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Suffering and the Works of God
Suffering and the Works of God – John’s Gospel, chapter 9 verses 1 to 12 Suffering is always with us. 3 ways people think about it: The reality of suffering. As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. John 9:1 An even more hopeless case (than the lame man at the pool in chapter 5). He saw a man blind from birth. Jesus knows, feels, understands. Heb 4:14-16He “gets” our suffering. God sends his son, fitted to…
The Attempted Stoning of the Saviour
The Attempted Stoning of the Saviour – John’s Gospel chapter 8 verses 48 to 59 A Vicious Response 48 The Jews answered him, ‘Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?’ 49 ‘I am not possessed by a demon,’ said Jesus, ‘but I honour my Father and you dishonour me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. John 8:48-50 A Gracious Invitation 51 Very truly I tell…
Truth That Will Set You Free
Truth That Will Set You Free – John’s Gospel chapter 8, verses 31 to 47 Catchcries- Truth and Freedom! But Truth with a capital “T” has become just any old truth – “You have your truth and I have mine!” But it doesn’t deliver. We still feel restricted, searching for more truth. The truth will set you free. 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you…
I Am the Light of the World
I Am the Light of the World – John’s Gospel chapter 8, verses 12 to 30 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5 The light side and the dark side. Darkness brings fear and despair, making us recognise our need of light. At the festival of lights the great lamps of the Temple shed light over darkened Jerusalem (a city without streetlights). A reminder of God’s light that led Israel out of…
Neither Do I Condemn You
Neither Do I Condemn You – John’s Gospel, chapter 7:53 to 8:11 A difficulty in this event in John’s Gospel. It is not found in the earliest known manuscripts. Authentic, original, or not? How did we get our Bibles ? Inspiration. “All Scripture is God breathed”. 2 Tim. 3:16 . “but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”. 2 Peter 1:20-21” Of course this only applies to the originals and they are…
The Jesus Who Divides
The Jesus Who Divides – John’s Gospel chapter 7, verses 40-52 A surprising response to good news A division among the crowd 40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, ‘Surely this man is the Prophet.’ 41 Others said, ‘He is the Messiah.’ Still others asked, ‘How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?’ 43 Thus the people were divided because of…
Let All Who Are Thirsty Come and Drink
Let All Who Are Thirsty Come and Drink – John’s Gospel chapter 7, verses 25 to 39 Confusion about Jesus 25 At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, ‘Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 Here he is, speaking publicly, and they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Messiah? 27 But we know where this man is from; when the Messiah comes, no one will…
Judging Jesus Rightly
Judging Jesus Rightly – John’s Gospel chapter 5, verses 1 to 24 Mounting Hostility (7:1-2) 7 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want[a] to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. John 7:1 The Unbelief of Jesus’ Brothers (7:3-10) 3 Jesus’ brothers said to him, ‘Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become…
Jesus’ Power and Compassion
Jesus’ Power and Compassion – Luke’s Gospel, chapter 4, verses 31 to 44 Does it seem so when we see all the sufferings and evil in the world? Here we see both the power and compassion of Jesus at work, and so the power and compassion of God. Jesus’ words have authority. 31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had…
Trusting God in the Darkness
Trusting God in the Darkness, Isaiah chapter 50, verse 4-11 10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant?Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light,trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.11 But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches,go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze.This is what you shall receive from my hand: you will lie down in torment.…
True and False Disciples
True and False Disciples – John’s Gospel chapter 6 verses 60 to 61 Before there was mass enthusiasm “Jesus gives us political security, universal health care and economic security. Make him King!” Jesus’ focus is different – “I am the bread of life.” So there is grumbling and unbelief from the religious leaders. Now the disciples are at a crossroads. The offence of Jesus: 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept…
Skeptics & the Sovereign Saviour
Skeptics & the Sovereign Saviour – John’s Gospel chapter 6, verses 41 to 59 Who Do Some Believe and Others Don’t? Hearing the same message – “I am the bread of life”? Yet God’s plan cannot be thwarted. Grumbling Skeptics 41 At this the Jews [that is, the Jewish religious leaders] there began to grumble about him because he said, ‘I am the bread that came down from heaven.’ 42 They said, ‘Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father…