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Proverbs 6:24-35
24 To keep you from the evil woman, From the
flattering tongue of a seductress.
25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread;
And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.
27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his
clothes not be burned?
28 Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not
be seared?
29 So is
he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; Whoever touches her shall not be
innocent.
30 People
do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.
31 Yet when
he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the
substance of his house.
32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks
understanding; He who does so
destroys his own soul.
33 Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach
will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is a husband's fury; Therefore he will not spare in the day of
vengeance.
35 He will accept no recompense, Nor will he be
appeased though you give many gifts.
Father God, we thank you for the many blessings you
bestow upon us. Bless our loved ones and grow their relationship with you. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!
Gospel of John Introduction
NKJV
I have struggled many weeks on what
book of the Bible to write on next. I keep getting drawn back to the Gospel of John,
but when I read it as I have read other books in quest to determine what to
write on next, it overwhelms me. I had this same apprehension when I wrote on
the Book of Revelation because it seemed so far over my head for comprehension.
Seeing how the Holy Spirit guided me through Revelation I have conceded to move
forward with the Gospel of John knowing that He will show me and help me with
this commentary.
Johns
Parents:
John
was part of the laboring class of his time. He had little if any opportunity to
sit at the feet of the great teachers of that day. When Jesus called him, along
with his brother James, who were sons of Zebedee they were toiling in the
occupation in which they had been raised, the fishing business.
John’s
mother’s name was Salome, and is the third woman who is said to have
accompanied the two Mary’s to the Tomb (Matthew 27:56; Mark
16:1). Some think
that Salome may have been the sister of Mary the Mother of Jesus. If this is
correct, then John would have been first-cousin to Jesus on his mother’s side.
Was John a
disciple of John the Baptist?
He
has often been identified with the unnamed Disciple of John the Baptist, who
with Andrew was directed by the Baptist to Jesus as the Lamb of God (John 1:35–37). If this is correct, he had a hunger
for God before he met Jesus.
Sons
of Thunder:
John
and his brother James were nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus. John was not
afraid to speak out and had zeal for the Gospel, Luke
9:49. Of the twelve
apostles John, his brother James, and Peter had a special relationship with
Jesus, despite their spontaneity outburst. Our Lord saw something in them, despite
the rough outward expression, knowing it could be molded into the image of the
heavenly, and so it was! John is identified as the disciple whom Jesus loved John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20.
John
was Bold:
(JSM):
“It seems that both John and Peter had to bear the main brunt of Jewish
hostility to the early Christian Church (Acts 4:13; 5:33, 40). Both men showed a boldness of
speech and action which astounded the Jewish authorities who regarded them as “uneducated men” (Acts
4:13).
It
is said that John played a leading part in the Church at Jerusalem. He was said
by Paul to be a “pillar” of the
Jerusalem Church at the time when Paul visited the city some fourteen years
after his conversion (Galatians 2:9).
Neither
when John left Jerusalem, nor where he went after his departure are known.
It
is assumed that he was at Ephesus when he was banished to Patmos “on account of the Word of God, and the
Testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9). However, the date of this exile is
uncertain.”
Johns
Death:
(JSM):
“He is supposed to have died at about a hundred years of age, actually the only
Apostle of the original twelve it is said, who died a natural death.
Jerome
says that John after Patmos, tarried at Ephesus to an extreme old age, and
records that, when he had to be carried to the meetings, due to being unable to
walk, he would repeat again and again, “Little
children, love one another.” “
This
Gospel of John was written sometime between A. D. 80-95.
The analysis of this gospel:
(George Williams): “The Holy Spirit in the three prior Books (Gospels) cried: “Behold your King!” (Matthew). Mark said in essence, “Behold your Prophet!”; while Luke in
essence exclaimed, “Behold your Priest!”
But
in this fourth Book John cries: “Behold
your God!” (Isaiah 40:9); for His purpose in this Gospel is
to present the Lord Jesus as God.
Thus
this Gospel is necessarily distinct from the other three. They present His
perfect humanity, and are called Synoptic (Meaning
similarities in content, order, and statement in reference of the first three
Gospels; Matthew, Mark, and Luke.) because of this common purpose.
This
fundamental distinction between the first three Gospels and the fourth demands
the many differences in literary style, and in other features particular to
this Book.”
John’s
Gospel is unique among the four gospels. It records much about Jesus Ministry
in Judea and Jerusalem that the other three Gospels omit, and reveals more
fully the mystery of Jesus personhood.
According
to ancient sources John was requested by the elders of Asia to write this
“spiritual Gospel” in order to counteract and refute a dangerous heresy about
the nature, person, and deity of Jesus led by a persuasive Jew named Cerinthus.
John’s Gospel continues to serve the church as a profound theological statement
about “the truth” that Jesus was human and God.
John’s
Purpose For Writing This Book:
John states his purpose
for writing in the 20th chapter verse 31. John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in
His name. This verse states
two things; first for unbelievers to believe Jesus is Christ, the Son of God
and second to continue believing this for eternal life and disregard false
prophet teachings.
(NKJV
Study Bible): “The Gospel of John is a persuasive argument for the deity of
Jesus. It concentrates on presenting Jesus as the Word, that is, God (1:1) who became a man (1:14). Thus John meticulously records the
statements and describes the miracles of Jesus that can only be attributed to
God Himself.
Jesus
called Himself the bread of life (6:35,
41, 48, 51), the light of the world (8:12;
9:5), the door for the sheep (10:7, 9), the
good shepherd (10:11, 14), the
resurrection and the life (11:25), the
way, the truth, the life (14:6), and
the true vine (15:1, 5). Each
of these statements begins with the words, “I am,” recalling God’s revelation
of His name, “I AM,” to Moses (see Ex.
3:14). Jesus did not say He gave bread; He said He is the Bread
which gives life. He did not say He would teach the way, the truth, and the
life; instead He said He is the Way, because He is the Truth and
the Life. These are Jesus’ clear claims to deity: He was not a mere man.
Then
there are the signs of Jesus’ deity. Miracles in the Gospel of John are called
“signs” because they point to Jesus’ divine nature. John records seven such
signs: changing water into wine (2:1–11),
healing a man’s son (4:46–54),
healing a lame man (5:1–9),
multiplying bread and fish (6:1–14),
walking on water (6:15–21),
healing a blind man (9:1–7), and
raising Lazarus (11:38–44). These
miracles show that Jesus is God; He possesses power over nature. Other
indications of Jesus’ deity include the testimonies of John the Baptist (1:32–34), Nathanael (1:49), the blind man (9:35–38), Martha (11:27), and Thomas (20:28)—not to mention Jesus’ own words (5:19–26).
Jesus was
also fully man. His body grew weary (4:6), His
soul was troubled (12:27; 13:21), and He
groaned in His spirit (11:33). At the
same time, this God-man was Israel’s Messiah. Andrew told his brother, “We have
found the Messiah” (1:41).
Nathanael concluded, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (1:49). Even the Samaritan woman testified to
Jesus’ identity (4:25, 26, 29). Jesus
the Messiah was and is the Savior of the world (4:42; 11:27; 12:13).
John
urges us to trust in Jesus for eternal life. Our trust is built on our belief
that (1) the Father is in Christ, and Christ is in the Father (10:38; 14:10, 11); (2) Christ came from God (16:17, 30), and God sent Him (11:42; 17:8, 21; see 6:29); and
(3) He is the Son of God (6:69; 11:27; 20:31). John
reveals the Bible’s most important message: Believe and follow Jesus, because
He is the way to eternal life.”
Differences Between the Gospels of
Matthew, Mark, and Luke Compared to John:
Here’s
a few differences: The Temptation in the Wilderness and the Agony in the
Garden, etc., are omitted because they are out of harmony with the purpose of
the Book.
For
a similar reason the Transfiguration is omitted; for that concerned His
physical glory while the great subject of this fourth Book is His Moral Glory.
In
this Gospel His Person is presented rather than His action; and Jerusalem is
the center rather than Galilee, as in the other three.
Words, and terms, and
incidents revealing His attributes as God are brought forth in John compared to
the other Gospels. For example; In them the Lord is presented as “praying” to
the Father; in John’s Gospel as “speaking” to Him. In this Gospel alone Jesus
“lays down” His Life, no one takes it from Him. John 10:17 "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My
life that I may take it again.
The
Gospel of John presents carefully selected evidence that Jesus was Israel’s
Messiah and God’s incarnate (not adopted) Son. The supporting evidence
includes:
1. Seven signs, 2:1-11;
4:46-54; 5:2-18; 6:1-14; 6:16-21; 9:1-41; 11:1-46. Seven discourses, 3:1-21;
4:4-42; 5:19-47; 6:22-59; 7:37-44; 8:12-30; 10:1-21. Through these Jesus revealed His
true identity.
2. Jesus made seven, “I Am” statements, 6:35; 8:12; 10:7; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1 by
which He revealed that he was God the Son.
3. His bodily resurrection as the
ultimate sign and the climatic proof that He is the Christ, the Son of God.
Divisions
in the Gospel of John:
There
are two major divisions in this book:
1. Chapters
1-12 present the
incarnation and public ministry of Jesus. In spite of Jesus seven convincing
signs, seven profound discourses, and seven astounding “I Am” claims, the Jews still
rejected Him as their Messiah.
2. Jesus being rejected by the old
covenant Israel, He then (Chapters 13-21) focused on His disciples as the
nucleus of the new covenant people (i.e. the church He founded) . These
chapters include Jesus last supper (Chapter 13), His last discourses (Chapters
14-16), and His final
prayer (Chapter 17)
for His disciples and for all believers. The new covenant was then initiated
and established by His death (Chapters 18-19) and resurrection (Chapters
20-21).
Eight
Features Emphasized in John’s Gospel:
1. It emphasizes the deity of Jesus as
the Son of God in 1:14 and Thomas declaration, “My Lord and
My God in 20:28.
2. Various forms of the word “believe”
occur 98 times, representing the equivalent of receiving Christ (1:12), and involving a heart (not just a
mental) response that results in an ongoing commitment of one’s whole life to
Him.
3. Eternal life is a key concept of
John’s Gospel with that assurance of being Born Again resulting in a change
within the person, of heart, mind, speech, action, habits.
4. Personal encounters with Jesus are
featured throughout the Gospel 27 times.
5. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
enables believers to experience Jesus life and power after His death and
resurrection.
6. Emphasis of truth, Jesus is the truth,
the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, and God’s Word is the Truth. The truth
sets people free (8:32) and cleanses them (15:3).
7. The number seven is prominent just as
it is in the Book of Revelation. Seven signifies completeness. Seven signs,
seven discourses, and seven “I AM”.
8. John’s other prominent words and
concepts; light, word, flesh, love, witness, know darkness, and world.
Next week we will start on Chapter One
of John’s great Gospel.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created
that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All
things were created through Him and for Him.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God."
The
Lighthouse Full Gospel Church
Sinners Prayer; Pray this, and if you
believe it with your heart, Jesus will save you!
“Lord
Jesus I know I am a sinner. I confess my
sins to you; I am sorry for my sins; I repent (Meaning, desiring to turn from a
sinful lifestyle.) of all my sins, and I am asking for your forgiveness. I believe that only you can forgive sin. I commit my life to you and ask you to come
into my heart, direct, and take charge of my life. I believe that you died to set me free from
my sinful lifestyle and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life, and
right now you are seated at the Right Hand of God Almighty. I believe you are
the Son of God; the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, and my
Savior.” I believe this and have faith
you will make a new person out of me, by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in my
heart and lead me in a new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.”
(John 3:16,17; Romans
3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13; Ephesians
2:8-10; 1 John 5:11-14; 1:6-10)
(Sin: Rom. 1:22-32; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph.
5:3-7)
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