I continue in my daily studies to be guided by Tabletalk magazine. 2018 was a study on the Gospel of John and its straightforward presentation of the person and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrines.
- January 2018 (July 4, 2023 - July 23, 2023) John 1:1-2:22 - The preexistence of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist and the person of Christ.
- February 2018 (July 24, 2023 - August 10, 2023) John 2:23 - 3:36 - Regeneration and our need to believe in Christ for Salvation
- March 2018 (August 13, 2023 - September 30, 2023) John 4:1 - 5:29 - Christ is the incarnate Son of God
- April 2018 (October 1, 2023 - November 6, 2023) John 5:30 - John 7:36 - Jesus is as necessary to our souls as food is to our body; Jesus teaches in the temple during the Feast of Booths
John 5 continued
Testifying to Jesus (John 5:30-36) - John testified of Jesus prior to His coming and Jesus is sent by the Father and in the miracles He performed this also testified of Him.
The Witness of Moses and the Scriptures (John 5:37-47) - The witness of Jesus continues with the words of Moses and the writings of Scripture, which testify of Jesus Christ and His glory.
John 6
Multiplying Loaves and Fishes (John 6:1-14) - Jesus feeds the multitudes following Him multiplying 5 loaves and 2 fish to provide for more than enough and the people testify that He is the prophet prophesied.
Withdrawing from a Confused Crowd (John 6:15) - Upon hearing that the crowd thought he was their Prophet to shake things up politically, Jesus withdrew and went back to the mountain, alone.
Walking on the Sea of Galilee (John 6:16-21) - The disciples go out onto the sea, get hit by a storm and Jesus shows up, walking on the water saying, "Fear not."
The Work God Requires (John 6:22-29) - Jesus talks to the multitudes, helping them see that they only need to believe in Him in this life and not go after that which meets their own temporary needs of this life.
True Bread from Heaven (John 6:30-35) - Jesus tells the multitude that the Father provides the true bread of life that they need and Jesus is this bread, giving us eternal life and therefore, we shall not hunger or thirst again.
The Father's Gift to the Son (John 6:36-40) - The Father has gifted people to the Son to be saved and the Son gives eternal life and possessing these people, Jesus will not cast them out ever and He will never lose them.
Drawing People to Faith (John 6:41-44) - Jesus is the Bread from Heaven, sent by God. God enlightens the mind and urges people to yield themselves to the Savior.
The Bread of Christ's Flesh (John 6:45-51) - We must eat the bread of heaven in order to have eternal life, and this eating consists in believing in Christ.
Eating and Belief (John 6:52-59) - As Jesus is the bread of life, to eat his flesh and drink His blood is to abide in Him and to trust in Him completely for salvation practicing all that He has provided for us to grow in Christ.
Grumbling and Disbelief (John 6:60-65) - True followers of Christ are true believers, that have been drawn by the Father, the Spirit gives them life, and they understand all that Jesus is saying to them.
Persevering Disciples (John 6:66-71) - After some have left following Jesus, Jesus turns to the 12 for them to examine themselves as he knows one will betray Him at some point and will they all continue to follow Him.
John 7
At the Feast of Booths (John 7:1-13) - Jesus' brothers ask him to join them on their journey to Jerusalem for the Feast of Booth and to publicly speak to people, but Jesus knows His time not yet come and will go in private.
Judging with Right Judgment (John 7:14-24) - In Jerusalem, Jesus speaks in the temple, speaking from the will of God, and defends healing on the Sabbath reminding people that we need to remember motives and intention over rule-keeping.
Speculating About the Christ (John 7:25-31) - Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem now provides clarity that His origin is from the Father, whom they do not know.
A Perplexed Opposition (John 7:32-36) - As Jesus speaks and continues to speak, people are perplexed by His words. The Pharisees want him seized. But it not yet Jesus' time. He will be on this earth a little longer.
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing - Burk Parsons - The greatest threat of false teachers is within the church. They quote scripture. They are nice people. It is not so much what they teach, but rather what they do not teach. They might speak of Jesus, salvation, gospel, faith, but will often twist words to suit their own wants. To prevent this we must be committed to the sound preaching of all of God's words and to contend for the faith.
The Origin and Presence of False Teaching - Fred Greco (Senior pastor of Christ Church in Katy, Texas) - The enemy wants us to say, "It can't happen here" because then our guard is dropped (I Cor. 10:12). We must be careful about our interaction with culture, how we read difficult passages and the power of sin. Jesus warned that false teachers will come from outside the community of believers, hiding true intentions (Matt. 7:15-20). Peter warns of them coming from within (2 Peter 2:1). The scripture also speaks of disastrous results (Gal. 1:6-9; I Timothy 6:3-5). It may not be glaring but subtle. The first attack on man was, "Did God really say that?" 3 Danger avenues - (1) the desire for new teaching: We must be careful of those that claim they have a new understanding of scripture or can decipher meaning that no one else has discovered previously. Often this leads to confusion and changing the understanding of historical doctrines. We should be quick instead to look at the people in the past and how they have understood truth rather than re-inventing ways. [Here is one I saw recently.] (2) overreaction to error: Sometimes in people's attempt to quiet a false teaching on a Christian doctrine, they go too far in the other direction and along the way start teaching a different sort of false teaching. One example, Eutyches responding to false teaching on person of Christ, in understand how he is both human and divine taught that His divinity overwhelmed His humanity (later he denied this but followers had already started a movement on it). (3) the desire to avoid criticism: sometimes we start shying away from doctrines the world struggles with and in the process, start to teach doctrines in a different way (i.e. women leading men in the church, homosexuality, creationism, watered down gospel messages). Be careful we are not always simply accommodating the latest cultural thinking. 3 concerns remain - we need to have a love for the Bible, a love for reading and understanding the Scriptures and not simply a love to listen to the preaching of the Word; we need to seek opinion from others and leaders need to be part of a church or process where they are accountable; pastors and elders need to be well trained and willing to confront falsehood.
False Teaching Out There and In There - Sean Michael Lucas (Senior pastor of Independent Presbyterian Church in Memphis, TN) - Heresies often began from a biblical platform, within the church. We can't simply say something is "biblical." In nearly every letter of the NT heresy is being exposed, like 1 Corinthians in which teachers denied the bodily resurrection of Jesus. The most common heresy under the guise of the gospel is moralism, the idea that once the true gospel is preached and it is, it is up to the believer to fly right. Thus God blesses those who live a good life. And as such our obedience is our pathway to financial success. It is a sort of prosperity gospel thinking. Legalism is another problem that teaches that certain types of obedience earn favor with God. There are these type of verses like "Love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15)" but this love is in response to the love of God shown in Jesus Christ not loving in order to gain acceptance or good measure. Antinomianism is another problem because it denigrates the role of imperative in scripture. While obedience doesn't earn favor, we do need to be careful in our obedience and follow what scripture says like being involved at church, attending and serving, exercising church discipline. And then also cultural messages. Examples - God and country gospel thinking our country is a redeemer nation, but we must distinguish God's kingdom from America. Another looks at races or "blood" being distinguished from other races, but Jesus divides the wall to make one humanity (Eph. 2:14-16). In addition, culture is legitimizing sins and the church often won't speak of those things - homosexual marriage, gender exchange, sex before marriage, cohabitation before marriage - in the process people define these as they see fit. A no hell false teaching is also more pervasive as all faiths become acceptable avenues to God. Thus, corporate worship must include the preaching of God's word, all of it. Rather than topical messages, we need to preach through books of the Bible, allowing the books to determine the messages. We need to include the Old Testament in this, show how all is necessary. Also, some messages are too encouraging focused, but we need to be challenged, remembering 2 Tim. 4:2 to "reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." Church work is laboring for the gospel, but also laboring for all the messages of the Bible. God's word is the beset means for growing solid Christians.
False Teaching and the Peace and Purity of the Church - Eric Landry (Senior pastor of Redeemer Church in Austin, Texas) - As has been mentioned false teaching often takes place within the church walls. Author mentions a couple getting involved in leadership that did not accept any marriage after divorce and that all remarried couples should separate. The Pastor confronted them stating they were disrupting the church and the people's doctrine not in line with the church. We need to not be lax but also not have a state of paranoia. Churches need to have high standards for leadership. Leaders need to watch what they are quoting in sermons and teachings, making sure the writers line up with their theology. Church leaders need to visit other classes and make sure teaching lines up with church teaching. And finally gather together regularly for praying and teaching sessions. We need to work for the peace and purity of the church.
Teaching the Truth - John MacArthur (Pastor teach of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA) - We are reminded that the pastor of a church has many expectations placed on Him - to counsel, visit people. share the gospel regularly, be available to people regularly in the church. And studying the Word in preparation for teaching is assumed to just to happen. But the pastor or shepherd or elder must be a person that has giftedness for teaching. The pastor is to teach faithfully and not succumb to tickling people's ears (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Christian Friends - James L. Harvey III (Senior pastor of Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Newark, Delaware) - Finding a friend is finding someone that you share a common interest or insight and this can lead to a warm and lasting resonance between two people. We can have non-Christian friends, but between Christians, we always have Someone in common, and these friendships experience further closeness when we can safely share how we can be in encouraged to follow Christ - and thus the culture of friendship shifts from mundane talk to "What? You too? I thought I was the only one."
Confessing Jesus with Your Mouth - Steffen Muelller (Church planting pastor of Gospel Church Munchen in Munich, Germany) - Went through two year confirmation as a kid in South Germany, received "confirmation Bible verse" which for some is their life verse. I was given Matthew 10:32: “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” Over the years, it has reminded him of the importance of talking about Jesus in our conversations, as we converse with people in all walks of life. There is no salvation apart from Christ and so Jesus needs to be front and center in our lives.
Abiding In Christ - Jon D. Payne (Senior minister of Christ Church Presbyterian in Charleston, SC) - As I study John, I see he repeatedly mentions believing in Him, and then in John 15 he remarks that are to abide in Him. It seems this moves beyond belief to a faith in Him that overshadows our faith or belief in anyone else. Thus, I cling to Christ through His word, sacraments, and prayer. It is to devote myself continually to Word of God teaching, fellowship, praying and living my faith daily, speaking to all the faith I have in Him. It is devoting myself to all things that are written in this Book.
Palm Trees and Tent Pegs - Rebecca Vandoodewaard (Author and Mother) - The nurturing instinct for women is God given, and so is the instinct to fight. We are to engage both. Example Deborah, holding court under a palm tree and sorting out people's disputes (thus, nurturing/maternal). She is prophetess and judge. But also leads an army (Judges 4:14). Also Jael, stay-at-home wife of a Kenite, also with a nurturing, fighting spirit. "When the army beats Sisera, general of the Canaanites, he flees from the Israelite settlements and finds himself at Jael's door. She realizes who he is, and her nurturing, fighting spirit is clear. She gives him a warm drink, tucks him into bed, and hammers his head to the ground." Fighting as well as nurturing is a part of spiritual survival.
Peaceful Feelings - Robert Rothwell (Associate editor of Tabletalk Magazine) - As feeling of anxiety come our way and trouble, we are looking for peace to settle us. As Jesus looked to the cross, he sensed trouble (John 12:27). He agonized over it (Luke 23:39-46). And yet he had an objective of peace still as He knew He would accomplish God's will. But he did not go forward with peace or how he felt at the time, but went forward looking to peace. Sometimes we experience trouble or agony when setting out on an objective. We go forward because of what the Lord has commanded and told us, knowing that even with lack of peace He will be glorified.
Working out Your Salvation - Hywel R. Jones (Professor emeritus of practical theology at Westminster Seminary California) - Philippians 2:12-13 has perplexed many (though I think it to be consistent with Ephesians 2:10 - work follows faith). The problem is many take the word salvation to mean that we must work for this. Salvation does not always refer to admission into His kingdom. Working out was not just a individual charge but a global church charge. Remember, sanctification occurs only because God is already at work and lives in the believer. Thus this verse presupposes that salvation has already occurred. Verse 13 is the key for it mentions God is at work in us. It is His work in us that brings God glory, not our work independent of God. Thus salvation has already occurred prior to this command but we still need to follow through on good deeds all the days of our lives.
Attending Corporate Worship - Jared Wilson (Director of Content Strategy for Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO) - Hebrews 10:24-25 commands us to be in fellowship each week? We grow in our faith this way, exercising spiritual gifts. (1) Attendance is an encouragement to others - presence is impressive and communicates even if we don't - people notice you are there and then the plus is having a kind word or helping hand; (2) Attendance is a rebellion against self-sovereignty - stifling the selfish human desire for autonomy - it is His will be done, not ours - it is helpful to our growth; (3) Attendance is a witness to your neighbors - going to church is countercultural - no rest is better than being with Jesus; (4) - Attendance is a foretaste of heaven - people gathering despite differences to celebrate their union with Christ and their unity in Christ. It is the most heavenly thing we can do.
Generosity as Witness - Randy Alcorn (Founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries) - Giving follows grace. In our giving and generosity to those in need that the world notices. In Acts 2:45-47 this resulted in people getting saved. We don't give to get noticed but it is true that our light should shine through our good works. There are countless examples of natural disasters that occur and result in the action of God's people to help those in need.
A Good Mystery - Michael Allen (John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology and Academic Dean at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL) - The Mystery of Faith has been spoken throughout the ages. In Bible times, there were many gods present. Our Lord God must be different; He must strangely glorious. He is incomprehensible.
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