Monday, November 04, 2024

#221 Jesus prays for future believers (John 17:20-26) - Life of Christ = Week 45 - Monday

Jesus prays for future believers
John 17:20-26

20“I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. 21May they all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so that the world may believe You sent Me. 22I have given them the glory that You have given to Me. May they be one just as We are one. 23I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so that the world may know You sent Me and that You have loved them just as You have loved Me.

24“Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they may see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation. 25Righteous Father! The world has not known You. However, I have known You, and these have known that You sent Me. 26I made Your name known to them and will make it known, so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and that I may be in them.”[1]

[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 220). Holman Bible Publishers.


Intro Questions

Text Graphic
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.


Document for DBS

Series: Connected “Abiding in Christ” 

In a time of growing isolation and individualism, we are reminded of how important it is to stay connected to God and to each other. Jesus’ metaphor of the vine and branches calls us into a life of connection over production as we abide in Him.

Title: “One” (John 17:20-26)

Bookmark: Click Here

Opening Thoughts: In a world that promotes individualism and produces hostility, we are called to be one. Our unity bears witness to the goodness of God and the validity of Jesus.

  • Division

    • You minister at a church with a problem. (Half the congregation sits and others stand during prayers) What is the tradition?

  • Unity is valued by God

    • Jesus prayed for his disciples and us today.

===============================================================

Text: John 17:20-26

Jesus Prays for All Believers

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[a] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

===============================================================

Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the scriptural story in your own words.

  • Review and retell the story.

Reflections for applications:

  • Jesus prayed for us.

    • Themes: “Unity in Love”

    • Unity in the Church

      • Symbols & Images

      • HandsAcrossAmerica in 1986

      • What is a picture of unity in the church?

        • It’s not: Uniformity or Exclusivity

        • It is: Unity means joining together around shared values and a shared vision.

    • THE WHY

      • May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (17:21b)

      • Then the world will know that you sent me an have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 23b)

      • Our oneness as a witness

        • A unified set of believers becomes a force that challenges the world’s system and draws people to Jesus. --Scot McKnight

        • Mission Video

  • Corinthia Austria - Strange Church Building. -- Divided

  • Ephesians 4:2-6  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.



==============================

Digging Questions:

  • How will you respond to making “Connection to Jesus”? What transformative move needs to be made?

  • What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?

  • What is God calling us (me and you individually) to do?

Take Away Challenges

  • What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

  • Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

  • What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?

Hashtags #Connected #Fruit

Sunday sermon link https://youtu.be/AI0V1hCaarY

Kevin’s Blog Link to more resources: Click here for Kevin’s Blog Notes

Comments and resources with some more resources:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17%3A20-26&version=NIV










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Friday, November 01, 2024

#220 Jesus prays for his disciples (John 17:6-19) - Life of Christ = Week 44 - Friday

Jesus prays for his disciples
John 17:6-19 

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

6“I have revealed Your name to the men You gave Me from the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7Now they know that all things You have given to Me are from You, 8because the words which You gave to Me, I have given to them. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from You. They have believed that You sent Me. 9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, because they are Yours.

10“All My things are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I have been glorified in them. 11I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are. 12While I was with them I was protecting them by Your name that You have given me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture may be fulfilled.

13“Now I am coming to You, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have My joy completed in them. 14I have given them Your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15I am not praying that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. 18Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19I sanctify Myself for them, so they also may be sanctified by the truth.[1

[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 219–220). Holman Bible Publishers.


Intro Questions

Text Graphic
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.











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Thursday, October 31, 2024

#219 Jesus prays for himself (John 17:1-5) - Life of Christ = Week 44 - Thursday

Jesus prays for himself
John 17:1-5

Jesus’ Intercessory Prayer for His Disciples

John 17:1–5

1Jesus spoke these things, then raised His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You, 2just as You gave Him authority over all flesh; so that He may give eternal life to all You have given Him. 3This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ. 4I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do. 5Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed.[1]

[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 218–219). Holman Bible Publishers.


Intro Questions

Text Graphic
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.










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Wednesday, October 30, 2024

#218 Jesus teaches about using his name in prayer (John 16:16-33) - Life of Christ = Week 44 - Tuesday

Jesus teaches about using his name in prayer
John 16:16-33

16“A little while and you will no longer see Me; again a little while and you will see Me.”

17Therefore some of His disciples said to one another, “What is this He tells us: ‘A little while and you will not see Me; again a little while and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18They said, “What is this He is saying, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what He’s talking about!”

19Jesus knew they wanted to question Him, so He said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see Me; again a little while and you will see Me’?

20“I assure you: You will weep and wail, but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. 21When a woman is in labor she has pain because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. 22So you also have sorrow now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will rob you of your joy. 23aIn that day you will not ask Me anything.

23b“I assure you: Anything you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. 24Until now you have asked for nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be complete.

25“I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26In that day you will ask in My name. I am not telling you that I will make requests to the Father on your behalf. 27For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God. 28I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

29“Ah!” His disciples said. “Now You’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. 30Now we know that You know everything and don’t need anyone to question You. By this we believe that You came from God.”

31Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? 32Look: An hour is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered each to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have suffering. But take courage! I have conquered the world.”[1]

[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 217–218). Holman Bible Publishers.


Intro Questions

Text Graphic
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.


OPEN:
  • Did your parents ever tell you about your birth experience? What was it like for them? 

DIG:
  • What tones of voice do you hear in John 16:17-18? If you were there, would Jesus' answer encourage you, or confuse you more? 
  • What event is Jesus referring to in John 16:20-22? In what ways does the world's "joy" (v. 20) contrast with the joy the disciples will experience (John 16:22)? How is this similar to what Jesus said about dying (John 12:24)? About peace (John 14:27)? 
  • What characterizes the relationship we can have with the Father because of Jesus (John 16:23-27)? 
  • Do you think the disciples truly grasp what Jesus says in John 16:28? Why?

REFLECT:
  • Both Jesus and the world offer a form of peace (John 14:27; 16:33), joy (John 15:11; 16:22-24) and love (John 13:34-35; 15:9-19). How have you experienced each of these? What is different between them? 
  • How do you deal with change? Moves? Job transfers? Transitions from one stage of your life to another? How has pain helped you to grow? 
  • From your experience, how could you comfort someone going through change? 
  • How do you desire joy? How do you experience it?







JOY

“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24

The Bible doesn’t tell us how long the lame man in Acts chapter 3 had sat begging at the Temple gate, but it was a daily occurrence. When he saw Peter and John, the odds are he wasn’t expecting anything—it was just another day, trying to survive.

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6) Here’s what happened next: “He, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:8)

There’s an important lesson here for us. God has set times for doing certain things. He has a calendar and your name is on it: “For the time to favor her [or him]… the set time, has come.” (Psalm 102:13) If we’re not spiritually attuned we can miss our set time and forfeit what God has for us.

This means we must learn to live in expectation, because God’s blessings are either coming towards us or passing us by. Miracles happen to those who believe in them, ask for them, expect them, and receive them. The enemy will try to keep us so preoccupied, cynical, and hopeless that when God sends the answer we prayed for, you won’t recognize it, reach for it, or receive it.

Jesus said, “Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23–24)

Thought of the Day: Be ready to receive.

 

I CAN HARDLY IMAGINE

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace." John 16:33

In His farewell conversation, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His imminent departure through death’s door. He speaks words of comfort to them.

But the journey is worthwhile, for it has a glorious destination. The goal toward which we are striving is not anything in this world. It is not what man’s hands can build – the kind of houses people want today and already wanted in the time of Amos 3:15: “winter house,” “summer house,” “houses adorned with ivory,” “mansions.” The destination is the Father’s house of many mansions. To come face to face with our Father in heaven – that is our goal.

But it would be purposeless for Jesus to point to the destination if He didn’t also give us the direction for getting there. What road must His disciples follow to reach their destination? Jesus is specific: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.’ John 14:6 This is one of many “I am” passages in John’s Gospel, showing that Jesus equated Himself with the Lord who revealed Himself to Moses as “I am who I am.” Exodus 3:14

Jesus is the Way, the only road leading to the Father, and all who believe in Him have found the way. He is the Life, the Giver of eternal life beginning here and now and reaching its fullness in heaven.

Thought of the Day: Have you thought recently about what Heaven will be like? A few years here. Eternity there. It’s going to be unbelievable.

 

PUTTING JOY ON TRIAL

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. — John 16:33

Adam and Eve lost both of their children in a single day — one was murdered, the other banished. Can you imagine the horror and pain they must have felt? How can a couple deal with that kind of deep sorrow and guilt?

Suffering has a way of putting our joy on trial. We can train our hearts to trust the character of God before we are faced with a tragedy. We can have confidence in the truth of God’s Word even when we don’t understand what He’s doing. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33).

Adam and Eve may have thought their sin had thwarted any chance for future joy, but God redeemed the situation in His perfect time. He blessed the couple with another son in the wake of their bereavement and brought them comfort, graciously allowing Eve to conceive again. And this experience would be different.

When she had given birth to her firstborn, Cain, Eve had said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man” (Genesis 4:1). Notice that she takes credit for herself — “I have brought forth a man” (emphasis added). However, after suffering loss — the tragedy in the garden, the death of Abel, the banishment of Cain — Eve was humble and grateful. After Seth’s birth, she was thankful: “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him” (Genesis 4:25). This time, Eve gave all the credit to the Lord. After enduring failure and the inability to control or repair life on her own, Eve acknowledged God’s kindness and mercy.

As a parent, you will face difficulties you cannot understand. You can prepare now by spending time in His presence and learning to trust His goodness, grace, and wisdom for whatever lies ahead.

Father in heaven, You are the God of creation. You form children in their mothers’ wombs. You planned every day of their lives before the foundation of the world. Today, let us, along with our children, sense the miracle of Your design. Let them know the presence of Your Spirit guiding them in the direction You have chosen. Make clear the path of preparation we need to follow. Give us wisdom and strength to trust You. In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.



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Tuesday, October 29, 2024

#217 Jesus teaches about the Holy Spirit (John 16:5-15) - Life of Christ = Week 44 - Tuesday

Jesus teaches about the Holy Spirit
John 16:5-15

The Counselor’s Ministry

5“But now I am going away to Him who sent Me, and not one of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you. 8When He comes, He will convict the world about sin†, righteousness, and judgment: 9about sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.

12“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you. 15Everything the Father has is Mine. This is why I told you that He takes from what is Mine and will declare it to you.[1]

[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 216–217). Holman Bible Publishers.


Intro Questions

Text Graphic
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.



OPEN:
  • How are you at saying "good-bye"? Is it harder for you to be the one leaving home, or the one left behind? Explain.

DIG:
  • What are the disciples feeling now? What is their grief keeping them from understanding (John 16:17)? 
  • How would you paraphrase the three goals of the Spirit's work (John 16:8-11)? Therefore, why is it good that Jesus goes away? 
  • If you were a disciple, how would you feel after hearing John 16:16?

REFLECT:
  • Of the various roles of the Holy Spirit described here, which one have you come to appreciate recently? 
  • Has Jesus ever said things to you that you could hardly bear (John 16:12)? What happened?








 

“Finding Truth”

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13)

The speed of and access to information have now accelerated to unprecedented levels. Daily, there are decisions that require action and opportunities requiring wisdom (truth), and a endless source of wisdom to draw from to make these decisions and shape these actions.

God calls you to be dependent upon His direction and guidance. Romans 6:19 reminds us, “I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.”

Despite God’s command to allow Him to be Lord of our lives, we tend to be gunslingers who are “quick on the draw” ready to meet any challenge or decision with little thought for God’s role or His will concerning the situation.

There are many reasons for this, but a big one and one that can reveal a spiritual need in you is a lack of familiarity with the word of God as well as a lack of experience in walking in the Spirit.

Like anything in life, the more you know and understand something, the more comfortable you are in using it.

The same is true in your walk with God. Greater time and reflection on the word of God will provide the truth you need to make decisions. God’s wisdom and His word will give shape to your life.

The more you grow in intimacy with God, the more you will understand the Spirit’s desire to “guide you into all truth” so that you will experience the fruit of walking in truth.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing

glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

God created you to experience His promises, but this happens as you cultivate your relationship with the Holy Spirit and learn to walk with Him in full power and truth.

Spend time in the word of God and be faithful in allowing His Spirit to lead and guide you so that you can live in truth and live at the center of God’s will.

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38)

 

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Monday, October 28, 2024

#216 Jesus warns about the world's hatred (John 15:18-16:4) - Life of Christ = Week 44 - Monday

Jesus warns about the world's hatred
John 15:18-16:4

18“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. 19If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, this is why the world hates you. 20Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. 21But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. 23The one who hates Me also hates My Father. 24If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not have sin. Now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. 25But this happened so that the statement written in their law might be fulfilled: ‘They hated me for no reason.’

26“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. 27You also will testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Jn 16:1“I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling. 2They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father or Me. 4But I have told you these things so that when their time comes you may remember I told them to you. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.[1]

[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 216). Holman Bible Publishers.


Intro Questions

Text Graphic
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?

  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.



https://youtu.be/eDb9qgmjhos

As Jesus continues to teach the disciples On the evening before he prays in the garden, he warns them of opposition they will face.

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