JOHN 10:37–39 “… believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him” (John 10:38). Tender and forthright is Jesus’ appeal to the Pharisees as He urged them to place their confidence in Him and believe in Him as the Son of God. “Believe the works, … Continue reading “THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST”
HE WILL NEVER CHANGE
PSALM 102 “But You are the same, and Your years will have no end” (Ps. 102:27) The Scriptures are full of teaching concerning God’s immutability, or His unchanging nature. Consider these passages: “… the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17); “But You are the same, and … Continue reading “HE WILL NEVER CHANGE”
THE POWER OF OUR LORD
EPHESIANS 3:14–21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus (Eph. 3:20–21a). The prophet Jeremiah said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth … Continue reading “THE POWER OF OUR LORD”
WHAT IS TRUTH?
JOHN 18:28–38 “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” (John 18:37b–38). The interchange between Jesus and Pontius Pilate in John 18 is significant in light of our study into the nature of God. Jesus declared that He bears witness to the truth, and that anyone who … Continue reading “WHAT IS TRUTH?”
SEARCHING FOR THE SPIRITUAL
JOHN 4:1–26 “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). The spirituality or the Christian religion must never be confused with spiritualism. Spiritualism is a system of religious beliefs centered on communication with the dead. Such beliefs reach back into antiquity, but can also be found today … Continue reading “SEARCHING FOR THE SPIRITUAL”
NO BOUNDARIES
JEREMIAH 23:16–24 “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord (Jer. 23:24b). Jesus’ declaration of His divine nature must have been especially troubling to the Jews in light of God’s omnipresence. They could see Jesus, touch Him; they knew Him to be a man. Yet, He dared to claim that He and the … Continue reading “NO BOUNDARIES”
THE ALPHA AND OMEGA
REVELATION 1:1–8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord (Rev. 1:8a) Jesus’ announcement in John 10:30 that He and the Father are one caused quite a stir. What about this claim created such antagonism and hostility? What was Jesus saying? In essence, Jesus was claiming to be … Continue reading “THE ALPHA AND OMEGA”
CHRIST AND HIS FLOCK
JOHN 10:22–30 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). This passage contains six parts. Three have to do with the sheep, and three have to do with the shepherd. The sheep 1) listen to Christ’s voice, 2) follow Him, and … Continue reading “CHRIST AND HIS FLOCK”
PARTICULAR ATONEMENT
JOHN 10:11–21 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). When Jesus says that He is the “good shepherd,” the emphasis is on the adjective. The basic meaning of this word is beautiful, referring to one with a beautiful character. In this context, it also means excellent, … Continue reading “PARTICULAR ATONEMENT”
OUR SHEPHERD KING
JOHN 10:1–6 “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3). The imagery of the coming Messiah as a Shepherd is pervasive throughout the Old Testament. The prophet Zechariah spoke of the “Shepherd Savior” in chapter 13: “ ‘Awake, O … Continue reading “OUR SHEPHERD KING”