Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

 John 4:31-37

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. John 4:34

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 4:31-37 using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God wants us to see how our most important provision (above food, water, etc.) is the Word and to do the will of God.   God's will for us is to the share the gospel message to the world (Great Commission) and disciple others to bear fruit for the glory of God.  We all have a role in the Great Commission - some will sow, some will reap. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The disciples focused on earthly concerns and we can expect that of those who do not know God.  Even those who know God grow too comfortable with the world (including myself from time to time).  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid growing too comfortable with the world but instead understand and focus on doing everything for the glory of God as we exist for the glory of God. Claim the promise that Jesus provides our daily bread and provision.  Follow Jesus' example to do the will of God.  Obey God's call to play a role in the Great Commission to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:20).    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves, saves, and provides for all of my needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love, save and provide.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?”

 John 4:27-30

Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” John 4:27

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 4:27-30 using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: The disciples marvel that Jesus was talking to a woman, but as I posted yesterday and the day before, Jesus does not care about racial, ethnic, economic, social, or cultural boundaries - all sin and are deserving to hear the gospel and be saved.  Note as well this article on the general position of women in historical context from Smith's Bible Dictionary. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The text emphasizes how the disciples marveled that Jesus was talking to a woman, no less a Samaritan woman, yet despite how they marveled at the interaction, the text shares "no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?" If all scripture ultimately points to Jesus, it is implied that the disciples should have asked the questions as noted, particularly because they "marveled" at what He was doing akin to a "sign" or an insightful teaching worthy of "teachable moment." The woman ultimately was so moved by the interaction with Jesus that she went back to town to tell people about it, sharing "[c]an this be the Christ?" The townspeople then went out to go be with Jesus.          
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid neglecting people based on racial, ethnic, economic, social, or cultural boundaries, follow Jesus' example to share fellowship and the gospel message with everyone.  Be part of the Great Commission wherever you are.    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves, saves regardless of racial, ethnic, economic, social, or cultural boundaries - all are sinful (including myself) and worthy of hearing the gospel. Thank You Jesus for softening my heart and saving me!  I am not deserving of how You save nor bless with the church.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your messages for me today and every day. 

 

The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.

 John 4:1-26

The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. John 4:19-21

I continue my study of John, and today, I build on my review of John 4:1-26 by summarizing the text via an outline/divisions and a main point for the text.

Main point: God wants us to live intentionally for Him in worship and to seek and save the lost.  

1. Jesus acts with intention - there is nothing aimless about what He does as all is orchestrated with divine purposes. We should live with intent, leaning on God to understand His will for our lives.  Lean into God through daily study and prayer of God's Word to renew your mind so "that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). 
2. Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman helps us see that regardless of race, ethnic, economic, social, or cultural boundaries, we all sin and are in need of a savior.  The most important commandments are to love God, and to love others (Matthew 22:34-40).  As we love others we seek to save.
3. Worship of God is not dependent on a physical location or a church building and God designed us for both individual and corporate worship. As the Holy Spirit dwells within us, believers become the temple.  See Matthew 18:20, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20.  Worship God anywhere, individually, AND go to church!      

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves, saves and provides others, including the church for us to live as You designed to worship both individually and corporately.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save nor bless with the church.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your messages for me today and every day. 

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”

 John 4:1-26

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:7-10

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 4:1-26 using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Once again we see that Jesus acts with intention - He has a plan. In v1 Jesus anticipates drawing negative attention from the Pharisees and with it not being the day or hour of His arrest and crucifixion (He still has more work to do with His ministry), He leaves Judea and heads to Galilee.  Continuing with intent, Jesus passes through Samaria and stops at Jacob's Well to rest and for water - we see Jesus as having earthly needs as the Incarnate Son of God.  During Jesus' time on earth, this site is important for its ties to Jacob, and because the in Shechem the Samaritans built a rival temple to the one in Jerusalem. He encounters a Samaritan woman at the well and asks her to draw water for Him.  Jesus does not care about racial, ethnic, economic, social, or cultural boundaries - regardless of the strife between Jews and Samaritans, Jesus shares the gospel message - referring to Himself as the Living Water - with the Samaritan woman.  As the omniscient God, Jesus knows the woman has married five times and is living with another man who is not her husband. Jesus ends the encounter with the Samaritan woman by sharing that (a) true worship of God is not limited to a building, temple or even a location, and (b) He is the Promised Messiah. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Racial, ethnic, economic, social, and cultural boundaries are often obstacles that prevent fellowship and love from flourishing as division and hatred is often learned from a young age. When these barriers are removed we can see people as they are - everyone sins and is in need of a Savior.        
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid racial, ethnic, economic, social, and cultural animosities - love others as God loves us.  As Jesus did, share hospitality as a means to fellowship and know others.  See Jesus as the Living Water and the source of eternal life.         

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and You are the Living Water!  Thank You Jesus for giving me the Living Water and for my salvation.  I am not deserving of Your love nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

 John 3:25-36

Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. John 3:33-34

I continue my study of John, and today, I further unpacking John 3:25-36 by providing an outline and a main point.

 Main point:  Jesus is God, and we must believe in Him to be saved. 

 V25: Baptism by John was only a taste of things to come. There was a discussion among some of John’s disciples (unnamed here) and a Jew (unnamed here) about purification; purification here refers to ceremonial washing that was important in the Old Testament law as means to approach God – the implication of having this discussion is that for those who know the OT law they might question the validity of baptism as performed by John. 

Vv26-30: Jesus is now the focus, and all must see Him for who He is. While there might a question by some over the validity of baptism by John, those participating in the debate did see John as having authority as he is referred to as Rabbi; as they engage John on whether is concerned that Jesus is now baptizing, John responds with great humility. John emphasizes that (a) Jesus is the one on whom people should focus, (b) he is not jealous of the attention and glory that Jesus is now getting because He rightly deserves all glory, (c) his (current) ministry is complete now that Jesus’ ministry has started, and finally in v30 that (d) Jesus must increase and John must decrease.

Vv31-35: Jesus reigns over all as God’s equal. John then describes Jesus (a) as coming from Heaven and that He reigns over all things, (b) as bearing witness to things both from Heaven and earth – including eternal life, (c) as having His message rejected by some yet received by others, (d) as being Truth because He was sent by God, speaks the Word of God and God is Truth, (e) as giving the Spirit “without measure” as any attribute or power of God is limitless and beyond measure or human comprehension, and (f) as being equal to God because God gave “all things into his hand.”

V36: Whoever believes in Jesus has eternal life but for those who don’t believe in Him, face eternal condemnation.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves and reigns over all.  You do not need me yet You saved me...while still an enemy and hostile to God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John 3:25-36

The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:29-30

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 3:25-36 using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: John praises God and describes Jesus as being sent from Heaven, the promised Messiah (the Christ), as being the bridegroom (with the church being the bride), as being of more importance than himself (John), and above all (providence over all things); because He was sent by God, Jesus utters the words of God; God gives the Spirit without measure (never ending); Jesus was sent by God but also equal to God as God gave all things into Jesus' hand; God saves those who believe in Him.   
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: John remains humble in how he talks about his role as coming before Jesus and he recognizes that Jesus is important than him and that Jesus should increase while John decreases; John expresses humility in a way that the Jewish leaders did not - He gladly completes the task for which He came - to point to the coming Messiah and now that Jesus arrived as the coming Messiah. John assigned mission is complete and he does not struggle to hold onto power and status as the Jewish leaders did.          
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Believe in Jesus or risk eternal condemnation as Jesus only saves those who believe; follow John's example that Jesus should be the highest priority in our lives - as we decrease, Jesus increases as the Spirit grows in our heart, we become more like Him and others see Jesus in us as we reflect the love of Christ and draw others to Him.      

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves and reigns over all.  You do not need me yet You saved me...while still an enemy and hostile to God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison).

John 3:22-24

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). John 3:22-24

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 3:22-24 using the Sword Bible Study Method, providing both a main point and an outline of sub-points for the text.   

Main point: Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, vs how John baptized with water.  

1. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit - a new and different way of baptizing vs that of Jesus. 
2. John baptizes with water.  

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: After Jesus' nighttime conversation with Nicodemus - likely taking place in Jerusalem - Jesus goes with the disciples and baptizes people in the Judean countryside - and we learn from John 1:33 that while John baptizes with water, Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit - something new and different vs that of John and also implying a better baptism - one with new benefits not bestowed by John via his baptism. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: John continues to baptize, even after Jesus does and we see that John is no longer baptizing people in the wilderness but now on the west side of Jordan in Aenon near Salim. The reason for this location is stated in the text as because of plentiful water - key for John's baptism vs that of Jesus who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.  It is also noted that John is not yet imprisoned; however, we know from Luke 3:18-20 that Herod does arrest John for reproving Herod's marriage to Herodias - Herod's brother's wife.         
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Believers should pursue baptism just as Jesus did as an expression of publicly expressing faith in Him, and as being known as a follower of Jesus, others can see Him in us.  

Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a topic worthy of additional study and this article helps.   

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My Prayer: Thank You Jesus for my faith and baptism and I am proud of my faith and I seek to share it as John did.  Yet I know I often fall down in this regard.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.