Conflict Among Christians

We will begin with our traditional opening Youtube video: 

I was talking last night to a member of the Church I currently attend about some things. He was telling me about some of the Church's history, and how the Church had lost a few dozen members when one of the Associate Pastors played divide and conquer with the Congregation. He sent out e-mails to just the people who he thought he could trust to not tip off the Lead Pastor about his plan to draw away members after himself. Division is not a Fruit of the Spirit.

A similar thing happened during the Apostle Paul's ministry. As he was about to leave Ephesus to go to Jerusalem, he called the elders of the Church together to bid them farewell. We read his farewell to them beginning in Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

Of this Matthew Henry writes, in part: “If the Holy Ghost has made ministers overseers of the flock, that is, shepherds, they must be true to their trust. Let them consider their Master's concern for the flock committed to their charge...”

But it is not just the leadership of the Church that must be concerned with this. Every member must make it his or her personal responsibility to preserve and protect the Body of Christ, and every member of that Body.

What was the sign, the sign that Jesus said would identify who his true followers were? Was it how much Greek or Hebrew they knew? How much of the Bible they could quote, blindfolded? Perhaps it was how many Church Committees they serve on, or how many solos they sang with the choir?

No... it's much more simple than the above. But it is also much more difficult than the above. Jesus said in John 13:35: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

There are two Greek words that were translated in to English as “love.” One is the Greek word, philèo, which Strong's Concordance defines as: “to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;)

The other Greek word is agape`. Agape` In Paul's list in Galatians 5, of the God-given Fruit of the Spirit, love (agape`) is listed as the first Fruit. It is not something just to comes to us. Agape` love has One Source, and that Source is God. It outstrips, outlasts, outperforms, and supersedes any human-level emotion. Agape` is translated into English as “charity” in the following verses written by the Apostle Paul. It clearly rises far above the “friendship or fondness” level of love. Let's read how it differs from human filèo, beginning in 1 Corinthians 13:1  ¶Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4  ¶Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8  ¶Charity never faileth: 

Loving one another as Jesus said we should, is not possible to fulfill with just human emotions. If anything, human emotions are volatile, unpredictable, usually vengeful and self-serving. That is not agape` love. But Jesus said agape` love would be the identifying sign to men, of true discipleship. More than that, Jesus actually presented this identifying sign as a prerequisite to our loving and worshiping God in a way He would find acceptable. Let's notice His words, very early in His sermon on the Mount, beginning in Matthew 5:23: Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

Matthew Henry comments: “We ought carefully to preserve Christian love and peace with all our brethren; and if at any time there is a quarrel, we should confess our fault, humble ourselves to our brother, making or offering satisfaction for wrong done in word or deed: and we should do this quickly; because, till this is done, we are unfit for communion with God in holy ordinances. And when we are preparing for any religious exercises, it is good for us to make that an occasion of serious reflection and self-examination. What is here said is very applicable to our being reconciled to God through Christ. While we are alive, we are in the way to his judgement-seat; after death, it will be too late. When we consider the importance of the case, and the uncertainty of life, how needful it is to seek peace with God, without delay!”

Worshiping God inextricably involves our seeking peace with fellow believers, in Jesus words, as a prerequisite. This is not always possible when someone who has been offended by a real or imagined offense, will not forgive you. But that is not your problem if you attempt to apologize and make things right. A person refusing to forgive you will have to answer to God about their unforgiveness. Where each of us in concerned, the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:18: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” 

In another part of the Book of Matthew, Jesus spoke again about how to address and resolve conflict with a fellow believer: We read beginning in Matthew 18:15: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

16  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

17  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

Matthew Henry comments: “If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practised every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all. But how few try the method which Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us.”

But let's look at this, again: There are some ancient manuscripts that omit the two words “against thee,” and have Christ saying: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass... go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” In the verse written that way, the trespass need not have been committed against the person witnessing it. 

Notice Paul's words for that situation in Galatians 6:1  ¶Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

But why did Paul include a warning about being tempted? What temptation is there in discovering a fault or a sin in a brother or sister? And who, while we're on the subject, is the source of temptation? The temptation is to react to such a discovery in an ungodly manner, with unthinking and irrational human emotions, and not the love of God that only He can provide. If you become aware of a brother or sister sinning in some capacity, God would have you react by going to that person, alone, and bring it to his or her attention, and only to his or her attention. To do so is not a Biblical suggestion, it is a Command. And it also must be kept a matter of strict privacy between the two of you. A true follower of Christ will not seize it as an opportunity to light up the phone lines, or text lines, or chat room lines, or e-mail lines, to report to other believers or members, or to anybody else what their brother or sister did or said, to poison their reputation.

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 26:20: “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”

To repeat a real or imagined fault or a sin of a brother is a very serious matter to God. We read in Proverbs 6, seven activities that are abominations that God hates are listed: Four of the seven are characterisitic of talebearers: A proud look, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” 

Reacting to offenses is a test we will all face at some time or another. Jesus said in Luke 17:1: “It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”

And when we are faced with them, God commands us to act and react according to His Guidelines. But to do that, you have to know what those Guidelines are. If you don't actually read the Bible, and know what God requires, or which reactions that seem good to us God hates, then you cannot act and react within those prescribed Guidelines. But too many of us do not read Scripture, and, too often, we respond with emotional knee-jerk reactions to certain circumstances in ways that may seem right and justified to us, but oppose God's Laws. Talebearing and spreading gossip are ungodly emotional reactions that do no good to anyone. Whispering is an abomination to God! God hates backbiting! These reactions are divisive, and are not how God would have us respond to the discovery of sin in a brother or sister in Christ. As Solomon said in Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” We need to be able to route out behavior thatseems right to us, and behavior that God hates. We need to follow His Ways, and only His Ways! 

In either case, if we witness a brother or sister in Christ commit a sin in word or in deed, we have, as witnesses, several commands from God as to how to react. If it is directed against us, accidentally or intentionally, we are commanded to forgive that individual. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." 

Becoming the town crier regarding their sin, and gossiping about it behind their backs to anyone else, is NOT what Jesus said to do! How can talebearing be a “good” reaction when God calls it an “abomination” to Him? How can whispering about what a brother or sister did wrong be “blessing them,” when God said He hates when someone “soweth discord among brethren”?

Consider: In both cases, if the sin committed is or is not against us personally, it is definitely against the one who committed it. Whatever the sin was, it must be repented of! For that to happen, it must be brought to the attention of the sinner, and NO ONE ELSE! Notice Paul's words to Timothy as he spoke about the obligation we each have to go to the sinner, and how to approach him or her: We read in 2 Timothy 2:24: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (emphasis added).

In another area of Christian conflict, the Apostle Paul responded to the situation where brothers and sisters in Christ were taking each other to court, in order to get what they thought was rightfully theirs: Paul issued them a scathing rebuke beginning in 1 Corinthians 6:5  I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

6  But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7  Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

8  Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.”

On another subject, where offenses are concerned, ministers and Bible teachers are not magically exempt from sin. No honest minister or Bible teacher would ever say that he or she does not or cannot or will not sin. Speaking for myself, I have said on many occasions that when I present these Discussions, I do not present them from the perspective of not needing to apply to my own life the things I am teaching. Paul said in Romans 2:21: “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?” My answer is is an unequivocal and enthusiastic “Yes!” I need every word of the things I teach you. 

We all sin every day. As John wrote in 1 John 1:10: “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” We may not sin the same sins, but the bottom line is, that all sin brings with it a death penalty. That means we are all tied for last place. But being a Bible teacher holds me, in God's eyes, to a stricter standard. James writes the very sobering words to those who teach the Word of God, in James 3:1  ¶My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”

I take this responsibility very serious. But I also need you to know that I am not perfect, nor have I ever pretended to be, claimed to be, or even implied to be. I get things wrong because I am human, but I do not willfully or intentionally offend or mislead. If you think I have said something wrong, I invite, no... I urge you, and Christ commands you to come to me, and me alone, and tell me what I did or said. That is the Bible's prescription for correcting a fellow-believer who has done something offensive.

If a brother or sister in Christ, says or does something that was, or appeared to be inappropriate or ungodly, becoming a gossip, or a talebearer or a whisperer in response to that situation is condemned in both the Old and New Testament. Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16:28: “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.” Such activity will be answerable to God. If you think this is a minor matter with God, let's take a look at the sins that Paul lists, in which he includes whispering. Look at the sins that surround “whisperers”! Romans 1:28: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30  Backbiters, haters of God, spiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31  Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

The correct response to a brother or sister that sins is love, mercy, reconciliation and forgiveness. To do anything less, anything more, or anything different is to cut one's own throat. Jesus made a statement to all who would think themselves above the need to forgive, that removes all doubt on the subject. He said this at the end of the Parable where a king forgave an incredible sum, and the one who was forgiven refused to forgive a fellow-servant: Matthew 18:33: “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34  And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

We also need to look at another important facet of forgiveness, and that is repeat offenders:

Do we impose a ceiling on how many times we can or should forgive an offending brother or sister? We read in Luke 17:3  Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

4  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

5  And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”

Forgiveness does not come easy. Jesus said it must be more than mere words... it must be from the heart. Only then will God acknowledge a forgiving attitude. If He does not recognize whole-hearted forgiveness, He will not forgive us when we ask for it. If that does not scare the living daylights out of you, nothing will. 

Matthew Henry comments: “Faith in God's pardoning mercy, will enable us to get over the greatest difficulties in the way of forgiving our brethren. As with God nothing is impossible, so all things are possible to him that can believe. Our Lord showed his disciples their need of deep humility. The Lord has such a property in every creature, as no man can have in another; he cannot be in debt to them for their services, nor do they deserve any return from him.”

In another place, Peter thought that he could max out forgiving offenses at the seventh offense, and was stunned to learn that he was wrong: We read in Matthew 18:21  ¶Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

T0 love our bothers and sisters in Christ, as God would have us love them, to forgive them from the heart, and to forgive on an unlimited basis, without counting the number of times, without seeking revenge, all the while being willing to suffer loss is not humanly possible. But it can and must be a part of our lives through, and only through, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And the Fruit of that Spirit, that makes it all possible, is found in Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

This concludes this evening's Discussion, “Conflict Among Christians, Part 1”

This Discussion was conducted “live” by Romans on June 5th, 2014

Romans 1:11-12 – Encouraging Relationships

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:11-12 ESV)

Do you have a friend who you know you can go to coffee with or call on the phone and feel refreshed after the talk? They are good listeners and seem to understand everything you are going through. They don’t condemn you, but lift you up with encouragement.

Paul earnestly desired to visit the church in Rome. There were probably multiple reasons, including: it was his calling/ministry, he wanted to teach them, wanted to see how they were doing, and many more. But, it was also so that he could receive from them. Paul was a man who wrote the majority of New Testament books and he wanted to be encouraged by new Christians in Rome. How awesome!

At times we also need the encouragement of other Christians. He was wanting to spend time with people, to develop relationships with people, and to then be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. These kind of relationships do not happen by attending church services alone, we need to take steps to genuinely get to know one another and discover the faith and spiritual gifts that others have. In this scripture, we can learn from Paul and seek out a group of people to meet with to be encouraged by their faith. As we gain encouragement, we give encouragement. We weren’t called to live the Christian life alone.

2 Timothy 3:16 – God Speaks Still

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

Have you ever felt like God has quit speaking? Maybe sermons are losing their impact, times of genuine worship in life are growing more scarce, and overall, you’re coasting on spiritual memories and past times? Whatever the reason, there are times in life in which we feel disconnected from God and alone. If you feel this way, consider looking deeper into your Bible. The Bible was faithfully recorded by inspired men from all walks of life, who lived across three continents, and compiled the texts over a period of fifteen hundred years without ever contradicting one another. God spoke then through Scripture, and He is still speaking through it now.

When we neglect to meet God in the words He preserved for us, we lose our bearing in life and He seems distant. However, the wonderful truth is that God hasn’t moved and He is still speaking to us through the Bible. Remember; it’s not just a book with worn-out phrases, rather, it’s a treasure house of truth that’s living and active. The Bible is a fountain of living water and is intended to be our prime source of strength. Pick it up, dust it off, and draw near to the God who speaks still.

Approach Scripture with the understanding that God still speaks to us every time we read His words.

The Gospel According to John: 1: The Author

“The Gospel According to John, Part 1: Let's Meet the Author:”  by Romans:

Over the course of the past year, or so, I have departed from the former Bible Studies that I conducted. Formerly, I would take a theme, or a single word, or, sometimes even a particular number, and build a Bible Study around that. These Studies were edifying to me as I researched and wrote them, and, thankfully, they were also well received. Then, about a year and a half ago, I shifted gears and began to read, a chapter at a time, from several books that I thought would be helpful to all of those who attended these Studies. I took thirty weeks to read “The Purpose Driven Life,” by Rick Warren; and most recently I read, “The Bait of Satan,” by John Bevere, which took 14 weeks to read. Thankfully, these two books were also well received.

Well, I am going to shift gears again, and do something that I have been thinking of doing with y'all for a long time. As opposed to just reading a book, or focusing on a single theme or word, I am going to focus on a single Book of the Bible, and, for the foreseeable future, go through that Book with a fairly fine-toothed comb. We are going to read, and digest and get as much nourishment as we can from every account and recorded incident. The means that we are not going to dissect every word, and in the overwhelming majority of cases, every verse. But we are going to undertake this Study, one chapter at a time, a bite at a time, incident by incident, until we finish the Book.

Let me share with you, now, the Book I have chosen for my first examination. It is the Gospel According to John.

New believers, who know nothing of the Bible, are often  encouraged to read the Gospel According to John, as the first Book they should read in the Bible. John's Gospel is a rich, edifying, and majestic Account of the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ, in some very real ways, standing alone among the other three Gospel Accounts, as an incomparably unique testimony to our Savior. Yet, in every one of the ways it is unique as a Gospel Account, what John reveals to us, is fully supported and corroborated throughout the rest of Scripture.

We have much to learn in this Study.  I have a fairly comprehensive collection of Bible Commentaries both in print, and online in the form of  CD-Rom Commentaries. For each chapter and verse, I am going to consult every one of those Commentaries, and compile a study amassed from all of those varied sources. This is going to entail hours to accomplish, but I believe it will be a worthwhile use of my time both for me and for all of you. I have no idea how long it will take me to do this. The Gospel According to John is 21 chapters long, so I think we can safely expect at least 21 installments. I can foresee,however, the need to spend at least an entire one-hour Bible Study on just a single event, a single command of Jesus, or a single Account of something that happened in His Ministry. There may also be multiple parts to the Study in order to extract every drop of meaning, significance and application from what we are reading. I have no reason to edit anything for time's sake, any aspect of this Study Series that I share with you.

I believe we are going to be in for quite a ride. I look forward to the examination of, and expounding of this Book. I hope as many of you as is possible, will get on board, and be here with me every Thursday night at 9PM for the foreseeable future, as long as it takes. And, when we are finished, I think we'll be not be able to think of this Book, or even a single verse in it, the same way, again.

I ask God's Blessing and Direction and Guidance upon me as I undertake this project. I also solicit your prayers that the explanations that I find and will share with you will be first True, then edifying and enlightening, that we might all grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus Christ.

On Monday when I began this Study, I originally thought we would be able to do two thumbnail sketch overviews, tonight, first of John, himself, and then of his Gospel Account. As it turned out, when I finished writing today (Thursday), I had written 9 pages just on John alone. We will have to put off the sketch of the Gospel of John until next week.

And so, let us begin.

John was the son of Zebedee and Salome`, and the brother of James. James is always named first before John, so we can assume that he was the elder brother. They were among the original 12 disciples. But there was also an inner circle, and they were two of the three inner inner circle of disciples made up of Peter, James and John. These three apparently enjoyed a closer relationship with Jesus than the other nine disciples, and were specifically invited to be with Jesus at various special times. Matthew, Mark and Luke all refer to that inner circle, and the events that took place just for them.

We read beginning in Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:2, and Luke 9:28: “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light...”

In Mark's and Luke's Accounts, Peter's, James' and John's exclusive inner circle status is impossible to miss. Notice how Mark and Luke each refer to it in Mark 5:35, and Luke 8:51: “While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
36  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
37  And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.”

Finally, following the Last Supper, on His last night before His Crucifixion, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. All the disciples but Judas were with Jesus, but notice what we read in Mark 14:32: “And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33  And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34  And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.”

Jesus' words “Sit here, while I pray,” was spoken to the other 8 disciples. Then He took the inner circle of Peter, James and John with Him, and kept them closer to Him as He agonized in prayer.

James and John apparent were hot-headed. We read in Mark 3:16: “And Simon he (Jesus) surnamed Peter;
17  And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder.” We read an example of their fiery tempers when certain Samaritans would not provide lodging for them. We read of this account beginning in Luke 9:52: “And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53  And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
56  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.”

Jesus would send the disciples out to preach the Gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons. John behaved with the same fiery zeal when he was out on these missions. But without Jesus with them to intervene at those times, and hit the brakes, James and John's fiery misplaced enthusiasm would display itself.  Mark tells us of one such occasion that John related to Jesus, seeming to do so with some pride. What is most amazing is not merely what John tells Him, but also when! It is completely inappropriate in the context of the lesson Jesus was trying to communicate to the disciples. Let's read the entire account, and begin a few verses back from John's boasting. It is found beginning in Mark 9:33 “And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
34  But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

Let me briefly interrupt the story to point out that my own personal feeling is that, based on the fact  that James and John either personally, or by having their mother Salome` ask Jesus,  they wanted to sit on the right and left of Him when He set up His Kingdom. Because of that, I am inclined to think that James and John would have been in the thick of any disputes among the disciples involving who among them was the greatest. So this is the context of what had just taken place in the account that Mark is writing about. Let's get back to that account:

35  And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
36  And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
37  Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.”

Jesus tries to correct their attitude placing a child in their midst, and telling them if you want to be first, to be last, to be a servant.

When you read John's incredible response in the next verse, you have to wonder if he heard a single word Jesus said! Notice:

38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
39  But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
40  For he that is not against us is on our part.”

The Greek word translated “forbad” that John used to describe how they reacted to a stranger casting out demons, was the Greek word “koluo” (pronounced: ko-loo'-o) and it means to stop, or prevent (by word or act), and was also translated with the English words, “hinder,” “forbid” and “withstand.”

We don't know exactly how much time transpired between Jesus' attempt, here, to teach humility, and the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, but the dispute of “Who is the greatest?” erupted again at the most unbelievable time imaginable: We read beginning in Luke 22:19 “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
21  ¶But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22  And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!
23  And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
24  And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.”

It is mind boggling to me that a “Who is the greatest?” dispute had erupted at the Last Supper, and apparently right after Jesus presented the elements of the bread and wine as His broken body and shed blood.

In the case where James' and John's mother was enlisted to get them seats on the right and left of Jesus' Throne, let's read that entire Account:

Matthew 20:20  ¶Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
21  And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
22  But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
24  And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.”

Of this, Matthew Henry writes: “The sons of Zebedee abused what Christ said to comfort the disciples. Some cannot have comforts but they turn them to a wrong purpose. Pride is a sin that most easily besets us; it is sinful ambition to outdo others in pomp and grandeur. To put down the vanity and ambition of their request, Christ leads them to the thoughts of their sufferings. It is a bitter cup that is to be drunk of; a cup of trembling, but not the cup of the wicked. It is but a cup, it is but a draught, bitter perhaps, but soon emptied; it is a cup in the hand of a Father, Joh 18:11. Baptism is an ordinance by which we are joined to the Lord in covenant and communion; and so is suffering for Christ.”

John's elder brother James was not the author of the Epistle of James that we find towards the end of the New Testament. The James that wrote that Epistle was Jesus' younger half-brother James, the son of Joseph and Mary. He is named as so named as a brother in Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3. Then we read Paul's words in Galatians 1:19: “But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.”

Jesus told James and John, “Ye shall drink indeed of my cup,  and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with...” Surely these references to persecution and martyrdom. John's brother James died early in Church history, actually becoming the first Apostle to be martyred.  We read of his death beginning in Acts 12:1: “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
2  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.”

Let's focus in a little closer, now, on John, himself. At the opening of this Study, I did not introduce John with a series of critically negative details in an effort to perpetrate an assassination of his character. What I related to you was true and accurate in describing both his fiery passion and ambition in his youth. But the Lessons Jesus taught finally became a part of his life as he followed the lead of the Holy Spirit. In spite of the negative character traits of his youth, scholars refer to John as “The Apostle of Love.” Why that reference to one of the “Sons of Thunder”? Because the same John who, as a youth asked Jesus' permission to call fire down on the Samaritans who resisted the preachers of the Gospel, had repented, and matured, and was filled with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In the epistles of his later life, he asked in 1 John 4:20: “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” And he declared in 1 John 3:15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”

The same John who, as a youth, wanted to sit on the right or left of Jesus Throne, and forbid any who were not in his own perceived little click, now, as a mature Christian saw the errors of those ways.
He wrote in 3 John 1:9: “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth...” (the Greek word, here is “koluo,” the very same word John used decades before, when he forbad the outsider who was casting out demons) “neither doth he (Diotrephes) himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
11  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”

I say, “The same John,” but it was not “the same John...” His later writings demonstrate quite a metamorphosis from the original personality that prompted Jesus to nickname him one of the “Sons of Thunder.” I found a website that marvelously chronicles John's spiritual maturing, his rejection of his youthful misplaced zeal, and his replacing that personality by yielding to the influence of The Holy Spirit, and bearing the Fruit of the Spirit.


Click or cut-and-paste the link below for some very good insights on this:

http://www.gotquestions.org/life-John-Apostle.html

After the crucifixion, John and Peter are named as two of the first disciples to hear the startling and completely unexpected claim by Mary Magdalene in John 20:2: “They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.” John outran Peter and was the first to look in the empty tomb, but remained outside. When Peter arrived, he was not content to merely look into the tomb; we read in John 20:6: “Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie...” Peter apparently was not going to be satisfied just seeing an empty tomb; he wanted to be sure that Jesus' body was not there. He walked in where a body was supposed to be, but he wanted to not feel it in addition to not seeing it!

Seven weeks later, John was present when the Holy Spirit was given in Power on the Day of Pentecost, turning the timid disciples who, immediately following the crucifixion had been cowering behind locked doors, into bold Apostles and Evangelists: powerhouses of evangelism, performing miracles and healing to confirm the Word of their preaching. Later, Peter and John are shown  in Acts 3, going “together into the temple at the hour of prayer...” It was there outside the Temple that they performed one of the first miracles of the Church Age, when they encountered a lame beggar whom God healed through Peter. When word of this miracle came to the ears of the Elders of Jerusalem, we read their reaction in Acts 4:16: “What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17  But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19  But Peter and John answered and said unto them, (them being the very same men who had Jesus arrested, rigged his trial, provided false witnesses against Him, incited a mob to call for His execution, and encouraged the Governor to crucify Him on the charge of treason, Peter and John boldly answered to [i]that[/i] them:) “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

We read of the continued and magnified miraculous events of the Apostles beginning in Acts 5:12  ¶And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13  And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15  Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16  There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17  ¶Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20  Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21  And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22  But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
23  Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24  Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25  Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26  ¶Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

John was the author of five New Testament Books, or Epistles. There is, of course, The Gospel According to John which we just began to work on. Then there are his three epistles known as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John. And, lastly, he was the author of, or more accurately, the chosen scribe of the Book of Revelation. I call him the scribe of this Book because it is not his Revelation. In the King James Version of the Bible, uninspired editors and publishers, when they translated this Book into English called it, “The Revelation of St. John, the Divine.” But, if you look at the first inspired verse of the Book of Revelation, we read, in stark contrast, Revelation 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:” It is a Book of Revelation, and not, as the well-meaning but incorrect King James translators called it, “The Revelation of St. John the Divine.”

There is some question among modern scholars about whether the John on Patmos who penned the Book of Revelation, was the Apostle John,  or was some heretofore unknown believer named John. I am not the least bit moved by any of the modern skepticism that questions every dot and tittle of Scripture. The fact of the matter is that most of the first century church fathers understood that the John who identified himself on the Isle of Patmos as the writer of the Book of Revelation, to be the same John who wrote the Gospels and Epistles. Why would Jesus use an unknown person to write this Book,  or why would anyone be impressed by an unknown making claims about Jesus commanding him to write to them? To question the identity of the author is senseless!

I still prefer to think of him as the scribe of this Book because he is, throughout the Book, and on no less than fourteen separate occasions, instructed by Jesus or a “a voice out of Heaven,” or “a voice out of the Throne,” to write what he is seeing or hearing or experiencing.

This last Book of John, which is also the last Book of the Bible, is written, as many of you are already aware, when John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos. Where James was the first Apostle to be martyred, John was also deemed worthy of death because of his beliefs, and would have been, if the Romans had their way, the last Apostle to be martyred, but God was not finished with him. It is widely held that the Romans had both condemned him, and attempted to execute him by boiling him in a cauldron of oil. But, as the legend goes, John  miraculously survived that attempted execution. So the Romans opted for punishment they could carry out, exiling him to a prison colony on the Isle of Patmos. The Romans may have succeeded in isolating John on Patmos from Society in general, and fellowship with members of the Church, but they could not exile John from the reach of Jesus Christ, or the indwelling, and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I am reminded, here, of the Apostle Paul's words in Romans 8:38: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  

Yes, the Book of Revelation is full of pandemonium and mayhem, bloodshed and catastrophe, but God is still depicted as reaching out to a hardhearted and rebellious mankind, and making overtures to them to repent, promising forgiveness and healing, and still, right to the end, seeking to establish a relationship with His Creation. Maybe you have never thought or heard of it described as this, but the Book of Revelation is a love letter! Not just in spite of, but because of its turmoil and upheaval, it is, in the final analysis, a love letter from God to His Creation, and with a very happy ending. Consider the words of the letter that Jesus commanded John to write to the Church at Laodicea. They are very sorely chastised in the introduction of their letter with these words beginning in Revelation 3:15: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” But then, watch how the whole tone of the letter dramatically shifts from that of condemnation to loving consolation Beginning in Revelation 3:18, we read: “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” They were condemned as poor, Jesus said He wanted them to be rich. They were denounced as naked, Jesus said He wanted them to be clothed in white raiment. In Revelation 19, white linen is the raiment of the Bride at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. And lastly, they were written off as blind, Jesus offers them eyesalve that they might see. Then He adds, beginning in verse 19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

Jesus and the Holy Spirit used John as their scribe to write and preserve this love letter, which ends with God and mankind joyfully living together in Paradise for Eternity. In the last chapter, chapter 22, John recorded for us Jesus' words in verses 13, 14 and 17:
13 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city...
17 And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

So there we have a quick, but reasonably thorough sketch of the John, one of the original 12 disciples, one of Jesus' Inner Circle, called in Scripture “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” the author of five Books of the New Testament, and referred to by scholars as “The Apostle of Love.”

Next week we are going to first do a flyover of John's Gospel Account in its entirety, pointing out a few highlights, as well as  both comparing and contrasting it with the other three Gospel Accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Then, if there is time remaining, we'll begin our Study of Chapter One.

This concludes this Evening's Bible Discussion, “The Gospel According to John, Part 1: Let's Meet the Author:”

This Bible Discussion was originally presented “live” by Romans, on September 18th, 2014

Genesis 16:2 – Obsessing Over Promises and Not God

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. (Genesis 16:2 ESV)

From Ryan,

A good friend of mine adopted a boy who has been through some traumatic events in his life. He is a great kid and is full of life. One of his quirks, however, is that he becomes obsessed with things; it might be as simple as a card game or video game. Once, our families were together at a local minor league baseball game, and everyone was having a good time. A player randomly threw a ball to my friend’s son and he became completely obsessed with getting another one. He no longer cared about baseball, who won, or his friends around him. He just yelled for a ball every time a player had one by the bench, and he would race to beat the other kids for foul balls. He became obsessed with getting another ball and forgot why he was at the game in the first place. He was upset when we left because he didn’t get another ball.

I was reading today’s verse and the story I just told came to my mind. Abraham had been promised by God that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Unfortunately, he and his wife were getting old and didn’t have any kids yet, so how could this promise from God ever come to pass?

Instead of trusting in God and His promise, they grew impatient when He didn’t fulfill His promise in the time they expected Him. They decided to make things happen themselves because they didn’t believe could happen any other way. This caused much pain and hurt in their family as you continue to read the rest of the story. Of course, God does eventually & miraculously fulfill His promise and they have a child (Genesis 21:1-2).

Have you become so obsessed with a promise from God that you forget to actually trust Him for it? Instead of relying on God, are your thoughts and time so consumed with chasing this promise that you forget everything else around you, even God?

Remember that God’s promises to us through His word and Spirit are meant to bring us closer to Him through trust and reliance. Take comfort in that truth, and spend some time today praying for patience, strength and grace.

Psalm 119:44-45 – True Freedom

Daily Devotional Bible Verse

I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
(Psalm 119:44-45 ESV)

God’s laws, rules, and Jesus’ teachings can appear as a type of straight jacket to those who are not followers of Jesus. These rules may even seem to inhibit a person from being themselves, having fun, or living life to its fullest. The author of the famous Psalm 119 has a different view on this notion, however. The author wrote that keeping God’s law (doing what the Bible and Jesus said) will allow us to walk in wide places. Other translations use liberty or even freedom. This can seem contradictory, but, as one looks at what the Bible lays out for our lives, we see that it helps us to live a life that is free from the wages of sin.

We are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:17)! In turn, these supposed “freeing” lifestyle choices can no longer ensnare, or have dominion over us. Talk to a homeless drug addict on the street, and ask if he feels like he has liberty and freedom in life. Ask an alcoholic in jail who’s just killed a mother and daughter while driving drunk if he or she is free. Speak with a young lady who has to make the decision whether to keep, abort, or give up her soon to be daughter because she can’t afford to raise a child. Do these situations ring of freedom to you?

Charles Spurgeon said about this verse, ” The way of holiness is not a track for slaves, but the King’s highway for freemen”. Jesus said that he came to give us life and to give us life abundantly (John 10:10). An abundant life is not a list of rules and restrictions with the intent of keeping us locked up, but a freedom in him to live as the people we were made to be.

1 Samuel 12:20-22 – Don’t Give Up!

And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. (1 Samuel 12:20-22ESV)

Growing up did you ever do something so bad you were afraid to tell your parents? You probably thought they would never forget you. When they found out, they were probably mad, but still called you their child and fed you and kept a roof over your head. Have you ever felt like this with God? That you did something so bad he wouldn’t let you be a part of the church anymore, you weren’t good enough for your Christian friends, or God wouldn’t forgive your sin?

The Israelites had just told God that he wasn’t good enough to be their leader. The prophets and judges he put in place to take care of them were not enough. Instead, they wanted a king. This obviously made God very angry and he explained to them all the bad that would happen because they had chosen a little king to rule over them instead of the King of kings.

The Israelites we became afraid and asked Samuel to pray for them, so that they wouldn’t die for their sin of demanding a king. God graciously heard their cry and told them to not stop serving him. He didn’t tell them that they had sinned so much they were no longer good enough to be a part of his plans. No, instead he said he would not forsake them.

So, what does this mean for us? We all know somebody (it might even be us) who has sinned in a way that they feel as though they can never make it up to God and leave the church in shame. Just as God told the Israelites to continue to serve him, he desires for us to continue to serve him and be a part of his church when we have sinned. What an encouragement we can be to those who have messed up and feel such shame! Don’t ever think your sin is so great that God no longer excepts you.