True Christian is Witness to Christ's personal reality (1 Pet. 3:15)

My friend Clark posted the 10 Vital Signs of a True Christian

1. Christian fruit (John 15:8)

2. Love for God's people (John 13:35)

3. Concern for personal holiness (1 Pet. 1:13-21)

4. Love for God's Word (1 Pet. 2:2-3)

5. A desire to obey (John 14:15, 21, 23)

6. A sense of intimacy with God (Rom. 8:14-17)

7. Perseverance (Phil. 1:27-28)

8. Fellowship with God's people (Heb. 10:24-25)

9. A desire to glorify God (Matt. 5:13-16)

10. Witness to Christ's personal reality (1 Pet. 3:15)

- MacArthur and Mayhue

The last on got me thinking. A true Christian is not merely a carrier of ideas about Christ. A true Christian is a witness to Christ as a living and personal reality. 1 Peter 3:15 grounds this identity: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and respect.” The verse assumes something vital. Hope is already present, visible, and compelling enough that others ask about it. Witness begins not with argument but with an encountered Lord.

Witness is rooted in inward allegiance.
Peter starts with the heart. To sanctify Christ as Lord means Christ is not abstract doctrine but reigning presence. The believer’s life is ordered around Him. This inner reality produces coherence. Decisions, responses to suffering, patience under pressure, and moral clarity all flow from a lived relationship. Apologetics follows devotion, not the other way around. Authority in witness comes from submission before it comes from speech.

Witness is experiential, not theoretical.
The Christian testifies to what Christ has done and is doing. Forgiveness received. Conscience cleansed. Fear reoriented. Purpose clarified. This aligns with the biblical pattern of testimony. “What we have seen and heard we proclaim.” A witness speaks credibly because their life has been intersected by truth. Christianity spreads not only by explanation but by presence shaped by encounter.

Witness is hope made visible.
Peter emphasizes hope, not debate. Hope is resilient confidence grounded in Christ’s resurrection and reign. In a hostile or confusing world, hope stands out. It is calm under threat. Steady under loss. Joyful without denial of pain. When hope is visible, questions follow naturally. Witness happens when the Christian life creates holy curiosity.

Witness is marked by posture, not aggression.
Gentleness and respect are not optional. They are evidence that Christ truly reigns in the heart. Harshness undermines credibility. Pride contradicts the message. A true witness reflects the character of Christ while speaking about Christ. The manner of defense validates the content of the defense.

In summary.
A true Christian witnesses to Christ’s personal reality by living under His lordship, speaking from lived experience, embodying durable hope, and engaging others with humility. The Christian does not argue Christ into existence. They bear witness to the One who has already made Himself known.

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Bless the LORD, O my soul! (praise flows from awareness Psalm 104)

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty. Psalm 104:1

Psalm 104 is a creation hymn that highlights why God is worthy of praise by walking through His ongoing, active governance of the world. The themes are ordered, intentional, and expansive.

Praise-worthy themes in Psalm 104

1. God’s majesty and glory (Psalm 104:1–2)

• God is clothed with splendor, light, and honor.

• Creation reflects His greatness, not human effort.

Theme: God is worthy of praise for who He is, before anything He does.

2. God as Creator and Architect (Psalm 104:2–9)

• He stretches out the heavens, sets beams in the waters, and establishes the earth securely.

• Creation is intentional, not accidental.

Theme: Order, design, and stability flow from God’s wisdom.

3. God’s provision for all life (Psalm 104:10–15)

• Springs water the valleys.

• Plants grow for animals and people.

• Food, wine, oil, and bread are named explicitly.

Theme: God sustains daily life, not just spiritual life.

4. God’s care for every creature (Psalm 104:16–23, 27–28)

• Animals receive food in due season.

• Lions seek prey from God.

• Birds nest, goats climb, sea creatures roam.

Theme: Nothing in creation is overlooked.

5. God’s authority over time and rhythms (Psalm 104:19–23)

• He appointed the moon for seasons.

• Day and night govern work and rest.

Theme: God orders time itself, enabling both labor and renewal.

6. God’s wisdom displayed in diversity (Psalm 104:24)

• “How manifold are Your works.”

• Creation is rich, complex, and abundant.

Theme: Diversity is not chaos. It is wisdom expressed.

7. God’s sovereignty over the seas and the unknown (Psalm 104:25–26)

• The vast sea teems with creatures.

• Leviathan exists under God’s authority.

Theme: Even what feels uncontrollable remains under God’s rule.

8. God as the giver and sustainer of life (Psalm 104:29–30)

• When God gives breath, life flourishes.

• When He withdraws it, life returns to dust.

Theme: Life is sustained by God’s Spirit, not human strength.

9. God’s enduring glory and righteous order (Psalm 104:31–35)

• God rejoices in His works.

• Sin is incompatible with this ordered creation.

Theme: Praise aligns the worshiper with God’s holy order.

Summary insight

Psalm 104 teaches that praise flows from awareness.
When we see creation rightly, provision rightly, and time rightly, praise becomes the only reasonable response.

David’s conclusion mirrors Psalm 103.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul.”

Praise is not emotional excess.
It is intelligent alignment with reality.

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From guilt and shame to back in the game (everyday)

The LORD's lovingkindnesses, great, faithful love, acts of mercy indeed never cease, never ends For His compassions never fail, are never limited, still continue, never end. These mercies are new every morning, fresh as the morning sunrise; great beyond measure, abundant is thy/Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

(Everyday in view of God's mercy Romans 12) ...seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. / Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

I’m deeply honored when friends trust me with their real struggles: pornography, deception, addiction, and the shame that follows. Whether the battle is with substances, food, money, avoidance, or hidden sin, we always begin with Jesus. We thank God that He will not let us remain comfortable with sin, then we confess, receive His forgiveness, and stand on His promises. Clothed in the full armor of God, we stand ready to fight.

This is life on this side of heaven, the church militant standing faithfully with the church triumphant.

I had several of these conversation this week and wanted to capture a few new books that were brought to my attention. The Genesis Process: A Relapse Prevention Wookbook for Addictive/Compulsive Behaviors  and The Purple Book, Updated Edition: Biblical Foundations for Building Strong Disciples

The Genesis Process is out of print so I asked chatGPT this: Tell me about this book, what's different about it from other treatment methods like Serenity Principle or 12 steps based approaches: The Genesis Process: A Relapse Prevention Wookbook for Addictive/Compulsive Behaviors.

Here’s how The Genesis Process: A Relapse Prevention Workbook for Addictive/Compulsive Behaviors differs — in concept and orientation — from more traditional approaches like “the The Serenity Principle” or classic 12-step models (e.g. in Alcoholics Anonymous / Narcotics Anonymous).

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✅ What Genesis claims to be

• Root-cause healing (beliefs, identity, trauma), not just behavior control. According to its authors and program materials, Genesis works on identifying “subconscious self-sabotaging patterns,” faulty belief systems and emotional/spiritual wounds (often from trauma or neglect) that underlie compulsive or addictive behavior — not just treating the addiction itself. genesisprocess.org+2RescueMissionCurriculum.org+2

• Integration of multiple disciplines: It blends biblical principles, neurochemical research, and cognitive-therapy style relapse prevention. RescueMissionCurriculum.org+2genesisprocess.org+2

• Personalized relapse prevention plan + ongoing support: Participants work one-on-one with a trained counselor, and also can go through a 6-month small-group “Change Group” experience to build safe relationships, and heal underlying “heart issues.” genesisprocess.org+2RescueMissionCurriculum.org+2

• Focus on identity transformation rather than abstinence rituals: The program emphasizes “if someone is willing to change, Genesis will make them able.” It posits that lasting recovery comes from changing “who you are” (identity, beliefs, self-concept), not just “what you do (or don’t do).” genesisprocess.org+2CLDI Billings+2

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⚠️ How that contrasts with 12-step / Serenity Principle–style models

Feature / Goal	Traditional 12-Step / Serenity Principle	Genesis Process
Core focus	Managing behavior, establishing abstinence, building a new routine; often centered around admitting powerlessness over addiction and relying on a higher power. The Lakes Addiction Treatment Center+1	Healing the underlying beliefs, identity, and emotional/spiritual wounds that drive addictive behavior. genesisprocess.org+1
Spiritual / religious element	Spirituality or higher-power orientation is central (though interpreted variously by individuals). Wikipedia+1	Also faith-based (biblical worldview) — but paired explicitly with modern neurochemical + cognitive-therapy ideas. RescueMissionCurriculum.org+1
Methodology	Step-by-step recovery, group meetings, sponsorship, peer support. The Lakes Addiction Treatment Center+1	One-on-one counseling, personalized relapse-prevention planning, and small-group therapy focused on self-discovery and healing underlying issues. genesisprocess.org+1
Goal orientation	Maintain abstinence, stay sober, manage relapse risk; often external behavior change with support of community.	Internal transformation — reshape beliefs, identity, emotional core so that addictive behaviors no longer “make sense.”

In short: 12-step / Serenity-style methods emphasize behavioral change, peer accountability, and spiritual surrender, often relying on community and a “higher power” to maintain sobriety.

By contrast, Genesis aims for therapeutic healing, psychological and spiritual re-wiring, with structured counseling + self-discovery exercises, combining faith and modern behavioral science — oriented toward transforming why someone is drawn to destructive patterns.

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🎯 What Genesis might offer that traditional models sometimes don’t

• Deeper psychological introspection — Genesis invites a person to examine their life history, belief systems, identity, and inner wounds. For many, addiction isn’t just a habit but a symptom of deeper emotional or spiritual trauma; Genesis attempts to address that root.

• Personalization of recovery — Rather than a “one-size-fits-all” set of steps, Genesis builds individualized relapse-prevention plans and therapeutic support tailored to an individual’s triggers and history.

• Blended faith + science approach — For someone wanting spiritual grounding and a structured understanding of neurobehavioral factors, Genesis offers both.

• Longer-term change framework — Through small groups and on-going counsel, it aims to change identity and belief structures to support sustainable recovery, not just abstinence.

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💡 Some caveats and considerations

• Because Genesis explicitly combines faith (biblical worldview) with therapy and neuro-behavioral ideas, it may resonate more with people open to a Christian context. For those seeking purely secular recovery, 12-step or non-faith-based clinical relapse prevention might feel more appropriate.

• As with many non-mainstream recovery modalities, empirical evidence (in peer-reviewed research) for “transformation via belief-system change + neurochemistry + biblical worldview” tends to be less established than for more studied cognitive-behavioral relapse prevention models. (Mainstream relapse prevention adopts recognized behavioral/cognitive therapy principles.) Wikipedia+1

• Effectiveness may heavily depend on the quality of counseling, individual commitment, and community support — same as with 12-step programs.

I then asked: How does the ideas from The Purple Book, Updated Edition: Biblical Foundations for Building Strong Disciples add to ideas previously mentioned. Because at the end of the day, everyone is born into Adam's sin nature and we need to apply the new Adam's nature, in effect - be born again and put on the new self and take off the old self. Adjusting my heart and mind to the yoke until by the grace of God "his yoke is easy, his burden is light."

You’re drawing a theologically precise line that The Purple Book strengthens and stabilizes what Genesis-style heart work and recovery models begin. Here’s how it adds depth, order, and sustainability to the transformation you described — moving from Adam’s nature to Christ’s nature, and learning to live under the easy yoke.

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1. Genesis Works on the Root System

The Purple Book Builds the Framework for Growth

Genesis Process (and similar inner-healing models):

• Exposes why the old self still rules (trauma, lies, identity wounds, coping patterns).

• Helps people see the old nature in operation.

• Creates repentance at the heart level, not just behavior.

The Purple Book then adds what many recovery models lack:

• A systematic discipleship architecture that teaches:

  • Who God is

  • Who we are in Christ

  • How the Kingdom actually works

• It moves a person from:

  “I’ve been healed” → “Now I must be formed.”

In essence:

• Genesis digs out the dead roots.

• The Purple Book plants the new roots of doctrine, practice, and identity.

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2. From Diagnosis → Doctrine → Discipline

Genesis excels at diagnosing Adam’s nature in real life:

• Fear

• Control

• Shame

• Compulsion

• Self-protection

The Purple Book explains why those traits exist theologically:

• Federal headship in Adam (Rom 5)

• Separation from God

• Slavery to sin, not just sinful acts

And then it gives the disciplines that train the new nature:

• Repentance as a lifestyle, not an event

• Faith as active alignment, not intellectual assent

• Lordship, submission, authority, community, mission

So the flow becomes:

Revelation → Transformation → Formation → Multiplication

Without Purple Book–style foundations, many people:

• Get emotionally free

• But remain doctrinally shallow

• And eventually drift back into self-rule.

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3. Adam vs. Christ: Purple Book Makes This Daily and Practical

You summarized the gospel transformation exactly:

Born into Adam’s nature → Born again into Christ’s nature → Put off the old → Put on the new.

Where Genesis often asks:

• “What wounded your heart?”

• “What belief lies are driving your behavior?”

The Purple Book adds:

• “What has God already declared true about you?”

• “What Kingdom laws now govern your life?”

• “What does obedience look like in normal rhythms?”

It turns identity theology into daily practice:

• Not just freedom from sin

• But training in righteousness

This is why Jesus’ yoke becomes easy:

• You stop pulling as Adam

• You move as a son in Christ

• By rhythms of grace, not pressure

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4. The Yoke: From Inner Healing to Kingdom Alignment

Many recovery and healing movements aim at:

“Less pain, fewer relapses, more emotional health.”

The Purple Book aims at:

“Life fully submitted to the King under His authority.”

This is a critical shift:

Inner-Healing Focus	Purple Book Focus
Personal freedom	Kingdom citizenship
Emotional health	Spiritual authority
Identity repair	Sonship alignment
Coping	Obedience
Relief	Transformation

So the yoke becomes:

• Not a therapeutic tool

• But a relational covenant

• Where obedience flows from love, not effort

This makes your phrase theologically complete:

Adjusting my heart and mind to the yoke
is not self-regulation — it is Spirit-led conformity to Christ.

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5. Where Genesis, 12-Step, and Purple Book Converge — and Where Purple Book Goes Further

All three acknowledge:

• Human powerlessness over sin

• The need for repentance

• The necessity of grace

• The danger of self-rule

But Purple Book uniquely emphasizes:

• Apostolic doctrine

• Authority structures

• Spiritual warfare and discipleship

• Multiplication, not just recovery

It shifts the ultimate goal from:

“I don’t relapse anymore”
to
“I am walking as a disciple who makes disciples.”

That is a Kingdom upgrade.

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6. The Coherent Arc You’re Describing

What you’re really outlining is a complete spiritual operating system:

1. Adam’s inheritance → sin nature, broken identity

2. Conviction & repentance → Genesis/inner healing

3. Regeneration → born again into Christ

4. Re-education of the soul → The Purple Book

5. Training under the yoke → daily discipleship

6. Spirit-empowered obedience → easy yoke, light burden

7. Multiplication → spiritual reproduction, not just survival

This is not recovery theology alone.
It is Kingdom formation theology.

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7. Why This Integration Is So Spiritually Powerful

Because it:

• Avoids shallow “behavior modification Christianity”

• Avoids purely emotional healing without discipline

• Avoids legalism without denying obedience

• Avoids grace without transformation

It fully honors:

• Justification (new birth)

• Sanctification (putting on the new self daily)

• Commission (living under the yoke for others)

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Bottom Line

Genesis helps you see and repent of the old Adam.
The Purple Book teaches you how to live as the new Adam in Christ.
The yoke is where healing becomes obedience, and obedience becomes joy.

God shines through our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9, where the Apostle Paul writes, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" God molds us and re-molds us until he see repentance (Jer 18:1-17)

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Bread from Heaven - More than Words

From a series by Robert Morris from Gateway church
Bread
1. Our Daily Bread
Exodus 16:4; Matthew 6:11; Psalm 68:19
An “exact equivalency” translates word by word.
 - You get the allusion from one part of the text to another - ESV, AMP
A “dynamic equivalency” translates the phrase or thought
 - You get the idea in "plain English" but loose the allusion - NLT
Exodus 16:4 NLT - thought for thought
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.
Exodus 16:4 ESV - word for word
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.
Give us today the food we need, NLT vs Give us this day our daily bread, ESV
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up;   God is our salvation.  ESV

2. Our Sustaining Bread
Matthew 4:3–4; Deuteronomy 8:3; Isaiah 55:2; Job 23:12; Joshua 1:8
3. Our True Bread
John 1:1, 1:14, 5:39, 6:31–35, 6:48–51, 6:63; Revelation 19:11–13; Genesis 35:1
(Rev 19:13) Wore robe dipped in blood, His title was the Word of God (John 1:1 - Word can be thought of as the total message of God to man (Acts 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:13))
Jesus heals the sick, feeds 5,000 and walks on water (John 6:1-21)

C) Jesus teaches about life in God and why people refuse it
Crowds don't understand Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:22-40)
Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most (John 6:41-71)

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David experiences God through righteous friends, deliverance from evil Saul (1 Samuel 21-24)

AIM: David's life marked by confidence in God (guidance and protection)

A) David's flight and Saul's revenge (1 Samuel 21-22)
21:1-9) Saul's rage contrasted with Johnathan's prayer "go in peace" (1 Samuel 20:42), priest helps David with mercy, bread, and sword
 - Principle: God's righteousness, acts of compassion, not coldhearted ritual observance
 - Lies: John 8:44 - Showbread: Exodus 25:23-30; Leviticus 24:5-9
 - Mercy, not sacrifice: Micah 6:8; Matthew 12:1-8, Word as food: Matthew 4:4
10-15) David responds to pressure with fear and lies instead of faith (acts crazy, Achish/Gath/Goliath's hometown)
 - Psalm 34 David praise God for deliverance, promises, and eternal salvation/resurrection
22:1-5) David goes to cave about 400 mighty men join
6-19) Saul kills Ahimelek and family because Doeg, Edomite told about help to David
20-23) Abiathar, son of Ahimelek escapes tells David who blames himself but promises protection
 - Psalm 52, links Doeg informing Saul and David's trust in God's justice

 - David didn't waste time on regrets but focused on the next right thing

B) David seeks the Lord at Keilah through Abiathar (1 Sam 23)

23:1-6) Philistines attack Keilah, David inquires Lord's direction with Abiathar - God promise victory

 - David follows God and wins, as should we 

 - Use of Urim and Thummim in ephod, used as lots or dice with which priest discerned God's will.  Exodus 28:6-13; Exodus 28:30; 

 - Offering ourselves alive, renews our minds and enables us to discern God's perfect will Romans 12:1-2

7-13) Keilah citizens fear Saul, yet David's men are increasingly aware of God's protection

14-23) Saul wants David dead, David receives strength through Jonathon's encouragement

 - Principle: encouragement is easy but its effect is immeasurable.

24-29) Saul pursue David, but turns to fight Philistine

 - Principle: God can relieve oppression through physical rescue or even by the repentance of our enemies

 - Psalm 54: Prayer for deliverance: 1-4) Present power of God to bring peace, 5-5) future promises of God to bring justice

C) Saul in David's hands, is reconciled (1 Sam 24)

24:1-7) Saul enters David's cave, David cuts his robe

 - David, convicted of doing wrong, repents and does the next right thing

 - Application: ask God to help you identify habits of rebellion, receive help only God can give

8-22) David seeks Saul's good rather than harm

Principle: Lovingkindness leads others to repentance

 - The world says, kill him. But God convicts of the righteous way

 - Psalm 57, 142 relate to David's time in the cave

 David's need for God (Psalm 57:1-4), praise is his greatest desire (5-11), pain of abandonment and distress (Psalm 142:1-4), praise for presence and power (5-7)

Applications: 

God is perfectly sufficient for everything - he is our refuge, delivers us when we turn to Him

• Deliverance: Psalms 34:4; 91; Isaiah 43:1-5 

God requires our righteousness

• Joy in trials: James 1:2-4
• Rejection promised: John 15:18-16:4
• Leaders’ mistreatment: Matthew 9:3, 11, 34 

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Humbly Grateful Or Grumbly Hateful?

THeard this wonderful song today, great intro to Exodus 16, the teaching...
Do you grumble and groan,
Or let it be known
You’re grateful for all God’s done for you?
Good article here:
http://carynchristensen.com/2015/11/02/are-you-humbly-grateful-or-grumbly-hateful/

Folks were hungry and complaining about Moses and Aaron, God spoke to Moses (not them)..

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. (walk in my law or not. ESV)
Exodus 16:4 NLT

Sounds familiar,  Gen 2-3

We too grumble, we ask God to bless us, then complain about the blessings

So we are instructed.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV

Give us today our daily bread.
Matthew 6:11 NIV

Am I trusting God every day, (not just the big things)?
- God gives us what we need everyday.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19‭-‬21 NIV

God is powerful and personal
He uses basic human needs, to show how to be satisfied in him

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  ...Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life  ?
Matthew 6:25‭, 27

What life is all about? It's not about getting ahead, it's about resting in him. Manna and Sabbath = God is able too meet all our needs.

So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord . You will not find any of it on the ground today. Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”  Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” So the people rested on the seventh day.
Exodus 16:24‭-‬30 NIV

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord .
Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”  Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’  ”
Matthew 4:3‭-‬4 NIV

My ultimate need is to know God.

Crowds don't understand Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:22-40)
Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most (John 6:41-71)
Jesus teaches about Living Water at Festival of Tabernacles (John 7:1-52)

God provides and delivers
- you can't take it with you, use what you have today for today's needs.

Don't make the daily needs the pursuit of your life

Lamentations 3 show a man in pain, suffering and confusion. Yet he says...

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."
Lamentations 3:22‭-‬24 ESV

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,
Hebrews 3:7‭-‬8 ESV

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Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most

John 6:41-71

AIM: Ingesting Jesus Christ word’s brings eternal life; Or Spiritual Life, needs Spiritual food

Theme: Father, Son, Holy Spirit work together in giving eternal life

A) Jesus says God draws us to believe he is the Bread of Life

(41-42) people, “bread heaven, Joseph’s son – how?”

 - Many witnesses as well as Jesus miracles point out that he is from heaven (Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:29-34; 2:18-23; 4:43-54; 6:1-15)

 - Believing in Jesus heavenly origin is important for salvation and growth in the faith. Consider that mankind has a miraculous beginning (Genesis 1:26–27; 2:7) and key scriptures compares Jesus to Adam as a "last Adam" (1 Cor 15:21-22,45-49; Romans 5:12-21)

 - the key is receiving Jesus (Romans 5:17) and enduring in Jesus (2 Timothy 2:12)

(43-44) Jesus, “stop complaining, no one unless Father draws them, I’ll raise them last day

- Chances are good that someone here right now is complaining about something in there heart, we seem to be have no issues complaining

 - Father draws us to him; Greek word for draw is used to describe the fishermen dragging a heavy net full of fish to shore (John 21:6) or Peter drawing his sword in John 18:10. Same word is used to describe Paul and Silas being dragged to the marketplace before the rulers (Acts 16:19). 

 - He draws us (or drags us) "Because his heart is hard and his mind is darkened, the unregenerate person doesn’t desire God and is actually an enemy of God (Romans 5:10)." - GotQuestions.org

-   Last day, Non Christians find is hard to believe we are in the last days (2 Peter 3:3-4)

- Jesus talk a lot about the last days (Matthew 24:3-25:46) and evidence of it's coming was even apparent in the first century (1 John 2:18 fulfilling Matthew 24:5, 24, Mark 13:22). The early church and every church since has believed in the immanent return of Christ we'll see mass deception (Romans 13:11-12; 1 Timothy 4:1) and how to guard against deception (1 Peter 4:7-11, 1 John 2:22).

(45-46) “Scriptures; taught by God, listen to Father, come to me, only I’ve seen God”

- Scriptures play a key role in people coming to faith. When Jesus resurrected he explained Moses and Prophets and all the scriptures concerning himself ( Luke 24:27; John 5:39-40, 45-47; 6:63)

-  Here he quotes Isaiah 54:13 and this is a promise. A friend said to me today that our God is not a God of answers but the God of Promises. Acts 2:39 says, "This promise belongs to you and to your children and to all who are far off, to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself." and  Hebrews 8:11, "No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest."

 - Those who err in mind will know the truth and those who criticize will accept instruction (Isaiah 29:24

 - He awakens my ear to listen as a disciple (Isaiah 50:4)

(47-48) “truth, anyone believes eternal life, I’m bread of life!

(49-51) ancestors manna all died, anyone bread heaven never die, living bread, world may live, my flesh

 - Look at the promises; Raise up last day, not die, John 11:25 says live even though they die, 1 Cor 15:54-55 proclaims the truth of Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14, "death is swallowed up in victory" 

Application: What scripture does God use to draw people to believe in Jesus? Who will I tell these scriptures too?

B) Jesus says eat the Bread for eternal life, truly united

(52) people argue about his meaning, “how?”

 - still happening today

(53) Jesus again, “truth, unless eat flesh Son of Man/drink blood no eternal life in you

 - Spiritual life requires spiritual food. Spiritual Disciplines for Christian Living is based on, 1 Timothy 4:7 which says, "train yourself to be godly". Scripture reading, prayer, worship, Scripture meditation, evangelism, serving, stewardship of time and money, Scripture application, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning

(54-56) eat flesh, drink blood raised last day, flesh true food, blood true drink, eat remain in me, I in them

- Vine John 15:1-7, remain in me, John 15:7 "my words remain in you"

(57) I live, because living Father sent me, same way feed on me lives because of me

- united as we are united John 17:11,14-23

(58-59) True bread from heaven eat not die like ancestors but live forever”, teaching synagogue Capernaum

Application: How does the practice of spiritual disciplines keep me united in Christ?

C) Jesus says my words are spirit and life, many disciples 

(60) Disciples, “hard understand, how accept it?”

(61-62) Jesus (aware complaining) “offended? What to think see Son of Man ascend to heaven again”

-          Transfiguration was the first, the resurrection and ascension will the “again”

(63) Spirit alone gives eternal life, Human effort nothing; very words are spirit and life

(64-65) some don’t believe, only unless Father gives them

(66-67) many disciples deserted him, Twelve “you going to leave?”

(68-69) “Lord words give eternal life, we believe, know you Christ Holy One of living God”

(70-71) Jesus, “I chose twelve but one is devil” (Judas Simon Iscariot later betrayed him)

Application: How does the resurrection of Jesus legitimize Jesus claims?

two adams

First and last adam

Romans 5:17

last days

1 John 2:18

What does it mean that God draws us to salvation

Isaiah 54:13

Spiritual Disciplines for Christian living

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