Newsletter 244 May 22, 2011
John 12:20-36 (King James Version)
Today’s study follows the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, about which , when he was asked why he did not stop the crowds from crying out “Hosanna”, which is a transliteration of their word meaning “give salvation now,” replied that if he were to try to stop them, even the stones would cry out. He had often told his apostles not to do something as his time was not yet. His time had now come. This was, and still is, the time that he had been waiting for. Today, I have not given cross references, as the text is rather long. Instead, I have used the blue to emphasize words and portions for emphasis..
GENTILES
20 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:
The gospel is for all nations, there were Gentiles who believed in God among those who came from far away. They were often simply spoken of as Greeks. Judaism recognized only two divisions, Judaism, and Gentile. Gentile meant anyone who was not a Jew. Those who were open to conversion, were called proselytes.
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
GOD
Only three times God spoke audibly to Jesus for men to hear. (1, Baptism, 2.Here, 3. Transfixion)
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, (Crucifixion), will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
THE PROPHETS
37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
SOME OF THE CHIEF RULERS
42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
JESUS ACCEPTS THEIR HONOR
45 And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.
46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
22nd. Sunday – 1 Samuel 15, 16, John 13, Psalm 66:1-10
23rd. Monday – 1 Samuel 17, John 14, Psalm 66:11-20
24th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 18, 19, John 15, Proverbs 13:1-12
25th. Wednesday - 1 Samuel 20, John 16, Psalm 67
26th. Thursday - 1 Samuel 21, 22, John 17, Psalm 68:1-6
27th. Friday – 1 Samuel 23, 24, John 18, Psalm 68:7-13
28th. Saturday - 1 Samuel 25, John 19:1-22, Proverbs 13:13-25
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 784 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. - John 10:1
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
TIDBITS OF WIT
“Your work should be a challenge, not a chore, a blessing, not a bore.” - Hal Stebbins
“Why do we say something is out of whack? What is a whack?” - George Carlin
“If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?” – George Carlin
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
SIN
Newsletter 243 May 15, 2011
DEFINED
Webster defines sin as “the act of breaking a religious or moral law,”
And adds an “error, offense, or fault.“ Webster always defines in connection with the general public’s usage of a word, but let us look at a few references from the Bible and see how God defines it. The first sin, that of Adam and Eve, was more that breaking His command not to eat of that particular tree. It was more than that. It challenged God’s authority to make such a command, and in ignorance lay the real fault on God! The woman you gave me. The irony is that God had made them, and they deny that He had any right to limit them in any way. The result is that they were separated from God. Sin is separation from God. Sin separates man from God here on earth, and if un-repented, for eternal life to come. The prophet Ezekiel said, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:20) Clearly this is far more than an “error, offense, or fault.” It is not just a slap on the hands.
IT IS NOT, “THAT PERSON OVER THERE”
Just one violation makes a sinner of everyone. Romans 3:23 reads, :“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” There is not a human being on earth who has not broken God’s law in some way. The rich young ruler said, “These I have kept from my youth up,” but still he was greedy, he loved his wealth more than the Lord. He left Jesus there. That was his weakness.
JUST ONE EXAMPLE
Our text for today probably had its immediate roots in the confrontation that Jesus had with the Pharisees related in the previous chapter
John 8:1-11 (King James Version)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. (Matthew 21:1)
The Mount of Olives faces the temple just across the valley east of the city and seems to be one of the favorite places Jesus and his apostles went for prayer and to be alone in the shelter of the olive trees which can be found there even until today.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. (Matthew 26:55, John 8:20)
THE EXAMPLE OF A SINNER
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
The same law which condemned the woman to be stoned, also condemns her partner to the same punishment. If punishment was the purpose for which they had brought her, they would have brought both, and they did not need Jesus’ approval. In all likelihood one of her accusers was the male involved, and this was a trap they eagerly waited to be sprung.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? (Luke 20:10, Luke 22:22)
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. (Matthew 16:1, Matthew 19:1, Matthew 22:18, Matthew 11:35, Mark 8:11, Mark 10:2, Mark 12:15, Luke 10:25, Luke 11:16, Mark 3:3)
We are not told what Jesus wrote in the dust of the street, but it could have simply been a question as to where was her partner.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (John 8:10, Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1, Deuteronomy 17:7)
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
One wonders if it may not have been the name of the guilty person. It doesn’t really matter, they had all sinned, and they all knew that Jesus knew. One sin, any sin, condemns one as a sinner. There is no such thing as “white lies,” or any other division into major or minor sins. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. All are saved through the grace of God who willingly sent His Son to make a way for our redemption through him.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:7)
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 3:17, John 5:14)
God has done His part, and Jesus his; now it is up to us, like that woman, accept His grace, through repentance and obedience to Him. (Romans 13:14) “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. We do that through the new birth, being born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5, Acts 2:38)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
15th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 1, 2, John 9, Psalm 61
16th. Monday – 1 Samuel 3, 4, John 10:1-21, Proverbs 12:1-13
17th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 5, 6, 7, John 10:22-42 Psalm 62
18th. Wednesday - 1 Samuel 8, 9, John 11:1-27, Psalm 63
19th. Thursday - 1 Samuel 10, 11, John 11:28-57, Psalm 64
20th. Friday – 1 Samuel 12, 13, John 12:1-22, Proverbs 12:14-28
21st. Saturday - 1 Samuel 14, John 12:23-50, Psalm 65
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 783 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Simple operation
A man was seen fleeing down the hall of the hospital just before his operation.
"What's the matter?" he was asked.
He said, "I heard the nurse say, 'It's a very simple operation, don't worry, I'm sure it will be all right."
"She was just trying to comfort you, what's so frightening about that?"
"She wasn't talking to me. She was talking to the doctor.
I had a cataract operation yesterday, but I am sure it is not his first!
DEFINED
Webster defines sin as “the act of breaking a religious or moral law,”
And adds an “error, offense, or fault.“ Webster always defines in connection with the general public’s usage of a word, but let us look at a few references from the Bible and see how God defines it. The first sin, that of Adam and Eve, was more that breaking His command not to eat of that particular tree. It was more than that. It challenged God’s authority to make such a command, and in ignorance lay the real fault on God! The woman you gave me. The irony is that God had made them, and they deny that He had any right to limit them in any way. The result is that they were separated from God. Sin is separation from God. Sin separates man from God here on earth, and if un-repented, for eternal life to come. The prophet Ezekiel said, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:20) Clearly this is far more than an “error, offense, or fault.” It is not just a slap on the hands.
IT IS NOT, “THAT PERSON OVER THERE”
Just one violation makes a sinner of everyone. Romans 3:23 reads, :“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” There is not a human being on earth who has not broken God’s law in some way. The rich young ruler said, “These I have kept from my youth up,” but still he was greedy, he loved his wealth more than the Lord. He left Jesus there. That was his weakness.
JUST ONE EXAMPLE
Our text for today probably had its immediate roots in the confrontation that Jesus had with the Pharisees related in the previous chapter
John 8:1-11 (King James Version)
1 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. (Matthew 21:1)
The Mount of Olives faces the temple just across the valley east of the city and seems to be one of the favorite places Jesus and his apostles went for prayer and to be alone in the shelter of the olive trees which can be found there even until today.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. (Matthew 26:55, John 8:20)
THE EXAMPLE OF A SINNER
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
The same law which condemned the woman to be stoned, also condemns her partner to the same punishment. If punishment was the purpose for which they had brought her, they would have brought both, and they did not need Jesus’ approval. In all likelihood one of her accusers was the male involved, and this was a trap they eagerly waited to be sprung.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? (Luke 20:10, Luke 22:22)
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. (Matthew 16:1, Matthew 19:1, Matthew 22:18, Matthew 11:35, Mark 8:11, Mark 10:2, Mark 12:15, Luke 10:25, Luke 11:16, Mark 3:3)
We are not told what Jesus wrote in the dust of the street, but it could have simply been a question as to where was her partner.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (John 8:10, Matthew 7:1, Romans 2:1, Deuteronomy 17:7)
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
One wonders if it may not have been the name of the guilty person. It doesn’t really matter, they had all sinned, and they all knew that Jesus knew. One sin, any sin, condemns one as a sinner. There is no such thing as “white lies,” or any other division into major or minor sins. All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. All are saved through the grace of God who willingly sent His Son to make a way for our redemption through him.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (John 8:7)
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 3:17, John 5:14)
God has done His part, and Jesus his; now it is up to us, like that woman, accept His grace, through repentance and obedience to Him. (Romans 13:14) “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. We do that through the new birth, being born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5, Acts 2:38)
__________
READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
MAY
15th. Sunday – 1 Samuel 1, 2, John 9, Psalm 61
16th. Monday – 1 Samuel 3, 4, John 10:1-21, Proverbs 12:1-13
17th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 5, 6, 7, John 10:22-42 Psalm 62
18th. Wednesday - 1 Samuel 8, 9, John 11:1-27, Psalm 63
19th. Thursday - 1 Samuel 10, 11, John 11:28-57, Psalm 64
20th. Friday – 1 Samuel 12, 13, John 12:1-22, Proverbs 12:14-28
21st. Saturday - 1 Samuel 14, John 12:23-50, Psalm 65
__________
OUR CHRISTIAN BLOG LINKS
(With links to 783 titles)
Ctrl/click to follow these links
http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Our weekly Bible Letter
http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com
Biographical, with photos
http://whatdoesgodsayaboutthis.blogspot.com
Questions and discussions
http://scripturegems.blogspot.com
Favorite Scripture Quotation
http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com
Representing 70 world languages
http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com
Short Bible studies
http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com
Several pages in length
http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com
Portions of Phyllis’ published books
httpv://priceless.but.free.gift.blogspot.com
__________
THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36
__________
SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS ! – Forward this along to all your friends. The saved will rejoice and the unsaved need its message the most, so everyone is blessed: YOU FOR SHARING, AND ALL FOR READING.
http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
__________
Simple operation
A man was seen fleeing down the hall of the hospital just before his operation.
"What's the matter?" he was asked.
He said, "I heard the nurse say, 'It's a very simple operation, don't worry, I'm sure it will be all right."
"She was just trying to comfort you, what's so frightening about that?"
"She wasn't talking to me. She was talking to the doctor.
I had a cataract operation yesterday, but I am sure it is not his first!
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