THERE IS NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED

PROCLAMATION

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  While they were still in the temple, after having healed the forty year old man who was lame from birth, the priests, the captain of the temple guard, the Sadducees, the rulers, and the teachers of the law, came upon Peter and John and had them arrested for preaching and teaching proclaiming Jesus, The Christ, and the resurrection of the dead. (Acts 4:1-3)  When they were brought before the Sanhedrin council, they were questioned and asked, “By what power or what name did you do this?”  Peter answered them saying, “… It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” (Acts 4:7-10)  He then quotes the scriptures to them saying that Jesus is “the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.” (Psalm 118:22 which is repeated in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, and Luke 20:17)  Then he boldly told them, “Salvation is found in no one else …”  After conferring among themselves, the Sanhedrin council “commanded” them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus and then they let them go. (Acts 4:13-22)  Upon their release, Peter and John returned to their own people and prayed.  After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken and they were all filled with The Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31)

 

APPLICATION

There is power in the name of Jesus, The Christ.  There is no other name, person, or thing which has that kind of power.  Whatever we ask in His name will be done, that is if it is for the glory of God.  All who call on His name, believing, will be saved.  Whoever is saved must be saved by Him for there is no other way to salvation. (Romans 1:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, and 2 Timothy 3:15)  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto The Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6)  “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, The Father, through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)  Believe and call upon His name, for it is through Him that we live, move, and have our very being. (Acts 17:28)  It is only through Christ that are we saved from the penalty of our sins. (Romans 6:23)

BUT SUCH AS I HAVE I GIVE

PROCLAMATION

“Then Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk’”  Acts 3:6 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After the day of Pentecost, receiving The Holy Spirit, (Acts 2:1-4) and preaching to the crowd, (Acts 2:14-41) Peter and John went to the temple.  There was a man outside the gate, who was lame from birth, begging for money. (Acts 3:1-3)  Peter said to him, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee …” (KJV)  The man jumped to his feet, began to walk, and went into the temple with them and praised God. (Acts 3:8)  The people in the temple recognized the man and came running to Peter and John.  Then Peter admonished them and told them that this was done by the power of Jesus, The Christ, whom they had handed over to Pilate to be crucified. (Acts 3:12-13)  Peter also said that they disowned Christ before Pilate and asked for the release of a murderer when Pilate wanted to let Him go. (Acts 3:14-23)

 

APPLICATION

There are plenty of people today begging for money.  There are also plenty of them who would appreciate something to eat or some warm clothing.  We who have been blessed with a lot should share with those who are less fortunate.  We have clothes that just hang in our closets, which someone else could make good use of.  We also have shoes in our closets that we do not wear which someone else could use.  If you don’t want to give them money, you could pay for their meal.  Donate something to a shelter.  Such as we have, we should give to the less fortunate.  We are blessed by The Lord God in order to be a blessing to others.  He that blesses others shall himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)

 

FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

PROCLAMATION

“All of them were filled with The Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as The Spirit enabled them … When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.”  Acts 2:4-6 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  When the day of Pentecost came, they were all in one place and on one accord.  There was a sound like a blowing violent wind, and they saw what appeared to be tongues of fire which came upon each one of them.  Each of the 120 men and women in the upper room (Acts 1:13-15) was filled with The Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues (Acts 2:4) and each person in the crowd that gathered heard them in their own language. (Acts 2:6)  The crowd included people from the surrounding areas who spoke different dialects and languages. (Acts 2:8-11)  Three thousand people joined the church that day (Acts 2:41) and The Lord God adds to the church daily as He sees fit. (Acts 2:47)

 

APPLICATION

All believers are filled with The Holy Spirit of God. (Romans 8:9)  Today, however, there seems to have been a misunderstanding of “speaking in tongues.”  Speaking in tongues means speaking in a foreign language or dialect, usually an ancient one, without having learned or been taught the language.  It is done for the benefit of someone who speaks and understands that language or dialect to help the church grow.  When one is given the gift of speaking in tongues it is for the edification of the church and there should be someone else there who has been given the gift to interpret tongues so that the church is edified. (1 Corinthians 12:28-30 and 14:4-5)  If one is speaking in tongues in order to speak to God, that is not necessary for He speaks and understands all languages.  Prayer can be in any language or utterance.  If we are not speaking to God, then our spoken words should be helpful to someone (Colossians 4:6) or they should give God glory.

 

YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT

PROCLAMATION

“‘But you will receive power when The Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’  After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.”  Acts 1:8-9 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After His resurrection, Jesus spoke these words to His disciples just before His ascension to heaven. (Acts 1:6-9)  Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem until they had been baptized by The Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:4-5)  He said that they would receive power when The Holy Spirit came upon them and they would be witnesses for Him to all the earth.

 

APPLICATION

These 120 men and women (Acts 1:14-15) which had gathered in the upper room did not receive The Holy Spirit until the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-4)  Today, we do not have to wait.  We receive The Holy Spirit of God the very moment that we believe and accept Christ as our Lord and Savior.  We also receive spiritual power to be witnesses for Christ because The Holy Spirit dwells within each of us. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)  Although we did not physically walk with Christ, or directly witness His death, burial, and resurrection, we have heard the account of those who were witnesses and we have believed. (John 20:29)  Unfortunately, our old human nature is still within us and we must choose to do the right thing and obey The Lord God. (Romans 7:19-23)   However, we have the power, but we must choose to walk the walk with Christ.  We need to pray for Him to help us to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and give God glory. (Matthew 5:16)

 

THE POST RESURRECTION FISH FRY BREAKFAST

PROCLAMATION

“When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.  Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught.’ …  Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ …  This was now the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.”  John 21:9-14 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the conversation and the events related to the post resurrection fish fry breakfast that Jesus had with His disciples.  Jesus appeared to His disciples a third time by the Sea of Galilee.  They had been fishing all night and had not caught anything. (John 21:1-3)  Early the next morning, Jesus told them to cast their nets on the right side of their boat and they caught more than they could haul in. (John 21:4-6)  When they landed, Jesus prepared a fish breakfast for them. (John 21:9-14)  Jesus sat and ate with them.  He feed them physically and then tells them to feed His sheep, speaking figuratively. (John 21:15-17)  Most of the Bible scholars think that Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times, and Peter responded “yes” three times, to clearly reinstate Peter who had denied Him three times. (John 18:15-18 and 18:25-27)  The Bible Book of John ends by testifying that what he had written was true and he stated that Jesus did many other things which were not written down. (John 21:24-25)

 

APPLICATION

There are times when we think that we know what we are doing but The Word of God tells us to do something which is contrary to our way of doing things, as Jesus did here with these fishermen. (John 21:5-6)  We will be much more productive and effective if we would do things His way.  We would also be much more effective if we would feast on God’s Holy Word before we try to share it with others.  None of us is perfect; we all sin and occasionally break our fellowship with The Lord God and we have to be “reinstated”.  Our family membership status does not change but we can lose the joy of our fellowship with Him.  We need to ask to be forgiven for our sins and to pray as David prayed, “… Create in me a clean heart … Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation …” (Psalm 51:9-13)

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING

PROCLAMATION

“Thomas said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’  Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.’ ”  John 20:28-29 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus and His post resurrection appearances to Mary and to His disciples.  Mary was the first to get to the tomb, but Peter and John looked into the tomb and saw that the linen which Jesus had been wrapped in was lying where they had laid Him. (John 20:1-8)  After the men left, Jesus appeared to Mary outside the tomb. (John 20:11-17)  Later, Jesus appeared to His disciples when Thomas was absent (John 20:19-24) and then again eight days later when he was present. (John 20:26-29)  Thomas said that he would not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead unless he saw Him for himself and saw the print of the nails in His hands. (John 20:25)  When Jesus appeared to them, Thomas believed because he saw the evidence for himself.  Then Jesus offered a special blessing for those of us who would believe in Him without seeing the evidence.

 

APPLICATION

Some people will only believe that which they see for themselves.  There is an empty tomb where they laid the body of Jesus, The Christ, to provide proof that He lives.  However, those who do not believe will not accept this as evidence.  After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James, (Matthew 28:9, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:9-10, and John 20:14-18) Cleopas and the man walking with him on the road to Emmaus, (Luke 24:13-34) and to His disciples. (John 20:19-24 and 20:26-29 and 21:4-14)  Jesus showed Himself alive and appeared to them multiple times over a period of forty days before ascending to heaven. (Acts 1:3)  Blessed are those of us who believe in His birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection without having seen the evidence.

 

THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS THE CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’  With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”  John 19:30 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the events related to the trial of Jesus by Pilate, the crucifixion of Jesus, and the words which He spoke while He was on the cross.  Jesus was scourged, beaten, and had a crown of thorns placed on His head. (John 19:1-3)  After making Him carry His cross to Golgotha, they nailed Him to the cross. (John 19:17-19)  He spoke seven times while hanging on the cross before He died. (He said, Father forgive them, Luke 23:34; He pardoned the thief on the cross next to Him, Luke 23:43; He told the Apostle John to take care of His mother, John 19:26-27; He said, Father God, why have You forsaken Me, Matthew 27:46;  He said, “I thirst.” John 19:28; He said, “It is finished.” John 19:30, and then He said, Father into Your hands I commend My spirit. Luke 23:46)  Jesus suffered and He died, but they did not kill Him; He willingly gave up His life.  Although He died on the cross and was buried in a borrowed tomb, He defeated death and three days later He rose from the dead. (Matthew 28:5-6)

 

APPLICATION

When Jesus, The Christ, said, “It is finished” He was referring to the redemptive work which He was assigned to do as payment for our sins. (John 17:4)  He had also fulfilled the prophecies which were written in the Old Testament regarding His death. (Genesis 22:18 and Isaiah 53:1-12)  As it was written, none of His bones were broken (Psalm 34:20 and John 19:33) and they pierced Him in the side. (Zechariah 12:10 and John 19:34)  The crucifixion did not kill Him.  He willingly gave up His life as the sacrificial lamb, dying for the sins of the world. (John 1:29 and John 15:13-14)  He who was without sin, took on the sins of mankind to redeem us and give us a chance at salvation.  However, in order to benefit from His redemptive work, we must believe in Him and His death, burial, and resurrection. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8 and 10:9)

 

THERE IS POWER IN THE WORDS OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of solders and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees.  They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.  Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to Him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’  ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.  ‘I am He,’ Jesus said.  And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.  When Jesus said, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”  John 18:3-6 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the events which occurred in the garden by the brook of Cedron.  It documents His betrayal by Judas, His arrest, His trials, and the three times that Peter denied knowing Him.  Here, Jesus responds to the soldiers and the religious leaders who had come to arrest Him.  Jesus approached them and asked them who they were looking for, and they responded, “Jesus of Nazareth.”  When Jesus replied, “I am He,” they were all knocked backwards by His words and fell to the ground.  They were not harmed and got up, then He asked them again who they were looking for and they gave the same reply. (John 18:7)  Then Jesus said to them, “I told you that I am He.  If you are looking for Me, then let these men go.” (John 18:8)

 

APPLICATION

There is power in the words of God.  When Jesus, The Christ, spoke and said, “I am He,” all those who were against Him were knocked backwards and fell to the ground.  They did not fall forward to worship Him; they fell backwards in fear and dismay.  However, because of their disbelief, their hard hearts were not changed, and they approached Him again to arrest Him.  Non-believers are not changed by acts of God.  They frequently come up with some earthly reason to explain the occurrence of a miracle and continue in their non-believing sinful ways.  They do not give God credit for the things that He has done.  As believers, we need to acknowledge the presence of God in our lives (Proverbs 3:6) and give Him praise for the things which He had done. (Psalm 126:3, Isaiah 25:1, and 1 Chronicles 17:19)

 

CHRIST PRAYED FOR ALL BELIEVERS

PROCLAMATION

“My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.  May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”  John 17:20-21 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the words of the prayer which Jesus prayed for His disciples and for all future believers. (John 17:1-26)  As Jesus neared the end of His earthly ministry, He prayed for His disciples. (John 17:6-19)  Jesus made it clear that He was not praying for all of the people in the world, He was just praying for His people. (John 17:9-10)  Jesus also made it clear that He was not just praying for His disciples alone, but also for all of the people who would hear their message and believe in Him. (John 17:20-21)  He also prayed that they would be with Him where He was going to be. (John 17:24)

 

APPLICATION

Once we became a believer, this prayer that Jesus prayed also applied to us.  He prayed that God, The Father, would keep us safe and protected from the evil one. (John 17:15)  He also prayed that The Father would love us as He loved Jesus Himself. (John 17:26)  It is also important to note that He prayed that there would be unity among the believers, and that we would be as one, the unity of the church. (John 17:21)  The more we bicker with other believers, the less likely it is that the world will see Christ in us.  We need to show more love towards our fellow believers.  Three times Jesus repeated the command for us to love one another. (John 13:34, 15:12, and 15:17)  Jesus prayed for us because He knew that we would need God’s help to make it in this world.  He also knew that the devil would attack us as we attempted to walk His way and do that which He had commanded.  For that reason we need to pray for ourselves and for each other, asking for God’s help that we might be more loving towards one another as we do the kingdom building work here on earth.

 

THE PEACE THAT COMES FROM CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the words which Jesus spoke to His disciples to explain why He was leaving them and what it would mean for them.  Jesus said that after He left them, The Holy Spirit would come and guide them into all truth, (John 16:13) teach them, and increase their understanding.  What The Spirit will reveal to them would not be anything new, He will help them recall and understand the things which Christ spoke to them. (John 14:26 and 16:14-15)  Jesus told them that He would leave them, and they would lament and be sorrowful for a while, but their grief would soon turn to joy. (John 16:19-22)  He also told them that they would be scattered.  Then He told them that He was telling them these things so that they would have peace during the trouble they would face. (John 16:31-33)

 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, left heaven and came to earth to die.  He did not come here to stay; He had to leave and return to heaven.  His death and resurrection was necessary in order to pay for our sins and for our salvation.  Additionally, while He was wrapped in human flesh, He could only be in one place at a time, but His Holy Spirit could be everywhere all at the same time.  The Holy Spirit can guide us and teach us, each one of us as we need it, all at the same time.  We know that The Holy Spirit is working within us when we are glorifying God.  However, The Holy Spirit of God only dwells within those of us who believe in Jesus, The Christ, and who have accepted Him as our personal savior. (John 14:17, Romans 8:11, 1 John 3:24 and 4:13)  While we are in this troubled world, believers will have His perfect peace as long as our mind is on Him. (Isaiah 26:3)  We should not worry about the things of this world because Christ has already overcome the world. (John 16:33)

 

CHRIST IS THE VINE AND WE ARE THE BRANCHES

PROCLAMATION

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the words which Jesus used to describe His relationship to His disciples and to His heavenly Father.  He describes Himself as the vine, God, The Father as the gardener, and His disciples as the branches of the vine which occasionally need to be pruned. (John 15:1-2)  Jesus also talks to them about effectual prayer and getting whatever they ask for if they remain in Him. (John 15:7)  He wants them to be productive and bear fruit for the glory of God, The Father. (John 15:8)  Later on, Jesus tells them that the world will hate them because it hates Him (John 15:18-19) and then He goes on to explain why this is the case. 

 

APPLICATION

There is some debate among the Bible scholars as to the meaning of the word “fruit” as it is used here.  Some think that it refers to soul-winning.  Others think that it refers to producing the fruit of The Holy Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)  In either case, our bearing of fruit is the result of our salvation.  If we stay connected to Christ, then we will bear fruit.  The fruit that we bear will glorify God and show that we are disciples of Christ. (John 15:8)  If we are not connected to Christ, we will not bear fruit.  If you are not connected to Him, get connected.  If you are connected to Him, stay connected.  For without Him we can do nothing.  It is through Christ that we live, move, and have our very being. (Acts 17:28)

JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

PROCLAMATION

“Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?’  Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to The Father except through Me.’ ”  John 14:5-6 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter John records what Jesus said to comfort His disciples after telling them that He was going away. (John 14:1-31)  Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for them so that they could be with Him. (John 14:2-3)  Then He said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.”  It was this statement which prompted Thomas to ask his question, and the reply which Jesus gave him. (John 14:5-6)  Jesus later tells them that He will ask The Father to send The Holy Spirit to abide with them. (John 14:16-18)  The Holy Spirit will teach them and remind them of all of the things that He had said to them. (John 14:26)  Jesus also tells them that He is leaving but that He will be coming back. (John 14:28)

 

APPLICATION

When Jesus, The Christ, said, “I am the way …” He was not merely referring to Himself as the leader, or one who points out the right direction to them.  He was not pointing to His doctrine of salvation but to Himself as the way to salvation.  Not only is what He says true, but He is truth itself.  He is also the giver of life, natural life, spiritual life, and eternal life.  The only way that we can get to God, The Father, and to the kingdom of heaven is through our belief in Jesus, The Christ, The Son of God. (John 3:16)  For God, The Father, The Word, and The Holy Spirit are one. (1 John 5:7)  The Word is Christ Jesus who became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)  Belief in Christ is the only way to salvation.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

PROCLAMATION

“A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter John records the events surrounding the last meal that Jesus had with His disciples before His crucifixion.  He describes Jesus washing their feet, (John 13:4-12) His explanation for doing it, (John 13:12-20) He identifies His betrayer, (John 13:21-27) and He gives them a new commandment, telling them to love one another as He has loved them. (John 13:34-35)

 

APPLICATION

As Christians we believe in the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ.  We also know that we are to share the gospel with others.  However, in order for us to effectively spread The Word of God, we must also live it.  Our behavior must be consistent with our words.  Worldly people will know that we belong to Christ if we demonstrate our love for one another.  To them our actions will speak much louder than our words.  If we do not act Christ-like, we may, in fact, turn people away from becoming a Christian.  Not only are we to love those who love us, we are to love all believers.  We should be very careful regarding how we treat our Christian brothers and sisters.  Our bad behavior towards one another weakens the church and ruins our effectiveness in promoting the gospel and saving the lost.  The unsaved people of the world will judge us, and all Christians, by what they see in us and by how we treat each other.  Therefore, let us love one another.

 

CHRIST SAID IF I BE LIFTED UP FROM THE EARTH

PROCLAMATION

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”  John 12:32 (NIV)  The King James version reads: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”  John 12:32 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter John begins the recording of the events surrounding the last seven days in the earthly life and ministry of Jesus.  After He had raised Lazarus from the dead, the chief priests and the Pharisees came together plotted to kill Jesus and Lazarus. (John 12:9-11)  The next day He entered Jerusalem riding on a young donkey with the people shouting “Hosanna” as they placed palm tree branches on the road in front of Him. (John 12:12-18)  Many people wanted to meet Jesus and they approached His disciples with their requests.  When they told Jesus this, He replied to His disciples and predicted His own death. (John 12:20-26)  Then Jesus told the crowd how He was going to die and the results which would follow His death. (John 12:30-33) 

 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, said: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”   (John 12:32)  Initially, the Roman soldiers lifted Him up.  The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross while it was lying on the ground and then they lifted Him up physically so that the cross stood upright.  Today, we can praise His name publicly and lift Him up figuratively.  If we lift Him up, He will draw the people unto Himself.  His death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection has been spread throughout the world through the preaching of the gospel and large numbers of people have come to believe in Him.  Those who believe will be saved, and those who reject Him will be lost. (John 12:44-48)  As believers, we just have to do our part.  So, lift Him up, lift The Savior up.

 

 

CHRIST SHOWS HIS POWER OVER DEATH

PROCLAMATION

“… Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You heard Me … for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that You sent Me.’  When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’  The dead man came out, his hands and feet were wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.  Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’”  John 11:41-44 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter John recorded the events around the seventh public miracle which Jesus, The Christ, performed, the raising of Lazarus from the dead.  Jesus got word that His good friend Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, was sick. (John 11:1-5)  However, Jesus did not go immediately to see about him.  He waited two days before beginning the journey back to Judea. (John 11:6-7)  When Jesus arrived there, Lazarus had already been dead for four days. (John 11:17)  Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21)  Jesus told her that her brother would rise again, and she said that he would rise again in the resurrection.  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:23-25)  After that they took Jesus to the place where Lazarus was buried.  He told them to take away the stone which sealed the entrance, and then He prayed. (John 11:41-42)  Then He called Lazarus from the grave and he came out wrapped in strips of linen from head to toe.  After this, the Pharisees again plotted to kill Him. (John 11:47-50)

 

APPLICATION

The miracles which Jesus, The Christ, performed caused some people to believe that He was The Son of God as He said.  However, the miracles caused some people to hate Him even more. (John 11:43-50)  The same is true today, some people who hear and learn about Christ believe and love Him, while others refused to believe what they hear or read about Him.  Once we have heard The Word of God, each of us must choose for ourselves where we stand with respect to belief in Jesus, The Christ.  If we believe in Him, then we will be saved; (John 3:16) and if we don’t, we won’t.

JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

PROCLAMATION

“I am The Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”  “I am The Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know me; …”  John 10:11 and 14 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the remainder of the conversation with the Scribes and the Pharisees which Jesus began in the previous chapter. (John 9:39-41)  They were upset that Jesus had implied that they were blind, and now He was referring to them as robbers and thieves, but they did not understand Him. (John 10:1 and 6)  Jesus explained it to them again. (John 10:7-10)  Then He said, “I am The Good Shepherd.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)  He said the hired hand will not die for the sheep; he will run away and abandon them in the face of trouble. (John 10:12-13)  Throughout this conversation, Jesus continued to refer to God as His Father. (John 10:15, and verses 17, 18, 25, 29, 30, 36, 37, and 38)  However, when He said, “I and The Father are one” they again picked up stones to stone Him. (John 10:30-33)  They tried to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp. (John 10:39)

 

APPLICATION

We ought to really love The Lord.  He knows each of us by name. (John 10:3 and 14)  He also knows everything about each and every one of us intimately, and He still loves us.  He willingly laid down His life for us and paid the debt for our sins.  Some people have trouble believing in Him.  He causes division among the people, between the saved and the unsaved, between believers and non-believers.  He also causes division within each of the believers, between our sinful human nature and our Christian nature.  The devil has the ability to influence people and things, but The Lord God has the ultimate control over everything.  He has all power in heaven and earth. (Matthew 28:18)  He provides for us, He protects us, and He preserves us.  That is why we can say, “The Lord is my Shepherd ...” (Psalm 23:1)  The Lord is The Good Shepherd, and gladly, we are His sheep.

FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’  ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’”  John 9:1-3 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here, John records the events surrounding the fifth public miracle that Jesus performed, giving sight to a man who was born blind.  Jesus, The Christ, said that this man was born blind so that the works of God could be manifested in him. (John 9:3)  This situation occurred so that The Lord God could be glorified.  Jesus spat on the ground, made some mud with His saliva, and put it on the blind man’s eyes, then told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. (John 9:6)  The blind man did this and gained sight in his eyes.  When the Pharisees learned of this, they did not believe it.  They repeated questioned the man, and they even questioned his parents to verify that he was born blind. (John 9:13-34)  The main reason that they were upset was because Jesus had again performed a miracle on the Sabbath. (John 9:14-16)

 

APPLICATION

Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  As part of God’s permissive will, things happen that leave us helpless so that He can get the glory when He makes a way out for us when there appears to be no way.  We may at times be helpless, but we are never without hope.  Our hope is in The Lord God. (Psalm 31:24 and 33:18)  We may not understand why things happen, but we know that all things work together for our good. (Romans 8:28)  So, whatever happens, to God be the glory. (Jude 1:25)

 

CHRIST IS NOT OF THIS WORLD AND NEITHER ARE BELIEVERS

PROCLAMATION

“Once more Jesus said to them, ‘I am going away, and … Where I go, you cannot come.’ … But He continued, ‘You are from below; I am from above.  You are of this world; I am not of this world.’”  John 8:21-23 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  John begins this chapter with Jesus, The Christ, in the temple in Jerusalem teaching when the scribes and Pharisees brought in a woman who was caught in the act of adultery.  They recounted the law to Him and then asked Him what His opinion was, so that they could trap Him and have a basis for accusing Him.  If He agreed with the law of Moses, they would accuse Him to the Roman governor for taking it upon Himself to condemn a person to death.  If He disagreed with the law of Moses, they would accuse Him to the Jewish people as being an enemy of Moses.  Jesus did neither and said to them, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7)  Being convicted by their conscience, those who brought the woman left, (John 8:9) and Jesus resumed teaching.  However, the Pharisees within the crowd in the temple challenged Him with respect to His authority. (John 8:13)  In His explanation of who He was, Jesus said that He was not of this world. (John 8:23)  Later, He told them that they were children of the devil and not of God. (John 8:44-47)  They claimed to be the children of Abraham and asked Jesus if He was greater than Abraham. (John 8:52-53)  To this Jesus responded, “Before Abraham was, I Am!” (John 8:58)  Hearing this, they picked up stones in order to stone Jesus, but He slipped away passing through the midst of them. (John 8:59)

 

APPLICATION

Here are four of the many points to remember that are presented in this chapter.  First, people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.  The reason that the people who accused the woman of adultery could not stone her was because all of them were guilty of sin themselves. (John 8:7-9)  We should not go around accusing others of sinning when we are guilty of sinning ourselves, although maybe of committing a different sin.  Secondly, as believers we have The Holy Spirit of God within us; and since God is not of this world, we are not of this world.  We are just strangers here passing through on our way to our home in heaven.  Thirdly, the devil is a liar and the truth is not in him.  He is the father of lies. (John 8:44)  It is not Christ-like to tell a lie or to intentionally deceive others.  Fourthly, the people of God hear the voice of God. (John 8:47)  We recognize and know His voice, (John 10:27) even if we do not always obey it. 

  

 

MY TEACHING IS NOT MY OWN

PROCLAMATION

“The Jews there were amazed and asked, ‘How did this man get such learning without having been taught?’  Jesus answered, ‘My teaching is not My own, it comes from the one who sent Me.  Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own.  Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.’ ”  John 7:15-18 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here, John records the teaching of Jesus, The Christ, at the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles and His dialogue with the Jews who did not believe Him.  Jesus went to the feast in secret because there were those there who sought to kill Him. (John 7:1 and 7:10)  The people there murmured about Him, some saying that He was good, and others saying that He was a deceiver. (John 7:12-13)  During the festival Jesus went to the temple courts and began to teach. (John 7:14)  The Jews were amazed at His teaching.  He told them that His teaching was not His own, it came from God, The Father, who sent Him.  He also offered an explanation for His healing of the lame man on the Sabbath. (John 7:21-24)  Then He repeated that He was not there on His own authority but that God, The Father, had sent Him there. (John 7:28-29)  After that, He said that soon He would leave them and return to God, The Father, who sent Him. (John 7:33-34)

 

APPLICATION

When we present The Word of God to others, whether it be by telling them, teaching them, or preaching to them, the purpose is to glorify God and not self.  We are presenting His Word to His people as He gives us understanding of it.  We are not to seek personal glory; we are to give God the glory.  Whether we try to console or encourage someone by quoting a verse from The Bible, or if we preach a sermon, we present the will of God to the best of our understanding.  It is only after prayerful consideration that we spread The Word of God or share God’s Word with others.  We must always be mindful of the fact that it is not about us, it is all about Him.

JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND MEN

PROCLAMATION

“Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him … Andrew … said, ‘Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish …’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ … about five thousand men were there … Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.  He did the same with the fish.  When they had all had enough to eat … they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves …”  John 6:5-13 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the feeding of the crowd of five thousand men. (John 6:1-13, this is also recorded in Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:32-44, and Luke 9:10-17)  This is the fourth public miracle that was performed by Jesus, The Christ.  Jesus used a poor boy’s lunch, He blessed it, gave it to His disciples who distributed it among the crowd, and they fed five thousand men in addition to the accompanying women and children. (Matthew 14:21)  When all of them had eaten what they wanted, the disciples gathered up the left-over food and collected twelve baskets full. (John 6:13)  That was more than they had when they began.  They collected that which was left over so that nothing given from God would be wasted. (John 6:12)

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God has the power to provide all that is needed.  In the beginning He made something out of nothing. (Genesis 1:1-31 and John 1:1-4)  A little in the hands of Jesus, The Christ, is more that a lot in the hands of others.  Here Jesus multiplied the contents of a boy’s lunch and fed a crowd of more than five thousand.  Everyone in the crowd was not a believer (John 6:66) but He blessed them all.  He fed this group physically, then later declared that He was the bread of life (John 6:35, 6:41, 6:48, 6:51, and 6:58) in order to feed them spiritually.  We need to believe and partake of His body and His blood. (John 6:53-58)  We can do this symbolically by partaking of The Lord’s Supper, Communion, when it is offered in our local church.  We do this in remembrance of Him until He comes again. (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)  The Lord God has all power.  Not only did Jesus, The Christ, feed the five thousand, He walked on the water across the Sea of Tiberias in the midst of a storm, and He also allowed the apostle Peter to walk on the water. (Matthew 14:26-32)  Just like Peter, we will do fine as long as we keep our focus on Him.  We will only start to sink, as Peter did, when we focus on our situations and not on Him.  He is our provider and our protector.  He is truly all that we need.

 

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO GET WELL?

PROCLAMATION

“Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool … called Bethesda … Here a great number of disabled people used to lie … One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him lying there … He asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’ … Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up!  Pick up your mat and walk.’  At once the man was cured …”  John 5:1-9 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the incident with an invalid male at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem.  The man had been affected for thirty-eight years when Jesus saw him and asked him if he wanted to get well.  Rather than answer the question, the man began to offer excuses regarding why he had not gotten well.  The water in the pool had healing power once it had been stirred by an angel and it would heal the first person to enter it. (John 5:4)  Jesus, told the man to get up, pick up his bed and walk and at once he was cured.  This upset the Jewish leaders because it occurred on the Sabbath and it was not lawful to work on the Sabbath. (John 5:9-10)  They wanted to know who told him to pick it up and walk, but he did not know. (John 5:12-13)  Sin may have been the cause of this man’s problem because later Jesus saw him in the temple and told him to stop sinning or something worse may happen to him. (John 5:14)  The remainder of the chapter deals with Jesus offering His justification and authority to do what He did. (John 5:16-47)  Jesus performed His third public miracle and the Jewish leaders wanted to kill Him for it.

 

APPLICATION

All too often we beat around the bush instead answering a direct question.  Frequently we offer excuses for our behavior or our inability to get something done.  Jesus was questioning this man’s faith; He knew that he was sitting by the pool because he wanted to be healed.  Our faith is tested regularly.  We cannot have a testimony without first having gone through a test.  Too many of us are focused on our problems or our situation, and we are waiting for someone to help us.  We do not realize that faith in The Lord God is all that we need.  Jesus, The Christ, is The Son of God.  He can do anything that God, The Father, can do. (John 5:19)  He can give life to whomever He pleases. (John 5:21)  He is omnipotent.  He can heal you.  The question is, do you believe in Him and do you want to be healed?

  

 

THE GIFT OF LIVING WATER

PROCLAMATION

“Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.’  ‘Sir,’ the woman said … Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself …?’  Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ ”  John 4:10-14 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here, John records the conversation between Jesus, The Christ, and a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in the town of Sychar in Samaria. (John 4:1-26)  After He asked the woman for a drink, she questioned Him. (John 4:7-8)  Jesus replied to her that if she knew who He was, she would have asked Him for a drink, and He would have given her “living water.” (John 4:10)  Jesus makes it clear that He is not talking about the water in the well, but about spiritual living water which is linked to eternal life. (John 4:13-14)  When Jesus tells her about her life, her past five husbands and that she was living with a man whom she had not married, she wanted to change the subject and talk about religion. (John 4:16-19)  When Jesus told her that she did not know what she was worshiping, she replied that she knew that the Messiah was coming.  Then Jesus said, “I am He.” (John 4:25-26)  The woman left and brought the men in her life and many others to Jesus. (John 4:39-42)  The chapter ends with the second miracle of Jesus, the healing of the son of the nobleman in Capernaum. (John 4:46-54)  After his son was healed, the nobleman brought his whole family to Christ. (John 4:53)  Both the woman and the nobleman shared the living water.

 

APPLICATION

If we have the “living water” within us, it should spring forth and we would share it with others.  Many people will argue about religion, but they do not want to live it.  There are many people who worship regularly, but they do not know very much about that which they worship.  People all too often are quick to point out the faults and sins of others, but they want to change the subject when their own sins are uncovered.  You cannot come to Jesus, The Christ, hiding your sins and expect to receive eternal life.  We all must confess our sins, ask to be forgiven, and believe that He is who He says that He is. (Romans 10:9-10 and 1 John 1:9)  We must believe and have faith in Him.  Without faith it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6)  Jesus responded to the nobleman’s faith when He healed his son.  We must have faith, confess our sins, and believe.  We must also humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our sinful ways if we want Him to forgive us and to heal our current situation. (2 Chronicles 7:14)