The Beginning and Not the Beginning

 N.T.#683 "The Beginning and Not the Beginning"

Nov. 28, 2025 

John 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (verse 1)

LET IT GLOW

The main theme John uses in this book is-Jesus as the Son of God. John wrote his gospel so that we would know that the Son of Man is God in human flesh-completely human, yet no less God than when "in the beginning," He spoke the universe into existence. 

As we read through this book, we come to realize that John does not give us the genealogy nor childhood details of Jesus, no temptations of Jesus nor His transfiguration, no calling of His disciples after His resurrection and ascension from earth, and no parables. 

[Resource: Swindoll's New Testament Insights on John]

There are three key words John uses to substantiate his thesis:

• He uses 8 various signs/miracles to prove Jesus is deity.
• His desire is for us to believe/trust in Jesus as the Son of God. It is used some 98 times by John.
• As a result in believing in the person and work of Christ, John uses life so we may have everlasting and eternal life. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

John's purpose in writing this Gospel is that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name. (20:31)

Friend, do you believe this? Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior and Lord? (I ask this often because we have people reading these posts which are not believers.

LET IT GROW

Let's take a close look at the key verse above. What can we conclude from this verse?

• When time began, the Word already existed. 
• This unique name for Christ  (Word in the Greek language is logos.) (See 1:14 and Rev. 19:13)
• Only John the apostle uses it in this way 4 times.
• Christ as the Eternal Word is a revelation of God to man. (verse 1a)
• The Word (Christ) was face to face with God. (verse 1b)
• The Word was completely God. (verse 1c) It literally reads, "and God was the Word.

[Liberty Bible Commentary]

Summarizing this, we see that Jesus Christ is the Word, who was with God and who was God in the beginning of everything. The Father and son exist as one Supreme Being. The Word and God were together and they were the same being. 

It may take a while for all of this to sink into our minds because we live in time, space, and matter. Jesus and God do not. They have always been and always will be. We believe this by faith because humans have limitations.

LET IT GO

LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.

Before the mountains were born

Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. 

Psalm 90:1-2)

Thanksgiving Day 2025

Thanksgiving Day 2025

 Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

I am so blessed to have you studying God's Word with me. I'm so thankful for so many things today-salvation is Jesus, our families, plus church family, a nation of freedom,  etc.

Bless the LORD, O my soul; 

And all that is within me, bless His holy name. (Ps. 103:1-2)

Tomorrow we will start chapter 1. Enjoy family and friends.

In His Name,

Linda

Who is Christ?

 N.T.#682 "Who is Christ?"

Nov. 26, 2025

Introduction to John-Part 2

Who is Christ to you?

I like the outline which Liberty Bible Commentary gives an outline for John's book. Not only did John describe who Christ is, but Christ Himself also did:

• The Word, (1:1-14)
• Christ as Savior, (3;1-36)
• Master-soul winner, (4:1-54)
• The Son of God, (5:1-47)
• Bread of Life, (6:1-71)
• Master Teacher, (7:1-53)
• Light of the World, (8:1-9, 41)
• The Good Shepherd, (10:1-42)
• The Resurrection and The Life, (11:1-57)
• The Messiah,(12:1-50)
• The Servant, (13:1-38)
• The Comforter, (14:1-31)
• The True Vine. (15:1-16:33)

Isn't it wonder how Jesus Christ is all those things to us? Whenever we need comfort, He is The Comforter. When we need His leading in our life, Christ is The Good Shepherd.

In addition to hose listed above, Jesus Christ claimed Himself as The Door. (10:7)

How do you get to know Jesus as any of those things?

But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. (1:12)

John recorded how John the Baptist described Jesus Christ: Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (1:29)

Who is Jesus to you, friend?

John

N.T.#681 "John"

Nov. 25, 2025

Introduction to John

The Gospel According to John was the first of the manuscripts to be found. John does not identify himself as its author, but the other Gospels identify John by name about 20 times. However, John does identify himself as the disciple "whom Jesus loved." 

What do we know about John?

• John and James, his older brother, were known as "the sons of Zebedee." Jesus gave them the name "Sons of Thunder." They were fishermen in their father's business. 
• John became one of the three inner circle, men closest to Jesus, along with Peter and James. John was an eyewitness to and participated in Jesus' earthly ministry. 
• He became a pillar in the Jerusalem church. John ministered with Peter until he went to Ephesus. 
• John wrote his Gospel about 50 years after he witnessed Jesus' earthly ministry. 
• He also wrote 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation.

What is the background and setting for this book?

• John supplied a large among of unique material not recorded in the other Gospels.
• He begins with Jesus' ministry in Galilee, skipping His birth.
• John does touch on the testimony of John the Baptist, though.
• John is the most theological of the Gospels. He taught on the Holy Spirit, who guided his writings as he remembered his eyewitnessing events.

What was John's purpose in writing this book?

John declared, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God" and have life in His name. (20:30-31)

What does John's writing focus on in this book?

• Three predominant words include "signs, believe, life." Believe is used about 100 times.
• Jesus is the Word, Messiah, and Son of God.
• Jesus brings the gift of salvation to mankind.
• People can accept or reject the offer.
• There are 7 "I AM" statements identifying Jesus as God and Messiah.
• There are at least eight miracles which John focuses on for us.

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary, Liberty Bible Commentary]

I pray God will bless you as we study His Word together. 

 

He is Alive!

N.T.#680 "He is Alive!"

Nov. 24, 2025

Summary of Luke-Part 12

In chapter 22, we read about the final night Christ:

• Judas set up the betrayal of Jesus with the priests and scribes.
• He spent it with His disciples. 
• He instituted the Lord's Supper.
• He washed the disciples' feet.
• He explained that the servant is the greatest.
• He prayed for Peter and told of his three-time denial of Christ.
• He wrestled with God's will for Jesus to die, then submitted.
• Jesus was mocked, slapped, and beaten in an effort to get Him to deny He is the Son of God.

The religious leaders did not declare Jesus to be the Son of God. How sad that they knew the prophecies of the Messiah coming, but when He was there, they would not admit it.

Who do you say Jesus is?

After His arrest, Jesus had 6 trials in chapter 23:

1. Annas, the former his priest
2. Caiaphas, the high priest and the Sanhedrin
3. Sanhedrin, ruling Jewish group
4. Pilate, governor of Judea
5. Herod Antipas, governor of Galilee
6. Pilate again, who declared Jesus not guilty, yet condemned Him to death.

Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb. On the third day, Jesus arose from the dead to live forever more. He appeared to many people, spoke to them, ate with them. One day Jesus will return to earth to get His believers and take us to heaven. What a great day that will be!

When Jesus ascended into heaven, what happened to those watching?

And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. (24:52)

Let us have great joy today, for we worship the Risen Savior and our King of kings, and believers' Lord of lords!

Thank you everyone for studying Luke with me. I hope you will continue to follow along as we jump into the Gospel of John.

Are You in an Impossible Situation?

 N.T.#679 "Are You in an Impossible Situation?"

Nov. 21, 2025 

Summary of Luke-Part 11

Again, what are some life lessons Jesus taught?

• Seek God's mercy. (18:13)
• Humble yourself. (verse 14)
• Bring children to Jesus. (verse 16)
• The things which are impossible with God. (verse 27)
• Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. (19:10)
• My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. (verse 46)
• God is the God of the living. (verse38)
• Expect to be hated by people because we are a child of God. (21:17)
• Heaven and earth shall pass away but My Words shall not pass away. (verse 33)

Are you in an impossible situation? Pray and seek God's will. He can do the impossible.

*Thank you for your prayers for Colby. They set the two broken bones in his arm. He had an MRI of his leg. Haven't heart the outcome. He has a lot road to recovery, but God can do the impossible.

Life Lessons

N.T.#678 "Life Lessons"

Nov. 20, 2025

Summary of Luke-Part 10

I counted 15 parables Jesus used to teach life lessons, found in chapters 14-18:

• There is a cost to following Jesus. (14:26-27) Jesus must be Lord over all, including family and self.
• There is joy in heaven over 1 sinner repenting. (15:7)
• We need to search for those who are lost to bring them to Christ, like a lost coin. (15:8-10)
• God the Father loves and waits of His children who stray and rebel, as the father loved the prodigal son. (15:12-32)
•  Christ wants us to be good stewards with money so we can aid others. (16:1-12)
• If you are faithful in least, you will be faithful in much. (16:10)
• You cannot serve both God and mammon (money). (16:13)
• the moral principles of the Law remain in force, as well as those in the New Testament. (16:17)
• Hell with its torments is real. (16:19-31)
• There is a great gulf fixed dividing heaven and hell; at one's death their destiny is sealed. (16:16)
• Don't offend one of God's children, lest you pay for it. (17:2)
• Faith prays in the will of God. (17:6)
• Give thanks as the one leper returned to thank Jesus for the healing. (17:15-19)
• Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. (17:33)

Which ones do you need to work on applying in your life today?