Week 9 - Word of God
This week in summary| Day 1 : The Word of God | John 1 |
| Day 2 : John's Biography of Jesus | John 2 |
| Day 3 : Persecuted | John 3 |
| Day 4 : Blessing | John 4-5 |
| Day 5 : Faith with Feet | John 6-7 |
The Word of God
If God can create the universe, it shouldn’t be too surprising that God can interact with the universe. What’s to stop God from miraculously making direct changes according to his will?
Instead of taking direct control sometimes God communicates with flesh and blood humans leaving the choice of response in our hands. God spoke to prophets and they heard his message.
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by…
What’s this a new means of transmitting God’s message? We’re familiar with God’s voice to prophets who broadcast to people. What new form might the word of God take?
Then the word became flesh and lived among them.
What if God’s message was transmitted in the form of a flesh and blood human being? Words etched in stone or written on paper are limited but a human being is interactive. A more capable medium could carry a deeper message. A human that doesn’t just recite a collection of words. A human could express the message in his actions. He is the living personification of God’s principles in the flesh.
He is fully human complete with hangnails and pimples but he is also the living Word of God, a complete expression of the will of our creator. Ever wonder what the will of God would look like if it took a physically tangible form? Look no further than Jesus, the Word of God standing in the flesh.
John’s Biography of Jesus
There are four credible biographies of the life and work of Jesus. Of these John’s writing is paradoxically the simplest and deepest.
John spells out the reason why he wrote: “these are written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ), the Son of God and that believing you may have life in His name.”
He identifies why Jesus came: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John even gives us the entire Bible summarized in one sentence: “God loved the world so much that He gave his only Son, so whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
If John’s simple message of faith, life and love stand as a vivid melody, then John’s harmony can be found in his careful choice of details. As John describes the events surrounding Jesus, he includes extra details that have little bearing on the event but the details themselves stand as symbols that teach the same lesson about Jesus. John is a master composer.
For example: the first miracle of Jesus is changing water to wine at a wedding celebration. Symbolically water becoming wine looks like something very ordinary becoming something special, which parallels the transformation Jesus does in us.
But there’s more. John includes a detail that it took place on the third day, begging the question the third day of what? …of the celebration? …of the month? …of the year? “Third day” is John’s link between the wedding celebration and resurrection that takes place on the third day after the crucifixion. To John the resurrection of Jesus is a celebration. How much of a celebration? Well let’s look at how much water Jesus turned into wine. 180 Gallons. That’s enough to keep the party going for a long, long time.
Look for the following details as you read through John’s biography of Jesus.
- Life
- Light and Darkness
- Belief or Faith
- Water
- Celebrations (weddings, festivals & Passover)
- Spirit and Flesh
- The number 7 (speeches, miracles)
- Food
- Jesus’ time had not yet come…
- People understanding or not understanding Jesus
- Jesus’ identity statements “I am the bread of life”
Persecution and Joy
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Last time we discussed persecution and how it comes to those who stand for Jesus. We carry on with that theme and add some more on that will as before not be good news, or perhaps it’s the best news. Jesus finishes out this section of Matthew 5 with these words; “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus is clearly saying that we will be treated the same as the prophets who came before Jesus telling of His coming to fulfill the plans of His Father in Heaven, many of whom were tortured and even killed.
Jesus said that we should rejoice and be glad that these things are happening, because this life is not about the here and now but the place where our heavenly Father lives in heaven. Jesus’ life and what He did and how He lived is our focus.
The apostle Paul said this in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
We are the temple of God. The temple was a place where sacrifices were offered to please God. The temple in its primary context does not exist now, we have become that place where God lives and moves and breaths His will and ways to a world separated from Him. We may be called upon to give up much, even our lives, but is that not one of Jesus core teachings? At the end of all this it’s simple, die to myself and live for Jesus. Note I said was simple not easy. We can only do this through His power.
Blessing Your Neighbors
Pray with your Family - Remember your neighbors by name during mealtime and bedtime prayers.
Prayer Walk - Walk by yourself or with family, roommates, and other neighbors who are believers. Pray over each home by name as you pass and ask God for opportunities with your neighbors.
Ask Open-ended Questions - How long have you lived here? What line of work are you in? What do you do for fun?
Ask Follow-up Questions - How did that test go? Are you feeling better? How was your vacation?
Enjoy a Meal Together - Invite a neighbor (or two) for a BBQ, order in Pizza, or have everyone bring a dessert to share.
Celebrate Special Occasions and Holidays - Bake cupcakes for birthdays. Send a casserole to new parents. Deliver Christmas cookies.
Serve While You’re Outside - Turn lawn chores into opportunities to serve: Mow lawns, water yards, etc.
Serve In Times of Need - Visit when a neighbor passes away or has a baby. Deliver flowers or a gift. Coordinate meals with other neighbors.
Share Commonalities - Hobbies such as golf, book club, bunko night, or a running/fitness group can all bring people together.
Socialize and Make Holidays Special - Enjoy recreational areas. Participate in yard sales and BBQs. Attend holiday parties.
Faith with Feet
Based on John 1-7 What do you believe God wants you to do?
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What have you learned about God’s heart & values?
How did Jesus follow God’s will?
What changes took place to society?
What parts of this story might apply to you?
Why is this story important for someone like you?