TEXT: ‘By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren’ (1 John 3:16) THOUGHT: In previous Today’s Teachings we studied the “This is” statements found in 1 John. Each one is a declaration of biblical truth we can have absolute confidence in and build our lives upon. In the same epistle John frequently used another phrase, “By this”. This is the verification code for the Christian. I have certain online accounts which need an access code sent to my mobile phone, whenever I want to enter. The code ensures it is the real me, not an imposter trying to hack into my account. John used this phrase so we can know whether our faith and lifestyle is genuine Christianity, and also to protect us from being deceived by anyone pretending to be a true Christian when they are not. It’s not what we say about ourselves that is important, but whether our lives line up with the Word of God. Today’s Teaching checks out our relationship with the Father, the Holy Spirit and with fellow Christians. 1. Our Relationship With The Father There are four key aspects to our relationship with the Father. Obedience –...
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TEXT: ‘ Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer sowing good seed in his field; but one night as he slept, his enemy came and sowed thistles among the wheat”’ (Matthew 13:24-25 TLB) THOUGHT: I remember seeing a cartoon of the devil sat outside a church saying, “It’s not fair, I do all the nasty work but God gets all the credit!” When witnessing, people often mention about God being the author of the bad experiences in their life. I usually reply, “If you do not give God the glory for the good things in your life, why should He take all the blame when things go wrong?” 1. Bad Things Happen To Everyone It is almost impossible for anyone to go through life and not be affected by the bad, whether directly or indirectly. The blessing that can be found in the midst of tests, trials and tragedies is that God is able to work all things together for good.1 People have found through suffering and tragedy they have come to faith in God, or have experienced other benefits and blessings. The Bible has many of examples of this, the classic being the life of Joseph when he said to his brothers, ‘Don’t be...
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TEXT: ‘ When He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee”’ (Matthew 21:10-11) THOUGHT: “This is!” Fact not fiction! Christians can have absolute confidence in these statements. In the Anglican Church when the Bible is read, the reader finishes with, “This is the Word of the Lord”. The congregation responds, “Thanks be to God”. What they are saying in reality is, “This is true, we believe it, are thankful for it, and are going to do it!” Mental assent is not enough, God’s Word has to change our lives. Paul commended the Thessalonian Christians who, ‘Became followers … of the Lord, having received the Word … and welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe’ (1 Thessalonians 2:6, 13). Do not make apologies for the Word of God. Read it, speak it, preach it and stand on it. If people do not like or agree with the Bible, you did not write. Let them talk to the Author themselves. Paul urged Timothy to, ‘Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season’...
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TEXT: ‘ When He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee”’ (Matthew 21:10-11) THOUGHT: “This is”. This two word phrase appears repeatedly in John’s first epistle. I am so pleased the Bible deals in certainties. It is fact, not fiction. What a shame much of today’s preaching only serves to create doubt, fear and condemnation, instead of enlightening and encouraging the listeners. The challenge to any preacher is simple. Would you want to listen to your sermon? Christians can have absolute confidence in the Bible, for it is God’s Word. We must read it; believe it; preach it; and then we will see it in action! “This is” is a declaration of truth. Pilate exclaimed, ‘What is truth?’(John 18:38). He lived in a world full of lies. God’s Word is the truth. Jesus is the Truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Today’s Teaching studies these “This Is” phrases found in 1 John. This Is Eternal Life – ‘And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life’ (I John 2:25) ‘And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His...
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TEXT: ‘But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole’(Isaiah 53:5 AMPC) THOUGHT: Saying I have been wounded by a rabbit can seem comical but I have lived with the scar for nearly sixty years. I held it too close to my face and its paw scratched my upper lip! The Bible reveals some interesting truths about being wounded and Today’s Teaching concentrates on four aspects. Hurt – ‘And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms?’ Then he will answer, “Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends”’ (Zechariah 13:6) The answer to the question is surprising, “In the house of my friends”. When the world wounds us, it’s not unexpected, but it hurts deeply when it’s by fellow-Christians or the ones we love. Hurts can be overcome when there is repentance, as forgiveness acts like a healing balm. When there is no remorse or even self-justification for wrong actions and words, the wounds cut deeper. It is possible to forgive, for Jesus did just that on the cross saying, ‘Father forgive them for they do not...
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