Christ's High Priestly Prayer

Mo. 8/20/12: John 17:3 – 4                  What did Christ finish?

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

What did Christ finish? He finished the work that God gave Him to do.

Tu. 8/21/12: John 17:8                  What did Christ give to His followers?

For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

What did Christ give to His followers? The words of God.

We. 8/22/12: John 17:9 – 10                  Who did Christ pray for?

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.

Who did Christ pray for? He prayed specifically for those the Father had given to Him.

Th. 8/23/12: John 17:14 – 15                  Where did Christ want them to be?

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

Where did Christ want them to be? Christ wanted His followers kept in the world and (away) from the devil.

Fr. 8/24/12: John 17:24                  What future did Christ desire?

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

What future did Christ desire? Christ wanted to have them where He was, to see His glory.

Footwashing

Mo. 8/13/12: John 13:3–5                  What heralded footwashing?

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

What heralded footwashing? Christ knew that God had given all things into His hands.

Tu. 8/14/12: John 13:10–11                  Why should feet be washed?

Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

Why should feet be washed? Eradicate earth’s dust, signifying sin.

We. 8/15/12: John 13:13–15                  Why did Christ wash feet?

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

Why did Christ wash feet? Christ set an example for his disciples.

Th. 8/16/12: Ephesians 5:25–26                  What must a husband do?

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word

What must a husband do? A husband MUST love his wife, no matter what she does, just as Christ loves us.

Fr. 8/17/12: 1 Corinthians 6:11                  What are we now?

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

What are we now? We are sinners, washed, sanctified and justified.

Seal

Mo. 8/6/12: John 6:27 (NKJV)                  What revealed God’s seal on Christ?

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

What revealed God’s seal on Christ? The miracle of feeding 5,000 and the giving the food of eternal life was His seal.

Tu. 8/7/12: 1 Corinthians 9:2                  What was Paul’s seal of apostleship?

If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

What was Paul’s seal of apostleship? Paul was the apostle to the gentiles, and the fact that Corinthian Gentiles were believers was the seal.

We. 8/8/12: 2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV)                  What is God’s seal on believers?

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

What is God’s seal on believers? God knows them; they abandon a life of sin.

Th. 8/9/12: Revelation 7:2 – 3                  What stopped the avenging angels?

Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

What stopped the avenging angels? They waited till the servants of God were sealed on the forehead.

Fr. 8/10/12: Revelation 9:3 – 4                  Who would the locusts not harm?

Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

Who would the locusts not harm? The locusts would not harm those who had God’s seal on their foreheads.

Love at first sight?

Mo. 7/30/12: 1 John 4:12 – 13 (NKJV)            Is there a link between sight and love?           

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

Is there a link between sight and love? Love local believers means God lives in you.

Tu. 7/31/12: 1 John 4:14 – 15 (NKJV)            What did the apostles witness?

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

What did the apostles witness? They witness that they have seen the Savior, the Son of the heavenly Father. Apostles further affirm that declaring this means God lives in you!

We. 8/1/12: 1 John 4:16 (NKJV)            Is there a bond between love and God?

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Is there a bond between love and God? God IS Love: live in love and God lives in you.

Th. 8/2/12: 1 John 4:18 – 19 (NKJV)            What is the love-fear connection?

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

What is the love-fear connection? Perfect love pushes fear out of your mind!

Fr. 8/3/12: 1 John 4:20 – 21 (NKJV)            Finally, what links sight and love?

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

Finally, what links sight and love? The conclusion this week: don’t hate a fellow believer. If you hate someone you see, can you love God whom no one has ever seen?

Work Out Your Own Salvation?

Mo. 7/23/12: Philippians 2:12 – 13 (NKJV)            Isn’t salvation by faith and not works?

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Isn’t salvation by faith and not works? The word here is not 'work on' but 'work out' as in exercise. God can take you anytime: He has kept you here to do His will.

Tu. 2 7/24/12: Timothy 1:1 (NKJV)            What is according to the promise of life?

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

What is according to the promise of life? Paul, who was accessory to Stephan’s stoning and other atrocities, was forgiven and chosen of God to be an apostle!

We. 7/25/12: 2 Timothy 1:6 – 7 (NKJV)            What is stirring up the gift?

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

What is stirring up the gift? It means keep the fire burning, as it is already aflame. Don't let the flame die out but stir up the embers.

Th. 7/26/12: 2 Timothy 1:8 – 9 (NKJV)            What is NOT according to our works?

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

What is NOT according to our works? Both our salvation and calling are not according to our works, which were sinful. They are according to God’s purpose in calling you.

Fr. 7/27/12: 2 Timothy 1:10 – 11 (NKJV)            Why is Jesus Christ named as savior?

but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Why is Jesus Christ named as savior? Not only did He abolish death (salvation) but has brought us life (more abundant) and immortality (eternal life) through His death, burial and resurrection.

Do We Still Sacrifice To God?

Monday, July 16, 2012: Hebrews 13:14 (NKJV)            Live in a nice neighborhood?

For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

Live in a nice neighborhood? My locality is transient: New Jerusalem, ICQ! (I seek you)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012: Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)            Do you still sacrifice to God?

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Do you still sacrifice to God? Words of worship, praise and tribute are sacrifice to God.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012: Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)            Do you sacrifice for others?

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Do you sacrifice to be hospitable to others? Generosity and hospitality please God.

Thursday, July 19, 2012: Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV)            Who is liable for your flock?

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Who is liable for your flock? Those who rule over you (shepherds of the flock)are accountable directly to God.

Friday, July 20, 2012: Hebrews 13:20 – 21 (NKJV)            A Benediction.

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

A Benediction: may we all do what is pleasing in God’s sight.

The Faith and Hope connection

Monday, July 9, 2012: Hebrews 11:1 – 2, 39 – 40 (NKJV)            Is faith connected to hope?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Is faith connected to hope? Faith is the substance of hope. The beginning and ending of the ‘heroes of faith’ chapter copied above provide a puzzle: are these heroes tied to us?

Tuesday, July 10, 2012: Hebrews 12:3 – 4 (NKJV)            Has faith in Christ changed you?

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Has faith in Christ changed you? Consider Christ; He suffered untold agony to pay for your sin. How can you keep on sinning so nonchalantly? Resist sin till it wounds you, till you bleed.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012: Hebrews 12:7 – 8, 11 (NKJV)            Do you accept God’s discipline?

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Do you accept God’s discipline? We fail to even recognize or discern God’s discipline.

Thursday, July 12, 2012: Hebrews 12:18 – 19 (NKJV)            Is your faith in Mosaic Law?

For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.

Is your faith in Mosaic Law? If it is, all you will prove is that you are a law-breaker. Even the 4^th was based on faith: their faith that manna would not spoil!

Friday, July 13, 2012: Hebrews 12:22 – 24 (NKJV)            Is your faith in the new covenant?

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Is your faith in the new covenant? It should be! Our spirits are made perfect in Him: His blood paid for our sin. Our new command is to love; our response is to worship Him.