“Light Has Come” – John’s Writings About Jesus

Posted on December 8, 2021 by dkoop

Description:  Don’t you love all the beautiful Christmas lights that brightly adorn houses and trees during holiday season?  As we celebrate the coming of Christ at Christmas, we are reminded by the apostle John who writes so poetically that Jesus is the Light that has come into the world!  Join us as we open John’s writings in the New Testament to provide a fresh look at the Light of the World invading our darkness to bring us salvation, the best gift of all.

 The Light Has Come (John) 5 weeks

Dates           Titles  (Scriptures)                               Events

Dec. 5 – Eternal Light (John 1)                                     

Dec. 12 – Light of the World (John 8)

Dec. 19 – Believe in the Light (John 12)

Dec. 24- The Light Has Come (John 3)                        Christmas Eve

Dec. 26 – Walk in the Light (1 John 1-2)                      New Year’s week

Here are the “Light” Scriptures in John’s writings that we will explore: 

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 (NKJV)

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:5 (NKJV)

7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. John 1:7 (NKJV)

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. John 1:8 (NKJV)

9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. John 1:9 (NKJV)

19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19 (NKJV)

20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. John 3:20 (NKJV)

21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:21 (NKJV)

35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. John 5:35 (NKJV)

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NKJV)

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5 (NKJV)

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. John 11:9 (NKJV)

10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” John 11:10 (NKJV)

35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. John 12:35 (NKJV)

36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. John 12:36 (NKJV)

46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46 (NKJV)

1 John: 

5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 (NKJV)

7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 1 John 2:8 (NKJV)

9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 1 John 2:9 (NKJV)

10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 1 John 2:10 (NKJV)

I hope that you can join us for our series, “Light Has Come.”

Darrell

www.Upwards.Church

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Jude Overview

Posted on November 30, 2021 by dkoop

To protect from harm, to guard from attack, to repulse enemies—for centuries rugged defenders have built walls, launched missiles, and waged wars, expending material and human resources in the battle to save nations and cities. And with total commitment and courageous abandon, individuals have fought for their families. It is a rule of life that we fight for survival, defending with all our strength what is most precious to us, from every real or imagined attack. God’s Word and the gift of eternal life have infinite value and have been entrusted to Christ’s faithful followers. Many people live in opposition to God and his followers. They twist God’s words, seeking to deceive and destroy the unwary. But God’s truth must go forth, carried and defended by those who have committed their lives to his Son. It is an important task, an awesome responsibility, and a profound privilege to have this commission.

This was Jude’s message to Christians everywhere. Opposition would come and godless teachers would arise, but Christians should “defend the faith” (1:3) by rejecting all falsehood and immorality (1:4-19), remembering God’s mighty acts of rescue and punishment (1:5-11, 14-16) and the warnings of the apostles (1:17-19). His readers are to build up their own faith through prayer (1:20), keeping close to Christ (1:21), helping others (1:22, 23), and hating sin (1:23). Then Jude concludes with a glorious benediction of praise to God (1:24, 25).

How much do you value God’s Word, the fellowship of the church, and obedience to Jesus Christ? Many false teachers are waiting to destroy your Christ-centered life, the credibility of God’s Word, and the unity of the body of Christ. Read Jude and determine to stand firm in your faith and defend God’s truth at all costs. Nothing is more valuable.

Vital Statistics

Purpose:  To remind the church of the need for constant vigilance—to keep strong in the faith and to oppose heresy

Author: Jude, brother of Jesus and James

Original Audience: Jewish Christians

Date Written: Approximately A.D. 65

Setting: From the first century on, the church has been threatened by heresy and false teaching; we must always be on our guard.

Key Verse: “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people” (1:3).

Key People: Jude, James, Jesus

The Blueprint

  1. The danger of false teachers (1:1-16)
  2. The duty to fight for God’s truth (1:17-25)

Jude wrote to motivate Christians everywhere to action. He wanted them to recognize the dangers of false teaching, to protect themselves and other believers, and to win back those who had already been deceived. Jude was writing against godless teachers who were saying that Christians could do as they pleased without fear of God’s punishment. While few teach this heresy openly in the church today, many in the church act as though this were true. This letter contains a warning against living a nominal Christian life.

MEGATHEMES
THEME EXPLANATION IMPORTANCE
False Teachers Jude warns against false teachers and leaders who reject the lordship of Christ, undermine the faith of others, and lead them astray. These leaders and any who follow them will be punished. We must staunchly defend Christian truth. Make sure that you avoid leaders and teachers who distort the Bible to suit their own purposes. Genuine servants of God will faithfully portray Christ in their words and conduct.
Apostasy Jude also warns against apostasy—turning away from Christ. We are to remember that God punishes rebellion against him. We must be careful not to drift away from a faithful commitment to Christ. Those who do not seek to know the truth in God’s Word are susceptible to apostasy. Christians must guard against any false teachings that would distract them from the truth preached by the apostles and written in God’s Word.

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Source: Life Application Study Bible, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 2161-2162.

 

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3 John Overview

Posted on November 30, 2021 by dkoop

By special invitation or with a surprise knock, company arrives and with them comes the promise of soiled floors, extra laundry, dirty dishes, altered schedules, personal expense, and inconvenience. From sharing a meal to providing a bed, hospitality costs… in time, energy, and money. But how we treat others reflects our true values—what is really important to us. Do we see people as objects or inconveniences, or as unique creations of a loving God? And which is more important to God, a person or a carpet? Perhaps the most effective way to demonstrate God’s values and Christ’s love to others is to invite and welcome guests into our homes.

For Gaius, hospitality was a habit, and his reputation for friendship and generosity, especially to traveling teachers and missionaries (1:5), had spread. To affirm and thank Gaius for his Christian lifestyle, and to encourage him in his faith, John wrote this personal note.

John’s format for this letter centers around three men: Gaius, the example of one who follows Christ and loves others (1:1-8); Diotrephes, the self-proclaimed church leader who does not reflect God’s values (1:9-11); and Demetrius, who also follows the truth (1:12). John encourages Gaius to practice hospitality, continue to walk in the truth, and do what is right.

Although this is a personal letter, we can look over the shoulder of Gaius and apply its lessons to our life. As you read 3 John, with which man do you identify? Are you a Gaius, generously giving to others? a Demetrius, loving the truth? or a Diotrephes, looking out for yourself and your things? Determine to reflect Christ’s values in your relationships, opening your home and touching others with his love.

Vital Statistics

Purpose: To commend Gaius for his hospitality and to encourage him in his Christian life

Author: The apostle John

Original Audience: Gaius, a prominent Christian in one of the churches known to John

Date Written: Approximately A.D. 90 from Ephesus

Setting: Church leaders traveled from town to town helping to establish new congregations. They depended on the hospitality of fellow believers. Gaius was one who welcomed these leaders into his home.

Key Verse: “Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you” (1:5).

Key People: John, Gaius, Diotrephes, Demetrius

The Blueprint

  1. God’s children live by the standards of the gospel (1:1-12)
  2. John’s final words (1:13-14)

John wrote to commend Gaius, who was taking care of traveling teachers and missionaries, and to warn against people like Diotrephes, who was proud and refused to listen to spiritual leaders in authority. If we are to live in the truth of the gospel, we must look for ways to support pastors, Christian workers, and missionaries today. All Christians should work together to support God’s work both at home and around the world.

MEGATHEMES
THEME EXPLANATION IMPORTANCE
Hospitality John wrote to encourage those who were kind to others. Genuine hospitality for traveling Christian workers was needed then and is still important today. Faithful Christian teachers and missionaries need our support. Whenever you can extend hospitality to others, it will make you a partner in their ministry.
Pride Diotrephes not only refused to offer hospitality but also set himself up as a church boss. Pride disqualified him from being a real leader. Christian leaders must shun pride and its effects on them. Be careful not to misuse your position of leadership.
Faithfulness Gaius and Demetrius were commended for their faithful work in the church. They were held up as examples of faithful, selfless servants. Don’t take for granted Christian workers who serve faithfully. Be sure to encourage them so they won’t grow weary of serving.

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Source: Life Application Study Bible, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 2158-2159.

 

 

 

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2 John Overview

Posted on November 30, 2021 by dkoop

TRUTH and LOVE are frequently discussed in our world but seldom practiced.

From politicians to marketers, people conveniently ignore or conceal facts and use words to enhance positions or sell products. Perjury is common, and integrity and credibility are endangered species. Words, twisted in meaning and torn from context, have become mere tools for ego building. It is not surprising that we have to “swear” to tell the truth.

And what about love? Our world is filled with its words: Popular songs, greeting cards, media counselors, and romantic novels shower us with notions and dreams of ethereal, idyllic relationships and feelings. Real love, however, is scarce—selfless giving, caring, sharing, and even dying. We yearn to love and be loved, but we see few living examples of real love. Plentiful are those who grasp, hoard, and watch out for “number one.”

Christ is the antithesis of society’s prevailing values, that is, falsehood and self-centeredness—for he is truth and love in person. Therefore, all who claim loyalty to him must be committed to these ideals—following the truth and living the truth, reflecting love and acting with love toward one another.

The apostle John had seen Truth and Love firsthand—he had been with Jesus. So affected was this disciple that all of his writings, from the Gospel to the book of Revelation, are filled with this theme: Truth and love are vital to the Christian and are inseparable in the Christian life. Second John, his brief letter to a dear friend, is no different. John says to live in the truth and obey God (1:4), watch out for deceivers (1:7), and love God and each other (1:6).

Second John will take just a few minutes to read, but its message should last a lifetime. As you reflect on these few paragraphs penned by the wise and aged follower of Christ, recommit yourself to being a person of truth, of love, and of obedience.

Vital Statistics

Purpose: To emphasize the basics of following Christ—truth and love—and to warn against false teachers

Author: The apostle John

Original Audience: To “the chosen lady” and her children—or possibly to a local church

Date Written: About the same time as 1 John, approximately A.D. 90 from Ephesus

Setting: Evidently this woman and her family were involved in one of the churches that John was overseeing—they had developed a strong friendship with John. John was warning her of the false teachers who were becoming prevalent in some of the churches.

Key Verse: “Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning” (1:6).

Key People:  John, the chosen lady, and her children

The Blueprint

  1. Watch out for false teachers (1:1-11)
  2. John’s final words (1:12,13)

False teachers were a dangerous problem for the church to which John was writing. His warning against showing hospitality to false teachers may sound harsh and unloving to many today. Yet these men were teaching heresy that could seriously harm many believers—for eternity.

MEGATHEMES
THEME EXPLANATION IMPORTANCE
Truth Following God’s Word, the Bible, is essential to Christian living because God is truth. Christ’s true followers consistently obey his truth. To be loyal to Christ’s teaching, we must seek to know the Bible, but may never twist its message to our own needs or purposes or encourage others who misuse it.
Love Christ’s command is for Christians to love one another. This is the basic ingredient of true Christianity. To obey Christ fully, we must believe his command to love others. Helping, giving, and meeting needs put love into practice.
False Leaders We must be wary of religious leaders who are not true to Christ’s teaching. We should not give them a platform to spread false teaching. Don’t encourage those who are opposed to Christ. Politely remove yourself from association with false leaders. Be aware of what is being taught in your church.

www.Upwards.Church

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Source: Life Application Study Bible, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 2155-2156.

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