Devotional: John 17
What “authority over all people” has Jesus been granted? Jesus has been granted authority over all people that he might give eternal life to those that believe in him. He is the basis by which every person’s eternity will be determined; he is the authority over how their life is to be judged. In the end, the only thing that matters for a person is the nature of their relationship with Jesus.
What is my view towards Jesus’ authority over my life? What is the implication of rejecting Jesus’ authority? As a Christian, my basic confession and declaration is that Jesus is the Lord over my life and therefore has complete authority over my entire life. The rejection of Jesus’ authority is the essence of sin and the implication is declaring my own autonomy and severing my relationship with Jesus. I need to be reminded of this, that every time I sin – each time I choose to disobey, not do something that I know I ought to do, give into my anger or lust or defend my pride and ego rather than choosing to humble myself, hold back from serving or sacrificing in some way rather than denying myself and choosing to die – each time I am rejecting Jesus’ authority over my life and going back on my commitment to give him Lordship and command over my entire being. Each time I sin, I must therefore confess and repent and reassert Jesus’ authority over my life, relinquish my control and ask Jesus to reign in me again.
Notice Jesus’ definition of eternal life. What are some wrong notions of “eternal life” that people hold? Jesus’ definition of eternal life is to know God and to know him – this knowledge is a personal knowledge, and that entails a personal relationship with Him of love that does not end and means dwelling with God for eternity. Eternal life is not a continuation of life on earth; it’s not immortality or going to a place where you all your earthly desires and wishes come true, but rather it’s life as God intended it to be from the very beginning, a restored and eternal and unhindered relationship with Him.
In what ways can I pursue eternal life today? I can pursue eternal life by striving to give authority to God over every area of my life and striving to know Him through His word. As eternal life is essentially a personal relationship with God, I can pursue eternal life by pursuing this relationship, through meditating on and obeying God’s Word. The one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. I need to sow to please the Spirit by struggling against my sin (giving God authority), remaining in Jesus through His word, and striving to obey.
Devotional Questions:
John 17:1-5
◦What “authority over all people” has Jesus been granted?
◦What is my view towards Jesus’ authority over my life? What is the implication of rejecting Jesus’ authority?
◦Notice Jesus’ definition of eternal life. What are some wrong notions of “eternal life” that people hold?
◦In what ways can I pursue eternal life today?
John 17:11, 14-18
◦What distinguishes Jesus’ disciples according to vv. 14-16? Are these evident in my life?
◦What are the unique challenges that Christians face as those who are “still in this world” but “not of the world?” How is the word of God key to facing these challenges?
◦How have I experienced the sanctifying work of God’s word in my life?
John 17:19
◦How is Jesus’ love for his disciples manifested in this verse?
◦For whom I do need to sanctify myself in order that “they too may be truly sanctified?”
Additional Questions:
John 17:1, 4-5
◦What brings God glory?
◦What specific work do I need to carry out on earth to bring God glory?
John 17:6-19
◦What did Jesus pray for his disciples, and what can I learn from the fact that these are the issues he prayed about?
John 17:20-23
◦According to this passage, what is the basis and motivation for Christian unity?
◦What is the relationship between oneness with God and oneness with the people of God?
◦How does Christian unity show the world the reality of Christ’s incarnation (cf. Acts 2:44-47)?
◦Am I experiencing this kind of oneness with the people of God? If not, what may be the reason?
◦How does Jesus’ final prayer for his disciples show me what my priority should be?
John 17:24
◦What is revealed about Jesus’ heart in his prayer for the disciples to be with him in his glory?
◦What assurance does this give me? Is Jesus’ desire matched with mine?
John 17:25-26
◦How am I experiencing this process Jesus describes: “will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them?”
Commentary:
Introduction “Jesus prays that his followers will be kept safe ‘by that name.’ The idea of name is not a minor idea to Jesus. The ‘name’ of someone represents the totality, the inner character, of their entire person. Thus in Exodus 3:13 it is important to Moses that he know the name of God so that he can indicate to the Israelites who their Savior really is. It is no accident that throughout the Gospel Jesus not only refers to his work as empowered by God’s name (John 10:25) but also that people should believe in ‘his name’ (1:12; 2:23; 3:18). Jesus bears the name of God, which is unveiled in the Gospel in its many ‘I am’ sayings. Thus, in revealing himself, he has disclosed the personhood (the name) of God to the entire world.
“(1) Jesus’ first concern, his first petition for his followers, is that they remain united (17:11). Remarkably he desires that his disciples enjoy an intimacy and oneness that are analogous to the intimacy and oneness he shares with the Father.
“(2) Jesus’ next worry concerns his disciples’ sustenance and strength in the world. Their assignment is dangerous, and so he prays for their equipment and protection. Jesus has given them his word (17:14a), and the Spirit will recall it and keep it secure (14:26). This word, this divine revelation, will become essential equipment in their testimony and survival in the world.
“(3) Jesus’ third concern has to do with holiness (17:17 – 19). There is a spiritual dilemma that pertains to all disciples: They live in the world, and yet Jesus can say that they are not ‘of the world’ (17:14, 16). This points not to their location geographically, but to their position spiritually.”[1]
v. 17 “Jesus prays that his disciples might be ‘sanctified’ (Gk. hagiazo) in the truth (17:17). This Greek word refers to something made holy, but the means to achieving this holiness is through separation. God is God by virtue of his difference, his transcendence, his otherness with respect to all creation. Anything (a mountain, a temple shovel, a priestly garment, a people) that belongs to him or serves his purposes should consider itself ‘holy’ and set apart from common use. To be holy, then, is not in the first instance a description of perfection (though this is included). It refers to a life that is so aligned with God that it reflects God’s passions completely (for good, against evil). Such a person can be considered ‘sanctified,’ holy, attached to God’s purposes and presence. In this case Jesus understands that a complete attachment to the truth discovered in God’s Word will be the means of achieving this holiness (17:17b).”[2]
v. 19 “Perhaps 17:19 is one of the key verses in the prayer. When Jesus says that he sanctifies himself (Gk. hagiazo), to what does this refer? He may have in mind his self-dedication to his greater mission. Prophets and priests dedicated themselves thus. The Lord says to Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart’ (Jer. 1:5, italics added). Priests likewise set themselves apart (Ex. 40:13; Lev. 8:30; 2 Chron. 5:11). But here in John 17:19 we learn that as a result of Jesus’ consecration, his disciples will benefit. In the phrase ‘for them,’ ‘for’ (Gk. hyper, meaning ‘for the sake of’) implies sacrificial death throughout John (see 6:51; 10:11, 15; 11:50 – 52; 13:37; 15:13; 18:14).”[3]
vv. 20-26 “Jesus is aware that not only will he depart from the world, but likewise those who stand with him — his immediate circle of followers — will also depart to be with him in his glory (17:24). This will leave those whom they disciple, the church, to represent the kingdom in the world. Therefore Jesus now turns to pray for these followers whom he has not yet met, men and women who will follow the apostles, indeed the church today, which carries the mission set down by Jesus during his final week.
“This is the essence of Jesus’ vision for the church. It is not a community that heals people just so that they will be whole (though healing is important); it is not a community that teaches so that people will be gratified by knowledge (though wisdom is valuable); it is not a community that evangelizes so that it will grow its ranks (though its mission to the world is crucial). The church is a community that invites people to touch the glory of God, to be changed by it, and to bear it to the world. ‘This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples’ (15:8). Spiritual fruit is essentially that which glorifies God.
“Such a concept forces us to ask hard questions about every aspect of what we do. ‘Is God glorified here?’ is the refrain that should accompany every decision. And the answer will not always be obvious or easy. But it must be asked because in Jesus’ vision, this was the essential mission of his incarnate life and now is the essential mission of the church.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Bible Study with The Joy of Jesus
Eternity
There is only one of two places in eternity that we can go: Heaven or Hell. Each one of us will be placed in one of these two places on Judgment Day to be there forever and ever. Our Lord in speaking of eternity in Matthew 25:46 says, "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life". Notice that the duration of the lost in Hell is exactly the same as the duration of the saved in Heaven, "forever and ever". It is hard for us as mortals to grasp how long eternity will be, but after we have been there a billion years, eternity will have just begun.
According to the U. S. News & World Report, January 31, 2000, 36% of people do not believe in Hell. But Hell is a real place. To say there is no Hell is to make God a liar. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). Satan does not want you to believe in Hell. Satan is accomplishing his purpose since there is very seldom any teaching on Hell today. It is not a “politically correct” subject. A person who does not believe Hell is real will most likely go there. Ignoring or scoffing at Hell will not do away with it.
We do not like to think about eternal punishment. But it evidently must be very important or God would not have told us about it. Let's first consider what the Lord says about eternal punishment of Hell and then we will turn our attention to a more pleasant thought, Heaven. Jesus spoke as much about the eternal punishment of Hell as He did any other subject. He took our punishment and gave His life to keep us out of Hell. In His attempt to persuade us not to go there, He has given us numerous warnings in His word.
Our Lord in describing how horrible that Hell will be for the many who will end up going there, says in Matthew 13:42, "And will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth". This definitely will be a horrible and terrible place beyond description. Jesus says in Mark 9:43-48 concerning those who are lost, that they will be "cast into Hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched".
Jesus tells us if there is anything in our life that is going to cause us to be lost, to correct it or to get rid of it now. Notice Jesus says a person is cast or thrown into Hell. The worm is a flesh-eating maggot that does not die, but will continuously feed forever and ever on the lost in Hell. In Hell, one is burning over every square inch of his body and even all on the inside but is never consumed. The continuous fire and the worms will never accomplish the annihilation of any of the lost. The lost in Hell will prefer to cease their existence, but they cannot. Their perpetual nightmare of torment will continue forever and ever. It will never cease. The lost “shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night” (Revelation 14:10-11). The occupants of Hell will never know relief or rest from their torment. Hell is such a horrible place. Hell is not a fictitious place, it is real.
There will be no reprieve or appeal to a higher court, because we will have been judged by the highest. The Lord is trying to get our attention and to give us fair warning. He is pleading with us not to go there because He has already paid our price and taken our punishment. But we make the choice. The choice is ours. We will bear the responsibility and the consequences.
One of the many warnings Jesus gives us is the true account of the rich man and Lazarus. “There was a certain rich man” and “there was a certain beggar named Lazarus”. [The rich man was lost],“And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, son remember…and besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us” (Luke 16:19-20, 23-26). Notice it says there was a certain rich man and a certain beggar named Lazarus. This is not a fictitious fairy tale. In Hell people will be in continual unceasing torment and pain in which all will be constantly pleading for mercy. With their unquenchable thirst they will beg for even one drop of water, but they will not receive it. How much relief and how long would one drop of water last on the tongue of those who are being eternally tormented in the burning fires of Hell? It would not last even one second. We must wake up and heed our Lord’s warning. Their desperate and hopeless state is permanent where they will remain eternally. They are condemned there forever. In Hell people are conscious and will see, feel, wail, and remember as they endure the continual intense pain and suffering.
The many who end up in eternal punishment will not be there alone. They will have company. Revelation 20:10 says, "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever". Not very good company to be in. Notice that the torment goes on "day and night forever and ever".
There are many people who scoff at the idea of eternal punishment, but they are scoffing at what God says. The fire will burn forever and those who are lost will be there in the fire for eternity whether they want to believe it or not. In eternity their scoffing will quickly change to weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. We must take what our Lord says in the Bible seriously. Hell is real! There is no way for the horrors of Hell to be adequately described in human language. Many people do not realize the danger of eternally losing their souls. This is very serious!
Those lost in Hell will be those “whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (2 Peter 2:17). Those in Hell will attempt to find God, “Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; they will seek Me diligently, but they will not find Me” (Proverbs 1:28). They will not be able to forget their rejection of God. There will be no atheists in Hell, because all those in Hell will believe that there really is a God, but it will be too late then.
“The Lord knows how to…reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment” (2 Peter 2:9). Hell must be avoided at all costs. No one can begin to exaggerate how horrible Hell is going to be. Its misery and anguish is beyond description. It will never, never, never, ever end.
We are being warned, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) and “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). We must make sure we don’t end up in Hell, and we must warn other people who will listen. We “must be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). Jesus has promised, “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Anyone who ends up in Hell will only have himself to blame.
In Hell there will be billions of people crying out in indescribable pain and agony for which there will be no relief or hope that things will ever get better. There will be haunting memories of all the opportunities of salvation that they passed up. Eternity is forever and has no end. There will be no opportunity for second chances. Hell is eternal, final, and irrevocable.
We read in Revelation 14:11, "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night." But reading further we see in Revelation 20:15, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire". It is imperative that our name be found in the Book of Life. Is your name in that book? Do you know for sure, or are you making a wishful assumption? It will be too late on the Day of Judgment to find out that your name is not there.
Heaven
Now let us turn our attention to something more pleasant, Heaven. Our Lord says in John 14:2-3, "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 you may be also". Heaven will be a very wonderful place. For the few who go there it will be beyond their wildest dreams and they will be totally surprised and amazed. As we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." There is no way that the glories of Heaven can be adequately described to us mortal beings. The only way will be to see it.
Heaven will be the very opposite of eternal punishment. Revelation 21:4 says, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away". There will be no weeping, and no wailing, and no gnashing of teeth as will be happening in eternal torment. But there will forever and ever be nothing but joy, and peace, and happiness, beyond description. What a wonderful place Heaven will be. But again, the choice is ours. We cannot escape the consequences if we make the wrong choice. We will not accidentally end up in Heaven. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Our Lord says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." Going to Heaven has got to be our number one goal in this life. We must want to go to Heaven more than anything else.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 3
Eternity
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Matthew 25:46) Those who are lost will go into
Purgatory.
Annihilation.
Everlasting punishment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) All people will be placed into one of two places in eternity.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (Matthew 13:42) Eternal punishment is described as
A furnace of fire.
Not very hot.
There will be no eternal punishment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Eternal punishment will be horrible and beyond description.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (Mark 9:45-46) The fire of hell
Will never be lit.
Will soon go out.
Will never be quenched.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) If we end up in eternal punishment we will be able to appeal our sentence.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) (Revelation 20:10) Eternal punishment will last
1000 years.
A short period of time.
Forever and ever.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) Satan will also be punished in the lake of fire and brimstone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) (Revelation 20:15) If we are not found in the Book of Life
We will cease to exist.
We will be cast into the lake of fire.
We will have another chance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) Even after death we can have our name added to the Book of Life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11) (John 14:2-3) Heaven is described as
Many mansions.
The earth made over.
A bad place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12) Christ will be in Heaven with the few who are saved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13) (Revelation 21:4) In Heaven there will be
Sorrow and crying.
No sorrow or crying.
Pain and suffering.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14) People will die after they get to Heaven.
There is only one of two places in eternity that we can go: Heaven or Hell. Each one of us will be placed in one of these two places on Judgment Day to be there forever and ever. Our Lord in speaking of eternity in Matthew 25:46 says, "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life". Notice that the duration of the lost in Hell is exactly the same as the duration of the saved in Heaven, "forever and ever". It is hard for us as mortals to grasp how long eternity will be, but after we have been there a billion years, eternity will have just begun.
According to the U. S. News & World Report, January 31, 2000, 36% of people do not believe in Hell. But Hell is a real place. To say there is no Hell is to make God a liar. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). Satan does not want you to believe in Hell. Satan is accomplishing his purpose since there is very seldom any teaching on Hell today. It is not a “politically correct” subject. A person who does not believe Hell is real will most likely go there. Ignoring or scoffing at Hell will not do away with it.
We do not like to think about eternal punishment. But it evidently must be very important or God would not have told us about it. Let's first consider what the Lord says about eternal punishment of Hell and then we will turn our attention to a more pleasant thought, Heaven. Jesus spoke as much about the eternal punishment of Hell as He did any other subject. He took our punishment and gave His life to keep us out of Hell. In His attempt to persuade us not to go there, He has given us numerous warnings in His word.
Our Lord in describing how horrible that Hell will be for the many who will end up going there, says in Matthew 13:42, "And will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth". This definitely will be a horrible and terrible place beyond description. Jesus says in Mark 9:43-48 concerning those who are lost, that they will be "cast into Hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched".
Jesus tells us if there is anything in our life that is going to cause us to be lost, to correct it or to get rid of it now. Notice Jesus says a person is cast or thrown into Hell. The worm is a flesh-eating maggot that does not die, but will continuously feed forever and ever on the lost in Hell. In Hell, one is burning over every square inch of his body and even all on the inside but is never consumed. The continuous fire and the worms will never accomplish the annihilation of any of the lost. The lost in Hell will prefer to cease their existence, but they cannot. Their perpetual nightmare of torment will continue forever and ever. It will never cease. The lost “shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…and the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night” (Revelation 14:10-11). The occupants of Hell will never know relief or rest from their torment. Hell is such a horrible place. Hell is not a fictitious place, it is real.
There will be no reprieve or appeal to a higher court, because we will have been judged by the highest. The Lord is trying to get our attention and to give us fair warning. He is pleading with us not to go there because He has already paid our price and taken our punishment. But we make the choice. The choice is ours. We will bear the responsibility and the consequences.
One of the many warnings Jesus gives us is the true account of the rich man and Lazarus. “There was a certain rich man” and “there was a certain beggar named Lazarus”. [The rich man was lost],“And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, son remember…and besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us” (Luke 16:19-20, 23-26). Notice it says there was a certain rich man and a certain beggar named Lazarus. This is not a fictitious fairy tale. In Hell people will be in continual unceasing torment and pain in which all will be constantly pleading for mercy. With their unquenchable thirst they will beg for even one drop of water, but they will not receive it. How much relief and how long would one drop of water last on the tongue of those who are being eternally tormented in the burning fires of Hell? It would not last even one second. We must wake up and heed our Lord’s warning. Their desperate and hopeless state is permanent where they will remain eternally. They are condemned there forever. In Hell people are conscious and will see, feel, wail, and remember as they endure the continual intense pain and suffering.
The many who end up in eternal punishment will not be there alone. They will have company. Revelation 20:10 says, "The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever". Not very good company to be in. Notice that the torment goes on "day and night forever and ever".
There are many people who scoff at the idea of eternal punishment, but they are scoffing at what God says. The fire will burn forever and those who are lost will be there in the fire for eternity whether they want to believe it or not. In eternity their scoffing will quickly change to weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. We must take what our Lord says in the Bible seriously. Hell is real! There is no way for the horrors of Hell to be adequately described in human language. Many people do not realize the danger of eternally losing their souls. This is very serious!
Those lost in Hell will be those “whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (2 Peter 2:17). Those in Hell will attempt to find God, “Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer; they will seek Me diligently, but they will not find Me” (Proverbs 1:28). They will not be able to forget their rejection of God. There will be no atheists in Hell, because all those in Hell will believe that there really is a God, but it will be too late then.
“The Lord knows how to…reserve the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment” (2 Peter 2:9). Hell must be avoided at all costs. No one can begin to exaggerate how horrible Hell is going to be. Its misery and anguish is beyond description. It will never, never, never, ever end.
We are being warned, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) and “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11). We must make sure we don’t end up in Hell, and we must warn other people who will listen. We “must be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). Jesus has promised, “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Anyone who ends up in Hell will only have himself to blame.
In Hell there will be billions of people crying out in indescribable pain and agony for which there will be no relief or hope that things will ever get better. There will be haunting memories of all the opportunities of salvation that they passed up. Eternity is forever and has no end. There will be no opportunity for second chances. Hell is eternal, final, and irrevocable.
We read in Revelation 14:11, "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night." But reading further we see in Revelation 20:15, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire". It is imperative that our name be found in the Book of Life. Is your name in that book? Do you know for sure, or are you making a wishful assumption? It will be too late on the Day of Judgment to find out that your name is not there.
Heaven
Now let us turn our attention to something more pleasant, Heaven. Our Lord says in John 14:2-3, "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 you may be also". Heaven will be a very wonderful place. For the few who go there it will be beyond their wildest dreams and they will be totally surprised and amazed. As we read in 1 Corinthians 2:9, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." There is no way that the glories of Heaven can be adequately described to us mortal beings. The only way will be to see it.
Heaven will be the very opposite of eternal punishment. Revelation 21:4 says, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away". There will be no weeping, and no wailing, and no gnashing of teeth as will be happening in eternal torment. But there will forever and ever be nothing but joy, and peace, and happiness, beyond description. What a wonderful place Heaven will be. But again, the choice is ours. We cannot escape the consequences if we make the wrong choice. We will not accidentally end up in Heaven. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Our Lord says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." Going to Heaven has got to be our number one goal in this life. We must want to go to Heaven more than anything else.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions Lesson 3
Eternity
(click on the button of the answer of your choice)
1) (Matthew 25:46) Those who are lost will go into
Purgatory.
Annihilation.
Everlasting punishment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) All people will be placed into one of two places in eternity.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) (Matthew 13:42) Eternal punishment is described as
A furnace of fire.
Not very hot.
There will be no eternal punishment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) Eternal punishment will be horrible and beyond description.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) (Mark 9:45-46) The fire of hell
Will never be lit.
Will soon go out.
Will never be quenched.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6) If we end up in eternal punishment we will be able to appeal our sentence.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7) (Revelation 20:10) Eternal punishment will last
1000 years.
A short period of time.
Forever and ever.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8) Satan will also be punished in the lake of fire and brimstone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9) (Revelation 20:15) If we are not found in the Book of Life
We will cease to exist.
We will be cast into the lake of fire.
We will have another chance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10) Even after death we can have our name added to the Book of Life.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11) (John 14:2-3) Heaven is described as
Many mansions.
The earth made over.
A bad place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12) Christ will be in Heaven with the few who are saved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13) (Revelation 21:4) In Heaven there will be
Sorrow and crying.
No sorrow or crying.
Pain and suffering.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14) People will die after they get to Heaven.
Prayer Regardind The Oil Spill
The Joy of Jesus Church is calling on all people of faith to pray for a solution to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. There are so many people impacted by this problem. Animals are dying .
The prayers of many work. Join the Joy of Jesus for this all important cause. We would love to hear from you on this matter. We need the spill to stop.
The Joy of Jesus is praying for a solution. Please pray with us as we pray for you. The Joy of Jesus needs your help and support to help the people, nature and planet.
http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/
The prayers of many work. Join the Joy of Jesus for this all important cause. We would love to hear from you on this matter. We need the spill to stop.
The Joy of Jesus is praying for a solution. Please pray with us as we pray for you. The Joy of Jesus needs your help and support to help the people, nature and planet.
http://thejoyofjesuschurchonline.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Jesus can Help
Jesus can overcome all of the problems we may face in this life. Love is the power that can save the lives of human-kind. We love Him because He loved us first. Jesus can walk on the water. Let us take this glorious walk with the Joy of Jesus.
Matthew 14:22-36
[22] And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
[23] And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
[24] But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
[25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
[26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
[27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
[28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
[29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
[30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
[31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
[32] And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
[33] Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
[34] And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
[35] And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
[36] And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole
Copyright © 1998-2010 DLTK's Sites - All Rights Reserved
Matthew 14:22-36
[22] And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
[23] And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
[24] But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
[25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
[26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
[27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
[28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
[29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
[30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
[31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
[32] And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
[33] Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
[34] And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
[35] And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
[36] And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole
Copyright © 1998-2010 DLTK's Sites - All Rights Reserved
Monday, May 24, 2010
Scripture for Life in The Joy of Jesus Today
Philippians 4
1Therefore, my brothers,a whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer
2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3Yes, I ask you also, true companion,b help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
God’s Provision
10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14Yet it was kind of you to sharec my trouble. 15And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.d 18I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnotes:
a 1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21
b 3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow
c 14 Or have fellowship in
d 17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account
1Therefore, my brothers,a whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer
2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3Yes, I ask you also, true companion,b help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
God’s Provision
10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
14Yet it was kind of you to sharec my trouble. 15And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.d 18I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnotes:
a 1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21
b 3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow
c 14 Or have fellowship in
d 17 Or I seek the profit that accrues to your account
Sunday, May 23, 2010
A Message of Love, Peace and Hope
Sermon: Life is a challenge today for the heart and soul in the life of the believers. How dose one maintain a sense of love, hope and joy in a world filled with evil, hate and violence?
Society is risk for a number of reasons. The average family is fighting for jobs, food, and housing. This recession has been long and deep. People have lost hope and faith in our systems of government and banks. Jesus is the reason that there is a strong force of hope, love and joy to the world.
Jesus was born to save the world from sin. Greed at the highest levels has caused hardship. Jesus could take a few fish and a little bread a feed thousands of people. We too must take what little we have a make the most of it. When we share what we have it makes the world a better place.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins. This is a reason for hope, love and joy to the world. God raised Jesus from the grave. God promised if we believe in Jesus, we too will have hope, love and joy forever. Jesus will return with all power, honor and glory.
Scripture:John 3:16 (New International Version)
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Prayer: We pray for hope, peace, and love in the name of Jesus. A-Men.
Society is risk for a number of reasons. The average family is fighting for jobs, food, and housing. This recession has been long and deep. People have lost hope and faith in our systems of government and banks. Jesus is the reason that there is a strong force of hope, love and joy to the world.
Jesus was born to save the world from sin. Greed at the highest levels has caused hardship. Jesus could take a few fish and a little bread a feed thousands of people. We too must take what little we have a make the most of it. When we share what we have it makes the world a better place.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins. This is a reason for hope, love and joy to the world. God raised Jesus from the grave. God promised if we believe in Jesus, we too will have hope, love and joy forever. Jesus will return with all power, honor and glory.
Scripture:John 3:16 (New International Version)
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Prayer: We pray for hope, peace, and love in the name of Jesus. A-Men.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Convocation: Pray for The Environment
Our planet is in need of healing in a number of different fronts, particularly the environment. The recent oil leak in The Gulf of Mexico adversely impacts so many people. We pray for the damage to our ecosystem. Jobs will be lost. Families will be hurt and there is no solution in sight. We pray in the name of Jesus for a resolution to this and all problems we may face to the joy of Jesus.
Scripture: Genesis 1
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was [a] formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Footnotes:
a.Genesis 1:2 Or possibly became
b.Genesis 1:26 Hebrew; Syriac all the wild animals
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Bibl
Scripture: Genesis 1
The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was [a] formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.
14 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
20 And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.
24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Footnotes:
a.Genesis 1:2 Or possibly became
b.Genesis 1:26 Hebrew; Syriac all the wild animals
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Bibl
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