Sunday, July 25, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Stewards of the Environment
If Christians believe God created our planet and everything on it, and if Christians are good stewards of the resources provided by God, then why are not Christian leaders speaking out against the environmental disaster in the Gulf?
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Humble
Excerpt from email to Toni after reading today’s devotional: Both of us must become more humble (I am not humble enough) and less judgmental (I am too judgmental), because if we are not humble then we are the opposite--prideful, no matter what form it takes, including religious.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Went Country Line Dancing With a Country Girl Named Toni
Whazup? Hey we just went line dancing and it was fun! They teach you how to country dancing for free. FREE baby!
bitterness and unforgiveness
Would not bitterness and unforgiveness escape from me if I am developing into being Christ-like. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Th 5:16-18 NIV). My joy is not necessarily from my situation in life rather it a byproduct from my relationship with my Father. It is great to know it is God's will or my Father wants me to live in happiness, and I can because of his love for me.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Outta sight, outta mind
Posted to Billings' Church's and Newspaper's Facebook web sites: The Henley family thanks Josie, the people who donate the items, and Harvest Church for the opportunity last night you provided for us to act as the hands and feet of Jesus in our local community by sharing food, clothing, and prayers with the homeless or the impoverished. It was fun! Did you know Jesus Christ was homeless or lived in extreme poverty when He was the man-God on earth? “Jesus said to him [a scribe thinking he wanted to follow Jesus], ‘Foxes have dens, and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.’” (Matthew 8:20 NET). It is noteworthy that when the King of kings took our nature upon Himself that He chose to live in the disgrace and distress of extreme poverty, instead of the comfort of wealth and material prosperity. I believe He did this to intensify His identification with us when we are at our lowest points in life, meaning it was for our sake that He became extremely poor. What do you think?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Run With the Current
Today I read Genesis 32:22-32. The title of this passage is “Jacob Wrestles With God.” What does this mean? I think it means Jacob was struggling with God, as I do. Thus, the biblical principle is simply Jacob, who lived at least before 2,000 B.C., and believers and non-believers continue to wrestle or struggle with God or Jesus Christ, because our Father relentlessly intercedes or draws us to Him (like a current) and we continue to struggle with this intercession or His will.
Yesterday my family and our friend Tralee had a lot of fun white water rafting on the Stillwater River with our guide Tim and his lab dog Chocó. I noticed that every time we came to a rapid Tim would say to paddle through it. At first I did not understand why. The river was especially strong at these rapids so the raft did not need us to paddle to propel it. Then it occurred to me that paddling through the rapids helped the raft go with the current.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Life Group
We meet with our life group yesterday at a picnic in Pioneer Park, grilled and ate, played tennis, horse shoes, passed the softball, and the kids played at the playground. It was very enjoyable coming out of my winter thaw and getting back into to relationships. I am thankful that our church encourages deeper relationships with believers than can be made during a worship service. I really enjoy hearing how Jesus Christ influences and changes ordinary people's lives through our faith and His grace.
What Goes Around, Comes Around
Today's Bible reading is Genesis 27-31. The biblical principle I got from this scripture is “what goes around comes around.” Just as Jesus told Peter, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52 ESV). One meaning is if I live by violence then violence will negatively influence me. In Genesis 27 Jacob deceived his father Isaac into blessing him instead of Esau, then in Genesis 29 Laban (the father of Leah and Rachel) tricked Jacob into marrying Leah instead of Rachel.
The application for me is what practices am I doing (e.g., lying) that I would not want practiced on me. For example, last week my daughter witnessed me lying to avoid listening to a solicitor that wanted me to sign his political petition. (I told the solicitor that I was not a Montana registered voter). After that, my daughter made a commit about my lying, which of course I attempted to justify. But later I thought, she may have made a mental note and may use a similar practice on me in the future, which is very uneasy her being a teenager.
The application for me is what practices am I doing (e.g., lying) that I would not want practiced on me. For example, last week my daughter witnessed me lying to avoid listening to a solicitor that wanted me to sign his political petition. (I told the solicitor that I was not a Montana registered voter). After that, my daughter made a commit about my lying, which of course I attempted to justify. But later I thought, she may have made a mental note and may use a similar practice on me in the future, which is very uneasy her being a teenager.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
God offers simple directions to heavenly destination
I saw this article in our local newspaper and thought it was cool. I wish I wrote it. I expecially like the part about (1) admit, (2) agree, and (3) accept.
Faith and values: God offers simple directions to heavenly destination
RACHAEL NICAR For The Gazette | Posted: Saturday, April 24, 2010 12:00 am
I can remember as a 7-year-old going to my grandparents’ house for a week.
Mom and Dad bought a ticket, gave me some spending money, put me on a Greyhound bus and told me not to talk to strangers or get off the bus until I saw my grandma out the window. They made it very clear to me that my destiny was Ralls, Texas.
God has done the same for you. He has placed you on a journey. He has a destiny for your life (and you’ll be glad to know it is not Ralls, Texas).
1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, “For God has destined us not for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
According to the Bible, God’s destiny for your life is salvation. Your intended destination is heaven.
God has done exactly what my parents did. He has purchased your passage. He has equipped you for the journey. God loves you so much that he wants you to be with him forever.
The choice, however, is up to you. Even though he stands at the door with ticket paid and pocket money for the trip, many choose to go in directions other than the one God intends. That is the problem.
What is that problem? Our problem? Sin. (We’re on the wrong bus.)
When my parents gave me that ticket and told me which bus to board, I believed them, and I did what they said. I trusted them. I know they loved me, and I knew they knew more than I did. So, I got on board.
There are many buses, each of them promising to take you to happiness. There is the bus of pleasure, of possessions, of power, of passion.
I saw a bus called “party” and got on board. It was full of people laughing and carousing; they seemed to be enjoying a nonstop party. It was quite some time before I learned they had to be loud to cover up all the pain inside.
The word for getting on the bus is “sin.” I’ll go my way instead of God’s way. Right in the middle of the word “sin” is the word “I.” Sin is when we say, I’ll do what I want, no matter what God says.
To board the wrong bus is a serious mistake.
What does God want you to do? He wants you to get on his bus. How is this done? Three simple steps: admit, agree, accept.
1. Admit that God has not been first place in your life and ask him to forgive your sins. “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” (1 John 1:9)
2. Agree that Jesus died to pay for your sins and that he rose from the dead and is alive today. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
3. Accept the gift of salvation he offers through grace.
Would you let him save you?
The Rev. Rachael Nicar is drama director at Open Bible Church of Hardin.
Faith and values: God offers simple directions to heavenly destination
RACHAEL NICAR For The Gazette | Posted: Saturday, April 24, 2010 12:00 am
I can remember as a 7-year-old going to my grandparents’ house for a week.
Mom and Dad bought a ticket, gave me some spending money, put me on a Greyhound bus and told me not to talk to strangers or get off the bus until I saw my grandma out the window. They made it very clear to me that my destiny was Ralls, Texas.
God has done the same for you. He has placed you on a journey. He has a destiny for your life (and you’ll be glad to know it is not Ralls, Texas).
1 Thessalonians 5:9 says, “For God has destined us not for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
According to the Bible, God’s destiny for your life is salvation. Your intended destination is heaven.
God has done exactly what my parents did. He has purchased your passage. He has equipped you for the journey. God loves you so much that he wants you to be with him forever.
The choice, however, is up to you. Even though he stands at the door with ticket paid and pocket money for the trip, many choose to go in directions other than the one God intends. That is the problem.
What is that problem? Our problem? Sin. (We’re on the wrong bus.)
When my parents gave me that ticket and told me which bus to board, I believed them, and I did what they said. I trusted them. I know they loved me, and I knew they knew more than I did. So, I got on board.
There are many buses, each of them promising to take you to happiness. There is the bus of pleasure, of possessions, of power, of passion.
I saw a bus called “party” and got on board. It was full of people laughing and carousing; they seemed to be enjoying a nonstop party. It was quite some time before I learned they had to be loud to cover up all the pain inside.
The word for getting on the bus is “sin.” I’ll go my way instead of God’s way. Right in the middle of the word “sin” is the word “I.” Sin is when we say, I’ll do what I want, no matter what God says.
To board the wrong bus is a serious mistake.
What does God want you to do? He wants you to get on his bus. How is this done? Three simple steps: admit, agree, accept.
1. Admit that God has not been first place in your life and ask him to forgive your sins. “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” (1 John 1:9)
2. Agree that Jesus died to pay for your sins and that he rose from the dead and is alive today. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
3. Accept the gift of salvation he offers through grace.
Would you let him save you?
The Rev. Rachael Nicar is drama director at Open Bible Church of Hardin.
What Comes First Chicken or Egg?
First, the advantages and disadvantages of having four Gospels instead of a single Gospel are discussed. Second, how to answer a sincere question from a friend who is pondering how to distinguish between the words of Jesus and the opinions of the early church is explained.
First, there are several advantages to having four gospels instead of just one. Having four gospels gives readers a four-dimensional look into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Each gospel is from a different author, addressed to a particular audience, compiled from different sources, and offers a unique purpose. In addition, each gospel is no more or no less God-breathed or inspired by God than the other. To illustrate, “the gospel of Matthew utilized eyewitness material for instructing early Jewish Christians. Mark, who had close contact with Peter, summarized Peter’s preaching in his Gospel. Luke used oral and written sources to produce a careful historical account of early Christian events.”
Second, distinguishing between the words of Jesus and the opinions of the early church is clarified. “The message of the Gospels produced the churches; the churches did not produce the message. We must reject critical views of Gospel origins that attribute the tradition to the church rather than seeing the role of the tradition in creating the church.” The Holy Spirit guided both the authors in writing the gospels and the members of the early Christian church in accepting the gospels. “As these Gospels circulated throughout the New Testament world, the Spirit of God guided the members of the Early Christian church to accept them.”
This question of what comes first the Gospels or the church is very challenging to clarify, especially to a non-believer, from a scientific approach. The best source to gain an understanding and appreciation that the gospels came before the church is by studying the New Testament itself and study it within the content of its history and literary genre. From scripture, the conclusion can only be that the biblical text is equivalent to the words coming directly from the mouth of God. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB).
In summary, having four gospels gives readers a four-dimensional look into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The message of the Gospels guided by the Holy Spirit produced the churches; the churches did not produce the message. Moreover, most importantly, God inspires the gospels.
First, there are several advantages to having four gospels instead of just one. Having four gospels gives readers a four-dimensional look into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Each gospel is from a different author, addressed to a particular audience, compiled from different sources, and offers a unique purpose. In addition, each gospel is no more or no less God-breathed or inspired by God than the other. To illustrate, “the gospel of Matthew utilized eyewitness material for instructing early Jewish Christians. Mark, who had close contact with Peter, summarized Peter’s preaching in his Gospel. Luke used oral and written sources to produce a careful historical account of early Christian events.”
Second, distinguishing between the words of Jesus and the opinions of the early church is clarified. “The message of the Gospels produced the churches; the churches did not produce the message. We must reject critical views of Gospel origins that attribute the tradition to the church rather than seeing the role of the tradition in creating the church.” The Holy Spirit guided both the authors in writing the gospels and the members of the early Christian church in accepting the gospels. “As these Gospels circulated throughout the New Testament world, the Spirit of God guided the members of the Early Christian church to accept them.”
This question of what comes first the Gospels or the church is very challenging to clarify, especially to a non-believer, from a scientific approach. The best source to gain an understanding and appreciation that the gospels came before the church is by studying the New Testament itself and study it within the content of its history and literary genre. From scripture, the conclusion can only be that the biblical text is equivalent to the words coming directly from the mouth of God. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB).
In summary, having four gospels gives readers a four-dimensional look into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The message of the Gospels guided by the Holy Spirit produced the churches; the churches did not produce the message. Moreover, most importantly, God inspires the gospels.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Character Study of Apostle John
Lesson 1 - Loved
• Who is the disciple whom Jesus loved or the beloved disciple?
• Main passage—the disciple whom Jesus loved, “Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is going to betray you?’)” (John 21:20 NIV).
o Numerous cross reference verses put the beloved disciple at the same places and times as John.
“Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” (John 13:25 NIV).
“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea” (John 21:7 NASB).
“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother” (Matthew 10:2 NASB).
• John was one of the first disciples chosen by Jesus. Thus, John was a first string pick, and He was with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry until His death on the cross.
“Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them” (Matthew 4:21 NASB).
• Another verse evidencing that John was a first string disciple from the beginning.
“Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves” (Matthew 17:1 NASB).
• When Jesus met Moses and Elijah on the mountain, he needed support and company, so he turned to John along with his brother James and Peter—His inner circle.
“Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple [the disciple whom Jesus loved] would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?’” (John 21:23 NIV).
• Again, John was at this place and time, and ironically, John is the only disciple to die of old age!
o Although scripture does not explicitly state that John is the beloved disciple, the consensus of most biblical scholars is that implicitly the beloved disciple is John.
“Traditionally he has been identified with the beloved disciple of the fourth gospel (John 13:23; 19: 26; 20: 2 and 21: 7, 20. He could also be the unnamed disciple of 1f:35 and perhaps18: 15f. and 19:35).”
• Illustrations
o The act of Jesus filling their nets with fish illustrates that Jesus Christ not only performs miracles and heals the sick, but He loves by providing us with our daily needs in addition to saving us.
o The proper response to such love is illustrated by how the fishermen stopped everything and followed Jesus. Following Jesus is more than accepting Him as savior. Following includes throwing out the old life completely and replacing it with a new life committed to the Lord.
• In conclusion, John, of all people, had to acutely experience love from Jesus, because he was closely with Christ from the very beginning of His ministry until his death.
• Application
o As we will discover in Lesson 3 - Loving, Jesus dearly loved John, which transformed John to be more loving to others. The power of Jesus’ love transformed John’s life from a rugged fisherman into a loving apostle doing the will of God and bearing much fruit. What has been the outcome of Jesus love for you?
• Bibliography
o Bauckham, R. “The Beloved Disciple as Ideal Author.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 49, (1993): 21-44. New Testament Abstracts, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Browning, W.R.F., eds. “John the Apostle.” In A Dictionary of the Bible. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, http://www.oxfordbiblicalcstudies.com/artical/opr/194/e1014 (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Carey, Gary, and James L. Roberts, eds. The New Testament. Nebraska: Cliffs Notes, 1999. NetLibrary e-book.
o Collins, Raymond F. “From John to the Beloved Disciple: an Essay on Johannine Characters.” Interpretation 29.4 (1995): 359+. General OneFile. Web. 9 April 2010.
o Fonck, Leopold. “St. John the Evangelist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm (accessed 9 April 2010).
o iLumina. CD-ROM, Gold Premium, version 2.8. Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 2006.
o “John, St.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hill, Michigan: Gale, 2010. http://galenet.galegroup.com/ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/servlet/BioRC
o “John the Apostle, Saint.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010. Web. 9 April 2010 http://search.eb.com/eb/articale-9043818
o “John the Evangelist.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Kingsbury, Jack Dean. “The Gospel of John.” Interpretation 49, no. 4 (October 1, 1995): 341-389. ATLA Religion database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Metzger, Bruce, and Michael D. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford, 2001.
o Ryan, Patrick J. “Privileged Insight.” America, April 3, 1993, 23. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 9, 2010)
o Smalley, Stephen S., and John Sweet. “John The Apostle.” The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Ed. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Liberty University. 9April 2010 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t97.e167
o Thompson, Marianne Meye. “The Gospel According to John.” The Cambridge Companion to The Gospels. ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Cambridge Collections Online. Cambridge University Press. 09 April 2010 DOI: 10.1017/CCOL0521807662.010
o Who’s Who in Christianity. New York: Routledge, 2002. NetLibrary e-book.
Lesson 2 - Judgmental and Ambitious
• John was not perfect; He acted judgmental and ambitious on occasion during the middle of Jesus’ ministry.
• First main passage—judgmental, “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village” (Luke 9:54 NIV).
o John and James were referencing in the 2 King 1:10, 12 when God sent fire from heaven, because Elijah requested this to destroy the King of Samaria’s men.
o Jesus scolded the brother’s for judging the Samaria village, and He said, “You don’t even know what spirit is causing you to say this.”
o Jesus explicitly establishes that judging and reprisal is His role only.
o “James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)” (Mark 3:17 NIV).
Historical setting
• At one time or another, Peter, Andrew, James and John, as well as Philip, all lived in Bethsaida. It was one of the most flourishing fishing spots on the Sea of Galilee. The name itself meant “House of Fish” or “Fishery.” The historian Josephus said that there were as many as three hundred thirty fishing boats operating on the Sea of Galilee in his day.
• Fishing was strenuous hard work, and it naturally attracted a rather rough-and-ready type of person. James and John were called “sons of thunder” before Jesus changed their lives. After that, John became known for his tenderness.
“Sons of Thunder” possibly refers to James and John’s fiery disposition.
• Second main passage— ambitious, “James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You’” (Mark 10:35ff NASB).
o In Matthew, James and John’s mother also requested that her sons receive the most honored places in Christ’s kingdom.
o “’You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ ‘We can, ‘they answered” (Matthew 20:22 NIV).
• Illustrations
o James and John showed their temper when they wanted to destroy the Samaria village for refusing to welcome them.
o John did suffer for Jesus after he asked for the most honored position in the kingdom of God.
With Peter he was arrested and jailed for preaching about Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 4:1-3).
John is arrested and jailed a second time probably with Peter, because prominent Jews were jealous of them (Acts 5:17-18).
He was imprisoned on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9).
• In conclusion, John showed an immature tendency to be anger and selfish during his Christian growth.
• Application
o John’s behavior of anger and selfishness in the middle of Jesus’ ministry shows that he was on a journey of Christian growth, as all Christians are. Selfishness is the opposite of Christ-like behavior--compassion. In addition, acts of selfishness are not within God’s will. Is your life best described as self-centered or self-giving?
• Bibliography
o Bauckham, R. “The Beloved Disciple as Ideal Author.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 49, (1993): 21-44. New Testament Abstracts, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Browning, W.R.F., eds. “John the Apostle.” In A Dictionary of the Bible. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, http://www.oxfordbiblicalcstudies.com/artical/opr/194/e1014 (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Carey, Gary, and James L. Roberts, eds. The New Testament. Nebraska: Cliffs Notes, 1999. NetLibrary e-book.
o Collins, Raymond F. “From John to the Beloved Disciple: an Essay on Johannine Characters.” Interpretation 29.4 (1995): 359+. General OneFile. Web. 9 April 2010.
o Fonck, Leopold. “St. John the Evangelist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm (accessed 9 April 2010).
o iLumina. CD-ROM, Gold Premium, version 2.8. Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 2006.
o “John, St.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hill, Michigan: Gale, 2010. http://galenet.galegroup.com/ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/servlet/BioRC
o “John the Apostle, Saint.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010. Web. 9 April 2010 http://search.eb.com/eb/articale-9043818
o “John the Evangelist.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Kingsbury, Jack Dean. “The Gospel of John.” Interpretation 49, no. 4 (October 1, 1995): 341-389. ATLA Religion database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Metzger, Bruce, and Michael D. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford, 2001.
o Ryan, Patrick J. “Privileged Insight.” America, April 3, 1993, 23. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 9, 2010)
o Smalley, Stephen S., and John Sweet. “John The Apostle.” The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Ed. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Liberty University. 9April 2010 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t97.e167
o Thompson, Marianne Meye. “The Gospel According to John.” The Cambridge Companion to The Gospels. ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Cambridge Collections Online. Cambridge University Press. 09 April 2010 DOI: 10.1017/CCOL0521807662.010
o Who’s Who in Christianity. New York: Routledge, 2002. NetLibrary e-book.
Lesson 3 - Loving
• John matures into the loving apostle bearing much fruit.
• Main passage—the commandment that is both old and new: love others, “Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining” (1 John 2:7,8).
o Love others is an old commandment: love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19: 18); and a new commandment: Jesus said love one another as I have loved you (John 13: 34).
o Jesus is love and set the example of how to love.
o Love is the element that should distinguish and identify Christians and the church from everything else.
• Illustration
o “When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’” Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ From that hour the disciple took her into his own household” (John 19:26-27 NASB).
When Christ was crucified, he told John to take care of his mother (John 19:26-27).
• Normally a family member would have chosen to take care of his mother Mary; however, Jesus’ brothers did not believe in him the way John and Mary (Jesus’ mother) did.
• This event certainly shows that a close, trusting relationship existed between Jesus and John, and more than anything this attest to John’s loving character.
o “They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day” (Act 4:2-3 NIV).
John challenged the teaching of religious leaders whom denied Jesus’ resurrection, which caused John to be imprisoned.
o “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NIV).
Thus, even opposing religious leaders were amazed at Peter and John’s transformation after being with Jesus.
o “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them” (Acts 8:14 NIV).
Remember John wanted to throw fire from heaven down on a village in Samaria when his character was selfish. Now he is loving and praying with and for Samaritans.
o “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3 NIV).
John was the best teacher of Jesus’ ministry, because he was uniquely qualified as the longest living eyewitness disciple. Thus, his teaching, books, and letters are accurate and trustworthy.
o “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1-2 NIV).
John wrote Revelation while in exile on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. The Romans sent him there as punishment for teaching about Jesus Christ.
The purpose of the book of Revelation is to further testify to the identity of Jesus Christ and to give hope and warning to fellow believers and the church.
• In conclusion, John is the only disciple of the original twelve who lived until he died of natural causes. During his long-life he bore much fruit by teaching, leading, preaching, writing, and witnessing of the transforming power of the love of Jesus Christ available to all.
o Although John is not usually in the spotlight in the Bible, he is always participating in the critical events. He was very close to Jesus, and John’s life truly exemplified Christ-like behavior. Although he was usually not the disciple or apostle in the limelight, the evidence of his character is overwhelming.
o The best evidence of John’s character is the Gospel of John. Christians recommend that non-believers and new believers read this book of the Bible first to appreciate that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and salvation is through Him.
• Application
o John actually put into practice what he was taught by Jesus by caring for His mother after His death on the cross. This act exemplifies how the body of Christ should treat fellow family members. Do you really treat fellow Christians like family?
o John was transformed by his experiences with Jesus. John’s bold behavior and teaching were amazing, even to adversaries! Is your daily life noticeable and astonishingly different?
o John attitude to Samaritans changed from wanting to kill his enemies to praying and loving his enemies. What is your attitude towards opponents?
o John was the quintessential eyewitness to the life of Jesus Christ, and as such evangelized until the end of his life. Have you shared the gospel with anyone lately?
• Bibliography
o Bauckham, R. “The Beloved Disciple as Ideal Author.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 49, (1993): 21-44. New Testament Abstracts, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Browning, W.R.F., eds. “John the Apostle.” In A Dictionary of the Bible. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, http://www.oxfordbiblicalcstudies.com/artical/opr/194/e1014 (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Carey, Gary, and James L. Roberts, eds. The New Testament. Nebraska: Cliffs Notes, 1999. NetLibrary e-book.
o Collins, Raymond F. “From John to the Beloved Disciple: an Essay on Johannine Characters.” Interpretation 29.4 (1995): 359+. General OneFile. Web. 9 April 2010.
o Fonck, Leopold. “St. John the Evangelist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm (accessed 9 April 2010).
o iLumina. CD-ROM, Gold Premium, version 2.8. Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 2006.
o “John, St.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hill, Michigan: Gale, 2010. http://galenet.galegroup.com/ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/servlet/BioRC
o “John the Apostle, Saint.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010. Web. 9 April 2010 http://search.eb.com/eb/articale-9043818
o “John the Evangelist.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Kingsbury, Jack Dean. “The Gospel of John.” Interpretation 49, no. 4 (October 1, 1995): 341-389. ATLA Religion database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Metzger, Bruce, and Michael D. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford, 2001.
o Ryan, Patrick J. “Privileged Insight.” America, April 3, 1993, 23. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 9, 2010)
o Smalley, Stephen S., and John Sweet. “John The Apostle.” The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Ed. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Liberty University. 9April 2010 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t97.e167
o Thompson, Marianne Meye. “The Gospel According to John.” The Cambridge Companion to The Gospels. ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Cambridge Collections Online. Cambridge University Press. 09 April 2010 DOI: 10.1017/CCOL0521807662.010
o Who’s Who in Christianity. New York: Routledge, 2002. NetLibrary e-book.
• Who is the disciple whom Jesus loved or the beloved disciple?
• Main passage—the disciple whom Jesus loved, “Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is going to betray you?’)” (John 21:20 NIV).
o Numerous cross reference verses put the beloved disciple at the same places and times as John.
“Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” (John 13:25 NIV).
“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord.’ So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea” (John 21:7 NASB).
“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother” (Matthew 10:2 NASB).
• John was one of the first disciples chosen by Jesus. Thus, John was a first string pick, and He was with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry until His death on the cross.
“Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them” (Matthew 4:21 NASB).
• Another verse evidencing that John was a first string disciple from the beginning.
“Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves” (Matthew 17:1 NASB).
• When Jesus met Moses and Elijah on the mountain, he needed support and company, so he turned to John along with his brother James and Peter—His inner circle.
“Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple [the disciple whom Jesus loved] would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?’” (John 21:23 NIV).
• Again, John was at this place and time, and ironically, John is the only disciple to die of old age!
o Although scripture does not explicitly state that John is the beloved disciple, the consensus of most biblical scholars is that implicitly the beloved disciple is John.
“Traditionally he has been identified with the beloved disciple of the fourth gospel (John 13:23; 19: 26; 20: 2 and 21: 7, 20. He could also be the unnamed disciple of 1f:35 and perhaps18: 15f. and 19:35).”
• Illustrations
o The act of Jesus filling their nets with fish illustrates that Jesus Christ not only performs miracles and heals the sick, but He loves by providing us with our daily needs in addition to saving us.
o The proper response to such love is illustrated by how the fishermen stopped everything and followed Jesus. Following Jesus is more than accepting Him as savior. Following includes throwing out the old life completely and replacing it with a new life committed to the Lord.
• In conclusion, John, of all people, had to acutely experience love from Jesus, because he was closely with Christ from the very beginning of His ministry until his death.
• Application
o As we will discover in Lesson 3 - Loving, Jesus dearly loved John, which transformed John to be more loving to others. The power of Jesus’ love transformed John’s life from a rugged fisherman into a loving apostle doing the will of God and bearing much fruit. What has been the outcome of Jesus love for you?
• Bibliography
o Bauckham, R. “The Beloved Disciple as Ideal Author.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 49, (1993): 21-44. New Testament Abstracts, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Browning, W.R.F., eds. “John the Apostle.” In A Dictionary of the Bible. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, http://www.oxfordbiblicalcstudies.com/artical/opr/194/e1014 (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Carey, Gary, and James L. Roberts, eds. The New Testament. Nebraska: Cliffs Notes, 1999. NetLibrary e-book.
o Collins, Raymond F. “From John to the Beloved Disciple: an Essay on Johannine Characters.” Interpretation 29.4 (1995): 359+. General OneFile. Web. 9 April 2010.
o Fonck, Leopold. “St. John the Evangelist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm (accessed 9 April 2010).
o iLumina. CD-ROM, Gold Premium, version 2.8. Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 2006.
o “John, St.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hill, Michigan: Gale, 2010. http://galenet.galegroup.com/ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/servlet/BioRC
o “John the Apostle, Saint.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010. Web. 9 April 2010 http://search.eb.com/eb/articale-9043818
o “John the Evangelist.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Kingsbury, Jack Dean. “The Gospel of John.” Interpretation 49, no. 4 (October 1, 1995): 341-389. ATLA Religion database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Metzger, Bruce, and Michael D. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford, 2001.
o Ryan, Patrick J. “Privileged Insight.” America, April 3, 1993, 23. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 9, 2010)
o Smalley, Stephen S., and John Sweet. “John The Apostle.” The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Ed. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Liberty University. 9April 2010 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t97.e167
o Thompson, Marianne Meye. “The Gospel According to John.” The Cambridge Companion to The Gospels. ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Cambridge Collections Online. Cambridge University Press. 09 April 2010 DOI: 10.1017/CCOL0521807662.010
o Who’s Who in Christianity. New York: Routledge, 2002. NetLibrary e-book.
Lesson 2 - Judgmental and Ambitious
• John was not perfect; He acted judgmental and ambitious on occasion during the middle of Jesus’ ministry.
• First main passage—judgmental, “When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village” (Luke 9:54 NIV).
o John and James were referencing in the 2 King 1:10, 12 when God sent fire from heaven, because Elijah requested this to destroy the King of Samaria’s men.
o Jesus scolded the brother’s for judging the Samaria village, and He said, “You don’t even know what spirit is causing you to say this.”
o Jesus explicitly establishes that judging and reprisal is His role only.
o “James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)” (Mark 3:17 NIV).
Historical setting
• At one time or another, Peter, Andrew, James and John, as well as Philip, all lived in Bethsaida. It was one of the most flourishing fishing spots on the Sea of Galilee. The name itself meant “House of Fish” or “Fishery.” The historian Josephus said that there were as many as three hundred thirty fishing boats operating on the Sea of Galilee in his day.
• Fishing was strenuous hard work, and it naturally attracted a rather rough-and-ready type of person. James and John were called “sons of thunder” before Jesus changed their lives. After that, John became known for his tenderness.
“Sons of Thunder” possibly refers to James and John’s fiery disposition.
• Second main passage— ambitious, “James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You’” (Mark 10:35ff NASB).
o In Matthew, James and John’s mother also requested that her sons receive the most honored places in Christ’s kingdom.
o “’You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said to them. ‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ ‘We can, ‘they answered” (Matthew 20:22 NIV).
• Illustrations
o James and John showed their temper when they wanted to destroy the Samaria village for refusing to welcome them.
o John did suffer for Jesus after he asked for the most honored position in the kingdom of God.
With Peter he was arrested and jailed for preaching about Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 4:1-3).
John is arrested and jailed a second time probably with Peter, because prominent Jews were jealous of them (Acts 5:17-18).
He was imprisoned on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9).
• In conclusion, John showed an immature tendency to be anger and selfish during his Christian growth.
• Application
o John’s behavior of anger and selfishness in the middle of Jesus’ ministry shows that he was on a journey of Christian growth, as all Christians are. Selfishness is the opposite of Christ-like behavior--compassion. In addition, acts of selfishness are not within God’s will. Is your life best described as self-centered or self-giving?
• Bibliography
o Bauckham, R. “The Beloved Disciple as Ideal Author.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 49, (1993): 21-44. New Testament Abstracts, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Browning, W.R.F., eds. “John the Apostle.” In A Dictionary of the Bible. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, http://www.oxfordbiblicalcstudies.com/artical/opr/194/e1014 (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Carey, Gary, and James L. Roberts, eds. The New Testament. Nebraska: Cliffs Notes, 1999. NetLibrary e-book.
o Collins, Raymond F. “From John to the Beloved Disciple: an Essay on Johannine Characters.” Interpretation 29.4 (1995): 359+. General OneFile. Web. 9 April 2010.
o Fonck, Leopold. “St. John the Evangelist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm (accessed 9 April 2010).
o iLumina. CD-ROM, Gold Premium, version 2.8. Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 2006.
o “John, St.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hill, Michigan: Gale, 2010. http://galenet.galegroup.com/ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/servlet/BioRC
o “John the Apostle, Saint.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010. Web. 9 April 2010 http://search.eb.com/eb/articale-9043818
o “John the Evangelist.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Kingsbury, Jack Dean. “The Gospel of John.” Interpretation 49, no. 4 (October 1, 1995): 341-389. ATLA Religion database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Metzger, Bruce, and Michael D. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford, 2001.
o Ryan, Patrick J. “Privileged Insight.” America, April 3, 1993, 23. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 9, 2010)
o Smalley, Stephen S., and John Sweet. “John The Apostle.” The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Ed. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Liberty University. 9April 2010 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t97.e167
o Thompson, Marianne Meye. “The Gospel According to John.” The Cambridge Companion to The Gospels. ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Cambridge Collections Online. Cambridge University Press. 09 April 2010 DOI: 10.1017/CCOL0521807662.010
o Who’s Who in Christianity. New York: Routledge, 2002. NetLibrary e-book.
Lesson 3 - Loving
• John matures into the loving apostle bearing much fruit.
• Main passage—the commandment that is both old and new: love others, “Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining” (1 John 2:7,8).
o Love others is an old commandment: love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19: 18); and a new commandment: Jesus said love one another as I have loved you (John 13: 34).
o Jesus is love and set the example of how to love.
o Love is the element that should distinguish and identify Christians and the church from everything else.
• Illustration
o “When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’” Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ From that hour the disciple took her into his own household” (John 19:26-27 NASB).
When Christ was crucified, he told John to take care of his mother (John 19:26-27).
• Normally a family member would have chosen to take care of his mother Mary; however, Jesus’ brothers did not believe in him the way John and Mary (Jesus’ mother) did.
• This event certainly shows that a close, trusting relationship existed between Jesus and John, and more than anything this attest to John’s loving character.
o “They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day” (Act 4:2-3 NIV).
John challenged the teaching of religious leaders whom denied Jesus’ resurrection, which caused John to be imprisoned.
o “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13 NIV).
Thus, even opposing religious leaders were amazed at Peter and John’s transformation after being with Jesus.
o “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them” (Acts 8:14 NIV).
Remember John wanted to throw fire from heaven down on a village in Samaria when his character was selfish. Now he is loving and praying with and for Samaritans.
o “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3 NIV).
John was the best teacher of Jesus’ ministry, because he was uniquely qualified as the longest living eyewitness disciple. Thus, his teaching, books, and letters are accurate and trustworthy.
o “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1-2 NIV).
John wrote Revelation while in exile on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. The Romans sent him there as punishment for teaching about Jesus Christ.
The purpose of the book of Revelation is to further testify to the identity of Jesus Christ and to give hope and warning to fellow believers and the church.
• In conclusion, John is the only disciple of the original twelve who lived until he died of natural causes. During his long-life he bore much fruit by teaching, leading, preaching, writing, and witnessing of the transforming power of the love of Jesus Christ available to all.
o Although John is not usually in the spotlight in the Bible, he is always participating in the critical events. He was very close to Jesus, and John’s life truly exemplified Christ-like behavior. Although he was usually not the disciple or apostle in the limelight, the evidence of his character is overwhelming.
o The best evidence of John’s character is the Gospel of John. Christians recommend that non-believers and new believers read this book of the Bible first to appreciate that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and salvation is through Him.
• Application
o John actually put into practice what he was taught by Jesus by caring for His mother after His death on the cross. This act exemplifies how the body of Christ should treat fellow family members. Do you really treat fellow Christians like family?
o John was transformed by his experiences with Jesus. John’s bold behavior and teaching were amazing, even to adversaries! Is your daily life noticeable and astonishingly different?
o John attitude to Samaritans changed from wanting to kill his enemies to praying and loving his enemies. What is your attitude towards opponents?
o John was the quintessential eyewitness to the life of Jesus Christ, and as such evangelized until the end of his life. Have you shared the gospel with anyone lately?
• Bibliography
o Bauckham, R. “The Beloved Disciple as Ideal Author.” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 49, (1993): 21-44. New Testament Abstracts, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Browning, W.R.F., eds. “John the Apostle.” In A Dictionary of the Bible. Oxford Biblical Studies Online, http://www.oxfordbiblicalcstudies.com/artical/opr/194/e1014 (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Carey, Gary, and James L. Roberts, eds. The New Testament. Nebraska: Cliffs Notes, 1999. NetLibrary e-book.
o Collins, Raymond F. “From John to the Beloved Disciple: an Essay on Johannine Characters.” Interpretation 29.4 (1995): 359+. General OneFile. Web. 9 April 2010.
o Fonck, Leopold. “St. John the Evangelist.” The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08492a.htm (accessed 9 April 2010).
o iLumina. CD-ROM, Gold Premium, version 2.8. Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 2006.
o “John, St.” Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in Biography Resource Center. Farmington Hill, Michigan: Gale, 2010. http://galenet.galegroup.com/ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/servlet/BioRC
o “John the Apostle, Saint.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2010. Web. 9 April 2010 http://search.eb.com/eb/articale-9043818
o “John the Evangelist.” Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Kingsbury, Jack Dean. “The Gospel of John.” Interpretation 49, no. 4 (October 1, 1995): 341-389. ATLA Religion database with ATLA Serials, EBSCO host (accessed April 9, 2010).
o Metzger, Bruce, and Michael D. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible. New York: Oxford, 2001.
o Ryan, Patrick J. “Privileged Insight.” America, April 3, 1993, 23. http://www.proquest.com/ (accessed April 9, 2010)
o Smalley, Stephen S., and John Sweet. “John The Apostle.” The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible. Ed. Bruce M. Metzger and Michael D. Coogan. Oxford University Press, 2001. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Liberty University. 9April 2010 http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t97.e167
o Thompson, Marianne Meye. “The Gospel According to John.” The Cambridge Companion to The Gospels. ed. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Cambridge Collections Online. Cambridge University Press. 09 April 2010 DOI: 10.1017/CCOL0521807662.010
o Who’s Who in Christianity. New York: Routledge, 2002. NetLibrary e-book.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Salvation Message in 141 Characters for Twitter
I could not have a close/lasting relationship with my Father because of my sinful nature until I repented & accepted Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection on my behalf.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
New Year's Facial Party
BEST VIDEO YET!!! Here is a new New Year's Party family tradition. We drank the bubbles, ate snacks, played Texas Hold'em, and the NEW TRADITION is facials to start the New Year off with clean and fresh skin!!! It was lots of fun. Hollywood!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Dog Sledding.mpg
This dog sledding event reminded me of when we swam with the manatees the second time. Some times when you had a good experience doing something you should just leave it alone. It was super cold and I got sick after watching the dogs eat each others poop icepops the whole trip. Actually we cut the trip short and went back in the hot springs. Unfortunately we did not film the poop eating feast for you, but you wanted to eat today any ways.
Hands And Feet
I saw this video and it was emotinal for me. Here is why:
That video was emotional and exactly what I needed! I have an opportunity to go to Israel for my seminary studies, and I have an opportunity to go to Ethiopia with Harvest Church to help build a wall for an orphanage school this year as my vacation. I have been praying about this constantly, and I do not see how going to Israel, as a tourist, is biblically justified over the need to go to Ethiopia and serve orphans. The selfish me wants to go to Israel, but when I bring this to God, I believe it may not be His want for me. Do I keep praying about this because I am hoping for Him to give me the message I want?
Here is what Pastor Mike said, "If we are the body of Christ - the hands and the feet - what are our hands saying to others around us?"
Yellowstone Rams
Two new animals at Yellowstone--Rams! I apologize the quality of the footage is like a Bigfoot sighting. I was holding the camera, not Nicole
Beaver
Checkout this excellent footage Nicole got of a beaver in Yellowstone this winter. Our tour guide (this is when Grandma Linda was with us) said this was the first time in 15 years at the park that he saw a beaver. And, the beaver was gather sticks to build his damn. It seems like every time we go to Yellowstone we see something we have not seen before. What a treat!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
2009 Christmas With Grandma Linda 2
Nicole is not the most pleasant person in the morning, but I love her.
I Need Humility Not Intellectism
I know you have not heard from us for a while. We are busy with studies; however, I thought we should share this aspect of our life too, even though it is not as fun as weekend vacations. Here is an excerpt from a discussion reply I had in Seminary school (we have to write in third person [scholarly types likey this]):
This classmate’s evaluation of the canonization of the New Testament offers good points, and significant agreement must be taken and explained. The topic of canonization brings up more question than answers. What comes first faith in Christ or belief in the inspiration of the Bible? This is a chicken or the egg question.
Generally, it is Protestant, evangelical churches’ presupposition or doctrine that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that the term “Bible” is limited to the sixty-six books of the canon. Paul is clear when he says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB). Inspired is synonymous with God-breathed, which is used in the NIV Bible; therefore, the origin of action is God, not man. This poses a question. When a pastor prays that he preach God’s words, not his words, does that make his sermon God inspired?
Nonetheless, historically the Third Council of Carthage seems to have sanctioned the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. “The Third Council of Carthage (397), attended by Augustine, recognized the twenty-seven New Testament books, and thereafter in the West there was little deviation from that stance.”1 In addition, the Eastern church did not recognize the books of 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, and Jude; and the Ethiopian church recognized the twenty-seven books and added eight others.2 Thus, man seems to be the authority over the Bible based on the history of different Christian churches picking and choosing which books comprise their Bible.
In conclusion, the scholarly study of canonization raises more questions than answers. Is our generation similar to Job and using what is not understood as an excuse for not trusting God? “You [God] asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I [Job] spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3 NIV). Thus, believers should believe the Holy Bible is God-breathed based on faith, not over intellectualizing. Perhaps believers should seek more opportunities for growth in humility, and fewer opportunities for intellectualizing.
1 D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo., An Introduction to the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2005), 735.
2 Carson and Moos, 735.
This classmate’s evaluation of the canonization of the New Testament offers good points, and significant agreement must be taken and explained. The topic of canonization brings up more question than answers. What comes first faith in Christ or belief in the inspiration of the Bible? This is a chicken or the egg question.
Generally, it is Protestant, evangelical churches’ presupposition or doctrine that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that the term “Bible” is limited to the sixty-six books of the canon. Paul is clear when he says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB). Inspired is synonymous with God-breathed, which is used in the NIV Bible; therefore, the origin of action is God, not man. This poses a question. When a pastor prays that he preach God’s words, not his words, does that make his sermon God inspired?
Nonetheless, historically the Third Council of Carthage seems to have sanctioned the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. “The Third Council of Carthage (397), attended by Augustine, recognized the twenty-seven New Testament books, and thereafter in the West there was little deviation from that stance.”1 In addition, the Eastern church did not recognize the books of 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, and Jude; and the Ethiopian church recognized the twenty-seven books and added eight others.2 Thus, man seems to be the authority over the Bible based on the history of different Christian churches picking and choosing which books comprise their Bible.
In conclusion, the scholarly study of canonization raises more questions than answers. Is our generation similar to Job and using what is not understood as an excuse for not trusting God? “You [God] asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I [Job] spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3 NIV). Thus, believers should believe the Holy Bible is God-breathed based on faith, not over intellectualizing. Perhaps believers should seek more opportunities for growth in humility, and fewer opportunities for intellectualizing.
1 D.A. Carson and Douglas J. Moo., An Introduction to the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2005), 735.
2 Carson and Moos, 735.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Good Friday is a day of remembrance when, as Christians, we solemnly reflect on the death of our Savior Jesus on a Roman cross to pay the penalty for our sin. It is a sober reminder of what we did to God before our joyous celebration of what God did for us—resurrect from death and conquer Satan, sin, and death—on Easter Sunday.
“No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
- Jesus Christ (John 10:18)
Find a service time near you and join us on April 2nd.
Watch online and catch a live webcast of our new Good Friday film, if you are unable to attend a service in person.
Webcast Service Times:
Good Friday (Sydney @ 8pm)
Friday April 02, 2010
02:00AM PDT (04/02 09:00 GMT)
Good Friday (London @ 8pm)
Friday April 02, 2010
12:00PM PDT (04/02 19:00 GMT)
Good Friday (New York @ 8pm)
Friday April 02, 2010
05:00PM PDT (04/03 00:00 GMT)
Good Friday (Chicago @ 8pm)
Friday April 02, 2010
06:00PM PDT (04/03 01:00 GMT)
Good Friday (Seattle @ 8pm)
Friday April 02, 2010
08:00PM PDT (04/03 03:00 GMT)
http://www.marshillchurch.org/live/good-friday-sidney
Friday, January 1, 2010
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