TABLETALK - May 2018

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
• May 2018 (November 7, 2023 - December 22, 2023) John 7:37 - John 9:41 - Jesus experiences opposition and there is a sin-motivated resistance people have toward being enslaved to sin.

John 7 continued

Rivers of Living Water (John 7:37-39) - Jesus is the source of living water, providing life to those who believe in Him and the waters will flow in the form of blessings to many people, continually. 

Jesus Brings Division (John 7:40-46) - Jesus's coming is causing division among people following and observing him over who He really is: only a prophet or also a Messiah. And officers are not seizing Him. 

The Prophet from Galilee (John 7:47-52) - The Pharisees believe the multitudes have been misled by Jesus and later state the same of one of their own - Nicodemus. Some will not believe no matter what Jesus says. 

John 8

The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 7:53-8:6) - A woman is brought by Jesus officials which Jesus is teaching at the temple, stating the woman has been caught in adultery and Jesus is asked to determine her fate. 

Showing Mercy and Upholding the Law (John 8:7-11) - In response to the accusation brought by officials of a woman in adultery, Jesus tells them to examine themselves first before throwing stones. 

The Light of the World (John 8:12-20) - Jesus proclaims Himself as the Light of the World based upon two witnesses, Him and the Father. 

How Not to Die in Sin (John 8:21-30) - Jesus says he will be going away and to be with him one must believe in Him or die in their sin. He is I am and is sent by the Father. 

The Mark of True Discipleship (John 8:31-32) - Being a disciple is abiding in Jesus' words, to know the truth so that I will be free. 

Children of Abraham (John 8:33-40) - Everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. To be free like Abraham is to be a servant of Christ. 

Children of the Devil (John 8:41-47) - If we are not of the Father and if we are not believing in Jesus, then that person is of the devil and abides by the devil's ways.

The One Who Seeks Christ's Glory (John 8:48-55) - Jesus is all about the Father's glory, though the Jews believe he has an evil spirit. 

The Incarnate I Am (John 8:56-59) - Jesus culminates His deity now by announcing that before Abraham was born, I am, igniting the leaders to stone him for blasphemy. 

John 9

The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-7) - Jesus is the light and in our world today and reveals that a man born blind is that way to bring glory to God. Jesus later heals this man.

Division Among the Pharisees (John 9:8-23) - After the healing of the beggar of his blindness, the Jews and people in Jerusalem are questioning the healing. 

Opening Blind Eyes (John 9:24-33) - The former blind man believes Jesus is from God and bears testimony of this that he can now see. The Pharisees don't believe. 

Spiritual Blindness (John 9:34-41) - Jesus is the Son of Man and comes to give people the opportunity to either choose Him or go their own way. 

Total Depravity Lessons - These are 7 lessons based upon an RC Sproul series that speak of the condition of people apart from God and they will remain in this state. The only hope is that God awakens them, out of His sovereign will and they respond to Him in faith. 

When Hope is No More - Buck Parsons (editor of Tabletalk and Senior Pastor of Saint Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, Florida) - Disappointment is prevalent in life - people disappoint us and we disappoint them; and things disappoint us, but we need to be careful if we wrap up our hopes and dreams in ourselves. People only focused on self will eventually be unbalanced and hopeless, as this is how God designed it. But becoming hopeless about self and instead hoping in God is a sovereign act of God. Hope is given by God's grace, sustained by His Spirt for our earthly and eternal good and for God's glory. It is not wishful thinking. We hope because the Holy Spirit overflows this condition in us (Rom. 5:5). Beyond the grave, hope will disappear as hope is only for present day. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. 

The Reality of Disappointment - Jeremy Pierre (Professor of biblical counseling and department chair at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also a pastor at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky.)  - Disappointment is rampant and often increases with age. Life is in itself a disappointment as we often learn to echo the words of Alexander Pope, "Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed." [Notice Pope was 4'6" and died at age 56.] In living for an ideal situation in life, most likely we will be disappointed. We dream of better days. Even when our expectation is missed, we have to hope that one day it will bloom. We live in reality that fails to match the Eden in our minds. Expectations are part hope, part prediction of what we expect reality to be. We need to acknowledge that disappoints are not unique to us but hit everyone (thus the importance of community and coming together). Being broken is the world we live in. If we only expect the ideal, we will be disappointed by the actual. We must to a trust in God, and move outside of ourselves, to get beyond the broken and yet remain thankful for anything He has provided. God tells us this world is broken but also that it shouldn't be and in the process we are more sharp for the future world he is preparing for us to reside in. Disappointments should result in lamenting (complaining to God honestly) and then seeking (preparing for a better day). An unbroken world awaits us. 

Failure and Disappointment in Scripture - David P. Murray (Senior pastor of First Byron Christian Reformed Church in Byron Center, Mich. and author) - Would anyone come to a conference or read a book on "Failure and Disappointment?" We live in a "success culture" that idolizes victory and fulfillment - for good reason - it feels good and brings joy. By all means aim high, but recognize no oe escapes failure and disappointment. We should plan on it and prepare for it with a view to profit from it. Failure is a lack of success in doing something. Disappointment is the sense of sadness and frustration that results from failure, either our own or others or both. [Sometimes I wonder if many in our society struggle with how to deal with failure and disappointment - the shootings that have become commonplace in our land; mental illness they say effects 1 in 5; suicide rates are often higher in more developed countries like united states; Russia has one of the highest rates of suicide.] We have multiple examples of failure to obey God's ten straightforward commands. We are most vulnerable when we are most successful. Success breeds confidence. Our country is full of examples of powerful and successful men being brought down by the weak and helpless victims they previously oppressed and exploited. I have noticed that most people give out the impression that most things work out for me. Again, you don't see posts on Facebook of a parent with a picture of their child in the principal office for fighting. We might share about failure that has impacted us but rarely do we share about personal failure. We need to share with others. Most of the time when failure hits leaders it is too late. Failure can be a great teacher. Confession frees us from guilt and shame. Failure does not define us. Failure can be forgiven. Failure brings heaven closer. 

A Time To Mourn - Joe Holland (Managing editor at Grimké Seminary in Richmond, Va., and a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America) - We do grieve, mourn and lament into the day of no more tears. And there is unbridled sorrow and purposeful lament. Lament is a gift from God leading to sorrow and finally a feast of joy. (Struggled a little with this reading and getting more out of it.)

Our Final Hope - Michael A. Rogers (Senior pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Lancaster, Pa) - Buried a woman named Hope (86) - live with daily pain from car crash and yet radiated deep joy and trust in Jesus. Sermons today more focused on this life today that future hope. In the past life was shorter and Hope in the face of ever present death was the sermon. Gods word says less about heaven than we might think. At death we leave our physical bodies and our souls are received into God’s presence. Now in Christ, at death with Christ.

Rediscovering Contentment - James L. Harvey (Executive director of Reformed Theological Seminary in New York City) - Product of reformation is that God has called everyone, not just the clergy, to serve Him and bring Him glory. And each person can do this where they are at. Our angst in the world today is we are not satisfied with our work life and singles want to be married. We must be careful about resignation (accepting things as they are) and idealism (grass is greener on other side). Idealism fueled by idolatry (something that can satisfy us other than Christ). Biblical realism is living the life God has assigned to me ("Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him" - 1 Cor. 7:17). I am here to live for Christ. There is no ideal life on this side of glory. 

Talking About Sin and Repentance - Steffen Mueller (Church-planting pastor of Gospel Church München in Munich, Germany) 

Technology and the Christian - Jon D. Payne (Senior pastor of Christ Church Presbyterian in Charleston, S.C) - Yesterday in Sunday School I summarized the lessons of the day with the idea of being careful. Yesterday it was about being careful that Christmas is really about Jesus and be careful that we are not easily deceived. But here in this lesson is another "be careful" and this is in regards to our cell phones and a technology that since 2007 has not a very prominent role in our life. And as it is not shaping our lives, we need to be careful and realize that with it we need to make sure always that it is not taking over us, controlling how we spend our time, pushing us to do things that have no eternal purpose. It is not to say that it is bad, but just that we need to not always assume it is good. It is a great way to find verses in the Bible when we need help. "Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15). 

Using our Beauty - Rebecca VanDoodewaard (Freelance editor and author)

The Sin that Clings So Closely - Garrett Kell (Lead pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va.) - how do we deal with sin that crouches at our door and seeks to devour us - we look to Jesus. And in this we read the Bible to show us Jesus, the Holy Spirit helping us. We see and witness His Love. As his truths start to overpower the weight of our sin, albeit a slow process. As we see Him do good works our trust for Him grows. And we hear His promises. 

Qualified Children's Sunday School Teachers - Stephen J. Adams (Associate pastor of youth and family ministry at Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla) - This presents a high standard I think for Sunday School Teachers. It is good, but I think a little lofty. But overall I think has some good points. At his church, he states, they assess potential teachers in three areas: covenantal, doctrinal, and relational. First, teachers must be members in good standing for at least six months. Second, regardless of age, our teachers must subscribe to the Westminster Standards, with limited approved exceptions. [For adult Sunday school, we also require that teachers must either be ordained officers of the church, pastoral interns, or part of the ministry staff. -- This is what I think is not practical for bigger churches.] Third, potential teachers must be active in the life of our church; they must be committed to the mission of the local church and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ensuring that these standards are met allows us to make sure that the flock of Christ entrusted to our care is being fed the pure Word of Christ and protected from error.

The Church's Response to Natural Disasters - Victor-Hugo Cruz (Church-planting pastor of Redeemer Church (El Redentor Ciudad de México) in Mexico City) - Good article reminding us to meet the needs in our community and to serve all of the time. I like this mission of the church, to serve in the community. I think I get off track in this thinking at times. 

The Simplicity of God - James E. Dolezal (Director and professor of theology at Radius Theological Institute in Bakersfield, Calif., and also teaches in the School of Divinity at Cairn University in Langhorne, Pa.)