John Study 11: 6:66-7:24

Dear Student of the Word,

Greetings once again in the name of our Lord!  Are you ready for your next dose of Bible study from John's gospel?  I hope so, for here it is!  This week we move into John 7 where Jesus ignored His brothers' advice to go to Jerusalem and make a big scene, choosing rather to go quietly after the Feast had begun. This week I wrote the following on day five of this seven-day study:

vs. 14&15 – The Feast was a week-long celebration and Jesus left Galilee to go to Jerusalem halfway through the week.  Rabbis customarily taught in the temple courts and Jesus took His place among them, gathering a crowd to teach on the Law and the prophets.  What did Jesus teach about?  He taught about the Law of God; Jesus was a “Word man.”  He preached from God’s word and spoke not as the prophets but as God! 

Every other prophet and teacher in Israel had said, “Thus saith the Lord.”  Jesus said, “I say unto you.”  Do you see the difference?  Jesus did not bring a word from God; Jesus was (and is) God!  The people wondered where He got this learning without studying.  This did not mean that Jesus had not studied the Scriptures, but that He was not part of any rabbinical school or tradition. Jesus had no mentor in ministry for the Father was His mentor and teacher.  Who are your mentors?

v. 16 – Jesus had already described the relationship He had with the Father, and readily acknowledged that the teaching He gave came from Him.  Who is your source for insight?  If you say “The Lord,” then do you get good results?  Do you sense heaven’s help in what you do?  If so, how can you expand your influence and be even more successful for Him?  If you are not, then where is the disconnect?

v. 17 – This verse is an important verse for the life and work of every believer.  Jesus told the crowd that if anyone makes up his or her mind to do God’s will, then that person will always know whether or not the teaching or leading is from God.  This contains an interesting principle.  If I surrender my veto power, so to speak, and seek God’s will, committing to do it whatever it may be before I know what it is, then God will make His will clear.

God is a great communicator.  He speaks every language, speaks through His word, through other people (those who know Him and those who don’t), speaks through circumstances, and even through a donkey if need be!  God is always “broadcasting.”  Are you always listening?  God is always speaking.  Are you expecting to hear?

If you expect that finding God’s will is difficult, then it will be. If you expect God to reveal His will and purpose and commit to do it beforehand, then finding God’s will is an easier process.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does (James 1:5-8).

Are you double minded where the will of God is concerned? 

As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. You can write them or find the studies to Corinthians, Colossians, First Timothy, and Matthew's and Mark's gospels on the site where this week's entry is posted. You can also go there to sign up to receive each week's study.

Plus my website archives contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse Bible studies from Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy, Hebrews, James, 1&2 Peter, Hebrews and Revelation, along with the unpublished Faith Files.

Download John Study 11

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THE SOPHIA FUND:  We received $200 so far this week for The Sophia Fund. Thank you for your ongoing support, but please don't stop now. The need is urgent and the workers are grateful, but are requesting even more help.  If you didn't read the email below that I received last week from Eddie Adembesa in Kenya, here it is again:

Greetings from us all WEMA widows with the trust that all is well by the grace of God.
 
This is to acknowledge that we have received $1,000 Sophie Fund and $50 St. Paul’s Baptist Church which you sent to us through SARAH NETWORK towards the feeding programme for orphans under the care of WEMA widows.
 
This has not only put a smile on the face of the children but also the widows who have great lack due to the prolonged drought that Kenya is facing.
 
To every single person who made this possible, it’s a big thank you and God truly bless you and enlarge your territories. A good measure shaken together, pressed down and overflowing. I call this a divine connection from God. Let’s continue to pray for one another as we continue noble task. Once again thank you and God bless you.

As I promised, every penny you send is going to feed the poor in Zimbabwe and Kenya. Nothing goes to overhead or administration.  With reports like the one above, won't you consider helping orphans and widows today?  You can read about my rationale for The Fund here (named after my late mother) that will help feed widows and orphans in Kenya and Zimbabwe. 

Please consider a contribution of at least $5 toward the fund and hopefully more.  You can use the "Chipin" widget on the Monday Memo site to contribute, or go directly to my website to contribute there through PayPal, or send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA  15221.  Make sure you let me know it is for The Sophia Fund. Don't delay; give today and make a difference in the world.

The most recent posted entry about The Sophia Fund is here.