Seeing is Believing: The Design of the Human Eye by Taylor Richardson

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=1412

Seeing is Believing: The Design of the Human Eye

by	Taylor Richardson

If one of your friends asked you, “How do you know God exists?,” what would you say? There are many different ways to prove God’s existence, because God has given us so much evidence. Sometimes we find that evidence in things we see in the Universe, for example, the Sun. The Sun is like a giant nuclear engine. It gives off more energy in a single second than mankind has produced since the Creation. It converts 8 million tons of matter into energy every single second, and has an interior temperature of more than 20 million degrees Celsius (see Lawton, 1981). Sometimes we find evidence in the animal kingdom. Take the golden orb spider for instance. Pound for pound, the dragline silk of this spider is five times stronger than steel, and is twice as strong as the material that currently makes up SWAT teams’ bulletproof vests. In fact, due to its amazing strength and elasticity, it has been said that you could trap a jumbo jet with spider silk that is the thickness of a pencil.
And sometimes the evidence for God’s existence can even be found within our own bodies. The writer of the book of Hebrews spoke about this evidence when he said: “For every house is built by someone, but he who built all things is God” (3:4).
One of the best examples of design within the human body is the eye. Even Charles Darwin struggled with the problem of how to explain how such a complex organ as the eye could have “evolved” through naturalistic processes. In The Origin of Species he wrote:

To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest sense (1859, p. 170, emp. added).

But even though Darwin acknowledged that the eye could not have evolved, he went on to argue that it had, in fact, been produced by natural selection through an evolutionary process. It seems almost as though Darwin could not seem to make up his mind on the matter. But he is not the only one who has struggled to explain, from a naturalistic viewpoint, the intricacy of the eye. Evolutionist Robert Jastrow once wrote:

The eye is a marvelous instrument, resembling a telescope of the highest quality, with a lens, an adjustable focus, a variable diaphragm for controlling the amount of light, and optical corrections for spherical and chromatic aberration. The eye appears to have been designed; no designer of telescopes could have done better. How could this marvelous instrument have evolved by chance, through a succession of random events? (1981, pp. 96-97, emp. added).

How indeed? Though Dr. Jastrow argued that “the fact of evolution is not in doubt,” he confessed that “…there seems to be no direct proof that evolution can work these miracles.… It is hard to accept the evolution of the eye as a product of chance” (1981, pp. 101,97,98, emp. added). Considering the extreme complexity of the eye, it is easy to understand why Jastrow would make such a comment. In his book, Does God Believe in Atheists?, John Blanchard described just how complex the eye really is.

The human eye is a truly amazing phenomenon. Although accounting for just one fourth-thousandth of an adult’s weight, it is the medium which processes some 80% of the information received by its owner from the outside world. The tiny retina contains about 130 million rod-shaped cells, which detect light intensity and transmit impulses to the visual cortex of the brain by means of some one million nerve fibres, while nearly six million cone-shaped cells do the same job, but respond specifically to colour variation. The eyes can handle 500,00 messages simultaneously, and are kept clear by ducts producing just the right amount of fluid with which the lids clean both eyes simultaneously in one five-thousandth of a second (2000, p. 313).

Statements like this proves that the eye was so well designed, and so complicated, that it could not have happened by accident, as evolution teaches.

THE EYE’S DESIGN

The anatomy of the eye was first examined and recorded at Alexandria, Egypt, in the first century A.D. An anatomist, Rufus of Ephesus, described the main parts of the eye, which included the dome-like cornea at the front, the colored iris, the lens, and the vitreous humor (which gives the eye its shiny look). Today, thanks to microscopes, we now know that these, along with many other parts of the eye, work in harmony to produce the gift of sight.

The outer white layer of the eye is called the sclera, more commonly known as the “white of the eye.” This layer is an extremely durable, fibrous tissue that extends from the cornea (the clear front section of the eye) to the optic nerve (at the back of the eye). Six tiny muscles (known as the extraocular muscles, or EOMs) connect to the sclera around the eye and control the eye’s movements. Four of the muscles (known as the rectus muscles) control the horizontal and vertical movement, while two (the oblique muscles) control the rotation. All six muscles work together so that the eye moves smoothly.
The inside of the eye can be divided functionally into two distinct parts. The first is the physical “dioptric” mechanism (from the Greek word dioptra, meaning something through which one looks), which handles incoming light. This includes the cornea, iris, and lens. The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped window (about eleven millimeters in diameter) that covers the front of the eye. Its most important function is to protect the delicate components of the eye against damage by foreign bodies. Thus, the cornea acts like a watch face, in that it lets us look through the “window” of our eye while protecting the internal components from debris and harmful chemicals. The cornea also takes care of most of the refraction (the ability of the eye to change the direction of light in order to focus it on the retina) and works with the lens to help focus items seen at varying distances as it changes its curvature. The iris and the pupil work together to let in just the right amount of light. There are two opposing sets of muscles that regulate the size of the aperture (the opening, or the pupil) according to the brightness or dimness of the incoming light. If the light is bright, the iris constricts, allowing little light to pass; but if it is dark, the iris dilates or expands, allowing more light to pass through. The light (or image) then moves through a lens that has the ability to adjust its shape to help it clarify the image by changing the focal length of the lens between 40.4 and 69.9 millimeters where it is then focused (in an inverted form) on to the retina.
Between the lens and the retina is a transparent substance (the vitreous fluid) that fills the center of the eye. This substance is important because it not only gives the eye its spherical shape, but also provides nutrition for the retinal vessels inside the eye. In children, the vitreous feels like a gel, but as we age, it gradually thins and becomes more of a liquid.
The second is the receptor area of the retina where the light triggers processes in the nerve cells. The retina plays a key role in visual perception. In his book, The Wonder of Man, Werner Gitt explains how the retina is a masterpiece of engineering design.

One single square millimetre of the retina contains approximately 400,000 optical sensors. To get some idea of such a large number, imagine a sphere, on the surface of which circles are drawn, the size of tennis balls. These circles are separated from each other by the same distance as their diameter. In order to accommodate 400,000 such circles, the sphere must have a diameter of 52 metres... (1999, p. 15).

Alan L. Gillen also praised the design of the retina in his book, Body by Design.

The most amazing component of the eye is the “film,” which is the retina. This light-sensitive layer at the back of the eyeball is thinner than a sheet of plastic wrap and is more sensitive to light than any man-made film. The best camera film can handle a ratio of 1000-to-1 photons in terms of light intensity. By comparison, human retinal cells can handle a ratio of 10 billion-to-1 over the dynamic range of light wavelengths of 380 to 750 nanometers. The human eye can sense as little as a single photon of light in the dark! In bright daylight, the retina can bleach out, turning its “volume control” way down so as not to overload. The light-sensitive cells of the retina are like an extremely complex high-gain amplifier that is able to magnify sounds more than one million times (2001, pp. 97-98, emp. added).

Without a doubt, this thin (only 0.2 mm) layer of nerve tissue is a marvel of engineering. It contains photoreceptor (light-sensitive) cells and four types of nerve cells, as well as structural cells and epithelial pigment cells. The two kinds of photoreceptor cells are referred to as rods and cones because of their shape. Each eye has about 130 million rods and 7 million cones. The rods are very sensitive to light (whether it is bright or dim), and allow the eye to see in black and white. Cones, on the other hand, are not as sensitive as rods, and function only optimally in daylight. There are three different types of cones—red light, green light, and blue light—each of which is sensitive to its respective color of light, and which allow the eye to see in full color. The rods and cones convert the different lights into chemical signals, which then travel along the optic nerve to the brain.
Not only are the images produced by the dioptric mechanism miniaturized and upside-down, but it turns out that they also are left-right inverted. The optic nerves from both eyes split up and cross each other in such a way that the left halves of the images of both eyes are received by the right hemisphere of the brain, while the right halves are received by the left. Each half of the observer’s brain receives information from only one half of the image. As Gitt went on to explain, “Note that, although the brain processes the different parts of the image in various remote locations, the two halves of the field of vision are seamlessly reunited, without any trace of a joint—amazing! This process is still far from being fully understood” (p. 17). It is hard to believe that this inverted system of sight could have been produced through evolution.
Since the eyes are one of the most important organs in the body, they must be taken care of constantly. And God designed just such a built-in cleaning system, consisting of the eyelashes, eyelids, and lacrimal glands. The lacrimal glands produce a steady flow of tears that flush away dust and other foreign materials. The tears also contain a potent anti-microbial agent known as lysozyme that destroys bacteria, viruses, etc. The eyelids and eyelashes work together to keep dirt and other debris from entering the eye. The eyelids act like windshield wipers, blinking 3-6 times a minute to moisten and clean the eye.
For many years, scientists have compared the eye to the modern manmade camera (see Miller, 1960, p. 315; Nourse, 1964, p. 154; Gardener, 1994, p. 105). True, the eye and camera do have many things in common, if the function of the camera demands that it was “made,” does it not stand to reason that the more complex human camera, the eye, also must have had a Maker? Alan Gillen explained it best when he wrote: “No human camera, artificial device, nor computer-enhanced light-sensitive device can match the contrivance of the human eye. Only a master engineer with superior intelligence could manufacture a series of interdependent light sensitive parts and reactions” (p. 99, emp. added). That master engineer was God. The writer of Proverbs knew this when he wrote, “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both” (20:12).

REFERENCES

Blanchard, John (2000), Does God Believe in Atheists? (Auburn, MA: Evangelical Press).
Darwin, Charles (1859), On the Origin of Species (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; a facsimile of the first edition).
Gardner, Lynn (1994), Christianity Stands True (Joplin, MO: College Press).
Gillen, Alan L. (2001), Body by Design (Green Forest, AR: Master Books).
Gitt, Werner (1999), The Wonder of Man (Bielefeld, Germany: Christliche Literatur-Verbreitung E.V.).
Jastrow, Robert (1981), The Enchanted Loom: Mind in the Universe (New York: Simon and Schuster).
Lawton, April (1981), “From Here to Infinity,” Science Digest, 89[1]:98-105, January/February.
Miller, Benjamin and Goode, Ruth (1960), Man and His Body (New York: Simon and Schuster).
Nourse, Alan E., ed. (1964), The Body (New York: Time, Inc.).

The Dead Sea Scrolls—Seeing The Evidence Upclose by Kyle Butt, M.Div.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=1310

The Dead Sea Scrolls—Seeing The Evidence Upclose

by	Kyle Butt, M.Div.

Small pieces of old, black papyrus might not sound very interesting. In fact, were you to see some of these nickel-sized jewels lying on the ground, you probably would think of them as pieces of trash, and simply leave them lying there (or else pick them up and put them in the trashcan). Even when they are displayed behind protective glass casing under regular lighting, they do not seem to be anything special. But when placed under infrared light, these treasures come alive. Dating back to about 150 B.C., these tiny pieces of the Dead Sea Scrolls—exhibited in Huntsville, Alabama, at the Von Braun Civic Center during January 2003—certainly are a sight to see. Most of us talk about the extensive manuscript evidence that verifies the Bible’s accurate transmission over the many centuries of its existence, but talking about this evidence is altogether different from being two inches away from it.

For many years, the oldest manuscripts available for the Old Testament dated back only to around A.D. 980. Due to this very late date, some questioned the integrity of the Old Testament documents. If some of these documents were written as early as 1500 B.C., but the earliest copies we could locate dated from 980 A.D., then how could we be sure that the copies we possessed said the same things as those original documents? In 1947, however, the treasure trove of Dead Sea Scrolls was discovered. Amazingly, the scrolls dated from 250 B.C. to A.D. 68. Among the thousands of scrolls and fragments, every single book of the Old Testament is represented, except the book of Esther. On display in Huntsville was a small fragment of Isaiah 26:19-21 that reads as follows: “Your dead shall live again, and their bodies shall rise, shall awake...My people, enter your chambers and shut your doors…to punish the iniquity of the inhabitants of the earth....” The text of this fragment is virtually identical to the text of Isaiah that we have had since A.D. 980. In fact, when the scrolls were compared to the text we possess, all of the texts are virtually identical, with only a few minor alterations (primarily involving the spelling of names). The Dead Sea Scrolls proved to the world that the Old Testament had been correctly transmitted for centuries.
The exhibit also presented several manuscripts attesting to the accuracy of the New Testament documents. Among those is an amazingly well-preserved papyrus sheet on which was written a portion of Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. Dating back to third century A.D., this ancient document, written in the Egyptian language known as Coptic, contains major portions of Colossians 3:21-4:15. This manuscript, combined with the thousands of others of its kind, proves that the New Testament documents were circulating far and wide within a very few years of their original composition.
In fact, the New Testament can boast of more manuscript evidence than any other ancient book in existence. Take, for instance, Homer’s Iliad. To date, those who search for ancient manuscripts have located about 643 pieces of Homer’s work. One of those pieces is on exhibit along with the biblical manuscripts. This tiny strip of papyrus, dating back to the third century A.D., contains a tiny fragment of Homer’s epic poem. And, with 643 manuscript pieces, Homer’s work is among the most well-attested of all ancient documents—until it is compared to the New Testament. As of 2004, scholars have found over 5,700 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, not to mention all those (like the piece of Colossians) written in other languages such as Coptic, Latin, Syriac, etc. In all, we have discovered at least 25,000 ancient written documents that attest to the New Testament’s accuracy, which surpasses every other ancient book by thousands of manuscripts.
Examining this type of ancient evidence firsthand impresses upon the mind the fact that the Word of God has been divinely preserved for thousands of years. As Jesus Christ put it almost two thousand years ago: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

Are You Informed About Islam? by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=8&article=2108

Are You Informed About Islam?

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

With the advent of 9/11, our world, and the way we view it, has been forever altered. As you well know, Islam has not only captured international attention, it is expanding its influence and making extensive encroachments into American culture. Over 1,200 mosques dot the American landscape—most built within the last two decades. Influential American authorities, from politicians to public school educators, are promulgating the equal acceptance and pluralistic promotion of Islam in public life. The first Muslim in recent American history was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and took the oath of office on a Quran (Warikoo, 2007). The Democratic National Committee recently invited a Shi’ite Imam to lead the opening prayer at their winter meeting (“Imam Leads...,” 2007).
The time is here. Christians, and for that matter, Americans, can no longer afford to be uninformed about the threat that Islam poses to Christianity and the nation. It is imperative that Christians recognize the critical need to influence the expanding numbers of Muslim converts in our prisons as well as those entering the country. We simply must “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
Allow me to remind you that Apologetics Press has produced a book that will both inform you about Islam, as well as prepare you to help Muslims see the truth. The Quran Unveiled examines Islam’s holy book with a view toward ascertaining whether it is, in fact, of supernatural origin. If the Quran is from God, it must possess the self-authenticating attributes and characteristics of divine inspiration. If it is not from God, though it may possess certain positive, even valuable, qualities, it must be rejected as disqualified to legislate human behavior in an absolute and ultimate sense.
The Quran Unveiled provides the reader with a meticulous assessment of several significant teachings of the Quran. Here are some of the critical questions answered in the book:

• Does the Quran teach that a man may have up to four wives?
• Does the Quran teach that Christians are “infidels”?
• Does the Quran endorse violence and killing in order to advance Islam?
• Does the Quran teach that Jesus is the Son of God—or simply a human prophet?
• Does the Quran teach that virgins await those who enter Paradise?

Allowing the Quran to speak for itself, The Quran Unveiled provides sufficient evidence to bring the reader to the firm realization that the Quran and the Bible stand in stark contradistinction to each other.
Many people refuse to consider the beliefs of others, and simply stick with those beliefs to which their family and cultural environment exposed them. But in order to grasp the full extent of the chasm that exists between the Bible and the Quran, one should read both thoroughly. Muslims should read the Bible, and Christians should read the Quran. The disparity between the two is monumental.
Apologetics Press continues to pursue its cutting-edge articulation of New Testament truth as it relates to current culture. The Quran Unveiled is one more important resource in the “A.P. arsenal” in our ongoing defense of the Christian Faith and our warfare against the forces of Satan. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. We urge you to secure your personal copy today. Or, if you prefer, we also have available The Islam Seminar DVDs that allow you to view a live lecture and PowerPoint presentation of much of the material contained in the book.

REFERENCES

“Imam Leads Democrats in Prayer of Conversion” (2007), World Net Daily, February 3, [On-line], URL: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54085.
Warikoo, Niraj (2007), “Ellison: Quran Influenced America’s Founding Fathers,” Detroit Free Press, January 5, [On-line], URL: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS01/70105032/ 0/NEWS02.

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" Seven Principles Of Personal Evangelism (4:1-26) by Mark Copeland

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

            Seven Principles Of Personal Evangelism (4:1-26)

INTRODUCTION

1. Most Christians want to share the gospel of Christ with others...
   a. Yet many often feel awkward in their attempts to talk with others
   b. Or they simply don't know how to establish contacts for a Bible
      study
   -- Causing many to experience frustration that discourages them from
      trying again

2. Perhaps we learn some things from Jesus, the master teacher...
   a. Who often engaged in personal evangelism as well as public
      preaching
   b. For example, His conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's
      well - Jn 4:1-26

[Observing Jesus in action, it is possible to glean "Seven Principles Of
Personal Evangelism" that we would do well to remember in our own
efforts to teach others.  One such principle is to...]

I. CONTACT PEOPLE SOCIALLY

   A. WE MUST HAVE SOCIAL CONTACT...
      1. The import of Jesus passing through Samaria - Jn 4:1-6
         a. Many Jews, because of their disdain for Samaritans, avoided
            Samaria
         b. Jesus and His disciples chose to pass through Samaria,
            assuring contact
         c. A similar example of Jesus making social contact - cf. Lk 5:29-32
      2. When people aren't coming to Christ, it's because we are not
         going to the people!
         a. We can't be fishers of men by fishing in a barrel; if the
            fish won't come to the barrel, then we must go where the
            fish are!
         b. The problem with sowing the seed is not that there is not
            good ground to be found, but that the seed is still in the
            barn! - cf. Hag 2:19

   B. DO NOT CONFUSE SEPARATION WITH ISOLATION...
      1. Yes, we must be separate - 2Co 6:14-18
      2. But this does not mean we are to isolate ourselves
         a. Note the prayer of Christ - Jn 17:15
         b. Note the command of Paul - 1Co 5:9-11
      3. Withdrawing ourselves from those who have not heard or obeyed
         the gospel in contrary to the will of the Lord!

   C. OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL CONTACT...
      1. At school with fellow students
         a. Don't think you are too young to be involved in leading
            others to Christ
         b. Young Christians often possess the greatest opportunities to
            teach others
         c. How you serve now will likely be an indication of how you
            will serve later in life
      2. At work with fellow employees or employers
         a. We spend much of our life with these people
         b. We have the greatest potential to influence them, especially
            by example
      3. At home with neighbors, friends, and family
         a. Do we even know our neighbors?
         b. Those closest to us can be difficult sometimes, but are
            reachable - e.g., Mt 13:54-58; Jn 7:5; Ac 1:14

[Remember, Jesus said "Go into all the world..." (Mk 16:15).  We must go
where the people are!  Another principle we can glean from Jesus'
conversation with the woman is...]

II. ESTABLISH A COMMON INTEREST

   A. COMMON INTERESTS CREATE A BRIDGE...
      1. Note Jesus' first words to the woman - Jn 4:7-8
         a. She had come to draw water
         b. He was thirsty
         c. His first words centered around their common interest
            (water)
      2. Realize the need to build rapport
         a. Meaningful dialogue is not easy, especially involving
            spiritual matters
         b. A common interest allows opportunity for meaningful dialogue
         c. Once a bridge for communication has been established, it
            will be easier to discuss God's word with another person

   B. COMMON INTERESTS ARE MANY...
      1. They include family (such as children, grandchildren)
      2. They include activities (such as work, community projects,
         hobbies)
      3. They include shared experiences (such as travel, or even
         tragedies)

[Don't feel that you must immediately begin talking about spiritual
matters.  Take time to nurture common interests.  Yet at some point we
want to reach the next stage, which leads to our third principle...]

III. AROUSE SPIRITUAL INTEREST

   A. THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS...
      1. The example of Jesus - Jn 4:9
         a. As a man He speaks to her, a woman
         b. As a rabbi He speaks to her, an immoral woman
         c. As a Jew He speaks to her, a Samaritan
         -- He aroused interest by simply speaking to her
      2. Regarding our actions
         a. We can arouse spiritual interest by our example
         b. By showing kindness and compassion to all, even the evil and
            wicked
         c. By not harboring racial or social prejudices to those who
            are different
         d. By our own example of faith and hope - e.g., 1Pe 3:1-2,15

   B. THROUGH YOUR WORDS...
      1. The example of Jesus - Jn 4:10-14
         a. Jesus' statement shifted their conversation to spiritual
            matters
         b. He led them into a discussion on a common spiritual interest
            (living water!)
      2. Regarding our words
         a. We can raise questions or make statements that shift
            conversations to spiritual matters
            1) E.g., "What do you think our world is in such a mess?"
            2) E.g., "Would you be interested in what the Bible says
               about...?"
         b. The discussion should first involve matters of common
            agreement
            1) Start with things upon which you agree, to build rapport
               and instill confidence
            2) This was the practice of apostolic preaching - e.g., Ac 13:16-22

[Once spiritual interest has been aroused, another principle can be
gleaned from Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman...]

IV. DON'T GO TOO FAR, TOO FAST

   A. GIVE A PERSON WHAT THEY ARE READY FOR...
      1. Note Jesus' discussion with the woman - Jn 4:15-16
         a. She wanted the "living water", but did she really
            understand?
         b. Jesus saw the need to slow her down and provide the proper
            ground work
            1) She needed faith in Him as the Messiah
            2) He needed to provide evidence that He was the Messiah
         c. So instead of giving her the "living water"...
            1) He tells her to get her husband
            2) Which will result in her conviction of Him as a prophet
      2. Sometimes people don't realize what they need first
         a. They'll want to talk about a particular subject
         b. But they really need something else first

   B. SOME EXAMPLES...
      1. Some want to study Revelation, when they need to be grounded on
         the rest of the Bible first
      2. Some want to discuss issues related to church organization,
         work, worship, etc., when they ought to focus on the "first
         principles" of the gospel
      3. It is important that a person not choke on the "meat" of the
         Word - cf. 1Co 3:1-2

[There is another principle of evangelism that takes into consideration
the need of the prospect...]

V. DON'T CONDEMN UNNECESSARILY

   A. THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS...
      1. He could have dwelt on her being an adulteress - Jn 4:17-18
      2. As stated elsewhere, He came to save the world, not to condemn
         it - cf. Jn 3:17
      3. Not to say He will not one day judge the world, but that the
         primary purpose of His first coming was to offer salvation 
         - cf. Jn 12:46-48

   B. IN OUR EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS...
      1. Though we preach against sin, our primary purpose is to save,
         not judge - 1Co 5:12-13
      2. Our focus should be to inform others of the forgiveness God
         offers - cf. 2Co 5:18-20
         a. God seeks reconciliation with sinners
         b. Ours is a ministry of reconciliation

[Another important principle in evangelism to remember is...]

VI. STICK WITH THE MAIN ISSUE

   A. IN THE CASE OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN...
      1. She turned the subject away from herself to where one should
         worship - Jn 4:19-20
      2. Jesus answered her question, while effectively turning the
         conversation back to the original subject:  Who He is and what
         He offers - Jn 4:21-25 (cf. Jn 4:10)

   B. REMAIN STEADFAST TO YOUR OBJECTIVES...
      1. If seeking to establish a common ground of agreement, avoid
         jumping ahead
      2. As you move from common to uncommon ground...
         a. Take one step at a time
         b. Do not go on until agreement at each step has occurred
      3. If your objective is simply to obtain consent for a home Bible
         study, avoid getting into a detailed discussion at that time 
         - cf. Pr 15:28

[One last principle in evangelism gleaned from Jesus' conversation with
the woman at the well...]

VII. CONFRONT DIRECTLY

   A. JESUS' EXAMPLE THEN...
      1. Finally, Jesus confronted the woman with His identity - Jn 4:26
      2. This came after He had laid the groundwork

   B. EXAMPLES FOR TODAY...
      1. In trying to set up a home Bible study
         a. Take advantage of social contacts
         b. Develop common interests
         c. Be open to comments that indicate a spiritual interest,
            while demonstrating your own faith through actions and words
         d. Avoid fruitless arguments, emphasize instead common beliefs
         e. Praise their good points and encourage them in the right
            direction
         f. Have one primary objective:  to encourage them to study the
            Bible even more
            a. Ask if they would like to learn more about Jesus, the
               Bible, His church
            b. Note the example of Aquila and Priscilla with Apollos 
               - Ac 18:24-26
         g. Confront them directly with the opportunity to study the
            Bible
      2. During the course of a home Bible study
         a. Continue to develop the social contact
         b. Continue to establish common interests
         c. Take time to accentuate common ground you share in your
            spiritual interests
         d. Go from common ground to uncommon ground carefully
         e. Stress the gospel message; don't obsess on their individual
            shortcomings
         f. Have one primary objective:  to help them understand their
            need and gospel plan of salvation - Mk 16:15-16; Col 1:5-6
         g. Confront them directly with the invitation to obey the
            gospel of Christ; for example, by asking...
            1) "Does this make sense?"
            2) "Is there anything I have said that you do not
               understand?"
            3) "Have I been teaching you anything other than what the
               Bible teaches?"
            4) "Would you like to obey Christ now and be baptized for
               the remission of your sins?"

CONCLUSION

1. The result of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman was the
   conversion of many people in the city of Sychar - Jn 4:39-42

2. This demonstrates the potential of personal evangelism...
   a. Who knows whether the one person you teach may in turn bring many
      to Christ?
   b. That one person may be like a seed from which seeds may come forth

Realizing this potential, we can better appreciate the words of Jesus:

   "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and [then] comes
   the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look
   at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" (Jn 4:35)

Perhaps by following the example of our Lord, we can be more useful in
His service...

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" The Gift Of Living Water (4:10-14) by Mark Copeland

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                   The Gift Of Living Water (4:10-14)

INTRODUCTION

1. When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, He spoke of "living
   water"...
   a. He approached her for a drink on His way to Galilee - Jn 4:3-8
   b. She was amazed that He, a Jew, would speak to her, a Samaritan
      woman - Jn 4:9
   -- Jesus used the opportunity to tell her about "living water" - Jn 4:10-14

2. Questions abound about "the gift of God" and "living water" in this
   passage...
   a. What is "the gift of God"?
      1) Many say it refers to Jesus
      2) Others believe it refers to the salvation He offers
   b. What is the "living water" Jesus offers?
      1) Many say it is a figure for salvation or eternal life
      2) Others apply it to the Holy Spirit, because of Jn 7:37-39
   -- Are they two different things, or one and the same?

3. Like others, I  believe "the gift of God" and "living water" are one
   and the same...
   a. "Now it is quite clear that our Lord means the same thing,
      whatever it may be, by the two expressions, 'the gift of God' and
      'the living water.'" - Maclaren
   b. "When Jesus spoke about 'the gift of God,' He meant 'living
      water.'" - Hendriksen
   -- Though I can appreciate why many believe "the gift of God" is
      Jesus - cf. Jn 3:16

4. Like others, I tend to think "living water" in this passage may refer
   to the Holy Spirit...
   a. "By this living water is meant the Spirit..." - Matthew Henry
   b. "From [Jn 7:37-39] it is plain, that our Savior here by the living
      water he speaks of understood the Holy Spirit." - Poole

[That "living water" in Jn 4:10-14 may be an allusion to the gift of the
Holy Spirit comes from examining the nature of this "living water"
described by Jesus both here and in Jn 7.  For example...]

I. THE LIVING WATER MUST BE DRUNK

   A. AS EXPRESSED BY JESUS...
      1. "...whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will
         never thirst" - Jn 4:14
      2. "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink" - Jn 7:37

   B. DO WE "DRINK" THE HOLY SPIRIT...?
      1. Yes, upon our conversion
         a. Those who repent and are baptized receive the gift of the
            Spirit - Ac 2:38-39
         b. Those who are baptized are made to "drink" of the Spirit 
            - 1Co 12:13
      2. Yes, as we continue to seek to be filled with the Spirit
         a. We are not to be drunk with wine, but filled with the Spirit
            - Ep 5:18-19
         b. The implication may be that filling comes through "drinking"
         c. How do we continue to drink of the Spirit?  I would suggest
            in these ways:
            1) Singing and making melody in our heart - Ep 5:18-19
            2) Feeding upon the Word of God, which is the sword of the
               Spirit - Ep 6:17
            3) Praying for strength through the Spirit - Ep 3:16; cf. Lk 11:13

[Thus we see a similarity between the "living water" of Jesus and what
is said concerning the Spirit and the Christian.  The similarity
continues...]

II. THE LIVING WATER QUENCHES THIRST

   A. AS EXPRESSED BY JESUS...
      1. "but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will
         never thirst." - Jn 4:14
      2. "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." - Jn 7:37

   B. DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT "QUENCH THIRST"...?
      1. Yes, as prophesied by Isaiah - cf. Isa 44:3
      2. Yes, if by quenching our thirst one means meeting our spiritual
         needs
         a. Such as our need for the love of God - cf. Ro 5:5
         b. Such as our need for our love for God - cf. Ro 8:15; Ga 4:6
         c. Such as our need to mortify the flesh - cf. Ro 8:12-13
         d. Such as our need to abound in hope - cf. Ro 15:13
         e. Such as our need for inner strength - cf. Ep 3:16

[In many ways the Spirit quenches our spiritual thirst!  As we continue
to note the similarity between "living water" and the Spirit in the life
of the Christian, we next observe...]

III. THE LIVING WATER IS IN YOU

   A. AS EXPRESSED BY JESUS...
      1. "the water that I shall give him will become in him..." - Jn 4:14
      2. "out of his heart..." - Jn 7:38

   B. IS THE HOLY SPIRIT "IN" US...?
      1. Yes, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit - 1Co 6:19
      2. Yes, for the Spirit dwells in us if we are Christ's - Ro 8:9,11

[How the Holy Spirit indwells the Christian may be a mystery; that He
does, there is no doubt.  Note another similarity between "living water"
and the Spirit in the life of the Christian...]

IV. THE LIVING WATER SPRINGS UP

   A.  AS EXPRESSED BY JESUS...
      1. "a fountain of water springing up" - Jn 4:14
      2. "will flow rivers of living water" - Jn 7:38

   B. DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT "SPRING UP"...?
      1. Yes, by moving the Christian to "cry out" Abba, Father - Ro 8:15; Ga 4:6
      2. Yes, by helping the Christian to "abound" in hope - Ro 15:13
      3. Yes, by producing "fruit" in the life of the Christian - Ga 5:
         22-23

[The fruit of the Spirit truly refreshes the soul of the Christian as
"living water" does the thirsty soul.  Finally, note one more similarity
between "living water" and the Spirit in the life of the Christian...]

V. THE LIVING WATER RESULTS IN ETERNAL LIFE

   A. AS EXPRESSED BY JESUS...
      1. "a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." - Jn 4:14
      2. Note:  the "living water" is not everlasting life itself,
         rather it results in everlasting life

   B. DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT "RESULT IN ETERNAL LIFE"...?
      1. Yes, for through the Spirit we wait for the hope of
         righteousness - Ga 5:5
      2. That hope, of course, is eternal life - Tit 1:2
      3. By the Spirit whom God poured out on us abundantly through
         Jesus...
         a. We are renewed and justified by God's grace - Tit 3:5-6
         b. Thus made heirs according to the hope of eternal life - Ti
            3:5-7
      4. And sowing to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting
         life - Ga 6:8
         
CONCLUSION

1. While the "living water" in Jn 4:10-14 may pertain to salvation, I
   believe it has particular reference to the gift of the Spirit in the
   life of the Christian...
   a. Salvation involves both justification and sanctification
   b. The Holy Spirit certainly plays a role in both - cf. 1Co 6:11; Ti 3:4-7
   c. And the Spirit is given to those who become Christians - Ac 2:38-39; 5:32; Ga 4:6
   -- It certainly has such reference in Jn 7:37-39

2. If so, then we might understand Jesus' words to the Samaritan woman
   as follows...
   a. "If you knew the gift of God" - If you knew what God is willing to
      give you (i.e., the Spirit)
   b. "...and who it is who says to you..." - That He is the Messiah,
      the one who will pour out the Spirit on all flesh - cf. Jn 1:33; Ac 2:33
   c. "...He would have given you living water..." - i.e., the Holy
      Spirit
      1) The same promise made to all believers in Jn 7:37-39
      2) Though not fully given until He was glorified (after His
         resurrection and ascension)

3. Are we enjoying the benefits of "The Gift Of Living Water" that Jesus
   offers...?
   a. It begins by responding to Christ in baptism - cf. Ac 2:38; 1Co 12:13
   b. It continues by being careful not to "quench" the Spirit - cf.
      1Th 5:19; e.g., Ac 7:51

May our attitude be like that of the Samaritan woman:  "Sir, give me
this water..." - Jn 4:15

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN" Worship In Spirit And Truth (4:20-24) by Mark Copeland

                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                 Worship In Spirit And Truth (4:20-24)

INTRODUCTION

1. At Jacob's well, Jesus and the Samaritan woman discussed the matter
   of worship...
   a. Samaritans and Jews differed as to where one should worship - Jn 4:20
      1) Samaritans believed they should worship on Mt. Gerazim
      2) Jews understood that it should be in Jerusalem
   b. Jesus said the time was coming for a different kind of worship - Jn 4:21-24
      1) Where worship would not be defined by its location (though Jews
         had been right)
      2) Where true worshippers would worship the Father in spirit and
         truth

2. What does it mean to worship the Father in spirit and truth?  Many
   say it means...
   a. To worship God from the heart ("in spirit")
   b. To worship God as He directs in His Word ("and truth")

3. Yet note the contrast made by Jesus...
   a. The Jews had worshipped correctly by going to Jerusalem
   b. But the time was coming when place would not be important
   -- A contrast is being made between OT worship and NT worship

4. Somehow Old Testament (OT) worship had not been "in spirit and
   truth"...
   a. Yet God required worship from the heart from the Jews - cf. Deu 6:4-7; Isa 1:10-18
   b. And God required worship as directed by His Word - cf. Deut 5:32-33

[If "in spirit and truth" does not mean "from the heart and in harmony
with God's Word", then what does it mean?  Let's first consider...]

I. WORSHIPPING GOD IN SPIRIT

   A. MEANS TO OFFER "SPIRITUAL" WORSHIP...
      1. In contrast to that which is mostly physical
      2. This explanation is in keeping with the context - cf. Jn 4:24
         a. Jesus began by saying "God is Spirit..."
         b. The worship of God is to be "in spirit" (i.e., spiritual)
      3. Note these comments:
         a. "...men must offer a worship corresponding with the nature
            and attributes of God." - J. W. McGarvey
         b. "Since he is Spirit, he must receive spiritual worship..."
            - B.W. Johnson
         c. "A pure, a holy, a spiritual worship, therefore, is such as
            he seeks the offering of the soul rather than the formal
            offering of the body - the homage of the heart rather than
            that of the lips." - Albert Barnes
      -- A worship was coming that was more in keeping with God's
         nature!

   B. AS OPPOSED TO "CARNAL" ORDINANCES...
      1. OT worship consisted of carnal (fleshly) ordinances - cf. He 9:1-10
         a. A physical structure (tabernacle)
         b. Special priesthood, clothing for priests
         c. Lamp stands, burning incense
         d. Instruments of music
         e. Feast days
         f. Animal and meal sacrifices
         -- All which appealed to the carnal or physical senses of man
      2. NT worship is geared more toward the spiritual side of man:
         a. God's temple is now spiritual, made up of Christians - 1Co 3:16; Ep 2:19-22
         b. All Christians are priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices
            - 1Pe 2:5,9
         c. Our prayers are as sweet incense - Re 5:8
         d. Our music is making melody with the heart, not the harp - Ep 5:19
         e. The Lord's Supper - Ac 20:7; 1Co 10:16-17; 11:17-34
         f. Spiritual sacrifices of praise and service - He 13:15; Ro 12:1-2
         -- The emphasis is on the spirit of man, not his physical
            senses!

[Physical ordinances of the Old Covenant were until "the time of
reformation" (He 9:9-10), which occurred with the coming of the New
Covenant.  As Jesus proclaimed, the new worship is more in keeping with
the nature of God ("God is Spirit..."), designed to relate more to the
spiritual side of man.  Now let's examine...]

II. WORSHIPPING GOD IN TRUTH

   A. MEANS TO OFFER "TRUE (REAL)" WORSHIP...
      1. To worship according to the commands of God?
         a. Certainly we should do this
         b. But this is no contrast to what God expected in the OT - cf.
            Deut 5:32-33
         c. Jesus admitted that the Jews were right in their worship - Jn 4:22
      2. What then is the contrast between worship that was and that
         which "now is"?
         a. Not between true and false worship
         b. But between that which is true (real) and that which had
            been a shadow
      -- A worship was coming that was more in keeping with truth and
         reality

   B. AS OPPOSED TO "SHADOW (SYMBOL)" WORSHIP...
      1. Many elements of worship in the OT were simply a shadow or
         figure of that to come
         a. The Tabernacle was a symbol - He 9:8-9
         b. The Law with its worship was only a shadow of that to come - He 10:1
      2. Christ is now in the true tabernacle (heaven)- He 9:11-12,24
         a. We should expect the worship of the true to be different
            from that of the shadow
         b. We have already seen that to be the case:
            1) Old Covenant worship, which was but a shadow, was
               physical in nature
            2) New Covenant worship is according to the true realities
               (God is Spirit, Christ in heaven) and is therefore more
               spiritual in nature
      -- The emphasis is on that which is true (real), not which was a
         shadowy symbol of things to come

[This explanation of worshipping God "in spirit and truth" is more in
keeping with the immediate context. Since God is seeking "true
worshippers" who worship Him accordingly (Jn 4:23), some thoughts about
our worship today may be appropriate...]

III. WORSHIPPING GOD TODAY

   A. NOT ALL WORSHIP IS ACCEPTABLE...
      1. There is vain worship - Mt 15:7-9
         a. Based on traditions of men, while ignoring the commands of
            God
         b. Offered without involving our "hearts" (spirits)
      2. There is ignorant worship - Ac 17:22-23
         a. Ignorant of the true nature of God
         b. Ignorant of the worship He desires
      3. There is will worship - Col 2:20-23 (KJV)
         a. Self-imposed, not God-directed
         b. What we like, what we think is good
      -- Just because we worship God, does not mean He is pleased with
         our worship!

   B. MANY OFFER CARNAL WORSHIP...
      1. When they appeal to the OT for their authority for how they
         worship
         a. For instrumental music, burning incense, clapping, etc.
         b. They seek to justify that which appeals to the flesh
            (senses), not the spirit
      2. When they offer that which appeals to their fleshly nature
         a. Preferring what is based on how it sounds
         b. Preferring what is based on how it feels
      -- Striving to be more spiritual, some revert to becoming more
         carnal, a reason to be concerned (cf. Ga 4:9-11)!

   C. GOD SEEKS TRUE WORSHIPPERS...
      1. Who worship God "...with their spirits" - Matthew Poole
         a. Seeking to engage the spirit (mind) more than the organs of
            the body
         b. Content with the simplicity of worship that stresses the
            spiritual side of man
      2. Who worship God "...according to the rule that he hath
         prescribed, in truth and reality." - ibid.
         a. Not desiring to return to the carnal ordinances imposed
            until a time of reformation
         b. Content with the worship ordained in the New Covenant
      3. Who can worship God anywhere, anytime, with true spiritual
         worship - e.g., Ac 16:25
      -- God seeks such worshippers, who seek to worship Him in spirit
         and truth!

CONCLUSION

1. Matthew Poole offered this explanation of our text in his
   commentary...

   "God...is a spiritual Being, the Father of spirits, and requires
   a spiritual service proportioned to His being; and therefore those
   that pay a religious homage to him, must do it with their spirits,
   and according to the rule that he hath prescribed, in truth and
   reality."

2. How can we be sure to offer spiritual and true worship acceptable to
   God...?
   a. Look to the New Testament for our authority in worship!
   b. Worship in ways ordained by Christ and His apostles! - cf. Ac 2:42

3. As God is Spirit...
   a. Our worship should be spiritual and not limited to special places
   b. The emphasis should be on the spiritual (e.g., meaning of the
      words), and not the physical (e.g., how it looks, sounds, feels)

Remember...

   "...the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will
   worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking
   such to worship Him."
                   (Jn 4:23)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

Sin is nothing to hold on to by Gary Rose

To me, cats seem like such strange animals. I know how much some people adore their cats and I remember how much my dear sister-in-the-LORD, Lillian Hewitt loved hers, but still- I don't get it. Cats seem too independent for me, but if you love yours- MORE POWER TO YOU!!!

The cat in the picture typifies the unrepentant nature of the species and sends a message to all, felines and humans as well...

2 Corinthians, Chapter 7 (World English Bible)

  ¹ Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 

  ² Open your hearts to us. We wronged no one. We corrupted no one. We took advantage of no one.  ³ I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.  ⁴ Great is my boldness of speech toward you. Great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I overflow with joy in all our affliction. 

  ⁵ For even when we had come into Macedonia, our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side. Fightings were outside. Fear was inside.  ⁶ Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus,  ⁷ and not by his coming only, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you while he told us of your longing, your mourning, and your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 

  ⁸ For though I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you grieve, though just for a while.  ⁹ I now rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing.  ¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death. (emp. added vs. 10 GDR)

The Corinthian church was in a hotbed of pagan hedonism. And its members were engrossed in activities that would have shocked even the pagans. But, they turned their act around (repented) and became a model church. That fact should provide great encouragement to every congregation struggling with worldliness.

Unlike that pictured cat, their repentance was genuine and the result salvation. Moral of all this is- be genuine and don't hold onto sin, for it will eventually kill you (even if you have seven lives [which you don't])!!!