"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58)

Behold The Man!

Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, "Behold the man"! (John 19:1-5 KJV)

Krystal Meyers - The Beauty of Grace

092604

ENCOURAGED BY KNOWING GOD

Revelation 1:1-20
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. "Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.”
1) Read John 19:1-6—compare with Revelation 1:7. Was Jesus any less in His glory in the gospel John than He will be at His reappearing? How so?
a) “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers planted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man (emphasis mine)! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.” (John 19:1-6)
b) “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
2) Rev. 1:1-3—This book is the revelation or unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ! These great mysteries have now been revealed to us—the saints of God! The revelation given of Jesus can better be translated as from, about, and belonging to Jesus Christ and was given to John, the apostle, by God the Father. This book points solely to Jesus, in all His heavenly glory and majesty, and is in stark contrast to His first appearance on earth as He appeared in the role of God’s humble servant. Take time to prayerfully and thankfully read Isaiah 53. Name several ways Christ’s unveiling in Revelation differs from His earthly obedience to God the Father’s will for His life on this earth.
3) John often referred to himself as “the disciple that Jesus loved.” (John is believed to the disciple who leaned on Jesus’ bosom during the Last Supper--probably the youngest of the apostles.) He walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry of 3 ½ years. He was a friend of Christ. He was a great leader of the early Christian church and wrote the gospel of John and three epistles or letters to the church. Yet, how does he choose to refer to himself and to the church in verse 1?
4) John dares not claim any familiarity with the Jesus he walked and ate with, but falls down as dead and worships before the post-incarnate Risen Lord (verse 17)! He associates himself with those he is sharing this vision with and refers to himself as a fellow servant. The word servant is translated as “slave” or “bond-servant”, a word that implies ownership by another. John considered himself and the church as being “owned” by Christ!
a) “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16)
5) There is a promised blessing that corresponds with this great book. What is the required criteria to receive this implied blessing?
a) God Himself will bless all those who read, hear and obey the prophecies of this book. The work blessed means “how fortunate” or “oh, the joy of.” It is the first of seven times (the number seven speaks of completeness) "blessed" is used in the book of Revelation (See 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; and 22:7, 14). To obey we must keep and reserve the words of this book.
6) Grace and peace are the opening words to the church. Of course, we know that grace is God’s unmerited favor. It is not something that we can humanly earn. Grace opens and closes the Book of Revelation (22:21). Peace speaks to our wholeness and well-being. The source of these great blessings are from God the Father (vs. 4), God the Holy Spirit (vs. 4) and from Jesus Christ (vs.5). How are each equal Persons of the Trinity described?
a) God the Father is described as “him who is, and who was and who is to come.”
b) The Holy Spirit is described in a rather unique way: “the seven spirits before God’s throne.” One translation reads, “the sevenfold Spirit.” This probably refers to Isaiah 11:2:
i) “And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;” (Isaiah 11:2)
c) Jesus is given three separate titles in vs. 5: Faithful Witness; First to Rise from the Dead and Commander of all the Rulers of the World. How did Christ fulfill or how will he fulfill these titles?
i) FAITHFUL WITNESS—GOD’S PROPHET - Jesus Christ is the only trustworthy witness to the events that have taken place and also to the events that will “soon” happen that are described in the Book of Revelation.
(1) “Let God be true, and every man a liar…” (Romans 3:4)
(2) Here, God is establishing His covenant with David, king of Israel, but this promise ultimately finds its fulfillment in God’s own Son, Jesus Christ:
(a) “I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail. I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure."
(b) "If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, if they violate my decrees and fail to keep my commands, I will punish their sin with the rod, their iniquity with flogging; but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness-- and I will not lie to David--that his line will continue forever and his throne endures before me like the sun; it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky." Selah” (Psalms 89:27-37)
d) FIRSTBORN OF THE DEAD—GOD’S HIGH PRIEST - This refers to the firstborn (first raised—permanently) from the dead and has to do with the resurrection. Jesus was the first to rise from the grave and He lives forever more! One glorious day (and soon, pray God) (verse 1:3) we will follow our Lord in the resurrection.
i) “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
e) THE COMMANDER OF ALL THE RULERS OF THE WORLD—GOD’S KING - He is King of kings and Lord of lords!
i) “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)
7) Verse 7 points to Jesus’ second appearing on this earth. His first coming was marked by humility--servitude. His Second Coming will be in the clouds—which represents the majesty of God’s presence (Psalms 104:3). This will be a bodily appearance. Every eye shall see Him! This is His return as King! (Don’t confused this appearing with His return in the air to catch his church away (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51—The catching away or “rapture” of the church will come as a “thief in the night” (Revelation 3:3; 16:15). The world weeps because they realize, too late, that Jesus is returning as their Eternal Judge! All people, those who have pierced Him, all those who have rejected Christ will mourn because they finally recognize the truth that Christ came and died to bring them to repentance and to pave the way for their eternal salvation. Yet, John encourages believers to look forward to this time! Behold! What are the reasons given that the child of God can take great courage in beholding their Risen Lord (verse 5b)?
a) God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit love us! This is in the present tense. This means the One True God keeps on loving us! More, He sent His One and Only Son to die for you—He will always love you!
b) Jesus Christ has freed us from our sins by the shedding of His blood!
i) “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.” (Leviticus 17:11)
ii) “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:18-20)
c) He has made us kings and his priests to serve forever before our God!
i) This was an original calling for the entire nation of Israel (Exodus 19:1-6). However, they rejected this calling of God (Matthew 21:43) and this privilege has now been passed on to each of us—all believers—yes, you and me (1 Peter 2:1-10)!
8) The Book of Revelation was written and given by God to encourage the church as it was going through the most difficult of times—John was a fellow sufferer. Why was John on the island of Patmos? What crime(s) was he guilty of?
9) John was worshipping on the Lord’s Day. What day was this?
10) Suddenly, John hears a sound. It’s strange that a vision begins with a sound and that John had to turn around to see where the sound was coming from. Why do you think he was approached this way?
a) Perhaps it was to prepare John for the incomparable vision he was to see of the Risen Lord. The voice he heard was “like” a trumpet. This was an awesome and compelling way to get John’s attention and one that could not be ignored.
11) Nothing could have prepared John for the vision of the glorified Christ. He did his best to describe the awesomeness of the Lord, but John was only able to say that some things were “like” things he was familiar with. Jesus’ hair was “like” wool, his eyes were “like” bright flames, His feet were “like” bronze. Be honest. Are you more comfortable with the idea of seeing Christ in His lowly earthly state, or with meeting Him face to face as your Creator God?
12) I know for myself, I have always pictured meeting Jesus as He was following His resurrection when He appeared before the disciples (John 20:19-20). I feel I can relate to Him in His humanness. It’s pretty disconcerting to imagine standing (or being face down for that matter) before our God who is a consuming fire! (Deuteronomy 4:24)
a) “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.” (2 Corinthians 5:16) In other words, we once knew Jesus after the flesh, but we will no longer regard Him that way.
13) Just some notes on the description of Christ:
a) His hair – some commentaries suggests this is indicative of his ageless wisdom and of His being the “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9). Speaks particularly to His “omniscience—knowing what is best for His children. Fully able to judge with honor and authority.
b) His eyes – refers to His omnipresence. He sees all—he particularly watches over His own.
c) His feet – symbolic of His victory over his foes (See Psalm 110:1)
d) His countenance – reminds us of His Transfiguration (Matt. 17:2 and of the prophecy of Malachi 4:2)
i) “Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory. Selah” (Psalms 24:7-10)
14) Perhaps we can take comfort in knowing: a) “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)
15) What is the only appropriate response to being in the presence of the Living Lord? How does our Lord comfort John? a) Awe, fear and worship! John did not assume a familiar attitude with the Lord, much less try and have a conversation with Him! Jesus comforted John with the words, “Do not be afraid.” Whenever these words have been used they translate “stop being afraid” and imply that the person spoken to is already in a state of terror. True peace can only be achieved supernaturally. God is indeed terrifying until he speaks to us, “Fear not.”
16) Jesus is pictured as standing among seven gold lampstands, holding seven stars in His right hand and a sharp two-edge sword coming from His mouth. This is the image of Christ as the great High Priest over the church. (Read Hebrews 9).
a) The lampstands are representative of the seven churches in Asia (modern Turkey). The stars are thought to be guardians, leaders or pastors of the seven churches. Lamps shine forth light in a darkened world. Christ compelled us to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
17) What does the sharp two-edged sword represent? (Hebrews 4:12)
18) How do you respond to the fact that even today our Lord Jesus is walking among the churches—inspecting and judging--watching how our lamps, our lights shine in this world. That He does not shut His eyes to sinfulness--that His constant call to the church and the world is, “Repent!” Does this motivate you or do you want to shy away from His all-seeing eyes?
19) How can we draw comfort in knowing that God keeps a record of our pain and suffering, that Christ is alive evermore and He alone holds the keys to death and the grave?
a) As Christians we must always remember that not only is Jesus judging, He is making intercession for us:
i) “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 KJV)
ii) “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:33-34 KJV)
20) Take time to go through this first chapter of Revelation and make an exhaustive list of the titles given to Jesus!

KnowingGod_EncouragedbyKnowingGod_Revelation1_092604

091904

KNOWING GOD BETTER THROUGH JESUS

John 14:1-17
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (NIV)
1) Jesus’ admonishment in verse 1 can better be translated, “Stop worrying.” What has Jesus explained to them in chapters 12:27-33; 13:1, 13:5-17; 13:18-27 and 13:38 that has the disciples so troubled?
2) What does their confusion and concern tell you about their mindset as to the ministry of Jesus and His kingdom (See Mark 10:35-37)?
3) Who does Jesus point the disciples to and what does he command them to do?
a) Jesus points them to God, the Father (Father is used 22 times in this chapter alone) and then to Himself and commands them to trust.
i) Romans 9:33—“As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
ii) Romans 10:8-11—“But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.”
iii) Deuteronomy 30:1—“That is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
iv) 2 Timothy 1:12—“…because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”
4) In verses 2-3 Jesus gives the disciples two promises or assurances. Which promise carries the most weight for you?
a) Jesus assures the disciples that they have a place prepared for them in heaven. This statement refers to there being room or space in heaven for us, not necessarily the mansions written of in many hymns.
b) Perhaps Jesus’ most precious promise found in verse 3—He is coming again and we will always be with Him. In fact, he prays this prayer just before he is arrested:
i) John 17:24—“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.” (John 17:24)
5) In our heart of hearts, it’s truly not a “place” that we are longing for! Still, scripture assures us that heaven is real:
a) It’s a kingdom:
i) 2 Peter 1:11—“and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
b) It’s an inheritance:
i) 1 Peter 1:4—“and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you…”
c) It’s a country and a city:
i) Hebrews 11:16—“Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”
d) It’s a home:
i) John 14:2—“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
e) –it’s the Person of Jesus Christ:
i) Romans 11:33—“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”
ii) 1 Corinthians 1:9—“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”
iii) 1 Corinthians 8:6—“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”
iv) 2 Corinthians 13:5—“Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…”
v) Philippians 2:8-11—“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
vi) Philippians 3:7-8—“ But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
5) Dear Thomas—honest to a fault (verse 5). What does his question reveal? Do you feel you can be completely honest and upfront with Jesus?
a) Thomas’ question reveals that he truly wanted to be where Jesus was. He just didn’t understand what Jesus was saying.
6) How did Jesus respond to Thomas’ question? Why do you suppose the disciples had such a hard time understanding who Jesus is and his mission or purpose?
a) Notice that Jesus does not rebuke Thomas’ questioning. He merely points him once again to the truth of who He is. The disciples had trouble understanding that the Christ must suffer because they were focused on His establishing His earthly kingdom. Scriptures point to both these truths:
i) “When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-13)
ii) “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3-5)
iii) “He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (Luke 24:25-26)
iv) “For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” (Matthew 13:17)
7) Even the prophets could not fully understand what they were prophesying. They themselves longed to see how God’s plan of redemption would play out. Jesus assures his disciples that a time was coming (after His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit) when they would understand all Scripture.
a) “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.” (John 16:25)
b) “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all 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. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.” (John 16:13-15)
c) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
8) Jesus Himself introduces us to the total exclusion of other ways to God (verse 6). I think this passage should be read, I AM—the Way, the Truth, the Life.
a) Jesus declares Himself as the Way:
i) “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." (Genesis 18:19)
ii) “For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6)
iii) “Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make straight your way before me.” (Psalms 5:8)
(1) The word way is translated here as a course of life or mode of action. The LORD’S (Jehovah Yahweh—God the Father) way is the correct course to take—Jesus is the Way.
b) Jesus declares Himself as the Truth:
i) “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)
ii) “…but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.” (Daniel 10:21)“This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth…” (Zechariah 8:3)
(1) The word truth is translated here as certainty, trustworthiness, establishment, faith, right, sure, true. Note that there is a Book of Truth and a City of Truth. Jesus holds this book. In Revelation 21:27 the Book of Truth is described as, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.” In Revelation 21:10-11, the City of Truth is picture as, “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God…”
c) Jesus goes on to describe Himself as the Life.
i) “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)
ii) “Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." (John 6:32-33)
iii) “Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
(1) Life is translated both literally and figuratively—includes time.
9) Jesus assures his disciples that if they have beheld Jesus, they have in fact beheld the Father Himself. In making this statement (verse 9), Jesus is actually claiming to be God! You can’t say Jesus was a prophet, a teacher or a even good man—Jesus didn’t. Each of us must decide—either Jesus was crazy or, worse, a devil, or of a truth He was Who He claimed to be—God!
a) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)
b) “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him…” (Colossians 1:19)
c) “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…” (Colossians 2:9)
10) Do you feel like you know the Father because of Jesus Christ in you?
11) Jesus stated (verse. 12) that we would do greater works than He. What does He mean by this statement?
a) Jesus assures us that after He has gone back to the Father, we will be able to ask anything in His name and He will do it. First of all, we must realize that there are works for us to do:
i) “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
b) It is God working through us and not ourselves:
“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)
c) The works we do are not greater in the quality of the works Jesus did—but, now, because Jesus lives in each of us through faith, Jesus is able to reach out to the whole world to accomplish his great purposes! The things we do are greater in quantity and scope, not quality!
i) “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:16)
12) We’ve already touched on this a little bit, but Jesus was quick to assure the disciples that he would send the Counselor. Of course, this is God’s precious Holy Spirit. Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit would be in us. How is this different from the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Old Testament times? How does the Holy Spirit operate in our lives today? Can we live the Christian life without His presence?
a) The Holy Spirit is equal to God the Father, God the Son. He is referred to as another Comforter, the Spirit of truth and Advocate. He abides in the child of God as a gift from the Father in response to the prayer of the Son.
b) The Greek word “another” is translated as “another of the same kind.” Just as the Spirit dwelt in the person of Jesus Christ, He would now dwell in the followers of Christ.
c) The Spirit of God has been from the beginning just as God the Father and God the Son have been from the beginning (Genesis 1:26). In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God would come upon someone for a period of time, or for a specific purpose, and then leave. God’s spirit departed from King Saul because of his sin against God (1 Samuel 16:14; 18:12). King David asked that God not take His Spirit from Him (Ps. 51:11).
d) Praise God! At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to God’s people to remain with them forever!
e) God assures us that we are not left as orphans, alone, abandoned, helpless or hopeless in this world (John 14:18). Dear one, do not let your heart be troubled!
THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
“…the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63)

“Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” (John 16:7-11)

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)

“Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 5:5)

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

KNOWING GOD
KNOWING GOD BETTER THROUGH JESUS
John 14:1-17
September 19, 2004




1) Jesus’ admonishment in verse 1 can better be translated, “Stop worrying.” What has Jesus explained to them in chapters 12:27-33; 13:1, 13:5-17; 13:18-27 and 13:38 that has the disciples so troubled?

Jesus has spoken regarding His impending death, the disciple’s role of service and humility, His betrayal by a close friend, and Peter’s sure denial of Christ.


2) What does their confusion and concern tell you about their mindset as to the ministry of Jesus and His kingdom (See Mark 10:35-37)?


3) Who does Jesus point the disciples to and what does he command them to do?

Points them to God, the Father (Father is used 22 times in this chapter alone) and then to Himself and commands them to trust.

“As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (Romans 9:33)

“But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart (Deuteronomy 30:14)," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." (Romans 10:8-11)

“…because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)

4) In verses 2-3 Jesus gives the disciples two promises or assurances. Which promise carries the most weight for you?

Jesus assures the disciples that heaven is being prepared for them. This statement refers to there being room or space in heaven for us, not necessarily the mansions written of in many hymns. Perhaps Jesus’ most precious promise found in verse 3—He is coming again and we will always be with Him. In fact, he prays this prayer just before he is arrested:

"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.” (John 17:24)

God the Father has also promised us:

“…for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10)

Jesus offers the disciples the peace and comfort they need and assures them that they will always be with Him. In our heart of hearts, it’s not the place we are looking for, although Scriptures assures us that heaven is real:

It’s a kingdom:

“and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:11)

It’s an inheritance:

“and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you…” (1 Peter 1:4)

It’s a country and a city:

“Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16)

It’s a home:

“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2)

—it’s the Person of Jesus Christ.

“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)

“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

“yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:6)

“Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8-11)

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ..” (Philippians 3:7-8)

5) Dear Thomas—honest to a fault (vs. 5). What does his question reveal? Do you feel you can be completely honest and upfront with Jesus?

Thomas’ question reveals that he truly wanted to be where Jesus was. He just didn’t understand what Jesus was saying.

6) How did Jesus respond to Thomas’ question? Why do you suppose the disciples had such a hard time understanding who Jesus is and his mission or purpose?

Notice that Jesus does not rebuke Thomas’ questioning. He merely points him once again to the truth of who He is. The disciples had trouble understanding that the Christ must suffer because they were focused on His establishing His earthly kingdom. Scriptures point to both these truths:

Speaking through the prophet Nathan to King David, God promised:

“When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-13)

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:3-5)

“He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" (Luke 24:25-26)

“For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” (Matthew 13:17)

Even the prophets could not fully understand what they were prophesying. They themselves longed to see how God’s plan of redemption would pan out.

Jesus assures his disciples that a time was coming (after His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit) when they would understand all Scripture.


“Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.” (John 16:25)

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all 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. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.” (John 16:13-15)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)


7) Jesus Himself introduces us to the total exclusion of other ways to God (vs. 6). I think this passage should be read, I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.

“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." (Genesis 18:19)

“For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6)

“Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make straight your way before me.” (Psalms 5:8)

The word way is translated here as a course of life or mode of action. The LORD’S (Jehovah Yahweh—God the Father) way is the correct course to take—Jesus is the Way.

“Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)

“…but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.” (Daniel 10:21)

“This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth…” (Zechariah 8:3)

The word truth is translated here as certainty, trustworthiness, establishment, faith, right, sure, true. Note that there is a Book of Truth and a City of Truth. Jesus holds this book. In Revelation 21:27 the Book of Truth is described as, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.” In Revelation 21:10-11, the City of Truth is picture as, “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God…”


Jesus goes on to describe Himself as the Life.

“In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)

“Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." (John 6:32-33)

“Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)

Life is translated both literally and figuratively—includes time.

8) Jesus assures his disciples that if they have beheld Jesus, they have in fact beheld the Father Himself. Do you feel like you know the Father because of Jesus?

In this statement (vs. 9) Jesus is actually claiming to be God!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John 1:1-3)

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him…” (Colossians 1:19)

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form…” (Colossians 2:9)

9) Jesus stated (vs. 12) that we would do greater works than He. What does He mean by this statement?

Jesus assures us that after He has gone back to the Father, we will be able to ask anything in His name and He will do it. First of all, we must realize that there are works for us to do:

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Though we ask in Jesus’ name, it is God working through us and not ourselves.

“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

The works we do are not greater in the quality of the works Jesus did.

“I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:16)

But now, because Jesus lives in each of us through faith, he is able to reach out to the whole world to accomplish his great purposes. The things we do are greater in quantity and scope, not quality.

10) We’ve already touched on this a little bit, but Jesus was quick to assure the disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit. He promises that the Holy Spirit would be in us. How is this different from the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Old Testament times? How does the Holy Spirit operate in our lives today? Can we live the Christian life without His presence?

The Holy Spirit is equal to God the Father, God the Son. He is referred to as another Comforter, the Spirit of truth and Advocate. He abides in the child of God is a gift from the Father in answer to the prayer of the Son.

The Greek word “another” is translated as “another of the same kind.” Just as the Spirit dwelt in the person of Jesus Christ, He would now dwell in the followers of Christ.

The Spirit of God has been from the beginning just as God the Father and God the Son have been from the beginning (Genesis 1:26). In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God would come upon someone and then leave. God’s spirit departed from King Saul because of his sin against God (1 Samuel 16:14; 18:12). King David asked that God not take His Spirit from Him (Ps. 51:11).

THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“…the Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63)

“Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” (John 16:7-11)

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)

“Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 5:5)

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

However, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was given to God’s people to remain with them forever.

God assures us that we are not left as orphans, alone, abandoned, helpless or hopeless in this world. This is great cause to let go of your troubled heart!