46th Week, John Intro-Chapter (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

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Click on Title for Video Intro
Monday, the Gospel on John Introduction by Pastor Su Kim
Pastor Kim serves the First Presbyterian Church in Bonita springs, FL  His teaching is so informative and inclusive.  
fpclifeacademy
Go to this site.  Find Series for the New Testament.  Click on that the Gospel of John.




Tuesday, John Introduction
John Introduction
Jeanie Boldt
September 11, 2010

THOUGHT
John had two purposes in mind when he wrote his gospel: to prove that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and to invite people to believe in Him and be saved.  His evidence for the deity of Jesus is threefold.
1) The miracles He performed
2) The words He spoke
3) The testimony of witnesses who knew Him

As we read the Gospel we will hear Jesus speak, see Him act in power, and watch people respond to what He says and does.  Seven witnesses declare that He is the Son of God.  

Matthew wrote for the Jews, Mark for the Romans, and Luke for the Greeks.  John had the whole world in mind when he wrote and frequently used the word world.  John wants us to “Come and See”!  His works and his words prove that Jesus is indeed the Son of God.

John is the one Jesus loved.  Praying that John will speak to us as he shares his faith and knowledge and Case for Christ.  He is the GREAT “I AM”!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we cannot praise You enough for our journey through Your Word.  Now may we leave the Old Testament and continue in the New Testament.   May we  honor You by learning and growing in Your Word.  Prepare our hearts for John’s testimony about the Truth of Jesus Christ.  As we continue this journey, please be preparing us for our next step. May we learn so much from reading the book of John that we too can present a “Case for Christ”!  AMEN

Wednesday, John Chapter 1
John 1
Verse 42-43
Jane Jones
September 14,2010

Verses 42-43:  “Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon Son of John.  You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).  The next day Jesus decided to leave Galilee.  Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

THOUGHT
This chapter was full of amazing things to write about.  But there were several things that stood out to me in this chapter.

First thing was about Simon.  Jesus saw not only who Simon was, but who he would become.  That is why He gave him a new name—Cephas in Aramaic, Peter in Greek (the name means “a rock”).  Peter became a solid rock in the days of the early church.  By giving Simon a new name, Jesus introduced a change in character.  Just imagine having a stranger come up to you and assign you a new name.  I wonder if ours would be as good as ‘Peter, the Rock’?

Second thing was how Jesus just said, “follow me”, and His disciples just picked up and followed Him.  Imagine that happening today.  The first thing that we would think about is leaving our family and the second thing would be thoughts of all our ‘STUFF’.  How would I pack?  What would I need to take?  How BIG of a suitcase or how much could I bring along?  What would become of all my stuff?  In this case, Philip, Nathanael, Andrew, and Peter just followed Jesus.  Can you imagine those next three years of their lives?  Would we drop what we were doing and follow Him the next three years of our lives?

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, may we live up to the name You gave us and may we follow Your lead as You mold us into what you want us to be.  AMEN



Thursday, John Chapter 2
John 2
Verse 1
Jane Jones
September 15,2010

Verse 1: “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee…”

THOUGHT
Wow, what an appropriate chapter for today with it being David and Heather’s wedding anniversary.  This chapter tells the story of Jesus’ very first miracle that He performed.  It was turning the water into wine at the wedding feast.

So, Salt Shakers, let’s imagine that we are at Heather and David’s wedding, and they run out of wine or a special drink.  If Jesus was there, He would change water into wine for them.  Can you imagine the talk!  The Bible tells us that the servants knew where the wine came from, and I’m sure the word spread quickly.  Weddings are huge venues with many, many people present.  With this one miracle He started a story that would grow across a nation and last forever. …And it all started at a wedding.  

PRAYER
Dear Lord, how awesome that our scripture today centered around a wedding, and Jesus’ first miracle was performed at a wedding.  We look to You for our strength today.  Some of us may be weaker than others while some may feel strong.  May the followers of  Yours who feel strong today carry the heavier laden for we know You will find them rest.  AMEN



Friday, John Chapter 3
John 3
Verse 30
Jane Jones
September 17,2010

Verse 30: “He must become greater; I must become less.”

THOUGHT
Have you ever gotten so engulfed in yourself that it has become all-consuming?  For example, once in awhile I get to working on a project that I can’t seem to put down…especially with my house.  I can’t rest until it is complete because I really hate to live in a mess.  When the project is over, I feel so good, so glad.

Same goes with my spiritual life.  When I take the focus off of myself and give more time to my devotions, prayer, and serving, I just become more whole; my life just seems to come together, and things just go better and function better.  It is because Christ becomes greater, and I have made myself less.

Salt Shakers, by doing this we become humble servants.  As Micah 6:8 says, we are to “…walk humbly with our Lord”.  We need to put more emphasis on Jesus and less on our achievements, projects, and selfish desires.  God’s Kingdom is greater, our kingdom less.

PRAYER
In the Name of Jesus, we thank You for the New Testament, for the parables, for the stories and words that we can relate to in our daily walk.  Jesus, may we become less so that You can become greater. May all the Salt Shakers have a great weekend, and may they serve You with love and respect in their walk.  AMEN




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