Bible Study - Enough (5) - Our Need for Peace - John 14:1-7 - April 3, 2016

Bible Study – Enough (5) – Our Need for Peace – April 3, 2016

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “More than Enough: How JESUS Meets Our Deepest Needs.”

Our focus scripture is John 14:1-7.

JESUS is the way to the Father; therefore, we can live in peace, when we accept HIM as our Savior.  Peace does not come from head knowledge but heart knowledge as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

In this lesson, we will study the sixth “I AM” statement of JESUS.

In John Chapter 13, JESUS had washed the disciple’s feet and confirmed that HE was their LORD and Teacher. If their LORD and Teacher washed their feet they should do likewise; “no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Christians are to obediently serve.

JESUS told HIS disciples that one of them would betray HIM. JESUS told them that HE would be with them a little longer. They will look for HIM but where HE was going they could not come. This was troubling news to HIS disciples and leads us into our focus scripture.

Let’s read John: 14:1:

The Way to the Father

1 "Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.

JESUS had given HIS disciples some troubling news.  HE was preparing them for an even greater reality when they would witness HIS capture, beating and crucifixion. Surely, GOD in the flesh would zap any person who tried to harm HIM? Right? We as humans ascribe superhuman qualities to those in whom we place our allegiance. Yes, JESUS was GOD in the flesh but HE was on a specific mission as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of mankind. HIS humility and obedience to HIS Father would make HIS disciples question HIS authority because they too were looking for a political messiah.

JESUS comforted them with these words by linking the intimate reality of GOD to Himself. JESUS’ reference to the heart was pointing to the core of a person’s being and not the physical organ that pumps blood. The physical heart is vital to sustaining life and the Spiritual condition of our “core being” is vital to sustaining our Spiritual being. It is the place the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:18-19 which he referred to as the “eyes of the heart.”

18 [I pray] that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints,

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.

The word “believe” can be applied in two different ways. First, it can apply to “believe” as a fact, such as I believe that building exists. Second, it can be rendered as a command “believe;” such as believe that GOD will remove this mountain based upon an act of obedience and faith. Thus, in this scripture, the first use of “believe” means “you believe in GOD, as a fact, because you have experienced HIM; now I AM telling you to believe in ME because GOD and I are ONE.” Thus GOD is GOD and will never be destroyed and neither will I. Therefore, when your darkest hour comes and it will, trust what “I AM” revealing to you.

GOD is eternal, omnipotent, omniscience and omnipresent and they had faith in GOD, therefore in the troubling days ahead, they were to keep what HE was telling them in mind; “you believe in GOD also believe in ME.”

JESUS wanted them to keep this fact in mind because their faith would be severely tested in the coming days. In the words of Dr. Vance Havner “We must practice in the dark what we learn in the light” and dark days were coming. But they were not to be troubled or let doubt come into their lives because they could not see beyond the reality of the physical events that would take place.

JESUS gave them news that was perplexing then but would be turned into joy when they understood and comprehended the truth of JESUS’ passion, burial, resurrection and the filling of the Holy Spirit.

We as Christians find it difficult to see beyond the present reality of events when things are going contrary to what we think. This is when we must rely upon the truth of GOD’S Word, the Bible and pray through such times.

Let’s read John 14:2-4:

2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; [a traveler's resting place. The Gk word is related to the verb meno, meaning to remain or stay, which occurs 40 times in John.] if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you.

JESUS was preparing HIS disciples for HIS death, resurrection, ascension and assurance that one day they would join HIM. Some translations use mansions. 

The English word for mansion became to mean a larger dwelling place, like a manor house. Rooms or dwelling places seem to be the preferred rendering not to give the wrong impression of opulence and catering to a certain class of people upon earth. Heaven is for all who place their faith in JESUS regardless of their earthly stature. Yet the Bible reveals that heaven is beyond our imagination. We are all sinners saved by GOD’S grace through faith in JESUS. 

It takes the same grace to save the least offender to the vilest offender.

It was custom in that day, when someone invited you for a meal he or she would go ahead of their guests to prepare for their guests.

JESUS made it clear “I AM” going to prepare a place for you. That “you” covered HIS disciples and all who place their faith in JESUS.

JESUS has secured a place for all who place their faith in HIM. Our older Brother and Savior obtained real estate in Heaven that awaits us upon our physical death. It is up to each person to claim it. What a shame to die and see where you could have lived but rejected it by rejecting JESUS as your Savior.

3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.

JESUS will go and prepare a place. Since HE prepares a place, HE will come back and receive those who have placed their faith in HIM to Himself. The word “receive” means “to take to.” When a Christian dies, JESUS takes him or her to Himself. If the Christian is still alive when HE returns for the second time, HE takes them to Himself. Either way, Christians are secure in JESUS plus JESUS takes them home to be with HIM and our Father, GOD.

4 You know the way where I am going."

This statement raised questions. Questions lead to clarity and understanding as we see when we read on.

Let’s read John 14:5-7:

5 "Lord," Thomas said, "we don't know where You're going. How can we know the way?"

This is a question many have asked and our next scripture reveals truth. The question is, do you accept JESUS response as truth or do you let human logic lure you into believing that there is some other way to heaven? Some other way is a lie that Satan places in your mind to deceive you and for him to claim your soul destined for hell with him for eternity. Embrace truth by accepting JESUS as your Savior and there is no better time than the Easter season. Christians serve a risen Savior! Because HE lives so will all who place their faith in HIM. JESUS made it clear as we read on.

6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Here is the sixth “I AM” statement.

Jesus Reveals the Father

7 "If you know Me, you will also know My Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him."

To “know” means more than head knowledge or basic knowledge but to know through experience and reality. You have a genuine relationship with JESUS and, in turn, a genuine relationship with GOD. An intimate, loving relationship with JESUS results in an intimate, genuine, loving, personal relationship with GOD.

JESUS made it clear with words that embracing JESUS was embracing GOD. 

The Two are One. When Christians are one with JESUS through salvation and the miracle of rebirth, others see JESUS in them and GOD our Father is Magnified and Glorified.  As JESUS is the light so are Christians this reflected light. Christians are to reflect JESUS to others and be the salt that results in others thirsting for the relationship they have with CHRIST.

Let us so live that others will desire what we have through our relationship with CHRIST. Blessings!!!

The Darkest Day - Happy Easter

This was placed on facebook by Franklin Graham

The darkest day in history was when Almighty God laid on His Son the sins of all mankind. And Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, carried our sins to the cross, suffered, and died. He paid the “wages of sin”—death. Even though it was midday, the world went totally dark for three hours as the Savior surrendered His life and died. He did it all so that those who trust in Him wouldn’t have to live in the darkness, bondage, and death sentence of sin. When He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), it was really just the beginning…
The brightest day in history was coming—in just three days.

Bible Study - Enough (4) - Our Need for Hope - John 11:17-27 - March 27, 2016

Bible Study – Enough (4) – Our Need for Hope – March 27, 2016

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “More Than Enough: How JESUS Meets Our Deepest Needs.”

Our focus scripture is John 11:17-27

JESUS is the resurrection who gives us life now and forever.

From the instant every one of us is born physically, we are predestined to die one day. Should we walk around in gloom and doom? No! We should enjoy life. When we have placed our faith in CHRIST, Christians can enjoy life in abundance because we are secure in where we will spend eternity.

Life in the flesh is wonderful but death causes all humans to consider “What is beyond physical death?” Humans seek to understand the mystery of death and life beyond the grave. This has given rise to many books and movies produced to describe the experiences of those who have had near death experiences.

Our lesson relates the death of JESUS’ good friend Lazarus and reveals to us the power that JESUS has over physical and eternal death. Let’s explore!

Mary, Martha and Lazarus were good friends of JESUS and they lived in Bethany which was about two miles from Jerusalem.

JESUS had been speaking to the Jewish religious leaders and fellow Jews but they were not impressed with HIS message and they attempted to stone HIM. So JESUS and HIS disciples went across the Jordan River as written in John 10:36-42:

36 do you say, 'You are blaspheming' to the One the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God?

37 If I am not doing My Father's works, don't believe Me.

38 But if I am doing them and you don't believe Me, believe the works. This way you will know and understand that the Father is in Me and I in the Father."

39 Then they were trying again to seize Him, yet He eluded their grasp.

Many beyond the Jordan Believe in Jesus

40 So He departed again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing earlier, and He remained there.

41 Many came to Him and said, "John never did a sign, but everything John said about this man was true."

42 And many believed in Him there.

While JESUS was across the Jordan River, HE received a message regarding HIS good friend Lazarus.

Let’s read John 11:1-16: (Background)

Lazarus Dies at Bethany

1 Now a man was sick, Lazarus, from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick.

3 So the sisters sent a message to Him: "Lord, the one You love is sick."

4 When Jesus heard it, He said, "This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

5 (Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus.)

Even though JESUS loved them and had the power to heal Lazarus, HE waited and was obedient to HIS Father. There are times in our lives when GOD asks us to wait upon HIM.

6 So when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.

What do most of us when sickness strikes a friend? We go to find out how we can help. But JESUS waited two (2) days. Why? Let’s read on. Did JESUS fear for HIS life by going through Jerusalem? Or was there a greater reason?

7 Then after that, He said to the disciples, "Let's go to Judea again."

8 "Rabbi," the disciples told Him, "just now the Jews tried to stone You, and You're going there again?"

9 "Aren't there 12 hours in a day?" Jesus answered. "If anyone walks during the day, he doesn't stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

10 If anyone walks during the night, he does stumble, because the light is not in him."

Bottom line, JESUS walked in the day because HE was and still is the light and was and is always obedient to the leadership of GOD. Christians are to respond as led by the Holy Spirit.

11 He said this, and then He told them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I'm on My way to wake him up."

12 Then the disciples said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will get well."

13 Jesus, however, was speaking about his death, but they thought He was speaking about natural sleep.

14 So Jesus then told them plainly, "Lazarus has died.

Often, JESUS has to speak plain to us. “Lazarus was physically dead.”

15 I'm glad for you that I wasn't there so that you may believe. But let's go to him."

This is a statement of assurance that they were going to visit a living person, yet Lazarus was physically dead.

16 Then Thomas (called "Twin") said to his fellow disciples, "Let's go so that we may die with Him."

Keep in mind that the Jews in Jerusalem attempted to stone JESUS that is why they crossed the Jordan River. Now they would have to go back through Jerusalem to get to Bethany.  The Apostle Thomas was ready to die with JESUS, if necessary.

Let’s read John 11:17-24:

The Resurrection and the Life

17 When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days.

JESUS and HIS disciples arrive safely to Bethany in four days after receiving the news of Lazarus being sick. There is speculation that the messenger delivering the news of Lazarus being sick to JESUS took a day of travel. Lazarus died while the messenger was en-route to JESUS. JESUS waited two days and then it took JESUS one day to reach Bethany. Thus Lazarus had been dead for four days.

In that area, it was custom to bury a person soon after he or she expired because of the heat and rapid decay of the body and place it in a cool place such as a rock hewed out with an entrance which could be sealed. 

The Jews believed that a person’s soul hovered near the body of the deceased for three days hoping that he or she could reenter their body. Thus, Lazarus being dead for four days was significant to reveal the power of JESUS over physical death.

18 Bethany was near Jerusalem (about two miles away).

19 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.

Notice that “many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them about their brother.” We see, in the order of the listing, that Martha was likely the eldest followed by Mary and then Lazarus their brother.

A time of death is an opportune time to teach truth about life and death. GOD had a plan to penetrate the hard hearts of the religious leaders who had rejected JESUS as the promised Messiah. What better manifestation of GOD’S power than for life to be restored to a person who had been physically dead for four days. What does it take to penetrate the hard hearts of some people; especially religious leaders who think they have all the answers. But who better to know truth than truth Himself, the true Son of GOD, JESUS; GOD in the flesh.

20 As soon as Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet Him. But Mary remained seated in the house.

Hope and comfort is always found in JESUS. Martha goes to JESUS. Mary waited in the house which was custom. People offering their condolences to the bereaved would go to the house of the deceased person. 

21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother wouldn't have died.

There is often a greater message in death than there is in healing the sick. Death is a reality and all humans must be prepared to face death one day. GOD had a plan to manifest HIS power through JESUS.

22 Yet even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give You."

Martha had great faith in JESUS. Are her words a fore shadow of what was about to happen? No, but they are words of complete trust in JESUS to comfort her in this time of sorrow as we read on.

23 "Your brother will rise again," Jesus told her.

Was JESUS testing her faith? Not likely but it was to get her to focus on the power of GOD over death and the resurrection of all who place their faith in HIM.

24 Martha said, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

Martha revealed her heart and trust in what JESUS had been teaching. She was about to witness the truth of what JESUS taught, “I Am the resurrection and the life.”

Let’s read John 11:25-26a:

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live.

Words are cheap but living proof confirms the spoken words and JESUS was on the threshold of proving truth.

26a Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die-ever. ----

JESUS was about to manifest GOD’S power through HIM but we must keep 

in mind that even though JESUS resurrected Lazarus, Lazarus still faced physical death later.

Let’s read John 11:26b-27:

26b ---- Do you believe this?"

Was JESUS testing Martha? Bible scholars do not think so but that JESUS was preparing her for greater proof that HE was GOD in the flesh. Martha had already confessed that if HE had been there Lazarus would not have died. So Martha had confidence that JESUS had power over sickness but she was about to witness GOD’S power over physical death.

27 "Yes, Lord," she told Him, "I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

Martha confirmed her faith in JESUS as the Messiah, the Son of GOD.

JESUS confirmed her statement of faith as we read in John 11:34-48:

34 "Where have you put him?" He asked. "Lord," they told Him, "come and see."

35 Jesus wept.

36 So the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

37 But some of them said, "Couldn't He who opened the blind man's eyes also have kept this man from dying?"

Did JESUS weep over HIS friend Lazarus being dead or the unbelief of the Jews? JESUS Knew that Lazarus would be raised from the dead but would even HIS power over physical death be enough for the doubters to see that HE was the promised Messiah?

Which is greater to heal the sick or raise the dead? The Jews were about to witness a miracle beyond healing the sick.

The Seventh Sign: Raising Lazarus from the Dead

38 Then Jesus, angry in Himself again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it.

Unbelief always makes one angry when you know the truth.

39 "Remove the stone," Jesus said. Martha, the dead man's sister, told Him, "Lord, he already stinks. It's been four days."

40 Jesus said to her, "Didn't I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"

41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You heard Me.

JESUS spoke to GOD, HIS Father for all to hear.

42 I know that You always hear Me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so they may believe You sent Me."

43 After He said this, He shouted with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

44 The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him and let him go."

Physical death always binds us. It is a mystery that most humans attempt to understand but JESUS is the door through which all must walk through to find eternal life. Do you want assurance of life after death? Then place your faith in JESUS, now!

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what He did believed in Him.

Curiosity is often the driving force for many seeking JESUS. Doubt can turn to joy once a person witnesses truth. Many believed that JESUS was the promised Messiah but some did not believe. Some may say, “Well, I became a Christian and it did not do anything for me.” When a person’s heart has not been changed and he or she is a Christian in name only, the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit is missing from his or her life. Those who know the truth have the witness of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, the core of their being or the “eyes of their hearts.”

46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, "What are we going to do since this man does many signs?

WOW! The religious community should have been rejoicing. JESUS, The Promised Messiah has come. But what was response?

48 If we let Him continue in this way, everybody will believe in Him! Then the Romans will come and remove both our place and our nation."

Oh, gee! JESUS manifested the power of GOD. HE prayed to GOD, HIS Father and shouting for a dead man to come out of the grave and he does. You would think these learned religious leaders would have put one and one together and come up with the fact that JESUS was truly the promised Messiah.

But instead of it being a confirming moment, they were more concerned about their physical welfare.

How would you have responded if you had witnessed this event?

Is JESUS the “I AM” in your life? If not, now is the time for you to ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins, believing that HE gave HS life for you and to ask HIM to come into your life. If you did, thank HIM for coming into your life and for your decision to obediently follow HIM be confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Now, tell someone about your decision to obediently follow JESUS. Find a church where you can serve and be Spiritually fed. Study the Bible, talk with JESUS and ask HIM to reveal truth to you as you obediently walk with HIM. Welcome to the family of GOD my Brother or 

Sister. Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Enough (3) - Our Need for Protection - John10:7-15, 27-30 - March 20, 2016

Bible Study – Enough (3) – Our Need for Protection – March 20, 2016

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “More Than Enough: How JESUS Meets Our Deepest Needs.”

Our focus scripture is John 10:7-15, 27-30

JESUS is the Good Shepherd who can offer us ultimate protection.

JESUS gave us two additional “I AM” statements in our focus scripture. HIS teaching is just as relevant to all people today as the day HE uttered the words, “I AM.” Will we pay attention or dismiss HIS words? IS HE THE PROMISED MESSIAH? HE EITHER WAS OR A LIAR? You decide but be careful because your decision has eternal consequences – eternal life or eternal death.

This lesson is profound and should be studied with earnest hearts for those who seek JESUS as their Savior. Let’s explore!

Let’s read John 10:7-10:

The Good Shepherd

7 So Jesus said again, "I assure you: I am the door of the sheep. 

The word “I” carries the idea of “I and I alone.” There is no other way to GOD. JESUS is door through which all must walk.

8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn't listen to them.

The word “all” carries the idea of all inclusive but in context focuses on all who should know the truth but have been blinded to the truth for earthly reasons. This statement went beyond the Pharisee's, scribes, Sadducee's, rabbis to anyone who used their religious position for personal gain. Personal motives often blind us to truth.

In Greek, the word for thieves is “kleptes.” It is where we get the English word kleptomania and kleptomaniac. It carries the idea of stifle, sly or secret as a part of a person’s nature. Robbers are those who are more open in their activity using hostility, violence or even bloodshed. Robbers use force. All, thieves and robbers, have one thing in common they use their positions of authority to withhold truth and to present their own brand of truth for ill gotten gain. The Good News is that those ordained by GOD, HIS sheep, did not listen to them. They had discernment and held tight to truth in spite of what those who misrepresented truth were saying. By their fruit will you know them! 

Separating truth from error comes from GOD.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 

Again, JESUS used another “I AM” reference.

JESUS spoke to them in terms they could understand. HE referenced sheep. Raising and caring for sheep was common knowledge in that time. When JESUS referred to HIM as being the door, it sent a clear message. Those HE was teaching knew that sheep would be corralled at night to keep them from running off or being attacked by predators. The shepherd would position himself such that he was the only entrance to the coral thus the door. The shepherd was the gatekeeper and knew his sheep and could count them as they entered the coral and check them for any problems.

Once a sheep belonged to the shepherd the sheep could go in and out of the fold. JESUS was not saying that Christians vacillate but they are free to go under HIS care as they, as Christians, are in the world but not of the world. They are the salt and light reflecting JESUS to others in the world. Yes, even HIS sheep are lured into harm’s way but HE, as the Good Shepherd, cares for HIS sheep and rescues them. HIS Sheep are always HIS Sheep.

10 A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. 

There are those who come as Spiritual thieves and robbers to keep you under the dictates of the Law and their tutor ledge rather than the Spirit of the Law and GOD’S Grace.

I don’t know how JESUS could be plainer “I have come.” HE came to give meaning to human life upon earth which exceeds normal life because HE offers hope and salvation through an eternal relationship with GOD through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. When any person comes through the gate of which HE is the Shepherd, he or she experiences the miracle of Spiritual rebirth into GOD’S family as HIS Son or Daughter and receives eternal life.

When the issue of eternity is settled, life upon earth becomes a foreshadow of eternity with GOD because Christians live in a personal relationship with GOD through faith in CHRIST. Those who have the right relationship with GOD through the miracle of rebirth understand this but those on the outside looking in cannot comprehend it. How do I know? It is because I tried to figure it out before placing my faith in JESUS and trusting HIM to take my life and make out of it what HE desired. Did HE take my will or decision making ability away from me? No, HE does not make us robots. That is why living under GOD’S Grace, I confess my sins, repent and HE cleanses and restores. I am a sinner saved by HIS grace through faith in JESUS, my Savior. HE will do the same for you. Trust HIM by giving HIM your life now and experience life in abundance before it is too late. Let JESUS shepherd you though life upon earth and into eternity and experience life that overflows. That does not mean you will be free of difficulties but it does mean that JESUS will never leave you or forsake you. Once HIS, always HIS! JESUS loves you so much that HE gave HIS life just for you. Accept HIS gift now.

Let’s read John 10:11-13:

11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Again, JESUS stated “I AM the good shepherd.” There were shepherds who were hired to shepherd and there were those who owned the sheep or were committed to care for the sheep. When danger came the hired shepherd had a choice to make; fight the danger or flee. Many would flee. JESUS was making it clear that HE would stay the course and complete HIS assigned mission to give HIS life for the sheep in HIS fold. JESUS would lay down HIS life for all who will place their faith in HIM. Without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins.

12 The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn't own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. 

Ownership makes a difference. The scripture reveals to us that we were bought with a price in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

¹⁹ Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.

Our salvation costs JESUS HIS physical life in order for those who place their faith in HIM to have eternal life as guaranteed by the resurrection of JESUS by GOD HIS and our Father. Once we receive CHRIST as our Savior, we receive the guarantee of eternal life because every Christian receives the seal of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:15-17:

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"

16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children,

17 and if children, also heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ-seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

In 2 Corinthians 1:22:

22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts. (Holman)

22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)

Let’s continue with our focus scripture:

13 [This happens] because he is a hired man and doesn't care about the sheep. 

The imposter fails and runs away. JESUS is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Who will you trust?

Let’s read John 10:14-15 and 27-30:

Let’s read John 10:14-15:

14 "I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, 

15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep. 

JESUS repeated “I AM the good shepherd.” JESUS knows each person who has accepted HIM as his or her Savior. HE is interested in seeing Spiritual growth and maturity in HIS sheep. That comes through the process of sanctification.

Let’s read John 10:16-26:

16 But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. 

Who are these other sheep? The promised Messiah was first to come to whom? The Messiah was first to come to the Jews as written in Romans 1:16-17:

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

GOD promised the Messiah to the Jews. GOD is omniscient and in HIS foreknowledge HE knew that the Jews, for the most part, would reject HIM. GOD is not exclusive but inclusive and loves all who will come to HIM in faith through JESUS.

17 For in it God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

The key to salvation is faith in GOD. Abraham had faith in GOD and GOD considered his faith as righteousness. It is by faith that we are saved. It is not by works but by faith first and then works. So faith in GOD is all a person needed to be saved until JESUS, The Messiah came to earth as GOD in the flesh. Those who died prior to JESUS’ death were taken to Paradise. They were looking forward to full redemption. The sinless life and passion of JESUS paid, in full, the penalty for sin and thus conquered both sin and eternal death, JESUS is the only way to GOD. Place your faith in HIM. Why? Because HE is the only Son of GOD and GOD resurrected HIM from the dead as proof that HE was and is The Promised Messiah.

17 This is why the Father loves Me, because I am laying down My life so I may take it up again. 

Why does the Father love CHRIST? It is because HE was faithful even unto death. HE gave HIS life. No one took it from HIM.

18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from My Father." 

19 Again a division took place among the Jews because of these words. 

JESUS’ words produced an active discussion that resulted in a division.

20 Many of them were saying, "He has a demon and He's crazy! Why do you listen to Him?" 

21 Others were saying, "These aren't the words of someone demon-possessed. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

Some saw truth but others saw evil. We face this same argument today. Who do we choose? Will it be JESUS or something false? The choice is up to you.

Jesus at the Festival of Dedication

22 Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 

23 Jesus was walking in the temple complex in Solomon's Colonnade. 

24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and asked, "How long are You going to keep us in suspense? If You are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

The Jews were looking for a political messiah. They desired physical, temporary political deliverance from Roman rule. JESUS came to give eternal deliverance from the rule of Satan in the lives of all who will place their faith in HIM.

25 "I did tell you and you don't believe," Jesus answered them. "The works that I do in My Father's name testify about Me. 

26 But you don't believe because you are not My sheep. 

JESUS made it plain and clear but even those looking for the promised Messiah were blinded by leaning on their own understanding. Don’t many of us do that today? Don’t many of us develop notions and false assumptions regarding Christianity? Place all your notions and assumptions on the altar of GOD and ask HIM to reveal truth to you and open your heart to HIM as HE teaches you and lights your path as you walk with HIM.

Let’s read John 10:27-30:

27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. 

Have you heard the voice of CHRIST? HE in calling “oh sinner, come home.” Step one is to respond to HIS Call by giving your life to HIM in faith. Trust HIM to lead and guide you to truth as you study GOD’S Word, the Bible and talk to HIM moment by moment as you walk through life. Obediently follow HIM which will build the right relationship with HIM.

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish-ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. 

What do we get out of responding in faith to the call of JESUS? It is eternal life and eternal security. Christians are held in the hand of JESUS and in the hand of GOD sealed for eternity. That is covenant. Christians are sealed by the shed of JESUS.

29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 

30 The Father and I are one."

Is there any greater security than this? NO! Give your heart and life to JESUS now and become the child of GOD, the Sheep of HIS fold. Blessings!!!