Tag Archives: John

John 17- Prayers of Jesus Part 1

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These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. John 17:1-2

In this Chapter we see Jesus prayed 3 distinct prayers, the first one was for himself that God may be glorified by the works performed by Christ. The second prayer was for the Apostles and the third prayer was for all believers

Notice God has given Jesus power over everyone and eternal life is only possible through Christ. The question for you is Jesus glorified in everything you do? Everything Jesus went through, from the manger, to the persecution, to the cross, to the tomb, was to glorify the Son of God. Everything that we say and do should be to glorify Jesus Christ!

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. John 17:3-4

Why did Jesus come to Earth to do the things he did? Christ came to finish the works required to give us eternal life. Jesus became our Passover Lamb, Jesus became the ransom for our sin, and Jesus defeated sin and death forever!

Jesus provided the Way for salvation, not just for Israel but also the world who receives him. Jesus said “That they might know the only true God” without Christ we could never know the true God. 

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. John 17:5

Jesus was and is the Son of God before the world even existed. Christ didnt begin at the Manger in Bethlehem, Jesus is eternal and came down to Earth in human form to save us from our sins!

Even though Jesus lives among us, the world didn’t even recognize him, to the point the world killed the Son of God. If this doesn’t demonstrate the depravity of mankind, then your blind

In all you do, glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, which every knee will bow in Heaven, and Earth , and In Hell Amen!

John 16- The Holy Spirit Part 2

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But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:5-7

Again we see Jesus foretelling about the coming of the Holy Spirit. And again we see the same word in Greek “Parakletos” to describe the Holy Spirit , meaning Counselor, Advocate, Helper, and Comforter. English just doesn’t do the Holy Spirit justice in trying to describe him, as he is very complex and fulfills many roles

As Jesus says “Sorrow has filled our hearts” when Christ left to ascend into Heaven. Everyday we wait for the Lord is difficult , however Jesus needed to go so the Holy Spirit could come!

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. John 16:8-11

Here we see another role for the Holy Spirit, the convictor of Sin! What drives a person to repent of their sin? Its the Holy Spirit, if you ever question if the Holy Spirit is inside of you, if you repented of your sin with Godly Sorrow, the Holy Spirit is within you!

The prince of this world is judged, who is that? Its Satan, he is judged and will be thrown in the Lake of Fire at the final judgement day! The victory is ours in Jesus Christ!

I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. John 16:12-14

The Holy Spirit is also The Spirit of Truth! The Holy Spirit will guide you in all truth, there is much deception in this world , be led by the Spirit of Truth, don’t be misled by sinful humans

Another important job of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ! The Holy Spirit will lead you to Christ and teach you his ways. Without the Holy Spirit there is no true conviction of sin, without the Holy Spirit there is no baptism of Fire

The Spirit of Truth will lead you to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will lead you in truth, The Holy Spirit will lead you to true repentance , Come Holy Spirit! Amen!

John 15- Hated For Christ

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If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:18-19

One of the great mistakes of the Church is trying to be loved and accepted by the world. This is actually in total contradiction to Jesus’ teachings. Why? Because Satan is the ruler of this world (1 John 5:19) Many “Churches” today are trying to blend in with the world or change their doctrine to appease the world, this is not true Christianity

Why would we expect to be accepted in the same world that murdered our Lord? This is a paraphrase from the late theologian Leonard Ravenhill. But think about , they murdered Christ, and you expect to be loved and accepted with open arms? They hated Jesus and they will hate you also, if your a true follower of Christ

A false Church that will say anything to be accepted by the world, what good is it? Just as Jesus said “What good is salt that lost its flavor”? (Matthew 5) A false Church that is sending everyone to everlasting Hell is good for nothing

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. John 15:20-22

You will be persecuted as a Christian because the world hates Christ. You don’t believe me? Try speaking about Jesus in public school or your public workplace, find out how quickly people are resistant to the gospel message.

The sad truth is most Christians don’t say anything that’s why they are not persecuted. Jesus said “To make disciples of all the Nations” (Matthew 28:19) Yet most Christians never share the gospel with anyone. 

 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.  John 15:23-25

Why does the world hate Jesus? Because the world hates God, why? Because the world loves their sin. Everyone loves Jesus until they realize you must repent and become Born Again, then the world despises Jesus

Don’t conform to the ways of the world, be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2) The world is not your friend, the world is not your home, become Set Apart in Christ Amen!

John 15- The Vine

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I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. John 15:1-3

Jesus again reveals another “I AM “ statement, Jesus states “I AM The Vine”, as we remember is in reference to God revealing He is “I AM” to Moses in Exodus. This is obviously another revelation of Christ deity. Notice Jesus is the Vine to the Father, remember Jesus said He is The Way to the Father (John 14:6)

Jesus said “Any branch that doesn’t produce fruit will be cut off” Now some would argue that means we can “lose our salvation”. I’m not convinced we can lose our salvation, as the salvation was never ours to begin with. Salvation is a gift from God through Christ. Secondly when we become Born Again in Christ (John 3) how can you become spiritually unborn again? Doesn’t seem logical or possible to me

Remember what Jesus said to the LukeWarm Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3, “Since you are not hot or cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16) Jesus has expectations for us as believers. If you claim to have faith in Christ, there should be some evidence for your faith, a conversion you might say. As the Apostle James taught “Faith without works is dead” (James 3)

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:4-6

Now you might say “this is works based salvation talk” , notice what Jesus says “A branch can’t bear fruit without him” Any works that we produce as a Christian, is because of Christ. Including our salvation, nobody can save themselves, salvation is only possible by Jesus alone. 

What leads us to repentance? Its the conviction of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8) See any fruit we bear or works we produce is because of God, not ourselves. Fruits are the evidence of our salvation

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:7-9

What is the secret for producing fruit? Abide in Christ! The word Abide here in the Greek means to remain, wait, and stay. Be patient with God, be faithful and obedient to Jesus, and he will take care of you!

Any good work or fruit you produce is for the Glory of God. Nothing is done in the name of Jesus for our own glory, otherwise we are not producing good fruit. Abide in Jesus , Amen!

John 14- The Holy Spirit Part 1

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If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:15-17

Jesus gives us another revelation, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Now the interesting thing in the Greek the word to describe the Holy Spirit is Parakletos meaning Comforter, Advocate, Helper, and Counselor. This makes me wonder if the Wonderful Counselor in Isaiah 9:6 is not the Holy Spirit, but anyway Jesus promised the coming of The Holy Spirit and he will abide with us forever!

Notice not everyone can receive the Holy Spirit, the world can’t receive him because they don’t know him. Both those who receive Christ, know the Holy Spirit and The Spirit of God lives inside of us (Romans 8:11)

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. John 14:18-20

Even though Jesus ascended back to Heaven, he promised He will never leave us! How? Because the Holy Spirit lives inside of us! You should take comfort in knowing this, the same power that rose Jesus from the dead is living inside of us (Romans 8:11)

Notice how we are all integrated together, The Son lives in the Father, as we live in the Son , as the Son lives in us and the Holy Spirit lives inside of us. We are all connected to the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit as the Body of Christ, abide in Christ

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:21-23

Remember Jesus started by saying “If you love me, keep my Commandments” if you truly love Christ, you will listen to him! To say we love Jesus and don’t do anything he tells us, makes us hypocrites. You must be obedient to Christ as the Son was obedient to the Father

Notice Jesus says “We will come unto him” Who is We? The Father , Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus isn’t referring to himself or just referring to the Father. God is Triune in nature and the Holy Spirit lives inside of You, Amen!

John 14- Fathers House

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Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

This Chapter is one of the most commonly read during a funeral, why? Because Jesus is giving us a glimpse into the afterlife. Also he is revealing his promises about when we physically die. In my Fathers House (Heaven) there are many mansions (dwelling places). Jesus is confirming there is plenty of room for you in God’s Kingdom

Not only is there room, but Jesus is preparing that place for us already! Another wonderful promise is Jesus said “He will come again for us and receive us to himself” When it’s our time to go, Jesus is coming for us! We have heard numerous people who reported Near Death Experiences (NDE’s) they saw Jesus come to them. Take comfort in knowing this!

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:4-6

Now maybe Jesus’s words caused more questions than answers, the Apostle Thomas had many questions also. Thomas said “We don’t know where you going”? “How do we know the way”? Its ok to have questions and doubts, trust in Jesus he holds the keys to death and Hell

Jesus declares one of the most controversial messages even today “ I AM The Way , The Truth , and The Life, Nobody comes to God except through Me”! Did you catch that? Jesus is the only way to God, Jesus is the only way to salvation. All other roads lead to Hell

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? John 14:7-9

Jesus began revealing that “Since you seen Him (Jesus) you have seen God” As was revealed earlier Jesus is God in the flesh (John 1:14) Maybe this is a difficult concept for us to grasp, imagine the disciples have been with Jesus for 3 years and are still just gettin it!

Remember Jesus has promised and prepared a place for You! Jesus is the only way to God and Jesus is God! There is no other way to eternal life or God, trust in Jesus! Amen!

John 13- Brotherhood Betrayal

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Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. John 13:19-21

Now while Jesus and the disciples were at the Lords Supper or known as the Last Supper, Jesus reveals some prophecies. Jesus said “He’s telling them these things so when they are fulfilled they will know He is the Christ” As you can see Jesus is “troubled in his spirit” the things which he is about to reveal are horrific

Jesus reveals someone is going to betray him, now we all know this is Judas, however at the time the disciples had no idea. It’s hard to imagine , Judas spent three years of his life by Jesus side, witnessed many miracles and teachings, and yet allowed Satan to tempt him and betray the Son of God! Let that be a warning to us all!

Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He t hen lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? John 13:22-25

Notice the disciples reaction to Jesus message, they all looked at each other, like maybe its me! Nobody had any idea it was Judas except Jesus, shows you how deceptive Judas was. Peter , always being the leader, came out and asked Jesus directly “Who is it Lord”?

Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. John 13:26-28

Jesus gave them all a hint, yet they still didnt get it. Perhaps Jesus is giving us hints in our lives and we still are not getting it also. Jesus told Judas “Get it over with “, Jesus knew Judas was going to sell out the Son of God to the Religious Leaders and Romans to have him killed. This was all for us, to save us from our sins!

For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him .If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. John 13:27-32

Satan thought he had defeated Jesus, however God was going to use this moment to glorify Christ. As Jesus said earlier “Nobody has the authority to take his life” (John 10:18) Jesus willingly laid down his life as the atonement for our sins

There’s a lot of Judas’s in the Church today, beware of your intentions and motives, who is driving you, Jesus or Satan? Make sure everything you do is for the Glory of God, Amen!

John 13- Washing Feet

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He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? John 13:4-6

Jesus is coming to the end of his ministry, as him and his disciples were gathered together to share the Passover meal , which would turning into the Lord’s Supper (Communion) but before Jesus departed he had another lesson to teach them

Imagine Jesus, the Son of God, washing your feet! This is an unthinkable act of humility and love. God, who became Flesh, is now washing our feet, this is a demonstration of real leadership. Notice Jesus never asked his disciples to do anything he didn’t already do! 

Peter is in almost shock, as he realizes that his Lord and God is going to wash his filthy and wretched feet

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. John 13:7-9

Jesus tells Peter “You don’t understand what I’m doing right now, but someday you will” Isn’t that the same for us all? How many times do we read something in the Bible or  experience something, and we just don’t understand how God is working? Then later, as we continue to grow in The Lord, it makes perfect sense!

At first Peter refuses to have his feet washed by Jesus, probably because of embarrassment or unworthiness, however as Jesus insists, he wants Jesus to cleanse him entirely! Doesn’t this describe our walk with Christ? We are so ashamed of our sin, but once we know Jesus will forgive us, we want him to must us Born Again!

Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? John 13:10-12

Jesus revealed “Not all of you are Born Again” of course Jesus was referring to Judas, who will betray Christ. But notice Jesus is applying this physical washing with a spiritual lesson

Secondly Jesus asks his disciples a question “Do you know what I have done for you”? What a great question, do you understand what Jesus did for you? I don’t think many totally comprehend what Christ did for us! 

Remember everything Jesus did, he did to redeem us from the eternal grave. He made us reborn so we may live with Him forever Amen!

John 12- Hardened Hearts

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But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:  That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. John 12:37-41

Why do people reject God? Why do people reject Jesus as the Christ? Well Jesus reveals its not because of a lack of evidence. People reject Jesus because of the hardness of their hearts and their spiritual blindness. People don’t reject God because of evidential reasons, as Jesus performed many miracles yet many people still rejected him

The prophet Isaiah foretold about this, the interesting thing is Jesus said Isaiah actually saw Jesus and was speaking of him when he foretold about these prophecies over 700 years before Christ came to Earth. Jesus was here from the beginning, the Alpha and Omega, all the prophets of the Old Testament are speaking about Jesus

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:42-43

Many of the religious leaders believed in Jesus, many believed He is the Messiah, but yet they openly rejected him in public, why? Because they cared more about the approval of others than they cared about God and truth. 

We think about Nicodemus from Chapter 3, did he publicly confess Jesus as the Son of God? Some would argue that point, however there wasn’t much evidence for it. Even though Jesus clearly revealed everything to him. The religious leaders knew the Messianic prophecies in scripture, many of them had to reject Christ with full knowledge of God

Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. John 12:44-46

Anyone who rejects Jesus rejects God. The religious leaders who believe they are righteous are actually condemned. Where did they go wrong? How could people who dedicated their lives to study scripture be so wrong? Because their hearts are hard and they care more about the approval of people than the approval of God

Anyone who rejects Christ is without excuse (Romans 1) God has supplied mountains of evidence for his existence , don’t harden your heart, allow your eyes and ears to be spiritually opened to receive Jesus , Amen!

John 12- The King Is Coming

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On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12:12-13

This event that we are looking at today , is commonly known as “Palm Sunday” as tradition in the Church. This is the day when Jesus will fulfill prophecy and declare that He is the King of Kings, that He is the Messiah. 

This obviously came at a very pivotal time in Israels history, as they were under persecution from the Roman Empire. Many Jews had hopes that Jesus was a great military leader that would wipe out the Romans and restore the nation of Israel. However they didn’t understand the Messiah, and they didn’t understand that Jesus was bringing a New Covenant, to allow Jews and Gentiles into Gods Kingdom as His Children, even Romans

And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. John 12:14-16

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah, as the Messiah would come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey, but why a donkey? If Jesus was King, wouldn’t He be riding on a big white horse? Jesus came as the Lamb, to save the world from its sin. The donkey is symbolic of peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus didn’t come at this time to judge the world, but to save it!

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. John 12:17-19

People remembered the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Remember Jesus said He allowed Lazarus to die to bring Glory to God. What was first seen as a tragedy, was now used for Gods Glory to affirm who Jesus is, The King and Messiah!

Palm Sunday also gives us a glimpse of the future, as one day Jesus will return again, but this time not as the Lamb but as the Lion! Are you ready?

The King is Coming again, everyone repent and be prepared , keep your lamps lits for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords , Amen!