die than to live if souls be not saved.”
• When we pray for the Church of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven…remember those believers today who are facing persecution and pray… “God give your Church courage, great faith and put your angels about us as your Church boldly ministers your Gospel.”

Tags: Take 10

Week 28 Day 3

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 28 Day 3

Introduction…Missionary to Africa, E. Stanley Jones is quoted saying, “The call of the Christian is not to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.” Living life for God, our Creator, with the courage to be different, with the willingness to swim upstream while the world floats and swims downstream is extraordinary. Christians should have the inner strength and boldness to be different. Yes, being different can be uncomfortable and even dangerous, but no person can be a disciple of Jesus Christ unless they accept that risk.

Read John 15:24-27  “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have no excuse for their sins. He who hates me hates the Father too. If I had not done deeds among them, which no one else had ever done, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen and they have heard both me and my Father. But it has all happened that the word which stands written in their law might be fulfilled. They hated me without a cause. When the Helper comes, the Helper whom I will send to you from my Father, I mean the Spirit of Truth who comes forth from the Father, he will be a witness about me. And you will be witnesses about me because you have been with me from the beginning.”

Bible Study

• God expects us to live up to the light, the understanding we have been given.
  • What is expected from a child is less than an adult who knows better.
  • What is expected from a primitive Aborigine is less than that of a priest or pastor who is knowledgeable of God and His Word.
  • At the same time, God is just. He will judge us according to the knowledge, to the light we have been given.
  • Romans 1 tells us God reveals Himself to all people of all times with the purpose of giving them the opportunity to respond to Him.
• All Jesus did and said while on earth precisely exposed who God is and expects of us and fully manifested God’s love for us.
  • Jesus exposed sin. He told, taught, explained and showed the way to live.
  • Jesus remedied sin. He opened the way to forgiveness for sinful mankind.
• People rejecting Jesus Christ are refusing God and His love.
  • The person rejecting Jesus is rejecting God’s diagnosis of sin and certain death and only cure through acceptance and belief in Jesus.
  • Rejecting Jesus is man’s prerogative, but it will become God’s judgment.
  • “They hated me without a cause,” was prophesied by David in the Psalms 2x in Psalms 35:19 and 69:4 and it was fulfilled with Jesus.  Think of it…what is the cause of hating Jesus? There truly is none!
• The Holy Spirit repeats, yes He plays back to us what Jesus said until the truth dawns upon us. The Holy Spirit…
  • Moves us to respond to God’s drawing…”come unto me” says Jesus. “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man open, I will come in.”
  • Nudges us back to God when we go astray. “If you confess your sin, I will forgive and cleanse you,” says God

Application

• It is our honor to work with God, our task given to us as disciples of Jesus Christ and privilege to be co laborers with Him to be witnesses of Jesus Christ…
  • From many years of fellowship with Him. We have known Him with personal intimacy for years and found Him totally faithful and true. We can say factually and convincingly as witnesses, “I know Him.”
  • From an inner conviction of the Holy Spirit that speaks to us. Telling us this is the way, right from wrong, and counsels us to do the right things and do them the right way.
  • From what we outwardly state as a testimony of our faith and life in Christ. We want to let others know of His faithfulness and truth. Since we are forgiven and found the way, we share the secret, the way, with others.

Tags: Take 10

Week 28 Day 4

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 28 Day 4

Introduction…The first Christian Martyrs were those who suffered under the persecution of the Romans in the early ages of the Church. For 240 years, or from about the year 64 after Christ to the time of emperor Constantine in 306 AD, the cruel punishments inflicted upon the Christians by their heathen enemies are described by the ancient historians as being as various and horrible as the mind of man, inspired by the devil, could invent.” Foxes Book of Martyrs, page 11.

Read John 16:1-6 “I have spoken these things to you in case you should be caused to stumble in the way. They will excommunicate you from the synagogue. Yes, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think that he is rendering a service to God and they will do these things because they did not recognize the Father or me. But I have spoken these things to you so that when their time comes, you will remember that I spoke them to you. I did not tell you these things at the beginning because I was with you. But know I am going away to him who sent me and none of you asks me, ‘where are you going?’ But grief has filled your hearts because I have spoken these things to you.”

Bible Study

• From the beginning of time God revealed Himself to be the Creator, a good God, merciful and wanting a relationship with His Creation. God has chosen us and loves us, but many have not chosen God.
• Some people, who did respond to God’s love, later fell away for various reasons, especially for reasons of persecution. Revelation 21:8 condemns those who are unbelieving and fearful.
• While some in the early Church showed such courage and spiritual heroism, there were those whose faith was shown to be weak, failing to endure persecution.
• Jesus spoke of 2 ways in which His followers would be persecuted…
  • Excommunication from the synagogue, which was difficult for the Jews.
  • Being killed by people thinking they are doing a “latreia,” service for God. This word is used for the work of a priest rendering at the altar for religious service.
• The Apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, who wrote many of the New Testament Epistles, was a Jewish Pharisee, a religious leader, who tried to eliminate the name of Jesus, Christians and the Church in the years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. See Acts 26:9-11.
  • Saul/Paul consented to the first martyr of the Church, Stephen. See Acts 6:5-8:2
  • Saul/Paul “made havoc of the Church, entering into every house and haling men and women, committed them to prison.” Acts 8:3
  • Saul/Paul, “yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,” Acts 9:1
  • And then God intervened with a light from heaven that blinded him, knocking him off his horse to the ground, and then Jesus speaking to him saying, “Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” See Acts 9:2-31 where Saul’s life amazingly changed by Jesus Christ.

Application

• Joan of Arc was quoted as saying regarding loneliness, “People have sometimes learned, it is better to be alone with God. It is the price of fellowship with God.”
• Anyone thinking they have a monopoly on God’s grace and truth is dangerous and does not have the mind of Christ or the heart of God. We are to love the people of the world, not kill them!
• Regarding denominations…there are many, but as long as they believe it is the shed blood of Jesus Christ that saves us and in the Word of God…we are brothers.
• Have you ever prayed for someone who persecuted you? Jesus encouraged this. Matthew 5:10-12 says, “Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven…”
• Pray for the vilest sinner and the most vocal person who comes against God because once saved, they make great Christians when Jesus gets a hold of them.
• Jesus said to His disciples that He would make them fishers of men. It’s our job to catch them/people, but it is God’s job to clean them. We don’t have to tell new believers what a Christian does and doesn’t do…God will speak to them through His Word.

Tags: Take 10

Week 27 Day 2

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 27 Day 2

Introduction… If someone said to you, “I don’t know God, but I want to know Him” What would you tell them? How would you describe God? There are 5 senses…seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and tasting. Can one experience God through the 5 senses? And then there is knowing. Can knowing be accomplished without the 5 senses? How can we know God?

Read John 14:7-11 “If you had known me, you would have known my Father too. From now on you are beginning to know him and you have seen him.’ Philip said to him: ‘Lord show us the Father and that is enough for us.’ Jesus said to him: ‘Have I been with you for so long and you did not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say: ‘Show us the Father?’ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me? I am not the source of the words that I speak to you. It is the Father who dwells in me who is doing his own work. Believe me that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me. If you cannot believe it because I say it, believe it because of the very works I do.”

Bible Study

• 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 speaks of knowing and God. “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love Him. But God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of man…or of God?”
• No man had ever seen God, until in Exodus 33:12-32 it tells of the only time God revealed Himself. In this case it was to Moses. It was an awesome event, but Moses had already known God for years.
• Psalms 34:8 says for us to spiritually…“taste and see that the Lord is good.”
• Philip the disciple, asks the incredible, or the impossible…show us the Father, as if seeing Him would result in knowing Him.
• Jesus says with utter simplicity, “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” You have seen me in action, my heart intentions and purposes. You now know God.

• Jesus reflected God. To see and know Jesus, is to see and know God. See Hebrews 1:1-3 where it says, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past by the prophets, has in these last days, spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds, who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…”

• Because we “see Jesus”, we can say and know about God that He…

• • Knows ordinary life, as He experienced human birth, the home, family and childhood.
  • Knows the necessity and honor of work. Not ashamed to do man’s work.
  • Knows what it means and is to be tempted.
  • Knows the joy and wounds that comes from loving others.
  • Knows the sacrifice, pain and suffering of the Cross.
  • Came here out of the love He had for His creation longing to bring back the relationship He had with mankind before the fall.
• The claim and test Jesus put forth relating to God was for one to look at…
  • What Jesus said…His words. They were wonderful words of life. He spoke as one with authority, wisdom, insight and like none other.
  • What Jesus did…His deeds. They were acts no one else ever did. Supernatural and yet done from a heart of love, the very heart of God. See Matthew 11:1-6.

Application

• Would your explanation speak well for God? Would your life be able to be used as an example? Do you reflect God?
• Does your life produce the fruit of His spirit alive, active, changing you from the inside out?
• Pointing people to Jesus and saying…listen to Him, look at Him, know Him and believe in Him is to see and know God.
• From the right and from the left, may we draw them by His Spirit to the straight and narrow way of God that states, Jesus is the way, truth and life and no one comes to the Father but by Him.

Tags: Take 10