Bible Study - Connected (4) - A Life of Love - John 15:9-17 - March 27, 2022

 

Bible Study – Connected (4) – A Life of Love – March 27, 2022

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “Living Life Connected to CHRIST.”

Our focus scripture is John 15:9-17.

Remaining in CHRIST means our relationships are marked by love.

“A life of Love” to me is impossible without the indwelling Holy Spirit and abiding in JESUS, which is captured in John 15:1-8:

The Vine and the Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. ⁶ If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If (since) you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be^[a] my disciples.

As Spirit-born people, we are eternally grafted into JESUS through faith. Our faith is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit and once Spirit-born, never to be Spiritually unborn.

Do you desire to produce Spiritual fruit? Then abide in JESUS.

What does it mean to abide? It means to stay or to dwell. It is a Spiritual and organic (human) union with JESUS and GOD. We use the term to be “born-again.” JESUS told the Jewish leader Nicodemus in John 3:3, “³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This statement perplexed Nicodemus, yet that is exactly what must take place in every person’s life before he or she can be redeemed from the path he or she in traveling without acknowledging JESUS as his or her Savior. Where does the path of life lead? Without JESUS it leads to Hell but the Good News is when a person places his or her faith in JESUS the path leads to Spiritual birth and eternal life with JESUS and GOD.

JESUS knew HIS time had come when HE would give HIS sinless life to pay for the penalty of sin, which is eternal death. Whereas no person can live a life perfect enough to pay for his or her own sin and that is why JESUS came to earth to give HIS life by the shedding of HIS blood. Why did JESUS agree to do that? It is because HE loved each person who will ever live upon earth.

Let’s explore!

JESUS knew where HE came from as we read in John 17:4-5:

⁴ I have glorified you (GOD) on the earth by completing the work you (GOD) gave me to do. ⁵ Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.

JESUS knew where HE came from and HE knew the authority HE had e.g. Matthew 26:53 - ⁵³ Or do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and he will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels? JESUS suffered and died because of HIS love for every person who has and will every live upon earth.

GOD’S love is the key and HIS redemptive plan for all people through faith in JESUS. So simple, yet so hard for some to accept.

In our scripture, JESUS is attempting to put GOD’S love into perspective for humans to understand as we explore. JESUS was teaching HIS disciples ------

Let’s read John 15:9-11:

Christlike Love

⁹ “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

¹¹ “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

The life of JESUS was an expression of the love of GOD, The FATHER of JESUS, to all the world. Love is a relationship. Love is vital to a person’s relationship with JESUS and GOD.

When we love a person, we want to be with that person 24/7 and get to know that person intimately. How do we do that? We spend time with that person, ask questions, interact with that person, build a relationship and trust evolves.

As in any relationship trust is vital.

Notice in verse 9 that JESUS gave the relationship beginning with GOD, HIS Father. GOD is the source of love and love flows from HIM through JESUS. ⁹ “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

JESUS was 100% human. HE had the freedom to do whatever HE chose to do. The key is what did HE choose to do? Consider John 5:19:

¹⁹ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father^[a] does, the Son likewise does these things. Also, consider John 5:24-30:

²⁴ “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

²⁵ “Truly I tell you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself. ²⁷ And he has granted him the right to pass judgment, because he is the Son of Man. ²⁸ Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice ²⁹ and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of condemnation.

³⁰ “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

What does this mean to every human upon earth? Neither can we do anything on our own. We must be Spiritually born into GOD’S Family and become a Child of GOD. When we do, does that mean we can do whatever we choose to do? NO!!! Not if we choose to walk with GOD as JESUS did.

The only way a human can be intimate with GOD is through Spiritual-birth and the passion of JESUS made that possible. But each person must accept JESUS as HIS or HER Savior for Spiritual-birth to take place. It is a miracle and once Spiritually born into GOD’S Family you will never, ever be Spiritually unborn. You still have the right to choose. GOD never makes a person a robot but always with the freedom to choose and make decisions. JESUS tells us that it does not take much faith for us to witness miracles. It only takes faith in HIM and our FATHER the size of a mustard seed.

24 “Truly I tell you (JESUS was speaking), anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

25 “Truly I tell you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he has granted to the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has granted him the right to pass judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of condemnation.

30 “I can do nothing on my own. I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of him who sent me.

GOD loved JESUS, HIS only Son. GOD trusted HIS Son such that HE allowed HIM to experience freedom to live as 100% human. JESUS was free to do as HE desired but HE also knew of HIS FATHER’S redemptive plan. JESUS came to earth knowing where HE came from and had the power to take matters into HIS own hands but HE freely chose to do the will of HIS Heavenly FATHER. Why? Because of HIS love for all people.

When did this love begin for humans? We read in Ephesians 1:3-6:

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^[c] 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

JESUS knew the love of HIS FATHER and, in turn, JESUS loved HIS disciples. He reminded them to remain in HIS love and how they were to do that. It was by them keeping HIS commands. As Spirit-born people, when we keep GOD’S commands, we will remain in JESUS’ love. JESUS was clear that HE had kept HIS Father’s commands and as such remain in his love.

When a person is Spiritually born, he or she immediately receives the Spiritual Gift of the Holy Spirit and The Holy Spirit is the communicator between GOD/JESUS and the Spirit-born person.

GOD’S love flows from GOD to those who have been Spirit-born. Sin blocks the path from GOD to every person and the sin block must be removed before the path between mankind and GOD is open. JESUS removed that sin barrier but each person must accept what JESUS did for him or her. When they do, believing that JESUS is the atoning sacrifice for them, they are eternally Spirit-born in the Family of GOD.

Do you know JESUS as your Savior? Are you a conduit through whom the love of GOD and JESUS flows?

Let’s read John 15:12-14:

¹² “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. 

JESUS was preparing HIS disciples for the days to come. The hallmark of the ministry of JESUS was and is love. Again, it is the flow of love from GOD through JESUS to every person who places his or her faith in JESUS.

JESUS told HIS disciples that they were to “Love one another as HE had loved them.” How had JESUS loved them? HE taught them, protected them, was going to give HIS sinless life for them and all who would place their faith in HIM as the acceptable perfect sacrifice for sin.

When a person loves like JESUS, he or she is eager for others to know JESUS as their Savior as they are led by the Holy Spirit. It is not jumping ahead of GOD but always being in-step with GOD as led by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s read John 15:15-17:

¹⁵ I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master^[b] is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

¹⁷ “This is what I command you: Love one another.

All Spirit-born people are called to go and tell others about JESUS as led by the Holy Spirit. All people have been chosen to be friends of JESUS.

Are you a friend of JESUS or a servant? What is the difference? Do you know what GOD and JESUS are doing and what their redemptive plan is? Do you have the desire to share the Good News with those lost in the wilderness of despair without hope? As a Spirit-born friend you know the truth. Truth must be shared. JESUS tells those who have experienced Spiritual birth that they are the light of the light of the world. For light to be beneficial, it must not be hidden but shared.

Is your desire for others to know JESUS through the miracle of Spiritual birth? If so, tell JESUS that you want to move from being a servant to being HIS friend. Ask HIM to reveal to you barriers that prevent you from becoming HIS friend. Also, ask HIM to help you remove any barriers that prevent the fullness of JESUS from flowing through you to whom the Holy Spirit gives you opportunity to share the love of JESUS. Abide in the true vine and doing so produce much fruit. All you have to do is abide and GOD produces HIS fruit, as you respond to opportunity.

When did JESUS choose every person who will ever live? Before GOD created the world. All have been chosen but will all accept GOD’S invitation? GOD gives every person the freedom to choose. Choose wisely, my friends because your choice is eternal.

Dear JESUS, open my Spiritual eyes to the opportunities that surround me every day to share the Spiritual light of JESUS that is within me. Also, open my eyes to YOUR work that is taking place around me and I will take that as an opportunity to join YOU in YOUR work. YES!!!

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Bible Study - Connected (4) - A Life of Trust - John 13:36-14:6 - March 20, 2022

 Bible Study – Connected (3) – A Life of Trust – March 20, 2022

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled, “Living Life Connected to CHRIST.”

Our focus scripture is John 13:36-14:6.

We can trust JESUS because HE is the way, the truth and the life.

JESUS was more than saying HE is the way, the truth and the life, HE proved it. JESUS willingly gave HIS sinless life to atone for the sins of mankind. HE always pointed to GOD, HIS FATHER. HE died and was resurrected by GOD. HE revealed Himself to HIS disciples after HIS resurrection and spent 40 days with them and over 500 people.

Has any world religion proven that their way is authentic? NO!!!

Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. A person must be born into the family of GOD by placing his or her faith in JESUS CHRIST and what HE alone did for all who will place their faith in HIM.

Faith in JESUS equals Spiritual birth in GOD’S Family.

As we study today’s lesson, we see that GOD’S Word never sugar coats anything. The Bible reveals truth and forgiveness and restoration through faith in JESUS. Let’s explore!

Let’s read John 13:36-14:1:

³¹ When he (Judas) had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. ³² If God is glorified in him,^[g] God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. ³³ Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

One almost gets a sense of relief when Judas left the gathering. Now, this is an, I think. I get the sense that JESUS was relieved to know that HIS time had come and HIS purpose for coming to earth will be realized and fulfilled in the next few days.

Judas was on a mission to betray JESUS. JESUS knew that HIS time had come. HE would give HIS sinless life to pay, in full, for all the sins of mankind when HE shed HIS sinless blood. Yes, JESUS paid the price for sin which opened the door to the presence of GOD. Yes, JESUS opened the door to GOD but every person must accept, by faith, what JESUS did for him or her. In doing so, that person is Spiritually born into GOD’S Family, never to be unborn. Once a child of GOD always a Child of GOD.

³⁴ “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

What did JESUS mean by “just as I have loved you?” JESUS willingly gave HIS life that others might live eternally with HIM and GOD. JESUS set the example.

JESUS had stated, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

Peter’s Denials Predicted

³⁶ “Lord,” Simon Peter said to him, “where are you going?”

Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.” JESUS’ disciples had followed JESUS most everywhere but now JESUS was telling them that HE is going where they cannot go. Gee, why not? JESUS disciple expressed his love and commitment to JESUS.

³⁷ “Lord,” Peter asked, “why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

JESUS had told Peter in Matthew 16:13-20: (Amplified)

¹³ Now when Jesus went into the ^[c]region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ And they answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or [just] one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Then Jesus answered him, “Blessed [happy, spiritually secure, favored by God] are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood (mortal man) did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I say to you that you are ^[d]Peter, and on this ^[e]rock I will build My church; and the ^[f]gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth ^[g]will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth ^[h]will have [already] been loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then He gave the disciples strict orders to tell no one that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

The main question each person must answer for himself or herself is “But who do you say that I am?” 

Salvation is personal and individual.

Matthew 17:1-8:

17 Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John the brother of James, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. ² And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light. ³ And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. ⁴ Then Peter began to speak and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good and delightful and auspicious that we are here; if You wish, I will put up three [sacred] tents here—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁵ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and ^[a]a voice from the cloud said, “^[b]This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!” ⁶ When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were terrified. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” ⁸ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

Peter had witnessed some astounding events in his walk with JESUS. But did Peter know the real purpose of JESUS? Had Peter defined JESUS’ ministry according to his own thoughts? When the rubber hits the road only truth survives.

Peter thought he had it all figured out and was ready to fight and attempted to do so as we read in John 18:10: ¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly I tell you, a rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times.

Peter was part of the inner circle. He witnessed that which was beyond human thought. Ooh yes, Peter was ready to fight but that was not GOD’S redemptive plan. Peter had made some false assumptions that needed to be corrected. We know that Peter witnessed JESUS being beaten and humiliated. GOD’S only SON treated like a criminal.

Many of us build air castles about who GOD is and what HE will and will not do. When troubling times come, we are disappointed when GOD does not respond to an issue like we think HE should have. Peter was in this situation. We must pause and reflect and ask GOD to forgive us and to reveal truth to us.

14 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe^[a] in God; believe also in me. 

That is the time when we must trust GOD, when times are dark.

Let’s finish Peter’s journey as we read in John 18:15-

¹⁵ Simon Peter and ^[d]another disciple were following Jesus. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, so he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the [residence of the] high priest; ¹⁶ but Peter was standing outside at the door. So, the other disciple (John), who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter inside. 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” ¹⁸ Now the servants and the officers had made a fire of coals, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. And Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.

¹⁹ Then the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching. ²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in a synagogue and in the temple [area], where all the Jews habitually congregate; and I said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why question Me? Question those who have heard what I said to them. They know what I said.” ²² But when He said this, one of the officers who was standing nearby ^[e]struck Jesus [in the face], saying, “Is that how You answer the high priest?” ²³ Jesus replied, “If I have said anything wrong, make a formal statement about the wrong; but if [I spoke] properly, why did you strike Me?” ²⁴ So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter’s Denial of Jesus

²⁵ Now Simon Peter was [still] standing and warming himself. So, they said to him, “You are not one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” ²⁶ One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you with Him in the garden?” ²⁷ So Peter denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

But we learn more when we read Matthew 26:75 - ⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the [prophetic] words of Jesus, when He had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly [in repentance].

What does a Christian do when he or she sins? He or she repents. Yes, Peter sinned and repented and went on to receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and preach with thousands coming to a saving knowledge of JESUS.

GOD still needed to work in Peter’s heart to rid him of his early Jewish training before he would be completely usable by GOD. This is found in ACTS 11: 5-9:

⁵ “I was in the town of Joppa praying, and I saw, in a trance, an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners from heaven, and it came to me. ⁶ When I looked closely and considered it, I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. ⁷ I also heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’

⁸ “‘No, Lord!’ I said. ‘For nothing impure or ritually unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ ⁹ But a voice answered from heaven a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call impure.’

GOD was preparing Peter to minister to the Gentiles.

The early Jewish training forbade Jews from eating these unclean things. But GOD was telling Peter to get beyond his early training under the Law and embrace the New, which is GOD’S Grace through JESUS.

Many Spirit-born Christians have religious baggage from their early walk with JESUS. Ask JESUS to reveal these notions so that our Spiritual feet will be upon the solid rock of JESUS.

As I have mentioned a number of times Experiencing GOD helped me to deal with many stumbling blocks in my relationship with GOD. We all get notions which are not sound and do not hold up when we encounter issues in life. JESUS desires for us to have our feet planted solidly upon the solid rock. Back to our scripture, JESUS was teaching HIS disciples -----

Let’s read John 14:2-3:

² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. 

JESUS was giving HIS disciples a glimpse of Heaven. Heaven is not defined by limited space but will always have enough room for all who accept JESUS as his or her Savior.

Let’s read John 14:4-6:

⁴ You know the way to where I am going.”^[b]

⁵ “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you know me, you will also know^[c] my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

The key words are “you know the way to where I am going.” They knew HE was going to Heaven to sit at the right-hand of GOD. So, they knew the destination. Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?” Thomas might have thought, since, we do not know specifically where you are going in Heaven. Heaven is vast and we need to know specifically your destination.            

JESUS made it clear in verse 6 to all, ⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you know me, you will also know^[c] my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

In John 10:30 we read, “³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

When we get to know JESUS, we also know the FATHER. But the only way to the FATHER is through faith in JESUS. Why? It is because JESUS is the visible person of GOD in WHOM we can look fully into HIS wonderful Face. We can bounce in an out of HIS very presence 24/7 and we can call HIM, Daddy.

Peter denied JESUS not once but three times. But he repented. Those who think they have committed such sins that GOD would never forgive them, well, get over it. That is Satan’s lie. Confess your sins and ask HIM to forgive you and to restore you.

What does 1 John 1:8-10 tell us:

 ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Don’t let Satan rob you of the joy of your salvation. JESUS loves you and gave HIS sinless life just for you. Rejoice and embrace it for eternity. Blessings!!!