Bible Study - Relationships (5) - Share CHRIST - John 1:35-51 - July 2, 2017

Bible Study – Relationships (5) – Share CHRIST – July 2, 2017

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Real Relationships.”

Our focus scripture is John 1:35-49.

We have a responsibility to introduce friends to JESUS.

In our lesson, we have John who wrote the book of John and one of the twelve disciples of JESUS. John who wrote the book of John refers to himself in and oblique way, such as the disciple who JESUS loved. Then we have John the Baptist, a relative of JESUS and the fore runner or herald of the promised Messiah.

The Book of John was written after the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke. Matthew, Mark and Luke are descriptive; whereas the Book of John is reflective. I like to think of the book of John putting the gospel together after the fact but using the facts regarding JESUS as the promised Messiah.

The books of Matthew, Mark and Luke are synoptic gospels meaning bird’s eye views of certain aspects of the life and ministry of JESUS as they relate to followers of JESUS. The book of John focuses on the need for every person to believe that JESUS is the promised Messiah as recorded in John 20:30-31:
 

The Purpose of This Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book.

31 But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.

Those who know the truth, Christians, introduce friends and loved ones to JESUS. A Christian’s part is to introduce and live as a Christian before all. The new Christian’s part, once introduced to JESUS, is to learn of HIM as he or she gets to know HIM by abiding with HIM. Abiding means to stay connected to JESUS as JESUS reveals in the most beautiful teaching reflected in John Chapter 15.

John the Baptizer was the forerunner or herald of JESUS, the promised Messiah. GOD called John for that purpose which was foretold in the Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:5.

John the Baptist (or baptizer) is a different John than John, who was one of the twelve disciples of JESUS. John the Baptist was the son of Elizabeth and the priest, Zechariah as recorded in Luke Chapter 1, which is worth reading.

Let’s read John 1:35-39:

35 Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples.

This was John the Baptist and the forerunner or herald to announce that JESUS was and is the promised Messiah. John the Baptist had disciples. The message of John the Baptist from GOD was repentance.  

36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look! The Lamb of God!"

When John the Baptist saw JESUS passing by he identified HIM as “The Lamb of GOD!” The Jews knew the connection between the sacrificial lamb and the forgiveness of sin. They knew that the sacrificial lamb had to be a lamb without blemish. JESUS was and is the perfect Lamb of GOD destined to take away the sins of all who place their faith in HIM and HIS shed blood.

37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.

When two of John the Baptist disciple’s heard this, they immediately followed JESUS. When we hear the truth and know the truth, that is our opportunity to embrace the truth. These two disciples responded immediately. We are to do the same.

To be a disciple means that a person follows someone they look up to, respect and desire to learn from. A disciple went where their teacher went. They slept where their teacher slept and ate what their teacher ate. In essence, they did everything with their teacher to get to know their teacher and emulate him or her.

When we accept JESUS as our Savior, we have a choice. Do we allow HIM to be the LORD of our lives? When we do, our desire is to get to know HIM and all about HIM. That means spending time with HIM and emulating HIM as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  

38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, "What are you looking for?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are You staying?"

JESUS turned and noticed them following HIM. That was a queue to JESUS that their desire was to be HIS disciple. So HE asked them the question “What are you looking for?” When they addressed HIM as “Teacher/Rabbi” that revealed their interest in becoming HIS disciple. This interest in becoming disciples was quickly confirmed when they asked JESUS “Where are YOU staying?” As discussed in the previous verse.

Each Christian needs to respond to the question JESUS asked, “What are you looking for?” Our response, as a Christian, determines our journey with JESUS. Do we look to HIM for a handout or a hand-up? Do we look to HIM for a life of ease? Do we desire to get to know HIM in an intimate, loving, trusting way as we abide with HIM?

39 "Come and you'll see," He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about 10 in the morning.

JESUS invited them to come and see. JESUS invites all to come and see. Some will choose to stay and some will go their own way. What is your desire?

Let’s read John 1:40-45:

40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Him.

41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah!" (which means "Anointed One"),

In these two verses, we learn the identity of JESUS’ first two disciples.

It is Andrew, who identifies JESUS as the Messiah.

42 and he brought [Simon] to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, He said, "You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which means "Rock").

Andrew introduced his brother, Simon, to JESUS. Immediately JESUS gave Simon the new name of “Cephas” or rock.

JESUS immediately knew the role “Cephas/Peter” would play in establishing GOD’S Kingdom upon earth. What would Peter’s name change mean to him when he denied JESUS three times? Did these words boom in his mind after his denial? Did he think some rock I am? Or did the Holy Spirit bring this instant to Peter’s mind and give him hope? We are all sinners saved by GOD’S grace. Peter repented and after he was filled with the Holy Spirit he preached at Pentecost where initially 3,000 souls placed their faith in JESUS as their Savior.   

Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day He decided to leave for Galilee. Jesus found Philip and told him, "Follow Me!"

JESUS’ next disciple was Philip. Notice that JESUS simply said, “Follow ME!” That is JESUS’ Message to each of us today “Follow ME!” To respond is to trust in the leadership of JESUS.

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the hometown of Andrew and Peter.

Philip and the other two disciples had something in common they were from the same hometown.

45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth!"

Phillip found the fourth disciple “Nathanael.” It is interesting how Nathanael reacted to JESUS’ hometown being Nazareth.

Let’s read John 1:46-51:

46 "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Nathanael asked him. "Come and see," Philip answered.

Philip simply told Nathanael to “Come and see.” That is the message of salvation, “Come and see.” Salvation is personal. We cannot ride to heaven on our mother’s, father’s, grandmother’s, grandfathers, best friend’s, etc. salvation. Each person must make that decision. GOD does not have grandchildren. HE has children. They are direct descendants through the miracle of rebirth.   

47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said about him, "Here is a true Israelite; no deceit is in him."

JESUS identified Nathanael as a true seeker of truth.

48 "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you," Jesus answered.

The fig tree was often considered a place where serious thought was given to life and what lies beyond life upon earth. It was a place of contemplation and reflection associated with the study of scripture and seeking truth.

49 "Rabbi," Nathanael replied, "You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

When JESUS spoke these words they resonated with him. Nathanael knew that he had come into the presence of a special teacher and he addressed him as “Rabbi.” But he went further than Rabbi; he also connected JESUS with being the “Son of GOD” and the “King of Israel.”

50 Jesus responded to him, "Do you believe [only] because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this."

51 Then He said, "I assure you: You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

The words of JESUS in verse 51, likely relate back to Jacob’s vision as recorded in Genesis 28, where Jacob received revelation from GOD. Jacob saw the heavens open and the angels descending and ascending as recorded in Genesis 28:10-17:

Jacob at Bethel

10 Jacob left Beer-sheba and went toward Haran.

11 He reached a certain place and spent the night there because the sun had set. He took one of the stones from the place, put it there at his head, and lay down in that place.

12 And he dreamed: A stairway was set on the ground with its top reaching heaven, and God's angels were going up and down on it.

13 The Lord was standing there beside him, saying, "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your offspring the land that you are now sleeping on.

14 Your offspring will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out toward the west, the east, the north, and the south. All the peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

15 Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it."

17 He was afraid and said, "What an awesome place this is! This is none other than the house of God. This is the gate of heaven."

JESUS stated that Nathanael would know that JESUS was the promised Messiah and that HE was the gate of heaven through faith in HIM.

When we discover the truth of JESUS, we want to share it. 

We see this pattern in the lives of these disciples when they met JESUS. They knew HE was different but they had to walk with HIM to get to really know HIM and to put it all into perspective according to the scriptures and the life, death, resurrection, ascension of JESUS as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

That is true for each of us. It is the process of sanctification. We must abide with HIM and learn of HIM. We are to share JESUS with others. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We are to reflect JESUS in the lives we live each day. We are to reach out as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Share JESUS! Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Relationships (4) - See Their Worth - 2 Samuel 11:1-17 - June 25, 2017

Bible Study – Relationships (4) – See Their Worth – June 25, 2017

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Real Relationships.”

Our focus scripture is 2 Samuel 11:1-9, 14-17.

When we see others as CHRIST sees them, we will treat them accordingly.

Our lesson focuses upon the far reaching consequence of adultery. Adultery is much like cancer. It touches the lives of so many others and brings death to the host. 

The Bible reveals truth and the struggles of GOD'S chosen with the issues of life. It does not sugar coat these struggles but tells them like they were. This confirms the Bible as GOD'S Word which we can rely upon, trust and be guided. 

They were not perfect. GOD did not abandon them. GOD will not abandon HIS children, even when they sin. But they accountable and must confess and repent.

Adultery is being unfaithful to our marriage vows, our spouse, our children, if any, fellow Christians, if we are Christian, and most of all to GOD. Adultery is a major blow to the worth and self-esteem of the offended spouse and family.

Even in today’s promiscuous secular world, unfaithfulness is not tolerated.  

Earlier in our lessons, GOD had stated that David was a man after HIS own heart. In our previous lessons, we have studied about the faithfulness of David and how he depended upon GOD to lead and guide his life. David was a GOD-fearing man who practiced what he believed. In last week’s study, we read about David feeling guilty for cutting off a piece of King Saul’s robe showing dishonor to the king.

This lesson is a caution to every Christian. If you think you are beyond the ability to break GOD’S heart, watch out. David had achieved much what he knew GOD had in store for him. David was now King David. He had experienced much to arrive at his appointed position. Had he relaxed, thinking that he had arrived and nothing could cause him problems? After all he was king. Let’s explore!

Let’s read 2 Samuel 11:1-4:

David's Adultery with Bathsheba

1 In the spring when kings march out [to war], David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.

Our scripture opens with a possible revealing detail. It was common for kings to go off to war in the spring of the year after the winter rains. Crops had been planted and would provide food for the army’s horses and troops. David chose to hang back this year, although his army had an important mission to accomplish.

We do not know why he made this decision but we know the rest of the story. The question is had he already noticed his neighbor’s wife? But in fairness to King David we read in 2 Samuel 21:15-17:

15 The Philistines again waged war against Israel. David went down with his soldiers, and they fought the Philistines, but David became exhausted.

16 Then Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giant, whose bronze spear weighed about eight pounds and who wore new armor, intended to kill David.

17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then David's men swore to him: "You must never again go out with us to battle. You must not extinguish the lamp of Israel."

Was this the real reason King David did not march with his troops this spring? All we know is the result of David being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

It also reveals a nature in David that came out that led to sin and many consequences. David asked for forgiveness and GOD forgave him but he suffered the consequences of his actions.

2 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing-a very beautiful woman.

It was evening in the spring. David had gone to bed and got up and was strolling around the roof of the palace. Satan is always ready to tempt. David did not have television but Satan made sure that he was exposed to something that would appeal to his flesh. It was the porn of his day.

David spotted a beautiful woman bathing. It was evening. Does this reveal that this woman was being discrete; most likely? Her bathing was a possible signal to David that she had completed her monthly cycle.

JESUS taught that lust is the same as committing the act of adultery. David had already sinned by looking and desiring. He went a step further as we read on --

3 So David sent someone to inquire about her, and he reported, "This is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite."

David sent someone to gather background information on her. He received the report that her name was Bathsheba. She was the daughter of Eliam and the granddaughter of Ahithophel, one of David’s most trusted counselors as recorded in 2 Samuel 16:23:

23 Now the advice Ahithophel gave in those days was like someone asking about a word from God-such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel's advice.

But most of all Bathsheba was married. That disqualified her as becoming a part of David’s harem. But that did not deter David.

David had felt great remorse for cutting a piece of King Saul’s robe, yet he was about to violate his life of integrity. Why now? What had caused David to lower his guard? Could it have been mid-life crisis?

Satan knows us more then we know ourselves and will use every trick and lure and set us up for compromise. We still have the right to choose. Is it an area in our lives that needs to be tested? It can be devastating or victorious. Either way, GOD never leaves us or forsakes us. HE is ready to forgive and restore when we repent and seek HIS forgiveness. But the memories linger and the character flaw is never forgotten, which is a constant reminder of our vulnerability. Never let your guard down! As recorded in 1 Peter 5:8:

8 Be sober! Be on the alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

Satan seeks to destroy. GOD seeks to restore through faith in JESUS.

4 David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. Now she had just been purifying herself from her uncleanness. Afterwards, she returned home.

David had sex with Bathsheba. He gratified himself and sent her back home. He thought all was well but was it?

It is amazing to read that King David was using others to go inquire about Bathsheba and then sends someone to summons her to his quarters. That is why I think he was going through mid-life crisis because most people in mid-life crisis do not think logically. The walls have ears and eyes. It is much like living in a world of fantasy, “you don’t see me or know what I am doing. I am invisible.”

That is a deception from Satan coming through the desires of the flesh. Then reality hits one day. 

Let’s read 2 Samuel 11:5-17:

5 The woman conceived and sent word to inform David: "I am pregnant."

When reality hits, you wake up but then you are captured. Reality came to David when he received word that Bathsheba was “pregnant.” Notice again, “She sent word.” Servants are loyal but not silent among themselves. David was exposed and he had to decide what he was going to do.

Bathsheba sent word to King David that she was “pregnant!” When Uriah left to go off to battle she apparently had her period. He had to get Uriah back from the battlefield to sleep with his wife to cover the deed.

So David came up with what he thought would be a clever plan to cover the adulterous affair. But was it a successful plan?

6 David sent orders to Joab: "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So Joab sent Uriah to David.

Uriah was one of their best warriors. Any soldier could have delivered the status of the battle to David. Do you think Joab smelled something going on that did not meet the sniff tests?

7 When Uriah came to him, David asked how Joab and the troops were doing and how the war was going.

8 Then he said to Uriah, "Go down to your house and wash your feet." So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king followed him.

The phrase “wash your feet” was permission from King David for Uriah to sleep with his wife. But Uriah was a loyal soldier who would not do something his men in battle could not do.

David had a gift sent to their home to encourage Uriah to go home. Surely, if the king sent a gift to their house, Uriah would go check it out and just maybe enjoy it with his wife, which would lead to an intimate time between Uriah and Bathsheba. But did it? Let’ read on --

9 But Uriah slept at the door of the palace with all his master's servants; he did not go down to his house.

Uriah showed his loyalty to the king and his fellow soldiers by not going to his home to be tempted to sleep with his wife.

10 When it was reported to David, "Uriah didn't go home," David questioned Uriah, "Haven't you just come from a journey? Why didn't you go home?"

David had Uriah watched by others to see if he went home. It was reported that “Uriah didn’t go home.”

David tried to talk Uriah into going home. Did Uriah smell something going on? Had those loyal to Uriah told him what they thought had taken place?

11 Uriah answered David, "The ark, Israel, and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers are camping in the open field. How can I enter my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live and by your life, I will not do this!"

Uriah expressed his loyalty to GOD, the king and to his men in battle. David got the message. Uriah was not going to sleep with Bathsheba. So what was he to do? David had another plan to take care of the pending problem, which would take David further into sin.

Did Uriah, think that King David was testing him to see if he was loyal to the king and if he passed the test it could mean a promotion? We do not know there are many possibilities.

12 "Stay here today also," David said to Uriah, "and tomorrow I will send you back." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next.

David had another idea.

13 Then David invited Uriah to eat and drink with him, and David got him drunk. He went out in the evening to lie down on his cot with his master's servants, but he did not go home.

Uriah did not take the bait. He remained loyal to GOD, to the king and his men. David had run out of plans to get Uriah to sleep with Bathsheba. That left only one option as we read on ---

Uriah's Death Arranged

14 The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.

15 In the letter he wrote: Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest fighting, then withdraw from him so that he is struck down and dies.

Uriah carried his own death warrant back to Joab. Joab being an obedient leader did what the king had requested.

16 When Joab was besieging the city, he put Uriah in the place where he knew the best [enemy] soldiers were.

17 Then the men of the city came out and attacked Joab, and some of the men from David's soldiers fell [in battle]; Uriah the Hittite also died.

Joab knew that doing what the king commanded meant the death of Uriah. Did Joab know why the king wanted Uriah dead? We do not know but intelligence was good in that day but Joab was a loyal soldier and obeyed the orders of the king.

Many think that their sin will go unnoticed. But GOD knows and will expose it. All of GOD’S children are accountable to HIM.

Uriah was killed and, of course, King David had to console the grieving widow and take her into his household. David likely breathed a sigh of relief when it was all over but was it?

All men and women, especially Christian men and women, have to be mindful that Satan’s desire is to wreak havoc in all of our lives. Satan knows each of us more than we know ourselves and seeks to destroy us. Satan knows that we have ancestral proclivities which can be tested.

Some go through mid-life crisis. This can happen to men, as well as, women. It can happen between the thirties upward into the sixties. Some call it a second adolescence.

Just be aware of this stage in life. When you sense something strange going on in your life, that is contrary to your principles, talk to a counselor. If you are married, the first thing you need to do is to tell your spouse. Satan’s desire is for you to keep it to yourself but DO NOT! Get it out into the open and deal with it.

Our former pastor, being a counselor, knew when the symptoms of mid-life crisis began to raise their heads in his life. He went home and told his wife and they went through that time period together.

I am not trying to give David an excuse. Sin is sin any way you cut it. But it appears that he might have been experiencing mid-life crisis.

The onset of mid-life crisis manifests itself in different ways depending on your gender. Most have heard of the person who buys a sports car. Often, it is the feeling that life has passed you by and time is running out for you to be all that you want to be as a man or woman. It is a powerful influence in a person’s life and must not be taken lightly, if you value your family and future.

I have talked to a number of men who have made drastic changes in their lives during this time in their lives, mainly getting a new wife or going through multiple wives, and saying one thing. Can you guess what it was? “I wish I had never left my first wife!” “I wish we had worked through it.” Often, it takes time and tenacity to work through these times in our lives and marriage but it is worth the effort.

I do not know that David was experiencing such a crisis. He tried to cover his sin but GOD wanted what he had done exposed. He committed adultery and murder. The Prophet Nathan had to confront David with his sin which can be read in 2 Samuel 12.

King David, a man after GOD’S own heart, sinned. When Christians think they are beyond committing grievous sins that is when they are most vulnerable. 

Satan wants Christians or anyone to think they can handle certain desires themselves but that is a time to reveal and seek those who can come along your side to help you though these times before they wreak havoc in your life. Special prayers for all who are tempted and memorize a verse of scripture found in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

When you see the way of escape, take it with all haste. Do not look back. Satan will try to talk you out of it but DO NOT LISTEN! GOD is your strength, if you allow HIM. GOD never overrides your right to choose. Blessings!!!