[Linux4christians] Thur 1John5 Fri 2-3John Sat Jude

[Pastor David]

I thought this went out yesterday - just discovered that
it did not.  Arghhh!

> My apologies again for the interrupted flow of things.
> We are now settled-in with fiber optic Internet access,
> but have had to wait since Christmas Day evening for my
> E-mail provider to fix a bug that is blocking the sending
> of any E-mails -- I have been only able to receive E-mail.
> 
> Here are the two missing studies plus the Saturday study.
> The Sunday Study will follow shortly.
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------
> 
> *1 John 5 (Thursday)*
> 
> *Commentary*
> 
> "5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been
> fathered by God, and everyone who loves the father loves the
> child fathered by him. 5:2 By this we know that we love the
> children of God: whenever we love God and obey his
> commandments. 5:3 For this is the love of God: that we keep
> his commandments. And his commandments do not weigh us down,
> 5:4 because everyone who has been fathered by God conquers
> the world."  This is the conquering power that has conquered
> the world: our faith. 5:5 Now who is the person who has
> conquered the world except the one who believes that Jesus
> is the Son of God? 5:6 Jesus Christ is the one who came by
> water and blood - not by the water only, but by the water
> and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies,
> because the Spirit is the truth. 5:7 For there are three
> that testify, 5:8 the Spirit and the water and the blood,
> and these three are in agreement."
> 
> "5:9 If we accept the testimony of men, the testimony of God
> is greater, because this is the testimony of God that he has
> testified concerning his Son. 5:10 (The one who believes in
> the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who
> does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not
> believed in the testimony that God has testified concerning
> his Son.) 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us
> eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 5:12 The one who
> has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have
> the Son of God does not have this eternal life."
> 
> [Note:  John returns to emphasize his prior point that a
> saved person has the indwelling Holy Spirit of God as "...
> the testimony in himself".]
> 
> "5:13 I have written these things to you who believe in the
> name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have
> eternal life."
> 
> [Note:  Here is another affirmation of our assurance of
> salvation.]
> 
> "5:14 And this is the confidence that we have before him:
> that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he
> hears us. 5:15 And if we know that he hears us in regard to
> whatever we ask, then we know that we have the requests that
> we have asked from him."
> 
> [Note:  This has nothing to do with the all-too pervasive
> "name it-claim it" philosophy that has infiltrated many
> Christian and quasi-Christian fellowships.  John is not
> asserting that God "... is a cosmic vending machine", as one
> has put it, and this is clear from the text immediately
> following.  "The phrase ... according to His will" presumes
> a sensitivity to the priorities of God and not the world
> in-rebellion, thus the expectation is of the things for
> which Jesus expended "heavenly energy", rather than the
> things of the world He discouraged as a distraction -
> displacing the more-important.]
> 
> "5:16a If anyone sees his fellow Christian committing a sin
> not resulting in death, he should ask, and God will grant
> life to the person who commits a sin not resulting in death."
> 
> [Note:  This is the qualifier for verses 5:14-5:16a.  This
> is also, unfortunately, another case where "... fellow
> Christian" is the improper translation (which, oddly enough,
> the NET translator's notes acknowledge - yet they still used
> it!  In this case, as in more than one previous, the
> more-correct phrase would be "... fellow members of the
> community".  This is apparent because a Christian does not
> need to pray for another Christian for their sins to be
> forgiven such that they will not fall into an unsaved
> condition - only an unsaved person could benefit from the
> prayers of a saved one in this manner.  Job was asked to
> pray for his troublesome friends so that they would be
> blessed, or not punished, by God due to the good will of
> Job.  We are asked to consider praying that God will stay
> His hand of judgment upon our unsaved friends (and family
> members) despite their sin - witness Jesus and Stephen
> "Father forgive them, they know not what they do."]
> 
> "5:16b There is a sin resulting in death. I do not say that
> he should ask about that. 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin,
> but there is sin not resulting in death."
> 
> [Note:  We know from elsewhere in the NT that "...
> blaspheming the Holy Spirit" has been identified by most
> scholars as "The unforgivable sin."  This, of course, makes
> sense as it is only the indwelling presence of the Holy
> Spirit which confirms ones salvation "... the first down
> payment of our salvation" as the apostle Paul phrased it.]
> 
> "5:18 We know that everyone fathered by God does not sin,
> but God protects the one he has fathered, and the evil one
> cannot touch him."
> 
> [Note:  John is, of course, speaking of "... a sin resulting
> in (eternal) death" - such is impossible for a truly saved
> person as they no longer own their free will - they
> surrendered it at the moment of salvation and God will never
> return it as we would only do something dumb with it!]
> 
> "5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies
> in the power of the evil one. 5:20 And we know that the Son
> of God has come and has given us insight to know him who is
> true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus
> Christ. This one is the true God and eternal life. 5:21
> Little children, guard yourselves from idols."
> 
> *Interaction*
> 
> *Consider* verses 5:19-21 as a summary of the rest of
> Chapter 5 - we have salvation and the guidance of the Holy
> Spirit so that we may discern truth from lies - but we are
> responsible to leverage the discernment and wisdom of the
> Holy Spirit to keep us from drifting into the many forms of
> idolatry that are so common of the world.
> 
> *Discuss* the phrase "... a sin resulting in (eternal)
> death".  What have you been taught about that and how does
> the text of this chapter assist your understanding?
> 
> *Reflect* upon God's affirmation of your salvation through
> His Holy Spirit.
> 
> *Share* an example of the Holy Spirit guiding you away from
> sin into which you might otherwise have slipped.
> 
> *Truth in Action*
> 
> Today I am choosing to pray that God will withhold His
> judgment upon one who has sinned against me as an act of mercy.
> 
> *Be Specific*  _______________________________________
> 
> 
> *2 John & 3 John (Friday)*
> 
> *Commentary*
> 
> "1:1 From the elder, to an elect lady and her children, whom
> I love in truth (and not I alone, but also all those who
> know the truth), 1:2 because of the truth that resides in us
> and will be with us forever. 1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace
> will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ
> the Son of the Father, in truth and love."
> 
> [Note:  "Elect" here refers to one who has met God's
> often-stated requirement of surrender to the Lordship of
> Christ and accepted His gift of salvation.  The common
> English usage of "elect" may refer to one who has been met
> the legal requirements for office both under the law and the
> results of the ballot box and now awaits the proper moment
> to assume the responsibilities of that office.  We also have
> met God's requirements and we too are heavens-elect
> in-waiting.  It is interesting that John has addressed his 2
> John letter to a believing woman and her child - it is a
> statement of great import.]
> 
> "1:4 I rejoiced greatly because I have found some of your
> children living according to the truth, just as the Father
> commanded us."
> 
> [Note:  It is instructive that John references "... some of
> your children" as opposed to "... your children" or "... all
> of your children".  John is rejoicing for those who are "...
> living according to the truth" - the text does not tell us
> if he knew that some were not or was uncertain and wanted to
> be sure of the others.  The text is silent as to whether or
> not she is living rightly, though we know she is saved.]
> 
> "1:5 But now I ask you, lady (not as if I were writing a new
> commandment to you, but the one we have had from the
> beginning), that we love one another. 1:6 (Now this is love:
> that we walk according to his commandments.) This is the
> commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus
> you should walk in it. 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out
> into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ
> coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the
> antichrist! 1:8 Watch out, so that you do not lose the
> things we have worked for, but receive a full reward."
> 
> [Note:  John wants her to be certain that her lifestyle and
> faith are right before the Lord and that she is teaching the
> same to her children.  We are assured elsewhere that in the
> latter days of the end times the deceivers will be so
> effective that they would deceive to the point of drawing
> people away to destruction "... even the very elect, were
> that possible" - so we know that those who are truly saved
> may lose only their blessings in this world and not their
> salvation.  It is reasonable, however, to postulate that
> John was referring to her desire that her entire family
> would be saved and were her role model and teaching to be
> defective to that degree could her "... full reward" be lost."]
> 
> "1:9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the
> teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in
> this teaching has both the Father and the Son. 1:10 If
> anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not
> receive him into your house and do not give him any
> greeting, 1:11 because the person who gives him a greeting
> shares in his evil deeds."
> 
> [Note:  John repeats a common NT teaching that believers
> must never provide aid or comfort to one who teaches a false
> gospel.]
> 
> "1:12 Though I have many other things to write to you, I do
> not want to do so with paper and ink, but I hope to come
> visit you and speak face to face, so that our joy may be
> complete.  1:13 The children of your elect sister greet you."
> 
> [Note:  John, still imprisoned on the Island of Patmos,
> sounds a great deal like the apostle Paul in his preference
> for in-person communication and in his faithful desire to
> one day receive the freedom to do so.]
> 
> "1:1 From the elder, to Gaius my dear brother, whom I love
> in truth. 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that all may go well with
> you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well
> with your soul. 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers
> came and testified to your truth, just as you are living
> according to the truth.  1:4 I have no greater joy than
> this: to hear that my children are living according to the
> truth."
> 
> "1:5 Dear friend, you demonstrate faithfulness by whatever
> you do for the brothers (even though they are strangers).
> 1:6 They have testified to your love before the church. You
> will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of
> God. 1:7 For they have gone forth on behalf of "The Name,"
> accepting nothing from the pagans. 1:8 Therefore we ought to
> support such people, so that we become coworkers in
> cooperation with the truth."
> 
> [Note:  John is asking Gaius to provide some practical
> resources to "... the brothers".]
> 
> "1:9 I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who
> loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us. 1:10
> Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he
> is doing - the bringing of unjustified charges against us
> with evil words! And not being content with that, he not
> only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders
> the people who want to do so and throws them out of the
> church! 1:11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but
> what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who
> does what is bad has not seen God. 1:12 Demetrius has been
> testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also
> testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true."
> 
> [Note:  John does not directly challenge the salvation of
> Diotrephes but based on the teaching he says that Diotrephes
> has received, his oversized ego, and his unloving reaction
> to John and those whom John has sent it would not be
> unreasonable to interpret that Diotrephes is in eternal
> mortal jeopardy.  He is, at least, facing some severe
> chastising from the Lord.]
> 
> "1:13 I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish
> to write to you with pen and ink. 1:14 But I hope to see you
> right away, and we will speak face to face. (1:15) Peace be
> with you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends
> there by name."
> 
> *Interaction*
> 
> *Consider* that just because a person has heard the truth
> they will obey it.
> 
> *Discuss* practical ways to support those who travel on
> behalf of the Lord - those who lack sufficient means of
> support - without taking from the needs of the local fellowship.
> 
> *Reflect* upon the problem of leaders who seem to
> desperately need constant attention.
> 
> *Share* examples of conflict which involves gossip or
> unloving attitudes - how was that resolved?
> 
> *Truth in Action*
> 
> Today I am choosing to pray for someone in leadership who is
> so desperate for attention that they push away others who
> have been sent by God to serve alongside them or ill-treat
> those who try to lovingly make them away of legitimate
> Biblical concerns.
> 
> *Be Specific*  _________________________________
> 
> 
> *Jude (Saturday)*
> 
> *Commentary*
> 
> "1:1 From Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and brother of
> James, to those who are called, wrapped in the love of God
> the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. 1:2 May mercy, peace,
> and love be lavished on you!"
> 
> [Note:  Jude chooses phraseology that is very flamboyant,
> clearly the joy of the Lord is right where it should be in
> his heart.  When he uses the term "called" he refers to
> those who, like men qualified for military service, are
> "called" by God to salvation - not due to any works or
> individual righteousness (as we have read previously) - but
> because they by faith have surrendered to the Lordship of
> Christ.]
> 
> "1:3 Dear friends, although I have been eager to write to
> you about our common salvation, I now feel compelled instead
> to write to encourage you to contend earnestly for the faith
> that was once for all entrusted to the saints. 1:4 For
> certain men have secretly slipped in among you - men who
> long ago were marked out for the condemnation I am about to
> describe - ungodly men who have turned the grace of our God
> into a license for evil and who deny our only Master and
> Lord, Jesus Christ."
> 
> [Note:  John affirms their salvation as a way to remove that
> from the discussion as a concern.]
> 
> "1:5 Now I desire to remind you (even though you have been
> fully informed of these facts once for all) that Jesus,
> having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, later
> destroyed those who did not believe."
> 
> [Note:  Jude says it was Jesus who called Moses and caused
> the Jes be freed and punished those among the Egyptians and
> Jews who continued to rebel.  The OT describes the One who
> did this as God - therefore this is another confirmation of
> the Trinity.  Jude could have mean this as a rhetorical
> flourish referring to the salvation provided by Jesus but
> the text does not support that.]
> 
> "1:6 You also know that the angels who did not keep within
> their proper domain but abandoned their own place of
> residence, he has kept in eternal chains in utter darkness,
> locked up for the judgment of the great Day."
> 
> [Note:  Jude is painting a word-picture of the battle in the
> spiritual realm and also reminding his readers of last days
> prophesy.]
> 
> "1:7 So also Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring towns,
> since they indulged in sexual immorality and pursued
> unnatural desire in a way similar to these angels, are now
> displayed as an example by suffering the punishment of
> eternal fire."
> 
> [Note:  The text of Jude does not require us to take the
> meaning that the conduct of the fallen angels was the same
> as that of the humans in Sodom and Gomorrah, perhaps a
> better understanding is a parallel, in this case the
> emphasis is on their wanton rebellion instead of on the
> specific form of their sin in-rebellion.]
> 
> "1:8 Yet these men, as a result of their dreams, defile the
> flesh, reject authority, and insult the glorious ones."
> 
> [Note:  The phrase "... their dreams" refers to their
> selfish desires for importance, lust, and power.]
> 
> "1:9 But even when Michael the archangel was arguing with
> the devil and debating with him concerning Moses' body, he
> did not dare to bring a slanderous judgment, but said, "May
> the Lord rebuke you!"
> 
> [Note:  The faithful angels knew their place and did not
> pretend to speak for God.  Judgment and vengeance belongs to
> God alone.]
> 
> "1:10 But these men do not understand the things they
> slander, and they are being destroyed by the very things
> that, like irrational animals, they instinctively
> comprehend. 1:11 Woe to them! For they have traveled down
> Cain's path, and because of greed have abandoned themselves
> to Balaam's error; hence, they will certainly perish in
> Korah's rebellion. 1:12 These men are dangerous reefs at
> your love feasts, feasting without reverence, feeding only
> themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by the
> winds; autumn trees without fruit - twice dead, uprooted;
> 1:13 wild sea waves, spewing out the foam of their shame;
> wayward stars for whom the utter depths of eternal darkness
> have been reserved."
> 
> [Note:  Jude again paints a powerful portrait of the impact
> of sin run-wild, using examples from the OT with which his
> readers would have been familiar.]
> 
> "1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh in descent beginning with Adam,
> even prophesied of them, saying, "Look! The Lord is coming
> with thousands and thousands of his holy ones, 1:15 to
> execute judgment on all, and to convict every person of all
> their thoroughly ungodly deeds that they have committed, and
> of all the harsh words that ungodly sinners have spoken
> against him." 1:16 These people are grumblers and
> fault-finders who go wherever their desires lead them, and
> they give bombastic speeches, enchanting folks for their own
> gain."
> 
> "1:17 But you, dear friends - recall the predictions
> foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1:18 For
> they said to you, "In the end time there will come scoffers,
> propelled by their own ungodly desires." 1:19 These people
> are divisive, worldly, devoid of the Spirit."
> 
> " 1:20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in
> your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, 1:21
> maintain yourselves in the love of God, while anticipating
> the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that brings eternal life.
> 1:22 And have mercy on those who waver; 1:23 save others by
> snatching them out of the fire; have mercy on others,
> coupled with a fear of God, hating even the clothes stained
> by the flesh."
> 
> [Note:  Jude challenges the believers to reach out to the
> lost yet avoiding any participation in sin that might cause
> even their "... clothes (to be) stained by the flesh."
> 
> "1:24 Now to the one who is able to keep you from falling,
> and to cause you to stand, rejoicing, without blemish before
> his glorious presence, 1:25 to the only God our Savior
> through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and
> authority, before all time, and now, and for all eternity. Amen"
> 
> [Note:  Judes benediction matches the rest of his writing -
> emotively powerful.]
> 
> *Interaction*
> 
> *Consider* the energy of Jude - clearly one who is listening
> to the Holy Spirit.
> 
> *Discuss* practical ways to balance outreach to the lost
> while keeping oneself from sin.
> 
> *Reflect* upon Judes notation that it was Jesus who led
> Moses in leading His people into freedom from captivity in
> Egypt.  Even if you take Jude to intend a rhetorical
> flourish, as to the reach of His saving work on the Cross
> and beyond, it is a powerful piece of text.
> 
> *Share* an example of your understanding of the spiritual
> battle and the parallels between angelic and human rebellion.
> 
> *Truth in Action*
>     
> Today I am committing to be as excited and expressive as
> Jude as I communicate the amazing blessings of God to a
> fellow believer - as an encouragement to them and a
> celebration for me.
> 
> *Be Specific*  ______________________________________
> 
> 
> -----------------------------------
> Sunday's text will be Revelation 1
> -----------------------------------
> 
> 

-- 

Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day!  Pastor David
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Senior Pastor (Interim) Bethel Missionary Baptist
http://bethelstatesboro.org (new site pending)
Bible Commentary & Daily Reflection-Action-Devotional
http://bibleseven.com/b7/b7studies.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~