Blind man Born Blind, but not in Sin.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
THOUGHT QUESTION: Did the Blind man EARN his sight by washing in the pool of Siloam?
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW. 8-28
NEVER WAS IT HEARD… 9:29-34
DO WE BELIEVE, or do we DOUBT? 35-41
The church of Christ in Borger on Franklin & Juniper st invites you to one of their services.
Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me” (Matt 16:24). We are to die to self and live for Him.
The Gospels reveal 7 sayings of Jesus when He was on His cross. These sayings have important meaning for themselves, but they also leave an example for us who are suffering on our crosses.
What can the 7 sayings of Jesus on the cross teach us about handling our own pain, suffering, & earthly hurting?
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
We often suffer at the hands of those close to us. Jesus suffered at the hands of God’s chosen people. We will often complain about what they should do, but didn’t do. Yes, they shoulda, and coulda, but didn’t. This powerful example of Jesus teaches us to be a forgiving people. We need to complain with grace, ready to Forgive, or Forebear, or Forget (release from our heart). Forgive those that are hurting you…
But Stay on the cross.
“To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
When others fail, remember that God doesn’t fail. There’s hope in the midst of our pain. There’s even hope when our pain is self induced. The thief admitted his guilt, and was a mocker along with the other one, but later he had a change of heart. It’s then he looked to the only one that could help, Jesus. Sometimes our suffering is self induced, but the Lord is faithful to forgive those that are in Him (1John 1:9). Repent…
But Stay on the cross.
“Woman, behold, thy son! Behold, thy mother!” (John 19:26-27)
Your friends may have turned their back on you. I hate that. However, If you’ll look, you’ll see that not everyone has left you. Some are nearby unable to take away your pain, But they can take some of your responsibilities. Just ask them for help. Some of us just don’t know what to do, but we’re willing if you’ll let us know.
When you’re overwhelmed with your main priority, let go of some of the other important, but lesser stuff.
But Stay on the cross.
“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mat 27:46)
People will let you down at your lowest point. The disciples left Jesus. It will also APPEAR that God has left you too. He hasn’t. He’s with you. While this saying has prophetic significance, it is a reminder of how lonely we can feel in our darkest moments. We need to remember that Jesus said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb 13:5).
But Stay on the cross.
“I thirst.” (John 19:28-29)
Life is a dry, and thirsty struggle, metaphorically speaking. Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink. He received a bit of a rebuke (John 4:7-9). Isn’t that the way it goes sometimes? Jesus said, “I thirst,” and He received sour wine. When we need help we sometimes receive a sour response. Ask anyway…
But Stay on the cross.
“It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Jesus stayed on that cross to the very end because He knew that what He was doing was essential for salvation for the world. (cf. Matt 16:21-23; 26:52-55). Keep on pushing through the pain until you complete your duty as a child of God. It’s important that we stay the course of faithfulness. We may not see the benefits until much later (Rev 2:10),
But Stay on the cross.
“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
Even when all others fail you, God never does. Trust God. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2Tim 1:12). Whatever happens to you…
Stay on the cross.
Agape,
Spencer
An ADVOCATE is someone who can speak on our behalf. But who is qualified to speak on our behalf to God? cf. Job 9:33
Jesus is qualified as both fully man and fully God.
A PROPITIATION is a payment for a wrong. Who is qualified to pay for our wrong (sin)?
The blood of Christ is the payment for our wrong for those that obey the gospel in water baptism for the forgiveness of sins. cf. Matt 26:28 & Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4;
The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ had an overview study of the book of 1John. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 9:30am each Sunday Morning for the next few weeks.
Click here for the Overview Chart and links to other study outlines in this series.
You can click here for part 1.
“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity” (1Timothy 5:1-2).
In the last article we looked at lessons learned from 3 women who met Jesus.
ONE: The Woman that Washed His feet. A lesson on gratitude for mercy.
TWO: The Woman that anointed His head with Oil. A lesson on preparing for His death. We prepare for His return.
THREE: The Woman named Mary who saw Him first at the resurrection. A lesson about believing the report of the eyewitnesses in scripture.
Now we shall learn from two more women who met Jesus.
The woman who is an Example of Great faith, and the widow woman of Nain.
The fourth example is the woman who is an EXAMPLE of a great faith. (Matthew 15:22-28)
“And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.”
What can we learn from her? We learn to continue in faith and be persistent in our prayers despite difficult answers. Jesus wasn’t being insulting, that’s a commentary from so called scholars. He was fulfilling the Law of Moses. His appearance and work fulfill the Seed promise to Abraham. That being said, this woman persisted with her own great answer in recognition of His purpose. For her faith she receives her request and a compliment from the Lord!
Faith does not turn away from the blessings in Christ. Compare her with those of the Jews that turned away after hearing a difficult teaching from Jesus (John 6:66). This woman, one of the few people that Jesus complimented for having faith, was a gentile. (All those Jesus praised for their faith were gentiles).
Do you want to know how to have a great faith?
The fifth example is the widow woman of NAIN. (Luke 7:11-18)
“And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”
What can we learn from her story? Without Christ, death is a sad and scary condition. Nobody can do anything about it. Except Jesus.
She was familiar with death having lost her husband some time earlier. She was a widow that only had one son to care for her.
Notice that He says to her, “Weep not.” Jesus is the only one that can wipe away the tears of mourning. “For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (cf Rev 7:17; cf 1Thess 4:13-18).
He stopped the procession and touched the coffin. Only Jesus can stop our appointment with death. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27; cf Rom 6:3-11).
He said to the young man “arise.” Jesus is the Only One that can raise us from death; In him is life; and the life is the light of men. “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25; cf 1:4).
Jesus delivered the young man to his mother. Jesus delivered care back to this widow (cf 1Tim 5:8). It reminds me of one of His last acts before His death, he delivered care to His own mother. “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” (John 19:26-27).
Look at what happened next. “And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.”
This story reminds us of our complete lack of control over death. If you have within your ability to raise yourself from the dead, or raise yourself to eternal life, then keep doing what you’re doing. If not, the only One you can turn to is Jesus. When Jesus raised this young man from the dead (and His other works) He shows that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Do you want to know how to be raised from the dead into eternal life?
–Agape,
Spencer
We invite you to come and study with us in Borger, Texas.
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” (Matt 16:13)
Their answers reveal that, even during the time of Jesus, folks didn’t fully understand who He is.
You may think that folks today know who Jesus is, but they also have varying descriptions of Him. They know of ANOTHER JESUS.
“For if he that cometh preacheth ANOTHER Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive ANOTHER spirit, which ye have not received, or ANOTHER gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2Cor 11:4. emph mine seb).
Peter gave the inspired answer; “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This answer did not come from human hearts, it is divine.
Let’s be ready to answer the question, WHO IS JESUS?
While the scriptures say that the books of the world could not contain all the things Jesus did (John 21:25), we can give an answer to the question.
JESUS is…THE JUDGE. People say rightly that Jesus didn’t come to judge the world (John 12:47), but what they miss is that He didn’t come to judge AT THAT TIME. He came to bring salvation to the world through His sacrifice. Now that He reigns in Heaven, one day He will JUDGE the world and He will JUDGE it through His word.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2Cor 5:10; John 12:48).
JESUS is… THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE GODHEAD. No man has seen God at any time (John 1:18). To do so would to be death (Ex 33:20). However, Jesus came to earth in human form, He is IMMANUEL, God with us. This opens for us a world of comfort and excitement. Job longed for someone who was qualified to both stand on earth and in Heaven to mediate between God and man. Jesus is the EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE GODHEAD (cf. Job 9:32-33)
“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;” “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Col 1:19; 2;9)
JESUS is… THE SON OF GOD. When Jesus said that His Father is God, the Jews understood this to mean that Jesus was claiming to be God (John 5:17-18). They understood it well. As the Son of God, He is God, and He has all authority on earth and in Heaven (Matt 28:18).
“And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11; cf. Ps 2:7; Mat 3:17; Mar 9:7).
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Heb 1:1-2)
JESUS is… AN UNDERSTANDING & SYMPATHETIC SAVIOR. Because Jesus is God, and that He came to earth and suffered, He UNDERSTANDS us experientially. It’s so comforting to know we serve the God who was tempted and suffered in all points just as we suffer (even more so). No world religious figure compares to Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God.
“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb 2:18)
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:15-16)
JESUS is… THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. Lastly, and most importantly, Jesus is our SAVIOR. Without a Savior, we are dead in our sins (Eph 2:1). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Everyone needs a Savior, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). No one will be lost because they haven’t heard of or don’t know Jesus; we will be lost because of our sin (2Thess 1:8-9).
Jesus is the Savior to all who will believe and obey Him. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9). He will present us to God, “unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (Col 1:22-23);
To know Him is to love Him is to obey Him. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous”
(1John 5:2-3).
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1John 4:14).
Oh, how wonderful it is to know the Lord. Let us be ready to help others who know another Jesus to know, to love, and to serve THE LORD.
Agape,
Spencer
25 No one ever SPAKE like this man. Jn 7:45.
Refused Him that SPAKE on earth.
Spiritually, Jn 3:12.
Personally, Jn 4.
Authoritatively, Mat 7:29.
Kingly way, Mark 1:14.
Eternally, Jn 6:68.
SPEAKS from Heaven. Jesus. 1Cor 14:37.
Service to Him 28.
Promises 2Pet 1:4.
Excel 1Thess 4.
Apostasy Jude.
Knowledge (wisdom from above) Jas 3:17.
Salvation Heb 5:9.
Click here for an outline of the book of Hebrews.
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”
(John 11:25)
One of the great questions of life that everyone eventually asks is, “where are we going when we die?”
We all recognize that we will die physically, and many hope that there’s something more spiritually.
“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.” (Ecc 7:2)
Jesus statement to Mary, “I am the resurrection and the life,” occurred at the mourning of her brother Lazarus. These become a source of comfort for the living.
Jesus is LIFE. We’ll examine just a few ways in which He is the LIFE and the comfort that brings to His church.
Jesus is the LIGHT & LIFE.
The Gospel of John opens with this description of Jesus. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:3-5).
This statement made by the inspired Apostle demonstrates that Jesus is the origin of LIFE and Light. The Apostle Paul will make a similar statement to the epicurean and stoic philosophers in Athens.
“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:28).
Since He is the LIGHT & LIFE, all other religions must be Darkness & Death. Jesus is the LIGHT & LIFE
Jesus is the life because He is the IMAGE of the INVISIBLE God.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col 1:14-17).
Jesus is God. His presence on earth represented the fulness of the Godhead. “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9)
Jesus is the IMAGE of the INVISIBLE God.
Jesus is the life because He is FAITHFUL to Forgive.
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
He is faithful to forgive, but this same audience was told at Pentecost… “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38). What we learn is that Jesus, at the point of His sacrifice, was making available the forgiveness of sins.
Part of the purpose of His miracles of healing was to show that He has the power to FORGIVE. “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (Mark 2:10-11).
Jesus is faithful to FORGIVE those that are in Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9).
Jesus is FAITHFUL to FORGIVE.
Finally, Jesus is the author of ETERNAL LIFE.
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9). “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
What did Jesus Himself say about salvation and eternal life?
(HEAR) Matthew 7:24
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
(BELIEVE) John 8:24
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
(REPENT) Luke 13:3,5
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. [5] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
(CONFESS) Matthew 10:32 JV
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
(BAPTIZED) Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
(FAITHFULNESS) Matthew 28:20
Teaching them (baptized disciples) to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Jesus has the words of ETERNAL Life.
–Spencer
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)
Last week we began the discussion about hearing the VOICE of Jesus. The previous article included the first 3 of 5 points.
This article will touch on the next 2 points in this series.
What does it mean to hear the VOICE of Jesus? Some claim He will speak directly, personally, and miraculously to us. What is the truth?
Hearing the VOICE of Jesus.
The voice of Jesus (through the study of His Word) is a source of comfort for us in our pains, sorrows, and hurts. The letters of the New Testament are also the commands of Jesus; “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1Cor 14:37), The truths contained therein contain comfort. One example is in 1Thess 4.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1Thess 4:13-18).
We can find comfort through the words of Jesus. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2Cor 1:3-4)
Another one of the ways His word comforts us is through the assurance we have from His promises. “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil” (Heb 6:18-19). “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6).
Paul wrote; “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2Tim 4:7-8).
When we seek His voice through the reading & study of His inspired word, and we Obey it, we can have the assurance that He will reward us.
Finally, His voice has the words of ETERNAL Life.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).
Sadly, some will hear it & turn from it. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:66-68).
Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
The writer of Hebrew was inspired to write, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9). Cornelius was told he needed to hear words, so he sent for Peter who came to tell him words and they were ready to, “hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:6, 22, 33).
When we read, we can believe that we might have life, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). When we read, we can understand the mystery, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph 3:4).
The VOICE of Jesus is represented as a sword in the imagery seen by John in Revelation 1:16. The Hebrew writer said, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12).
The sheep will find comfort, peace, assurance, and salvation through the words of the Good Shepherd, Christ Jesus.
–Spencer
Hearing the VOICE of Jesus?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)
The Hebrew writer wrote, “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Heb 1:1-2).
We now live under the New Testament of Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant was nailed to the cross and is obsolete (Col 2:14; Heb 8:13).
Any who desire to go back to do one part of the Old Law of Moses is obligated to do the whole; “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace” (Gal 5:3-4).
But that is not good, for that Law was a shadow of the good things we have in Christ now (Heb 10:1; Col 2:17).
God Himself said, “This is my beloved Son: hear him” (Mark 9:7). Seeing that all this is true, believers are to hear Jesus. What does it mean to hear the VOICE of Jesus? Some claim He will speak directly, personally, and miraculously to us. What is the truth?
Hearing the VOICE of Jesus.
Contrary to mainstream belief, the sheep that follow Jesus do so of their own volition. God is seeking those that seek Him. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33). God’s desire that all to come to repentance and be saved (2Pet 3:9) is evidence that we have free choice. We voluntarily seek Him, listen to His voice, and it’s His voice (words) that will judge us in the last day. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
Therefore, all are invited to follow the Good Shepherd of our own free will.
Those that choose to follow Jesus also Obey His VOICE. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15; 15:14). “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:21-23).
It makes zero sense to call oneself a “follower” of Christ, and not actually follow Him in obedience to His word. People keep using that word “follower” without doing anything He says. I constantly hear folks living in sin claiming also to be a follower of Jesus. Paul warned; “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1Cor 6:9-11). If these cannot inherit the kingdom of God, how can we say at the same time that we are followers of Christ while continuing in them?
Therefore, all true followers of Jesus are obedient to His voice.
This next point is vital to understand. Some also claim that Jesus will speak to us personally, miraculously, and separately from the Inspired word. Jesus never made this claim.
In His prayer in the garden, while praying for His Apostles, He then prayed for folks that would believe in Him after His death. He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me THROUGH THEIR WORD; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21). We who come to Jesus after His death will believe based on the words of the Apostles. The Apostles were given the promise of divine Holy Spirit Inspiration (John 16:13; cf, 14:26; 15:26), not us.
We hear the voice of the Chief Shepherd in as much as we read His inspired word delivered through the Inspired writers. Paul wrote through inspiration; “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1Cor 14:37). He also wrote; “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Eph 3:3-4; cf 2Tim 3:15-17).
The Apostle John wrote, “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:30-31). He also wrote, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1John 5:13; emph mine seb).
Therefore, all true followers of Jesus hear His VOICE through the reading, studying, and memorizing His written inspired word.
Next week we’ll look at a few more points regarding the VOICE of Jesus. To recap; we Voluntarily hear His voice. We who hear it will Obey His voice. Those that hear, and obey are Informed of His will through the reading, study, and memorizing of His Inspired word.
–Spencer
“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5)
We live in a time where there are many Christs being preached.
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2Cor 11:4).
We need to know the Real Jesus of the Bible. Last week we made just a few observations about the True Christ. It is impossible for a few articles to say all that could be said about Him. “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25).
This article will look at a few more things we learn from scripture about Jesus.
Here are the observations from last week:
Jesus is the Savior of the world. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1John 4:14).
Jesus is a Sympathetic and Understanding Savior. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb 2:18).
Jesus is the Son of God. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath 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, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:2-3).
Who is Jesus? Part 2.
Jesus is the Express Image of the Godhead. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Col 1:18-19). “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9).
While much could be said about this, I want to focus on the fact that Jesus is Divine, He is Deity, He is God. Some religions do not see Jesus as God, but as a created being. This simply is not true. Jesus is God.
The Scriptures teach “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In this passage Jesus is called “the Word.” Note the Scriptures said Jesus “the Word” was “God.” Some will use their rewritten bibles to argue about “definite articles” and misquote passages in attempt to make Jesus not God, but “a God.” We know better.
The Scriptures affirm the deity and godhood of Jesus. Jesus calls Himself the name “I AM” which is the name used for God (John 8:58; Exo 3:14). Jesus said God is “My Father” which made “Himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Jesus accepted the identification “My Lord and my God!” from Thomas (John 20:28). Jesus’ agreement with Thomas in verse 29 is a shattering deathblow to the false doctrine that Jesus is only “a god.”
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (20:29). Jesus affirmed what Thomas “believed” was in fact the truth; Jesus is “Lord” and “God.”
There are other Scriptures that confirm the deity of Christ. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”. (Isaiah 9:6; Acts 20:28; Matt 1:23; Heb 1:8).
Jesus is the final Judge of the world. While living on earth He did not come to bring judgment at that time. Now that He has Died, was Buried, and is Resurrected, He sits on His Judgment seat and everyone will appear before Him. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2Cor 5:10-11a).
It will be a terrifying thing to appear before Him if we’re found to be disobedient. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31). But, how can we appear before His throne with confidence? “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). We can know when we know His word.
Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Jesus has given us His Divine word to guide us. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2Tim 3:15-17). “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
These are comforting words. We can know the Real, Living, & True Jesus.
Do you remember the list from that social media post last week? Could you verify the validity of them? Did you look them up? Here’s what I found.
–Spencer
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 