6/26/13

From Gary... The Devil made me do it!




Once you have clicked on the link and viewed the video- read on!  Flip Wilson was funny; his smooth rhythmic humor coupled with his ability to mimic female mannerisms made him popular for quite some time.  One of his favorite characters was Geraldine, who repeatedly said "The Devil made me do it".  Of course this was untrue; we have choices and if we choose to disobey God, then we become like Satan and his spirit of disobedience enters into us.  In thinking about this, I came across a couple of verses in the New Testament that puzzled me for awhile.  Here they are.

Luke, Chapter 22
 1 Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, drew near.  2 The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.  3 Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was numbered with the twelve.  4 He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them.  5 They were glad, and agreed to give him money.  6 He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.  7 The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed.

John, Chapter 13
  1 Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.  2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,  3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God,  4 arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.  6 Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 
  7  Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” 

  8  Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” 

  9  Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 

  10  Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”   11 For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”   12 So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?  13  You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am.   14  If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.   15  For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.   16  Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him.   17  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.   18  I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’ 19  From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he.   20  Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.” 

  21  When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” 

  22  The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.  23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast.  24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.” 

  25  He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 

  26  Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.  27 After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. 

Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 
  28  Now no man at the table knew why he said this to him.  29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.  30 Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night. 

At first glance, it almost sounds like Jesus is at fault for Satan entering into Judas (Jn. 13:27).  But, wait, it had happened before (Lk. 22:1-3) the passover.  Jesus did know what Judas was going to do and in order to do the will of the father- HE ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN.  The decision to serve Satan was Judas' and his alone.  Flip Wilson's Geraldine was humorous, not because of the Devil's power, but because of the ridiculousness of the premise of human beings being mere puppets on a string.  The next time you have a choice to do good or not- don't blame it on the Devil; accept responsibility for your own actions.  After all- you will eventually pay for what you do!!!  And, is the penalty for sin really worth it????

From Bill and Laura Dayton... ARE YOU A FAN OR A FOLLOWER?





ARE YOU A FAN OR A FOLLOWER?


By definition a fan is one who is an enthusiastic admirer. Fans (especially sports fans) will dress in special colors, and buy all sorts of paraphernalia to decorate their cars, walls, desks, that let everyone know what team they support. Fans may follow in the sense that they will travel great distances to see their favorite team play, but that is the extent of their following. One notable difference between a fan and a follower is the fact that it is rare to find a fan who has ever played the game they love. As we all know, there is a huge difference between participating in a sport/activity versus merely watching from the sidelines. In our Spiritual lives we can choose to be a fan or a follower a well. However, Scripture clearly teaches us that Jesus has called us to follow and participate in the life He has given us in Him. (Matthew 16:24-25, 1 Peter 2:21)
Jesus not only calls us to follow Him but gives us clear teaching so that we can know for sure that we are. A real relationship with Christ involves absolute conditions and commitments. If we are not involved in the Life of God in our daily lives we can be sure that we are still on the sidelines acting as a fan of Christ rather than being His faithful follower. Jesus provided four designations for true disciples (followers). We are His followers IF we daily “…abide in (His) Word” (John 14:15). Do we know the truth that will set us free? Do we daily feed on the Word of God? We are His followers IF “(we) have love for one another” (John 13:35). How are we doing in our commitment to the Body life of the church? We are His followers IF “(we) bear much fruit” John 15:1-8). Are we growing in our Spiritual character and outreach to the lost? We are His disciples IF “(we) take up our own cross) Matt. 16:24-26. Are we dying to selfish living? Let’s all decide to follow Jesus!!

From Jim McGuiggan... JESUS AND THE MOB


JESUS AND THE MOB

In John 7:49 there's this: "This rabble that does not know the law—they're accursed."  See.
You have that text and then you have this one, Matthew 14:14, "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick."
There lies the difference between Jesus and the brass-necked leaders. It isn't the only difference and if you isolate it it's not even the main difference but it is a profound difference.
Jesus saw the mob and when he saw them he felt something and he did something.
In a multitude of 5,000 plus (Matthew 14:21) there must have been a lot of mixed motives, promises unkept, grudges harboured, self-serving, uncleanness and cruelty. Surely there was and if it was there Christ could see it for he knew people. And yet, when he looked, "he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14 and 9:36)
Tell me how can I be holy as he is holy? Help me to lift up my eyes and see better, purer, cleaner things. But help me to be holy like him and still look on people with all the marks of unholiness written on their faces and see them as needy people. What a wonder he is that he can look on the sinful and feel what they feel and long to do them good. There is a chasm fixed between us and Christ that we cannot bridge; his holiness simply outdistances our most fervent imaginings but is the chasm anywhere wider than it is at this point? It has nothing to do with miraculous power; it has nothing to do with his being able to feed thousands with little or nothing. It has all to do with his unutterable holiness looking on sinners and wanting to do them good, wanting to heal their sick, wanting to lift them out of their gloom and hurt.
So there he stands looking at them with those big eyes of his. Missing nothing! Seeing all! And while knowing and seeing all he feels his huge heart swelling with pity at these sheep without a shepherd. So he healed their sick. I don't doubt that some there looked at him, fevered and crippled children in their arms, chins stuck out in some desperate look of rebellion: "How can you see us like this and not do something about it?" I'm sure others showed their desperation with "please" written all over them. There they were, here we are with our awful needs stark and obvious to his holy eyes, masses of us clamouring for attention. People with little interest in him until our crying needs drive us out of ourselves and away from our useless schemes and shallow prayers. And still he looks, and still he feels compassion and still heoffers rich, wise and desperately needed healing.
Holy Christ! Astonishing Christ who makes it forever clear that true holiness isn't a firewall against fellowship; who makes it forever clear that true holiness is love's raging fire that burns down all that would come between us and his Holy Father who sees and feels and does.
And is Matthew 9:36 and 14:14 written there to taunt us? Did that occasion and that crowd exhaust God's good will toward us in Jesus Christ? After that did God say goodbye to the human family? Was it only that crowd he saw as shepherdless sheep, harrassed and in awful need? No, it's written there so we'll know he won't forget us—he's committed to us all and one day all who care that he cares will eternally discover that Matthew's words were for them. Read them and laugh!

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan.. GOD AND A SINNER IN DIALOGUE


GOD AND A SINNER IN DIALOGUE

 I need hardly tell you that the “dialogue” that follows is the kind of thing I presently and fervently believe God would say in dialogue with the “average Christian”. I need hardly tell you that I can be mistaken both about what God would say and what the “average Christian” thinks. Write and correct me if you choose to but offer me “reasons” rather than just criticism—if you wish to correct me. If you just want to vent your criticism that’s okay too.]
Lord I’m a sinner.
Yes, I know that better than you.
Lord, in some ways I may be a great sinner.
Yes, you are, and I’m a great Savior.
But Lord I sometimes think my sins are worse than everyone else’s.
You can’t know that. Only I know it because there are too many elements that enter into how a particular sin is to be assessed. The matter is beyond your power. But even if it is true that your sins are greater than everyone else’s I can save from all sins; old sins, new sins, strong sins, deeply entrenched sins, seemingly invincible sins, respectable sins and repulsive sins, sins of the mind and sins of the flesh. There is no sin I can’t and do save hosts of sinners from.
But you need to know that all sins are the same in essence.
But some sins have more serious consequences than others.
This is true but sometimes even the same sin has greater consequences. And when it comes to measuring “consequences” a lot would depend on how far you’re able to trace them. I can trace them as far as they go but humans like you can only go so far before you give up.
I suppose that’s true, but I meant, committing a murder is more serious than telling a lie.
I know what you meant and it makes good sense within limits but, of course, not all murders are of the same “quality”—are they? The murder of a tyrant by his longsuffering victim is still murder but it isn’t the same as a murder of an innocent child committed by a heartless brute, is it? A lie is always a lie but it doesn’t have the same quality under all circumstances, does it?
I suppose that’s right but the social consequences of a murder are greater than the social consequences of a lie.
That may or may not be true about a specific lie or murder. Slander and lies, bitter speech and heartless criticism fill the world and they shape it with anger and the hunger for reprisal. Humans are simply too quick to categorize sins and view them as isolated events. The “normal” sins have effects beyond your imagining. The popular saying that “everyone lies” can be true but because it’s so characteristic of humans you tend to think it is less harmful. Wicked words create planetary devastation. I hate a lying tongue and those who sow hatred, bitterness and division among fellow humans make themselves my enemy.
But surely paedophilia is worse than gossip.
My soul rises against all abuse of the vulnerable, and innocent children have a special place in my concern. But if you want to talk consequences you should probably be interested in counting numbers. I’m telling you that the cases of anguish in the earth from the violence and cruelty of sins of speech number in billions and drive tens of millions to lifelong misery and often to the grave. That you’re revolted and incensed by sexual violence against children is to your credit—it’s part of my work in you—but your too casual view of the destructive and cruel power of gossip and slander and lies and scorn and unbridled criticism is only another marker of humanity’s widespread blindness. The tongue can set a world on fire! Two arrogant war-lords half way round the world insult each other and the words become the trigger for the misery and abuse and starvation of millions. Children who’ve never had a hand laid on them in physical or sexual violence are stripped to the bone with words, day in and day out, and hosts of them wish for death. Not only are they unloved, they’re crippled and often unable to love others and so the blessing they could bring to the world is smothered. Even many paedophiles recognize the shame of their evil but those who sin with their destructive tongues are experts at finding ways to justify their evil and call it harmless or “only human”. Sometimes they even call it good and “necessary”. Often those who sin grievously with their tongues are called “preachers” who sin with their heartless words in daily life but who sin most in the pulpit by offering peace when there is none or in the ugly sectarian and brutal way they make people sad whom I have not made sad and bind strugglers with burdens they can’t bear. [Click here.]
Lord it sounds like you are more concerned about some sins than others.
I’m concerned about all sin. I’m more concerned about warm righteousness than about sins but I’m opposed to all sins—without exception! What I deal with is not only ‘sins’ for they’re simply the outgrowth of the inner world. I’m concerned and work toward the obliteration of the condition of the human heart that expresses itself in murder and adultery and war and the trafficking of humans and the bankrupting of nations by national predators and hypocrisy and moral smugness and self-righteousness. I take specific sinful acts seriously but I concern myself first with the direction of the heart out of which all specific sinful acts arise. Perhaps you’ll be interested in speaking to me again about faith’s relation to a transformed heart.
Yes, but what you’ve been saying might give some comfort to those whose sins are especially ungodly.
Then they would misunderstand my words as it appears you do. I comfort no one in their sinning! Sin and I are enemies and there can be no truce or living at peace with one another. I give forgiveness to all sinners who look to me and I give the comfort of assurance to all sinners who long for holy freedom that I will make them holy through and through. I am faithful and keep my promises.
Yes, but you seem to be saying that the sins we can’t help doing are as wicked as rape, drunkenness and murder or sexual immorality such as adultery and homosexuality.
That is what I am saying! You think that I am making less of rape and adultery and homosexuality and murder—I am not! I am making more of the sins you say “we can’t help doing.” I’m not making less of the violent and the perverse I am making more of all sin even those you say “we can’t help doing.” It’s precisely the fact that you “can’t help doing them” that makes them a problem only I can fully understand and only I can deal with. They are so much a part of the world humans have built and are so much a part of each of you as a family that you find yourself saying “we can’t help doing them.” When an alcoholic says he “can’t help drinking” you and he tend to think he is making less of his problem—he’s making more of it. He is enslaved!  
Part of your problem is that you isolate every sin from another and compare sins as isolated units of wrong. What you fail to understand is that sin is a “human family” problem and that all sins rise out of the corruption of the entire human family and that that corruption is a single organic whole. Sinners aren’t born nor do they fall straight out of the sky—the human family shapes and nurtures them in sin and as sinners.
You tend to think that murderers, rapists, adulterers, homosexuals, drunks and the like as sinners are alien forms, different from everyone else. They’re not! They’re fellow-humans, fellow-sinners in whom the corruption of the entire human family shows itself in particular ways. Because you don’t sin in the ways they sin you forget that you are one with them as sinners and because you have no taste for the way they sin you make their sins the true crimes against me and others and your own sins as hardly taking notice of— "because everybody commits those."
I recognize better than you that some sinners must be dealt with in ways more stringent than others. You don’t always do that wisely or well but you do make an attempt to deal with it and for that I commend you [Clickhere] but it’s characteristic of you that you forget that you are sinners dealing with fellow-sinners.
You fear that my making all sins equally heinous in essence will give comfort to the decadents and the violent. You should fear that your practice of making the decadent and violent the “real” sinners will generate self-righteousness among all other "respectable" sinners and mask their massive contribution to the ongoing cosmic corruption.
The greed of huge companies and their stockholders that hold farmers, wholesalers and little businesses to ransom, the freedom of speech that’s used to publish pornographic filth and video games that glorify lust and violence, and shape entire generations, the corrupt collusion between some scientists and medical personnel and pharmaceutical companies that alarm millions and sell unnecessary “cures” [Click here], the bosses who abuse power and render people unemployed and unemployable, the war-mongering government officials who live off those who pay with their lives, the vengeful spirit that insists on reprisal and counter-reprisal and generates ganglands and international war, the conscious framing of laws that make it hard to be honorable, the ceaseless lies promoted on televised advertisements by unprincipled communicators and companies, the self-serving TV religionists who are parasites on the vulnerable poor and who speak lies in my name—all this and more, supported by “decent” people I see and take into account.
All this and more I have come in and as Jesus Christ to deal with.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com

From Mark Copeland... They Beheld His Glory (Jn.1:14-18) 


                            "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                    They Beheld His Glory (1:14-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the last few verses of the prologue to his gospel, John identifies
   the Word...
   a. Who was in the beginning with God, and was God - Jn 1:1-2
   b. Through whom all things were made - Jn 1:3
   c. Who was life, and the light of men - Jn 1:4-5,9
   d. Who came into the world, though many did not receive Him - Jn 1:10-11
   e. Yet those who received Him, were given the right to become
      children of God - Jn 1:12-13

2. The Word was Jesus Christ...
   a. Who became flesh and lived among men - Jn 1:14
   b. Who glory was seen by men - Jn 1:14

3. The word "glory" as used here...
   a. Means "majesty, dignity, splendor" (Barnes)
   b. Pertaining to Christ, it refers to His personal excellence or
      majesty

[John writes "We beheld His glory".  What majesty, dignity, or splendor
did John and others see in  Jesus when He walked in the flesh among
men...?]

I. THEY BEHELD HIS GLORY

   A. THE GLORY OF HIS DEITY...
      1. "the glory as of the only begotten of the Father" - Jn 1:14a
      2. "The dignity which was appropriate to the only begotten Son of
         God" (Barnes)
         a. "Such glory or splendor as could belong to no other, and as
            properly expressed his rank and character."
         b. "This glory was seen eminently on the mount of
            transfiguration" - Lk 9:28-32; 2Pe 1:16-18
         c. "It was also seen in his miracles, his doctrine, his
            resurrection, his ascension" - cf. Jn 2:11
         -- "All of which were such as to illustrate the perfections,
            and manifest the glory that belongs only to the Son of God."
            (Barnes)
         
   B. THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE...
      1. "full of grace...grace for grace...grace and truth came through
         Jesus" - Jn 1:14b,16-17
      2. "The word grace means favors, gifts, acts of beneficence."
         (Barnes)
         a. "He was kind, merciful, gracious, doing good to all, and
            seeking man's welfare by great sacrifices and love;"
         b. "so much so, that it might be said to be characteristic of
            him, or he abounded in favors to mankind." (Barnes)

   C. THE GLORY OF HIS TRUTH...
      1. "full...of truth...truth came through Jesus Christ." - Jn 1:
         14b,17
      2. "He was also full of truth. He declared the truth. In him was
         no falsehood." (Barnes)
         a. "He was not like the false prophets and false Messiahs, who
            were wholly impostors"
         b. "Nor was he like the emblems and shadows of the old
            dispensation, which were only types of the true; but he was
            truth itself."
      3. "He represented things as they are, and thus became the truth
         as well as the way and the life." - cf. Jn 14:6 (Barnes)

   D. THE GLORY OF HIS PREEMINENCE...
      1. "He who comes after me is preferred before me..." - Jn 1:15
      2. As witnessed to by John the Baptist - cf. Jn 1:27,29-30
      3. John the Baptist recognized His superiority, as did the apostle
         Paul
         a. By virtue of His preexistence ("He was before me") - cf.
            also Jn 8:58; 17:5
         b. By virtue of His creative powers - cf. Col 1:16-17

   E. THE GLORY OF HIS REVELATION...
      1. "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son...He
         has declared Him" - Jn 1:18
         a. "This passage is not meant to deny that men had witnessed
            manifestations of God, as when he appeared to Moses and the
            prophets (cf. Num 12:8 Isa 6:1-13)."
         b. "...it is meant that no one has seen the essence of God, or
            has fully known God."
         c. "The prophets delivered what they heard God speak; Jesus
            what he knew of God as his equal, and as understanding fully
            his nature." (Barnes)
      2. Jesus manifested or declared the Father as no one had done
         before!
         a. As Jesus told Philip - Jn 14:9
         b. As Jesus expressed in His prayer - Jn 17:6,24
         c. As the apostles wrote in their epistles - Col 1:15; He 1:1-4
      3. "This verse proves that, Jesus had a knowledge of God above
         that which any of the ancient prophets had, and that the
         fullest revelations of his character are to be expected in the
         gospel." (Barnes)
         a. "By his Word and Spirit he can enlighten and guide us, and
            lead us to the true knowledge of God;"
         b. "There is no true and full knowledge of God which is not
            obtained through his Son."

[What a wonderful experience it must have been to behold the glory of
God's only begotten Son!  It undoubtedly transformed the life of John
and others who saw Him.  By the grace of God, it also possible that...]

II. WE CAN BEHOLD HIS GLORY

   A. IN THIS LIFE...
      1. We can behold His glory...
         a. The glory of His deity, grace and truth!
         b. The glory of His preeminence and revelation!
      2. How?  Through the words of His eyewitnesses!
         a. Who made known the power and coming of our Lord - cf. 2 Pe 1:16-18
         b. Who declared what they heard, saw, even handled, that we
            might share with them in their fellowship with the Father
            and Son - cf. 1Jn 1:1-4; 5:11-13
         -- Through their gospels, their letters, their inspired
            writings, we can behold His glory!
      3. Indeed, we must behold His glory to be transformed!
         a. Our transformation is fundamental to true discipleship - cf.
            Ro 8:29; 12:1-2
         b. Our transformation is gradual, occurring as we behold His
            glory - cf. 2Co 3:18
         c. Our transformation involves renewing the mind, a mind set on
            things above where Christ is - cf. Ro 12:1-2; Col 3:1-2

   B. WHEN HE COMES AGAIN...
      1. We will behold His glory...
         a. When He appears - Col 3:4
         b. When He comes again, to be glorified in His saints - 2 Th 1:10
      2. Indeed, every one will behold His glory...
         a. For every eye will see Him - cf. Re 1:7
         b. For every knee will bow, and every tongue confess Him - cf.
            Php 2:9-11

CONCLUSION

1. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His
   glory..." - Jn 1:14

2. We may not have seen Jesus in the flesh, but we can still behold His
   glory...
   a. Even now, through the testimony of His apostles and the Word of
      God
   b. Even then, when Jesus comes again to be revealed in His glory

3. What will we do with the glory of Jesus as declared by His
   apostles...?
   a. We should let it transform our lives as we behold the glory of the
      Lord - 2Co 3:18
   b. Then when Christ comes, we will be glorified together with Him! 
      - 2Th 1:10

Here is Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians...

   "Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count
   you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of
   His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of
   our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him,
   according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

                                                     (2Th 1:11-12)

May his prayer be fulfilled in our lives, along with this prayer from
Jude...

   "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make
   you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,
   to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be
   glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now
   and forever. Amen."
                                                      (Jude 24-25)


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Mark Copeland... Receiving The Light (Jn.1:9-13) 


                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                      Receiving The Light (1:9-13)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the prologue to his gospel, John introduces Jesus as "the
   light"...
   a. That shines in darkness - Jn 1:5
   b. To whom John bore witness - Jn 1:6-8
   c. Who gives light to every man - Jn 1:9

2. Yet John declares what becomes evident later in his gospel...
   a. Not everyone was willing to receive the light, i.e., Jesus
   b. Even His own people as a whole rejected Him
   c. But for those who did receive Him, they were truly blessed!

3. The same remains true today...
   a. Many people do not receive Jesus
   b. Missing out on the wonderful blessings He offers!

[Why do people not receive Christ?  How can we be sure to receive Him,
and the blessings He offers as "The Light"?  Let's take a closer look at
the text for our study...]

I. MANY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT

   A. WHO DID NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT...
      1. The world in general - Jn 1:9-10
         a. Even though He gives light to every man! - cf. Jn 1:4; 8:12;
            12:46
         b. Even though the world was made through Him! - cf. Jn 1:3
      2. His own people in particular - Jn 1:11
         a. He had come into His own land, Palestine - cf. Jer 2:7
         b. He had come to His own people, Israel - cf. Deut 7:6

   B. WHY THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT...
      1. They did not know Him - Jn 1:10
         a. Even His own brothers at first, though they did after His
            resurrection - Jn 7:5; Ac 1:14
         b. Familiarity often breeds contempt:  "A prophet has no honor
            in his own country..." - Jn 4:44
      2. Other reasons provided by John in his gospel
         a. Some loved darkness more than light - Jn 3:19-20; 5:42-43
         b. Some were afraid of what others thought - Jn 7:13; 9:22
         c. Some were misinformed of the facts - Jn 7:40-43
         d. Some were hardened by their traditions  - Jn 9:13-16
         e. Some loved the praise of men - Jn 12:42-43

[For similar reasons today, many people do not receive Jesus.  Yet some
did...]

II. SOME RECEIVED THE LIGHT

   A. THE BENEFITS OF RECEIVING THE LIGHT...
      1. The right to become children of God - Jn 1:12
         a. The word "right" signifies both authority and ability (JFB)
         b. Receiving Christ gives us the authority and ability to
            become sons of God
         c. Which is wonderful manifestation of God's love - cf. 1Jn 3:1
         d. Making us heirs of God and joints heirs with Christ - cf. 
            Ro 8:14-17
      2. The privilege of being born of God - Jn 1:13
         a. Not of blood - i.e., by virtue of physical descent
         b. Not of flesh - i.e., by virtue of the lusts of the flesh
         c. Not of the will of man - i.e., by virtue of power in a man's
            will alone
         d. But of God - i.e., a rebirth possible only by the Spirit of
            God - cf. Jn 3:5; Tit 3:5
   
   B. THE MEANS FOR RECEIVING THE LIGHT...
      1. To receive Christ, we must believe in His name - Jn 1:12b
         a. Which is to say we must believe in Him
         b. The name of a person is often put for the person himself
            (Barnes) - cf. Jn 2:23
      2. Believing in Him gives us power "to become" a child of God
         a. Faith in Jesus alone does not "make" one a child of God
         b. Many believed in Jesus, but did not become His disciples
            1) Only by abiding in His doctrine did they become His
               disciples - Jn 8:30-32
            2) Some believed, but were unwilling to confess Him - Jn 12:
               42-43
      3. When faith moves us to obey Christ, then we become children of
         God
         a. Faith makes us children of God when we put Christ on in
            baptism - Ga 3:26-27
            1) We become children of God through faith, yes - but how?
            2) By putting Christ on when we are baptized into Christ!
         b. Jesus becomes the author of our salvation when we obey Him 
            - He 5:9
            1) Such as obeying His command to be baptized - Mk 16:16
            2) Thereby born again of both water and the Spirit - Jn 3:5;
               Tit 3:5
      4. Sadly, many misapply John's words in Jn 1:12
         a. Teaching that one becomes a child of God simply by receiving
            Christ in faith
            1) By saying "the sinner's prayer" (which is nowhere taught
               in the Scriptures)
            2) Often appealing to Re 3:20-21 (which is addressed to
               erring Christians, not lost sinners)
         b. Yet receiving Christ in faith gives one "power to become",
            not "makes one become"
            1) We must appropriate that power through the obedience of
               faith
            2) Such as confessing our faith, repenting of our sins - 
               Ro 10:9,10; Ac 17:31
            3) Culminating our obedience by putting on (receiving)
               Christ in baptism - Ga 3:27

CONCLUSION

1. Jesus is the "True Light" who gives light to every man...
   a. Bringing grace and truth to those in sin and error
   a. Providing the way of salvation through His blood

2. How sad that there are many in the world...
   a. Who do not know Him
   b. Who have not received Him
   -- Who spend their lives stumbling in the darkness

3. But if you are willing to believe in His name...
   a. You have the right to become a child of God!
   b. You can be born of God!
   -- Provided your faith is an obedient faith, willing to abide in the
      doctrine of Christ

Let the Word of God, and in particular John's gospel (cf. Jn 20:30-31),
point you in the direction of the Light, that you might be saved and
have life in His name!


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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