The Gospel of John is such a powerful book of the Bible. It is the most recommended book to be read by new believers, the reason, John gives us the most complete glimpse of who Christ really is, His Divinity and His humanity.
7 Signs of His Divinity
1. Turned water into wine (2:1-10)
2. Healing of noblemans son (4:46-54)
3. Healing of impotent man (5:1-9)
4. Feeding of the 5,000 (6:1-14)
5. Walking on the water (6:15-21)
6. Healing of blind man (9:1-41)
7. Raising of Lazarus from the dead (11:1-44)
4 Witnesses to the Power of Christ
1. John the Baptist (5:31-35)
2. Works of Christ (5:36)
3. The Father (5:37-38)
4. The Scriptures (5:39-47)
[John the Apostle could be considered to be the 5th witness]
7 "I am..." Statements (made by Christ, of who Christ is)
1. "...the bread of life..." (6:35,48)
2. "...the light of the world..." (8:12; 9:5)
3. "...the door..." (10:7,9)
4. "...the good shepherd..." (10:11,14)
5. "...the resurrection and life..." (14:6)
6. "...the way, the truth, and the life..." (14:6)
7. "...the true vine..." (15:1-5)
6 Indicators of His Humanity
1. weariness (4:6)
2. thirst (4:7)
3. dependence (5:19)
4. grief (11:35)
5. troubled soul (12:27)
6. anguish/death (19)
If we want a glimpse, or an introduction to who Christ is, and what He is all about, we need to start with John.
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christ. Show all posts
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Susan Boyle
I watched an inspiring story the other night. It's not a new story, it's one I am sure (by now) we are all familiar with. It is the story of Britain's Got Talent contestant, Susan Boyle.
It was a "rewind" type of program, all the players were being interviewed, they were showing the past footage of her performance. When the crowd first sees this woman, and she says that she can sing, you can see and almost feel the doubting and judgemental responses of the crowd and judges. They really have already written her off before she even sings one note.
But, then, she sings. The atmosphere of the crowd/judges shifts dramatically, from one of doubt and judgement, to one of enraptured awe. She is amazing!
There are people in our lives who doubt us, who judge us, who say we can't accomplish this dream or goal. Don't let those people determine who you are. Disappoint the naysayers.
Susan Boyle could have just given up and walked off the stage at the lack of hope she was given by the crowd. But, she new who she was, and what she was capable of. She persevered. Her dreams have become a reality.
When people display a judgemental or negative attitude toward you or what you can accomplish. Don't back down. Remember who you are and what you are capable of. More importantly remember Whose you are and what He is capable in your life!
It was a "rewind" type of program, all the players were being interviewed, they were showing the past footage of her performance. When the crowd first sees this woman, and she says that she can sing, you can see and almost feel the doubting and judgemental responses of the crowd and judges. They really have already written her off before she even sings one note.
But, then, she sings. The atmosphere of the crowd/judges shifts dramatically, from one of doubt and judgement, to one of enraptured awe. She is amazing!
There are people in our lives who doubt us, who judge us, who say we can't accomplish this dream or goal. Don't let those people determine who you are. Disappoint the naysayers.
Susan Boyle could have just given up and walked off the stage at the lack of hope she was given by the crowd. But, she new who she was, and what she was capable of. She persevered. Her dreams have become a reality.
When people display a judgemental or negative attitude toward you or what you can accomplish. Don't back down. Remember who you are and what you are capable of. More importantly remember Whose you are and what He is capable in your life!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
RIT
Rapid Intervention Teams. These are the firefighter's firefighters. When a firefighter is in trouble, or needs help, this is who the call. They call in the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).
RIT members are trained and have all the tools to rescue firefighters that become trapped, run out of air, or are disoriented. They can create an opening where one does not exist. They can get emergency air supply to the trapped firefighter, or get him enough air to make it out of the situation. RIT is who the firefighter calls when he has an emergency.
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mat 18:19-20 )
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecc 4:9-12 )
As Christians our church family becomes a sort of Rapid Intervention Team for us. In times of need we can turn to our church family to "intervene" (intercede) on our behalf. When we have burdens that are too heavy for us to bear alone, we can call for others to rescue us, and help us to bear these burdens. When we have nowhere to turn, we don't know what to do, the RIT team can support us.
One of my father's good friends was in a bad car accident. Immediately, my dad called me, and I in turn called other Believers. The "Rapid Intervention Team" was activated. We all began to pray and intercede on his behalf (he has since recovered from the accident).
This is the purpose of the church (body of Christ), to rescue those who are perishing. Activating the RIT team is one way in which this can be accomplished.
RIT members are trained and have all the tools to rescue firefighters that become trapped, run out of air, or are disoriented. They can create an opening where one does not exist. They can get emergency air supply to the trapped firefighter, or get him enough air to make it out of the situation. RIT is who the firefighter calls when he has an emergency.
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mat 18:19-20 )
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecc 4:9-12 )
As Christians our church family becomes a sort of Rapid Intervention Team for us. In times of need we can turn to our church family to "intervene" (intercede) on our behalf. When we have burdens that are too heavy for us to bear alone, we can call for others to rescue us, and help us to bear these burdens. When we have nowhere to turn, we don't know what to do, the RIT team can support us.
One of my father's good friends was in a bad car accident. Immediately, my dad called me, and I in turn called other Believers. The "Rapid Intervention Team" was activated. We all began to pray and intercede on his behalf (he has since recovered from the accident).
This is the purpose of the church (body of Christ), to rescue those who are perishing. Activating the RIT team is one way in which this can be accomplished.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Awkward Worship
What's with raising of the arms in worship? It feels awkward.
It is supposed to feel awkward. In military time if a soldier keeps his head down, and stays in his foxhole he is safe. However, if he pokes his head up or raises his hand it is certain death...or surrender.
That is the reason for awkward worship. It is us, poking our head out of our little, insignificant lives, and telling God, take me, I surrender. I surrender my life to you. I am dying to myself, my desires, my plans, my goals, my ambitions. I am surrendered to a life in Christ.
It is supposed to feel awkward. In military time if a soldier keeps his head down, and stays in his foxhole he is safe. However, if he pokes his head up or raises his hand it is certain death...or surrender.
That is the reason for awkward worship. It is us, poking our head out of our little, insignificant lives, and telling God, take me, I surrender. I surrender my life to you. I am dying to myself, my desires, my plans, my goals, my ambitions. I am surrendered to a life in Christ.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Bondage to the King
1 Samuel 8:6-22 is the story of Israel's request for a king.
v. 6 "...give us a king to judge us..."
v. 7 "...they have not rejected you; the have rejected Me as their king."
v. 9 "...warn them..."
v. 11-18 "These are the rights of the king who will rule over you...he can take your sons...he can take your daughters...he can take a tenth of your grain and your vineyards...he can take your male servants....you yourselves can become his servants."
Israel was pleading with the prophet Samuel, for a king. Samuel "considered their demand sinful", so he brought it before the Lord. The Lord replied with, give them what they want, but it will be bad for them.
The Israelites up to this point had only God to lead them. But, they began to look around at other nations, and those around them, they felt like they were missing out on something. It looked like the neighboring nations had something great! They asked for a king.
They no longer wanted to be under the sole leadership of Christ. They rejected him for a king. The Lord, through Samuel, warns them of the troubles they will face with a king.
It is sad to say that everyday those around us are behaving just as the Israelites. They are rejecting the King of Kings, for other "kings" in their life. They look around and feel like they are missing out on something. Maybe they are a Christ follower, however, they are turned from the way of Christ for their desire of following the world. Or, perhaps this is what keeps a soul from turning to Christ, they are afraid of all they will "lose". They see the life of unbelievers (pleasurable for a season), they don't want to miss out!
Under Christ's lordship, the Israelites had complete freedom. They operated in the parameters of God's Word. However, they looked around, they saw something "better".
The Lord warns them of the trouble they will face. He will utilize their family. They will lose their sons and daughters, the king will put them to work. He will use them as he sees fit, not according to the purposes of God.
The king will take their possesions. He will take their land, vineyards, and fields. They will be his to use as the king wishes.
The king will take their servants, and donkeys (essential "tools" for the agrarian culture of the day). Any fields left that the Isrealites have would not be able to be worked to their full potential.
The kind will take their flocks, and they will become his servants. The king will finally take their freedom. With little fields, no tools to work them, with their flocks (source of meat) taken, they are left with no choice but to become fully in bondage to the king.
Family (that which we are closest too), purpose, possessions, potential, freedom....the king would take that which Satan is till trying to take from God's people.
Under Christ we have complete freedom. We have closeness with God (closer than a brother), we can only fully understand relationships with others after we have a relationship with Him, we have freedom to pursue God's purpose for our lives, when in need we still possess Christ (He possesses us), we are enabled to reach our full potential in Him.
People everyday, however, are looking around, they freak out because they fear that God is going to mess up, their lives they have planned for themselves can never happen with God. So, they choose to follow a different king.
Satan comes in, things may go good for a season, but eventually it all falls apart. Satan works the same way, attacks our relationships, robs us of purpose, dispossesses us of Christ, defeats us from reaching our full potential.
[relationships, purpose, possessions, potential, freedom]
v. 6 "...give us a king to judge us..."
v. 7 "...they have not rejected you; the have rejected Me as their king."
v. 9 "...warn them..."
v. 11-18 "These are the rights of the king who will rule over you...he can take your sons...he can take your daughters...he can take a tenth of your grain and your vineyards...he can take your male servants....you yourselves can become his servants."
Israel was pleading with the prophet Samuel, for a king. Samuel "considered their demand sinful", so he brought it before the Lord. The Lord replied with, give them what they want, but it will be bad for them.
The Israelites up to this point had only God to lead them. But, they began to look around at other nations, and those around them, they felt like they were missing out on something. It looked like the neighboring nations had something great! They asked for a king.
They no longer wanted to be under the sole leadership of Christ. They rejected him for a king. The Lord, through Samuel, warns them of the troubles they will face with a king.
It is sad to say that everyday those around us are behaving just as the Israelites. They are rejecting the King of Kings, for other "kings" in their life. They look around and feel like they are missing out on something. Maybe they are a Christ follower, however, they are turned from the way of Christ for their desire of following the world. Or, perhaps this is what keeps a soul from turning to Christ, they are afraid of all they will "lose". They see the life of unbelievers (pleasurable for a season), they don't want to miss out!
Under Christ's lordship, the Israelites had complete freedom. They operated in the parameters of God's Word. However, they looked around, they saw something "better".
The Lord warns them of the trouble they will face. He will utilize their family. They will lose their sons and daughters, the king will put them to work. He will use them as he sees fit, not according to the purposes of God.
The king will take their possesions. He will take their land, vineyards, and fields. They will be his to use as the king wishes.
The king will take their servants, and donkeys (essential "tools" for the agrarian culture of the day). Any fields left that the Isrealites have would not be able to be worked to their full potential.
The kind will take their flocks, and they will become his servants. The king will finally take their freedom. With little fields, no tools to work them, with their flocks (source of meat) taken, they are left with no choice but to become fully in bondage to the king.
Family (that which we are closest too), purpose, possessions, potential, freedom....the king would take that which Satan is till trying to take from God's people.
Under Christ we have complete freedom. We have closeness with God (closer than a brother), we can only fully understand relationships with others after we have a relationship with Him, we have freedom to pursue God's purpose for our lives, when in need we still possess Christ (He possesses us), we are enabled to reach our full potential in Him.
People everyday, however, are looking around, they freak out because they fear that God is going to mess up, their lives they have planned for themselves can never happen with God. So, they choose to follow a different king.
Satan comes in, things may go good for a season, but eventually it all falls apart. Satan works the same way, attacks our relationships, robs us of purpose, dispossesses us of Christ, defeats us from reaching our full potential.
[relationships, purpose, possessions, potential, freedom]
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Living with the Grinch
This time of year it is not unusual to hear the deep, gravely refrains of Thurl Ravenscroft's, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch".
On the surface this is just a silly Dr. Seus story and song. However, I think there is more to the story beyond the surface. If we look at it closely we realize that the story of the Grinch is the essence of Christmas. It is a story of redemption.
In the song we have this amazing description of a wicked person. A carnal person, a person consumed with sin and selfishness. We have a word picture of the sinful human condition.
In the movie, we see the people of Whoville overcome their own selfishness, pride, and judgemental attitudes. They reach out to the Grinch, and he is, in a sense, forgiven and redeemed.
This is the story of Christmas. A story of redemption. Without the Christ of Christmas we look like the Grinch (garlic in our soul, hearts full of unwashed socks, souls full of gunk). It is only through Christ and accepting him into our lives that we are redeemed and our lives are cleaned up and we become more appealing than a "seasick crocodile".
Have a Merry Christmas!
Let us not forget the Christ who came to offer us Redemption!
On the surface this is just a silly Dr. Seus story and song. However, I think there is more to the story beyond the surface. If we look at it closely we realize that the story of the Grinch is the essence of Christmas. It is a story of redemption.
In the song we have this amazing description of a wicked person. A carnal person, a person consumed with sin and selfishness. We have a word picture of the sinful human condition.
In the movie, we see the people of Whoville overcome their own selfishness, pride, and judgemental attitudes. They reach out to the Grinch, and he is, in a sense, forgiven and redeemed.
This is the story of Christmas. A story of redemption. Without the Christ of Christmas we look like the Grinch (garlic in our soul, hearts full of unwashed socks, souls full of gunk). It is only through Christ and accepting him into our lives that we are redeemed and our lives are cleaned up and we become more appealing than a "seasick crocodile".
Have a Merry Christmas!
Let us not forget the Christ who came to offer us Redemption!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Divine Work?
Work. In the corporate world, the world of work, it is okay to give over 100%. It's okay to take on extra projects, work long hours, it's okay to jockey and position yourself for "greatness". It's okay to ambitiously pursue the top job. It's okay to sort of "stack-the-deck" in your favor, to move up the career ladder.
But, what about "spiritual" work? Is the work of pastor, evangelist, Bible teacher, any different? For people who feel "called" to this ministry, should they pursue it with as much vigor and ambition as a "secular" job? Or should they simply "wait for God to open the door"? After all, ministry isn't just a job it is a calling, right? Is it not a "divine apointment"?
As Christians shouldn't we all be called to our work or jobs? As followers of Christ, isn't all our work "divinely appointed"?
Why do we feel like it's okay to go out of our way to increase in our careers, but not in our effectiveness for ministry? When it comes to this kind of thing more often than not we simply have the attitude that we leave everything to God. But, in our careers we take things into our own hands. We "help" God get us to where He wants us to be.
How much more productive could we, as Christians be, if we were to invest the same amount of time and energy that goes into developing our careers, and increasing our paychecks as we do in developing our ministry effectiveness and spheres of influence.
What is the answer?
But, what about "spiritual" work? Is the work of pastor, evangelist, Bible teacher, any different? For people who feel "called" to this ministry, should they pursue it with as much vigor and ambition as a "secular" job? Or should they simply "wait for God to open the door"? After all, ministry isn't just a job it is a calling, right? Is it not a "divine apointment"?
As Christians shouldn't we all be called to our work or jobs? As followers of Christ, isn't all our work "divinely appointed"?
Why do we feel like it's okay to go out of our way to increase in our careers, but not in our effectiveness for ministry? When it comes to this kind of thing more often than not we simply have the attitude that we leave everything to God. But, in our careers we take things into our own hands. We "help" God get us to where He wants us to be.
How much more productive could we, as Christians be, if we were to invest the same amount of time and energy that goes into developing our careers, and increasing our paychecks as we do in developing our ministry effectiveness and spheres of influence.
What is the answer?
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