TABLETALK - June 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.
• June 2018 (December 23, 2023 - January 21, 2024) John 10:1 - 11:57 - Jesus as our shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep, but some won't hear Him. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in order to impact the faith of the disciples. 

Chapter 10

The Door of the Shepherd (John 10:1-10) - Jesus provides an allegory of sheep that hear the voice of the shepherd and follow Him while strangers try to get to the sheep. 

The Shepherd Who Knows His Sheep (John 10:11-16) - Jesus is the good shepherd, laying down His life for His sheep, those of the fold of Israel and other sheep (Gentiles), not of this fold are prophesied. 

The Shepherd's Charge from His Father (John 10:17-21) - Because of the Father and Son's love toward one another, Jesus will lay down His life and take it up again (resurrection). This continues to cause division among the Jews. 

Safe in the Hand of God (John 10:22-29) - Jews encircle Jesus at the time of Hanukkah and want to know if He is the Christ. Jesus has already repeatedly told who He is. They are not His sheep and cannot hear Him. 

The Perfect Unity of the Father and the Son (John 10:30) - Jesus has responded previously that only the Sheep here his voice but in further response to them asking who He is, He states He and the Father are One, of the same essence. 

Charges of Blasphemy Refuted (John 10:31-42) - The Jews sought to stone Jesus for speaking a statement of blasphemy but Jesus states God can name him the Son of God, even men from Psalm 82 held this distinction, but Jesus is God incarnate. 

Chapter 11

News about Lazarus (John 11:1-10) - Jesus leaves Jerusalem, but will return to nearby Bethany after hearing that Lazarus is sick.

The Purpose of Lazarus' Death (John 11:11-16) Before proceeding to Bethany Jesus explains to the disciples his reason for going - confirming their belief will be the goal of this visit. 

Source and Sustainer of Life (John 11:17-27) - Jesus arrives in Bethany, and speaks to Martha, who is sad he is late, though Jesus assures her is the Resurrection and the Life and believing in Him results in eternal life to all.

Entering His People's Affliction (John 11:28-35) - Jesus has some emotions as Mary takes him to the scene of the tomb and other Jews also present.

Lazarus Resurrected (John 11:36-44) - Jesus calls Lazarus to life from the grave as Martha and other Jews are watching. 

An Unwitting Prophet (John 11:45-53) - After seeing Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, many Jews believed, but many others did not and these went to the Pharisees to plot Jesus' death.   

Before the Final Passover (John 11:54-57) - Jesus goes to the wilderness, but back in Jerusalem, many are preparing for the Passover, wondering if Jesus will be present at it. 

Various - Christology, The Doctrine of Christ, Part 1 - We need to clearly understand that Jesus has two natures in one person: divine and human. We distinguish these two natures, but do not separate them. There is no division. It is important to understand the error to better understand the truth. 

Christians are Disciples - Many think there is a difference in being a Christian, and being a disciple of Jesus Christ. And yet there is no distinction. A disciple is someone who trusts Christ and who lives his life according to that trust, following Christ, and growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Trust him, follow him. Do not follow him then you do not trust him. We are great at getting converts, but we struggle in making disciples. 

The Mandate of Discipleship - To be a Christian is to be a disciple. Jesus want to make disciples, not simply converts (Matthew 28:19). Following and obeying is not optional. We are trust Jesus with our very lives and follow hard after Him. 

What Is A Disciple - Before being called Christians, early followers of Christ called disciples. A disciple is a student. It is one who learns, disciplining oneself in following the principles and fundamentals of a teacher. A disciple follows Jesus. Our goal is to be like Christ. A disciple listens to Jesus and learns from Jesus. A disciple obeys Jesus. 

The Ordinary Means of Discipleship - According to Luke 2:42, early Christians devoted themselves to 4 basic means for discipleship. (1) "Devoted to apostles teaching." We can apply this today to regularly submitting to the hearing of truth and study of it. Those who teach in the power of the Spirit and those who listen are those who make disciples. (2) "Devoted to fellowship." We were made to fellowship with Him and with one another. We need to be with others that share our faith in Christ. And that genuine love we have for one another is then contagious. (3) "Devoted to breaking of bread." We need to be devoted to sacraments of baptism and Lord's Supper. These communicate the Father’s adopting love, the Son’s sacrificial grace, and the Spirit’s life-giving fellowship. As such this is another reminder of the importance of fellowship. (4) "Devoted to prayer." We need to be devoted corporately in prayer, seeking the face of the Father through the mediation of the incarnate Son with the help of the Spirit. --Let us continue to seek the Lord in this manner, with one another. Christ will equip His disciples to make disciples. 

Disciples Keep Christ's Commandments - To be a disciple is to re-orient one's life so that it is in line with Jesus' standards. The basis for keeping God's commandments (John 14:21) is a love for him, not fear that if we don't judgment will come. We start with love for Him and this is our motivator. Our obedience also shows others we love Him. And we have help, the Holy Spirit (Jo 14:16). Our salvation is based, fully and completely, on the righteousness of Christ, both in His life and His death, imputed to us....but we have a Spirit-filled desire to follow Him and obey His commandments.

Disciples Worship God - Disciple was given by Jesus so that all people could join together in a praise to God. "To be a disciple is to forego all confidence in anything but Jesus and to glory in His person and work with the melody of heart and tongue." Phil. 3:3 says, "For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh." Circumcision was intended to be a sign in the flesh to mark out the people of God. It was a mark of discipleship, following God. But the people of Philippi were getting it wrong. They insisted on some sort of mutilation of the flesh and focused too much on the act versus the meaning. And so Paul says true circumcision is about worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Jesus Christ. 

Disciples Stumble - I John exhorts us to 3 truths in the first two chapters - we should not sin (2:1), we will sin (1:8-10), and we have forgiveness and propitiation for our sins (1:9; 2:1-2). We do indeed sin. God's grace in justifying us by imputing Jesus' righteousness to us is necessary because we sin and continue to sin. Our guilt is imputed to Him. And that righteousness of Christ is perfect. We need to see the depth of our fallenness (Rom. 7:13-19). And we see this depth when we see more our desire to please Him in all things (Phil 2:13). And I am chief of sinners needing His grace bountifully (I Tim 1:15). 

Disciples Confess Their Sin - I John 1:8-9 speaks to an unwillingness to recognize one's own sin, but also humbly and honestly recognizing our sin. Confess sin in verse 9 means to agree with God's diagnosis about us that we are sinners and have sinned. We must confess to God first and then maybe to others as appropriate. The verse speaks of God's "faithfulness." This means He always fulfills His promises. He cannot fail. "God is just" to forgive. He will forgive us and cleanse us from all evil because of Jesus Christ already having paid for our guilt. When forgiveness is used in conjunction with sin it means to cancel. And it also removes the stains and consequences. This verse encourages us simply to not sin. 

Disciples Make Disciples - Women reinforce what the pastor has said to younger women. Sound doctrine informs and transforms our attitudes and actions. Elizabeth (other woman) discipled Mary (younger woman). Elizabeth teaches Mary that blessedness comes from obedience to God’s Word.

 

Disciples Discipline their Children - The Lord designed households to be unique places for the development of disciples. Parents are commanded in Deuteronomy 6:6–7 to teach the words of God “diligently to your children." In Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, but bring them (children) up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Sing psalms and hymns over little ones, make Lord’s Day worship a delight; speak often of God’s Word. Children will need rules based on God’s Word. Seek to show them how each situation can either lead to alienation or to the cross of Christ and reconciliation. Let conversations be had in the home and when questions are difficult, pray. 

Disciples Obey Their Parents in the Lord - Ephesians 6:1-4 - The command: obey in the Lord. The assessment: it’s right. The promise: flourishing and life. The method: the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The manner: without anger. 

Disciples Hide God's Word in their Hearts - Memorize scripture. Deut. 6:4–7. For a Jewish father, the Law would be recited in the child’s hearing from his earliest days, and key passages would be repeated over and over. Since most homes were too poor to own their own collection of the Old Testament scrolls, the cultivation of the memory was essential. It aids the renewing of our mind so that our thinking is shaped by the indwelling Word (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 10:5). God’s truth stored up in the heart will come more readily to mind in decision making, counseling, witnessing, teaching, etc. When we are beset with doubts and depression, the hidden store of God’s truth will be a sure and steady anchor for our storm-tossed ark.

Disciples Receive Correction - To be a disciple one must also be disciplined and receive correction. One who fails to be corrected is treated as an unbeliever. We hate correction because it affects our pride. We are commanded to humble ourselves and God gives us grace to be humble. What is key is recognizing our sin is a heinous offense against a holy God who loves us and makes us His children. 

Disciples Love Other Disciples

Disciples Pursue Holiness

Disciples Love Sound Doctrine

The Freedom of Discipleship - 

The Cost of Discipleship - We follow people easily today, on social media. Has this confused our understanding of Jesus' words - "Follow Me." Following Jesus though means we don't follow anyone else.  

The Rewards of Discipleship - The rich young ruler wanted heaven and eternal life, but was unwilling to give up things that he held of high value in order to obtain eternal life. Conversely, the disciples had left everything behind to follow Jesus. Our reward is great when we give up things to follow Him - both in this life and the life to Come. These are rewards, not conditions for our salvation. Jesus is not merely a good teacher or prophet but the Son of God who wants our devotion. And following Him isn't always comfortable or exciting. 

Discipleship as Rest - Different words for discipleship - learn, commit, obey, righteousness, suffering, perseverance. And there is a cost. And Jesus says to look to the cross (Matthew 16:24-25). Don't be surprised at the opposition by the world. Yet, not a burden. Bible reading, worship, memorization are disciplines but they are blessings, not burdens. Discipleship should be the same. It should actually be rest (Matthew 11:28-30). We are yoked to Jesus as oxen pulling a cart are yoked to one another. When he moves, we move. So be careful to not see it as a burden. 

Engraved on God's Hands - Sometimes it feels like the Lord is forgotten us as we keep waiting for prayer requests to occur. Isaiah 49:14-16 mentions Israel doubting and having fear that the Lord has forgotten them. But in the words of the Lord is God will never forget us. God is committed to His children. Verse 16 says, "I have engraved/inscribed you on the palms of my hands." John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

Ministry on God's Terms - God needs to renew our churches and us for a passion for ministry on His terms in our churches today. The Word of God is not present like it should be. Sacraments are not frequent. We are often more focused on a smooth production and doing things by a worldly paradigm. We need to be more focused on prayer and believing that God answers prayer. We need to have an earnest commitment to the ordinary means of grace - the Word, sacraments, and prayer. 

Shattered Trust - Had a missionary say, "Love is freely given; trust is earned." Had an aunt say, "No command to trust, just love and serve people." But we do trust that people in our lives we treat us in the right way - grocer not water down the milk; the neighbors don't treat us harshly when the weeds grow too long in the yard. We are to trust in God, but we don't necessarily have a similar trust in humans. And we don't need to really. People will disappoint us. We will disappoint people. Jesus will never disappoint us. 

Measured Growth - Sanctification is a salvific benefit of being united with Christ. We are growing daily to be more like Christ. And because we are always growing, we continue to stumble. When Paul writes to the Corinthian church, He calls them sanctified saints in Christ - and yet they are a church with division, sexual immorality, and idolatry. Thus, they still struggle in their sin. Thus, when we are in Christ, our nature is not immediately transformed, but remains in conflict with evil. Paul says the Corinthians are “of the flesh and behaving only in a human way” (1 Cor. 3:3) and yet still admonishes them as "beloved children" (I Cor 4:14). Again, we are to be confessing sin and remain penitent, or in humble sorrow for our sin (2 Cor 12:21).  We call Christians to repentance. 

The Double-Minded Man - In Matthew 6:24 Jesus warned us about serving two masters. In our lives this happens as we pray, as we read the Bible, as we serve - competing thoughts come into our mind, and can deflect us from what is most important. This double-mindedness makes us unstable in everything (James 1:8) and the audience James wrote to had been dispersed, having left Jerusalem due to persecution, and this resulted in them being probably bewildered. This can be similar to us today - not necessarily because of persecution but often as we experience trials, we question rather than trust the trials ("Count as joy"). We struggle with allegiances. But we can confirm our faith in Christ by seeing that we are true believers in Christ Jesus. View the church as vital to your welfare and service. Keep your mind focused on Jesus. 

Deacons to the Rescue - A problem arose in the early church (Acts 6) as converts were being made and people came to Christ, some of the widows were being neglected when food was given out. We are commanded to provide for orphans and widows in their distress. It could have caused a split with some choosing sides when people speak but are not heard. Elders are to preach the word while deacons serve the church to free up the elders. “Those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 3:13)."