Book: John, Chapter: 3

John 3

3:1-21

This chapter begins with a secret meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council, who were not very fond of Jesus and his teachings, and he was very interested in learning more about what Jesus had to say. He believed that Jesus came from God, even though the other members of the council did not. “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who comes from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus acknowledges that he is indeed sent from God, and goes on to explain the concept of being born again. At first Nicodemus has a difficult time understanding what Jesus is talking about. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?” I feel like Jesus makes a good point to Nicodemus here. There are so many leaders who act and teach with authority; however they do not fully understand their subject matter. Jesus explains to Nicodemus how salvation comes through Christ alone. “This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” I think this part of the chapter is so important to understand as a Christian, it really covers the basis of what it means to be saved and how to reach salvation through Christ. When Jesus explained the doctrine to Nicodemus, he used simple terms and comparisons; such as the Spirit to wind, and light vs. darkness. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Very simple, one of the first Bible verses I memorized. It is so easy to get familiar with the words that the meaning gets lost. But that verse is the compact truth of the Word: the only way to get to God is through his son.

3:22-35

The chapter concludes with a conversation between John the Baptist and one of his followers. Some of John’s followers saw Jesus baptizing believers, which was formerly John’s role. John explains that he was only starting the work which was meant for Jesus to finish. Again, he reiterates what Jesus told Nicodemus, “Whoever believes in the son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” John was such a humble man that when he saw Jesus taking over his work, he was not bothered or upset. Instead he understood that his job was to become less and Jesus to become more. He knew that the message he started to spread about a savior would be fulfilled by Jesus himself. He points out that as a Christian, the messengers do not matter, instead focus on placing trust in the One who saves.

(Written by Andi)

3 John

Summary of 3 John

It's basically a letter from John warning Diotrephes and to commend Gaius about his treatment of the teachers and how he praises and supports. John seems unhappy with how Diotrephes denied to recognize John's authority as an apostle and how he refused to receive his letters and follow his directions and wishes to speak to him face to face instead of in pen and ink. John also emphasis the truth.

 My favorite part of the scripture is 
3 John 1:11 
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

I would be greatly interested on what peoples' thoughts are on the "anyone who does what is evil has not SEEN God"

Does it mean that they do not believe and if they believe and no longer commit evil they have SEEN God or does do they simply have to believe there is a God and whether they continue to commit evil is irrelevant? 

I believe with my whole heart that they must No LONGER commit evil in order to be truly SEE God. What constitutes as evil? Is evil contained to the ten commandments or does it does it go much deeper and sinister than that? Do you think there is a point that such evil can not be undone or forgiven, even if they chose to believe afterwards?

It seems a running theme in the teachings of John are: Hospitality, support and encouragement for our fellow Christians 

Which are great characteristics to have! 

~Shan

John 2:1-25

Here is my summary of Chapter 2:

Jesus Changes Water Into Wine:

The second chapter of John begins with the miracle of Jesus turning the water into wine at a marriage at Cana. He is attending a wedding with his disciples and the hosts run out of wine. His mother is also there and asks him to help. He seems annoyed that she would ask him for a miracle and says that it is not his time yet. Nevertheless, she still tells the servants to do whatever he asks, so he tells them to fill up the empty wine containers with water. Afterwards, the person in charge of the wedding tastes it and remarks to the groom that they have saved the best wine for last. John tells his audience that the water was there for the Jewish rite of purification.

Jesus Closes The Temple:

 
The story of Jesus overturning the tables of the money changers in the Temple is related. Jesus goes to Jerusalem for the Passover.  He enters the Temple courts and sees people selling livestock and exchanging money. He explodes:  So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!” (15-16)  He is asked to perform a "miraculous sign" to prove he has authority to do what he is doing.   He says "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days". The people believe he is talking about the official Temple building, but John says that Jesus meant his body, and that this is what his disciples came to believe after his resurrection. John then says that during the Passover Feast Jesus performed miraculous signs, but does not list them, that caused people to believe in him, but that he would "not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men". Maybe  John included this statement to show that Jesus knows the hearts and minds of his people, an attribute that God possesses as well. John mentions the incident with the money changers as occurring at the start of Jesus's ministry, while the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) have it occurring shortly before his crucifixion.  Maybe John included this story at the  beginning to show that Jesus' arrest was for the raising of Lazarus in John 11, not the incident in the Temple

Book: John 1:1-51

I always thought (assumed) the book of John was written by John the Baptist. But it's not. It's written by John the disciple. However, in this book, when "John" is referred to, they are talking about John the Baptist.

The book of John is a favorite among Christians and when researching where we should start when leading a Bible study, I kept coming across the advice to start with John, so here we are!

I have a "life application" Bible so it gives me lots of background facts on each book and the main people. Under "statistics" it says this: purpose of the book of John- to prove conclusively that Jesus is the Son of God and all who believes in Him will have eternal life.

John 1:1-18

-This is explaining that Jesus is part of God. Jesus was there when God began the world and the Word (beause Jesus is a part of God).
-Jesus is fully God BUT fully human during His time here on earth. 1:14- The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

-My Bible explains verses 1:12-13 as this, "all who welcomes Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God. Through faith in Christ, this new birth changes us from the inside out-- rearranging our attitudes, desires, and motives. Being born of God makes you spiritually alive and put's you in God's family. Have you asked Christ to make you a new person?"

-My favorite verse out of this chapter is 1:16- From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.
God's grace is so abundant and thankfully, never-ending. "...One blessing after another..." How very true. I firmly believe that even trials can be blessings in disguise. The truly evil happenings in this world, are no, not blessings, but I also firmly believe that God uses all for the good. He'll turn any tragedy into something positive; we just may not see how it'll all play out in our life-time or in our little corner of the world.

1:19-34

-The Pharisees question John the Baptist "who are you?!" John proclaims freely that he is the one who is to come before the Messiah (Christ) and "...whose sandals I am unworthy to untie." (1:27)

-Jesus then comes to where John was baptizing and John recognizes Him immediately as Christ. When John baptized Jesus the Heavens opened and the Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove and stayed there.

1:35-51

-The first disciples begin to follow Jesus

-Jesus renames Simon Peter as Peter which means "the rock" ---this is extremely significant and of course not by "coincendence" as after Jesus dies, is risen and ascends into Heaven, the beginning of the Church began with Peter-- he was the foundation, "the rock" in which the Church stood on.

Can you imagine?! Can you imagine being so blessed to have been one of the twelve disciples?! (Besides of course Judas; no one would want to be him, the betrayer.) It honestly makes me teary-eyed thinking of how amazing it'd be to be in Jesus' presence. To be able to give thanks and worship in person... To embrace Him, to bow before Him, to ask Him any questions I've ever wanted to... I just can't imagine... Good thing we'll have all eternity with Him to do those things!

-1:50 "...You will see greater things than that." Surely they did. They saw miracles upon miracles- beautiful, wonderful, breath-taking miracles.

-1:41-42 "The firt thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon Peter and to tell him, 'we have found the Messiah,' (that is Christ). And he brought him to Jesus..."

How often do we put our witnessing up to the forefront of our intentions & interactions with others? How often have we been so excited to share and help lead someone to Jesus? Or do we keep the Light to ourselves? Are we afraid to be seen as weird or a bother? Or do we not see it as our job?

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

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15)

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)

"Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples." (Psalm 96:3)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16)

The Holy Trinity

This past Sunday was Trinity Sunday so I thought I'd explain it. The Trinity always confused me until someone explained it to me this way: we call a computer a computer but there's different parts to it. There's the modem (Father) and the monitor (Son) and the keyboard and mouse (Holy Spirit) but in its entirity its a computer (God).

Hope that helps (if it was even needed) as its helped me! :)

A printable of a favorite verse of mine...

I most likely will print this out and put it in my scrapbook for my children so if they ever may need this verse, they will have this handy. Feel free to save the image and print out if you like. 

Dismay and Fear are two feelings that are continuously needed to be held at bay.

Hopefully this verse offers some comfort to you all and it has to me. 

<3

Shan

We, the daughters of God...

What does it mean to be God's daughter? What does a Godly woman look like?

I am sure it varies slightly, as we all have our own gifts, strengths, and weaknesses.

Let's see what the Bible says...

Proverbs 31:10-31

¹⁰A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 11:16

A kindhearted woman gains honor,
    but ruthless men gain only wealth.

Titus 2:3-5

³ Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴ Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Ephesians 4:17-5:21

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 ¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.
⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,
    rise from the dead,
    and Christ will shine on you.”

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²¹ Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

<3