Magisterium vs Sola Scriptura

Magisterium is an interesting idea that is a source of confusion between Catholic and Protestant faiths. I say confusion because I think history shows Martin Luther was correct at the Diet of Worms (1521). Martin Luther argued that the Catholic Magisterium (the Pope and church councils) did not have ultimate authority over sacred scripture, declaring instead that Scripture is its own supreme interpreter and that church authorities could and did err. However in the New Testament, "pastor" and "elder" refer to the same office of church leadership. An elder (presbyteros) is the title of the office, while pastor (poimen, meaning "shepherd") describes the function. Both terms are used interchangeably with "overseer" (episkopos) to denote the spiritual leaders of a congregation. So we still have fallible people in charge. The idea of sola Scriptura is not to add or take away what that means and was understood from the first generation church. Most born-again Catholics and protestants agree with this today. (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-2, Acts 20:17,28)

Passages Catholics cite for Magisterial authority:

• Matthew 16:18-19 — Peter given the "keys of the kingdom" and power to "bind and loose"
• Matthew 18:18 — same binding/loosing authority extended to the apostles collectively
• Luke 10:16 — "whoever listens to you listens to me"
• John 16:13 — the Spirit will guide "you" (the apostles) "into all truth"
• Matthew 28:19-20 — the Great Commission, with Christ promising to be with the church's teaching mission "always"
• Acts 15 — the Council of Jerusalem resolves doctrinal dispute with binding authority ("it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us")
• 1 Timothy 3:15 — the church called "the pillar and bulwark of truth"
• 2 Thessalonians 2:15 — believers told to "hold to the traditions" taught "either by word of mouth or by letter"
• 2 Timothy 2:2 — Paul instructs Timothy to entrust apostolic teaching to faithful men who will teach others

Passages Luther and Protestants cite for sola scriptura:

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable... that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work"
• Acts 17:11 — the Bereans praised for testing Paul's preaching against Scripture
• Isaiah 8:20 — "To the teaching and to the testimony!"
• Mark 7:8-9, 13 — Jesus condemns the Pharisees for "making void the word of God" through human tradition
• Galatians 1:8 — even an angel preaching a contrary gospel is "accursed"
• Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32 and Revelation 22:18-19 — warnings against adding to or subtracting from God's word
• John 17:17 — "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth"

The core exegetical dispute is how to read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 1 Timothy 3:15 against each other: Protestants read "complete, equipped for every good work" as Scripture being materially sufficient on its own, while Catholics read "pillar and bulwark of truth" as implying Scripture needs a living, authoritative interpreter (the church) to function as intended, and point to 2 Thessalonians 2:15 as evidence apostolic teaching wasn't confined to what got written down. Neither side disputes the texts themselves — the disagreement is about what authority, if any, stands over their interpretation. 

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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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Love, washing with the word and the messengers role (John 13)

Doctrine Resource Sheet - John Lesson 13

Adult Lesson Notes - John Lesson 13

Lesson Question Notes - John Lesson 13

BSF Basic Doctrines says that Sanctification refers to the believer’s progressive growth in holiness or conformity to the image of Christ (Romans 6:1-23; 8:1-17). It means being set apart for God and His work (Romans 12:1-2) and becoming more fully obedient to God in daily life. It is God’s will for the believer (1 Thessalonians 4:3). It is the work of the Holy Spirit and is therefore a divine work. But it is also accomplished in us by a faithful use of prayer, Bible study, fellowship, worship and the service of God and His people in the world together with trust in the Holy Spirit to change our character. For that reason, we are also sometimes said to sanctify ourselves and are made responsible for it. (See 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:27-5:31; Colossians 3:1-17)

Completed Homiletics - John 13:1-30,

A) Jesus washed disciples feet to prepare understanding of the messengers role. (1-20)

1-3) Passover, Jesus hour, loved disciples, authority, return to Father God, devil prompted Judas.

4-5) washed disciples feet with water and towel around waist

6-8) Simon Peter protested/never wash!, Jesus "you don't understand now, someday you will"/wash=belonging

• The saying "what is bound on earth will be bound in heaven" (and similarly, "what is loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven") is a concept found in the Bible, particularly in Matthew 16:19 and 18:18. It signifies that earthly decisions and actions, especially within the church, have corresponding significance in the spiritual realm. 

9-11) Simon Peter wash everything! Jesus bathed people need washed feet, disciples clean/not betrayers

12-15) "Understand? Teacher/Lord, example wash each other's feet, 

16-17) truth slaves not > master, messenger not more important than one who sends message, know, God will bless you for doing them.

• Years ago I imagined Jesus blessing each person as he washed their feet. For "Simon Peter: speak to the rock, but he struck the rock, remember when we saw Moses together on the mountain. The stone the builders rejected has become the corner stone."
  
• Similar to how Jacob Isral blessed his 12 sons with prophetic blessing, this would be reflected in epistles. "John, understand, Moses didn't give bread from heaven, My Father did. I am the true bread from heaven who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

18) all of you, Chosen, yet Scripture fulfilled in apostasy. 

19-20) told beforehand, when it happens you'll believe I AM the Messiah - truth: ANYONE welcome my messenger, welcome me, Father who sent me.

• Blessed are your eyes that see: God blesses us with truth from the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7)

B) Jesus troubled over betrayal gives Judas bread and Satan enters him. (21-30)

21-25) Jesus deeply troubled, Truth one of you will betray me. Peter asked John who asked Jesus

26-30) bread Judas, ate, Satan entered him, Jesus told him "hurry do what your going to do", disciples assume good intentions.

• Matthew 5:23-24, Jesus instructs that if you are offering your gift at the altar and remember that someone has something against you, you should first go and be reconciled to them before offering your gift to God. This highlights the importance of reconciliation and resolving conflict with others before approaching God in worship. 

C) Love: Jesus commands unconditional love, predicts Peter denial

(31-32) Now Son of Man glorified and God in him

(33-35)  Where I am going you can't come, New command Love one another like I love you, everyone will know my disciples

 - Mark 12:31, more than you love yourself

(36-38) Peter "where?" can't follow now but will later/ I'll lay down my life/Really? you will disown me 3 times before morning

Application: how do I love others like Christ loves me?

  John 9:1-41: Jesus heals a man born blind, Pharisees refuse belief

 In BSF Lesson 17 for John study we see practical ways to wash the feet of others

 As Jesus commanded, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” What does that look like in real life today? Here are some Scripture passages that help guide us to follow Jesus’s words and example:

• Show genuine love for others in practical ways (1 John 3:16-18).
• Defer to one another in humility (Philippians 2:3-7).
• Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32).
• Strengthen one another to overcome sin and bear one another’s burdens  (Galatians 6:1-3).
• Consider the needs of others and do what leads to peace and mutual edification (Romans 14:15-21).
• Pray for one another (James 5:13-14).
• Encourage one another to live for Christ (Hebrews 10:23-25).

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God's Day Planner: From Chaos to Very Good

Often in life, we can find ourselves in a rut. Going through the motions but not feeling like we are "getting anywhere". Over the past year, I've been studying and building a class on Origins, Morality, Meaning and Destiny as a tool to help people understand what they believe and what the Bible teaches on these topics. During Origins I was astounded by Creation week in Genesis 1, by what God said and what was created. He established the Sabbath as a lasting ordinance. The stars moon and sun were created to mark the time and seasons.

I got to thinking what if we modeled our days after the creation week. Would we be more productive, more fulfilled and have better relationships?
Sun 1. Team Vision Day: Seeing forward
Mon 2. Team Evaluation Day: The space between
Tue 3. Team Planning Day: Plant to produce
Wed 4. Teamwork Schedule Day: Lights, Separation, and Signals
Thu 5. Teamwork Day: Be fruitful and multiply
Fri 6. Teamwork Day 2: Be fruitful and multiply
Sat 7. Reflection Day: Look backward

1. Team Vision Day: Let there be light and there was light

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.”

Let there be light. Be honest, impartial, humble and see. What do you see around you? Start with God, what gifts have you been given that maybe you haven't opened to see what it is. 

Be nearsighted in thanksgiving, be farsighted in hope, be present in faith and love.  

Separate light from darkness. Spend time hearing from God, this is our Sunday. Remember we go to church Sunday to celebrate and remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

2. Team Evaluation Day: The space between

Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. God called the space “sky.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.

See space between heaven (desire) and water (life)

What's happened in the past week? What did you set out to achieve, what did you achieve? Did your actions result in the expected benefits? 

"You are here". Look at your roadmap or directory and see where you are. Take time to understand your cycle of life. In my job we have a Software Development Lifecycle, We also follow a Capability Maturity Model, in everything we look to make process improvements in our delivery. We use Six Sigma and build feedback mechanisms in order to help us make informed evaluations and develop recommendations for improvements. At other points in my career, we've had month end, quarter end cycles. At other points weekly staff scheduling and inventory management and coordinated product releases. 

As a Project Manager, I developed plans that help determine adjustments to time, cost and scope that are needed based on where we are according to plan. I've never seen a day go by without change, we want to identify, embrace and drive change for the benefit of God's plan in our lives. 

Let there be space between water (life) and earth (legacy)

Separate the water from the earth: In your evaluation see where water is stale and creating problems. Where is water needed, how can you create a channel for the water to flow from where it's a problem to where it's needed? Start with the end in mine.

3. Team Planning Day: Plant to produce (scope the work)

Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened. God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day.

Healthy ground is created when obstacles are removed and the field is level. Good leaders and managers see the vision, evaluate the place we are and create a healthy environment for plans to flourish and produce good results. 

Make good soil; the primary ingredients are organics and water. Organics can be created quickly by setting dead things on fire or overtime with composting. Fertilization adds something new to the mix. I think of fertilization as innovation, adding something external to an internal problem.

You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day. They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” Exodus 16:26,29

4. Teamwork Schedule Day: Lights, Separation, and Signals

Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.

The night sky has bright stars that help give direction, but the brightest object appears once a month. The full moon. Every year constellations show us what time it is and predictable cycles of life emerge. We all have schedules but not all of the time we spend is spent well. Take time on Wednesday to evaluate your use of time. Looks at the bright lights in your industry to see what makes them shine brighter. If you can, ask them or read up on what they do - or who their inspiration is. 

Separation of duties is essential in providing a quality system. I work in software development and when a complete system is developed by one person it's almost always a mess to maintain. This is because they assume they're the only one who will work on it. They find it easier to "just do it" rather than following S.O.L.I.D principles and when the developer is the tester they typically don't include clear signals of success or failure. 

Signals are needed to tell you and your team what needed in the short term and long term. We call these leading indicators. Many people struggle with defining lead indicators but a simple starting point is who and when categories around your "what". Build categories of who (top, aspiring top, middle, at risk, in trouble) and categories of when (up to date, need status, stale, not being worked on). If your "what" is prioritized from Tuesday (because it's achieving your vision from Sunday) - now your signals will make Monday's evaluation a lot easier. I use Sharepoint modified date to enable this automatically. 

5. Teamwork Day: Be fruitful and multiply

Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day.

I love how Jesus talks about living water and the image of waters swarming with life. I had the opportunity to swim in Maui Hawawii after Kim and I were married. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've had.

Being fruitful happens naturally when we've taken care of preparing for healthy growth and success. I think of a team building a sky scrapper. There is a clear order but once the foundation is laid - each floor goes through the process. the first floor can nearly be finished while the top floors are still being framed.

Being fruitful in our work means we are united in vision (long-term plan), aligned on evaluation (status),  know the scope of work for the next 90 days and who will do the work (roles).

6. Teamwork Day 2: Be fruitful and multiply

Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the seat, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
So God created human beings in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

• We learn from earth's ecosystems and natural production
• We reign over everything, bearing God's image
• We fill and govern the earth, everything that has life
• It's not good to be alone, we need husbands and wives, moms and dads and family

7. Reflection Day: Look backward

So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

Exodus 13:8
“On the seventh day you must explain to your children, ‘I am celebrating what the Lord did for me when I left Egypt.’

“Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Exodus 20:8,11,
“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed. Exodus 23:12

On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. (Exodus 24:16)

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Jesus teaches about Living Water at Festival of Tabernacles

John 7
AIM: Things are not always as they appear at first.

Characters: Brothers don't believe, Religious Leaders want to suppress Jesus, Optimistic people say he's good, pessimistic people say he deceives, yet some believe he's the Prophet other that he's the Messiah.
Appearances:
A) Wrong Timing (1-9)
B) Wrong Understanding (10-32
C) Wong Background (33-52)

A) Unbelievers partake in Festival of Tabernacles, Jesus waits
(1) After thisJesus around Galilee, not Judea Jewish leaders looked to kill him
(2-5) Unbelieving (5) brothers: Jewish Festival Tabernacles go to Judea public figures not secret, show the world

• Tabernacle: a movable habitation, "tavern, hut, tent"
• 3 times annually all men must appear before Lord your God at the place he will choose: Festival of Unleavened Bread, Weeks, Tabernacles. No one should appear before Lord empty-handed Deuteronomy 16:16
• Leviticus 23 shows seven appointed festivals of the Lord or sacred assemblies are progressively leading to Festival of Tabernacles, they are; Sabbath, Passover and Unleavened Bread, Offering First-fruits, Weeks, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. In the presents of his mother and brothers (John 2:12), Jesus had spoken of his relationship to God his Father (John 2:16) and his purpose for coming (John 2:19-22). I speculate the brothers heard Jesus declare this festival points to his work and that they will indeed see Psalm Sunday (Leviticus 23:40-41; Matthew 21:8-11; Luke 24:44-53).

Application: What traditions do I take for granted, not understanding the significance? Where am I going through the motions of religious activity with an unbelieving heart towards God?
(6-9) Jesus time not here; you anytime will do. World hates me, I testify its works are evil - you go I'll stay

• Yet his hour had still not yet come (John 2:4;7:6). Many didn't understand the purpose of the Festivals, Jesus had already clarified that true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth and this is the kind of worshipers the Father seeks (John 4:23).

Application: What is God's will for my time?

B) Jesus teaches about understanding God's will and the law
(10-13) Jesus went after his brothers left in secret, Jewish leaders watch for him crowds, "good man" others replied "deceiver" silent in public

• To say Good Man or deceiver, both attitudes are wrong yet still prevalent in our society. He is God's son, the Holy One of God (Christ, Messiah). One thing that is still true is people don't feel comfortable saying anything publicly about Jesus for fear of leaders at work, in government and the home.

Application: Who do you say that Jesus is?
(14-15) Jesus 1/2 through festival teaches at temple courts amazing everyone by his learning without being taught
(16-19) Jesus "Teaching from God, anyone chooses God's will finds I speak for God's glory in truth,
Application: How does one choose to do God's will? Repent from the pattern of this world, be transformed, renewed in mind having given your life to God (Rom 12:1-2). Chip Ingram has a whole course on becoming a Romans 12 Christian that is excellent.http://truespiritualityonline.org/r12
(19-20) Moses law, no one keeps, why try kill me?" Crowd, "demon-possessed, trying kill?"
(21-22) Jesus, "miracle on Sabbath amazed you, Moses/Abraham circumcision on Sabbath
(23-24) "boy circumcision so Moses law isn't broken, why be angry for healing a man's whole body, stop judging by appearances, but judge correctly

• 1 Samuel 16:7: "...People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
• Isaiah 53:2 regarding the Messiah, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." Fulfilled in Jesus Christ "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8). Mark 12:14 Jesus was "not influenced by outward appearances or social status, but in truth You teach the way of God."
• Matthew 16:3 "...You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times."
• 2 Corinthians 10:7-11 "Judge by what we do", not "self-imposed worship, false humility and harsh treatment of the body" (Colossians 2:23)

Principle: God cares about the heart of our actions.
Application: How do I ensure my heart is right with God?
(25-27) People Jerusalem asked "trying to kill him, but he speaks publicly, concluded Messiah? But we know where he is from/Messiah no one will know where he is from"
(28-29) Jesus teaching temple courts, you know me, but not who sent me
(30-32) tried to seize him, no one did time hadn't come, many believed "who will perform more signs than him?"

C) Jesus provides living water, people question his background
(33-34) Here short time, going to one who sent me where I am you can't come

• much like "Lord, Lord...away from me I never knew you", "they honor with lips but hearts are far from him" (Matthew 7:21; Matthew 15:8; Isaiah 29:13)

(35-36) Confused can't find him? Greeks, what's he mean?
(37-39) Last day festival Jesus "anyone thirsty come and drink, believe in me Scripture said, rivers of living water will flow from within them" - Spirit believers would receive after resurrection of Jesus

• Revelation 7:16-17; Isaiah 49:10; John 7:37-38; John 4:14 - "Never again will they hunger (or) thirst"... "He will lead them to springs of living water"- He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them besides springs of water. Whoever believes in Jesus as Scripture said, rivers of living water will flow from within them, like a spring welling up to eternal life.

(40-43) Surely the Prophet, or Messiah but Galilee? Scriptures say Messiah from Bethlehem - divided
(44-46) Chief priests wanted to seize, didn't lay hand, guards confess "no one like him"
(47-49) Pharisees "he deceived you?" has any rulers believed?, no mob knows nothing, cursed
(50-52) Nicodemus, "law condemn man before hearing, find out what doing, "Galilee too - prophet not out of Galilee"
Application: Where do I jump to accusations about people sent from God into my life?

Palm Sunday
Judging on Appearances

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Jesus ministers to the Samaritan woman at the well

John 4:1-30
AIM: Jesus is approachable and brings truth to those he engages
Jesus went where the non-believers are or would be going and did this "on his way" to where he was going. He asked questions that challenge assumptions and prejudices, even exposing hidden sin. Contrast John 3 with John 4,

• Samaritan woman came for water during the day, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. 
• Jesus approached the woman, Nicodemus approached Jesus. 
• Jesus told the Samaritan woman about knowing the gift of God, who he is and "living water". 
• Jesus told Nicodemus about spiritual birth,  reminding Nicodemus about Spiritual birth, faith and salvation

A) Jesus talks to the samaritan woman at Jacob's well
(John 4:1-3) Jesus avoided Pharisees (ministry bigger than John's) from Judea to Galilee
(4-6) Jesus tired at noon walk through Samaria, town Sychar Jacob's well for Joseph

• Sychar, 34 hour walk Genesis 33:19 Jacob's well

  

  jesuswalk.com

(7-8) Samaritan woman came for water, Jesus said "give me a drink" disciples into town to buy food
(9) She reminds Jesus; Jews/Samaritans don't associate
Who are the Samaritans?

• (2 Kings 17:23-28) they were foreigners, didn't know God and were being killed by lions, so a priests was brought in to teach them how to worship the Lord. 
• (2 Kings 17:29-33), each national group made its own gods, Avvites burned their children - worshiped the Lord but also appointed priest to shrines in high places, served own gods according to customs from nations they were brought. 
• (2 Kings 17:34-39) They persist in former practices, neither worship Lord, adhere to decrees, regulations, laws and commands "do not worship any other gods, bow down or serve them/sacrifice to them. Don't forget the covenant made with you - worship Lord God/deliverer. 
• (2 Kings 17:40-41) they wouldn't listen, persisted in former practices - while worshiping the Lord, serving their idols, children and grandchildren do as ancestors did.
• (Ezra 4:1-5), Enemies of Judah and Benjamin, "Let us help/we seek your God/sacrifice to him since 2 Kings 17", but they said "you have no part in this, we alone build temple for Lord, God of Israel. so they set out to discourage people of Judah, make them afraid to build, bribed officials work against/frustrate their plans.

(10) Jesus answered; knew/gift/God/Me/you'd have asked/I'd give living water

• Jesus would say this again in John 6:35 Jesus declares "I'm the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 
• John 7:37-39 "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them (Holy Spirit)." 
• In Revelation 7:17 "lead them to springs of living" water
• In Jeremiah 2:13 God himself is the spring of living water that the idolatrous people have forsaken (see also Jeremiah 17:13; Zachariah 14:8)

B) Skeptical woman, believes Jesus is a prophet because her sin was exposed

(11-12) Woman: "You have nothing", "Where can you get living water", "Are you greater than Jacob/sons"
(13-14) Jesus:"water/thirst again", "water I give, never thirst, spring welling up in them to eternal life"
(15) woman: "give me this water/no thirst/stop coming here"
(16-18) Jesus: "call your husband/come back" woman: no husband/ Jesus "Yes, fact is you had 5 husbands, man with now is not your husband - you spoke true"
(19) she believes, "I can see your a prophet"

C) Seeking woman believes Jesus is Messiah because Jesus explained worship
(20) Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain but you Jews say worship in Jerusalem
(21-24) Jesus: Believe me, time's coming worship Father in Spirit and Truth (God is Spirit)
(25-26) Messiah will explain everything to us, Jesus told her, I'm the  Messiah!/I AM is here/I am the LORD
(27) Disciple came back, shocked he talked with a woman but didn't ask
(28-30) Woman left jar, ran to village telling all/ come and see him, could he be Messiah, people came streaming from the village

What is the significance of Jacob’s well?

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Geysers, planters and pruners: How people are born into and matured in the Faith

I was teaching a class on evangelism and faith where I walked people through, three phases of their faith journey as pictured as a tree. The center you'll notice a cross shape, Jesus said if you remain in me you'll bear much fruit. So the bottom is our natural birth, the middle is our spiritual birth in Christ and the top is our fruit made possible by God's grace. This is fun interactive way to share the gospel and it's repercussions on our lives. The pdf can be downloaded and used freely with my blessing.

We start at the bottom 1/3 of the page (you can fold it into 3rds so the students are not distracted). The bottom third of the page are experiences that led them to Christ both negative (left) and positive (right).
Objective Fill in the boxes, however some of them may be more difficult than others, this will get deeply personal, especially for older students.

Begin with prayer, invite God in to reveal his word and his purpose of faith, hope and love in your life. Thank him for drawing you near to him and your desire to draw near.

Phase 1 the Bottom of the page
Bottom Center box, write "Mom and Dad" and at the foot of the Cross, write "[your name]"

• God made mankind, male and female - he blessed them saying "be fruitful and multiply" and this is where your parents came from and you came from your parents Genesis 2-3:1
• The first people, God breathed life into there nostrils. "take a deep breath" - God is the giver of life and sustains life by the power of his word. 

Left box (below the rocks and next to the toxic waste) write "Satan"

• He deceived mankind, telling a lie that led them to sin, death, despair and eternal separation from God - Gen 3. 
• He is the father of lies and aims to kill, steal and destroy - John 8:44, 10:10
• He is doomed with all who follow his blasphemous ways - Rev 20:10-15 (Read this whole passage)

In the lines above Satan's toxic waste, write the experience in your life that caused you pain, made you angry or makes you sad - negative actions that you or someone you know has done that have shaped who you are. 

• Depending on the people could be deep like; Parents Divorce, abortion, loosing everything in gambling/addictions, child abuse or murder
• The first family (not the president and his wife and kids) but the first family had murder (Cain killed Able Genesis 4:1-16)
• or milder like Betrayal of friends and family treating you poorly
• Joseph was thrown in hole, sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused and put in prison (Genesis 37:18-32;39:1-23)
• These negative things are hurtful and impact us for along time after they happen - they impact how we view God, ourselves and other people

In the bottom right box write, "Holy Spirit"

• He is God, He is holy (separate from creation, pure in every way). He is the third member of the Trinity. He is sent by Jesus and precedes from the Father.  (who is the Holy Spirit)
• He authored the Bible (2 Peter 1:21-22) and his words will never fail to produce good prosperous fruit. ( Isaiah 55:10-14)
• He is our comforter and I know that you have many questions right now and the great news is that he is our counselor, master teacher and he opens our hearts and minds to the good news of Jesus Christ. Everything from the Holy Spirit points to Jesus and brings glory to the Father. (Holy Spirit in the Bible)
• (Take this moment to pray in the Spirit, Ephesians 6:10-20) 
• When we believe in Jesus life, death and resurrection and commit our lives to Jesus in faith, we are born again by the power of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live inside our hearts.

In lines above the Holy Spirit write times when you've felt God's love and presents in your heart. These are the positive experiences that someone has done for you that are the benevolence of people being made in the image of God, or regeneration of the Holy Spirit in and through another person.

• Pause and pray that God would reveal these experiences in the heart and minds of the students

Phase 2, the middle section

In the middle of page, write vertically "Jesus loves Me"

• Read 1 John 4:9-13, "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. "

In the left box write "Mercy"

• ASK: What does it mean to have mercy? Let's take a look at Matthew 18:21-35 where Jesus explains it
• Since we have been forgiven, we must forgive those who have hurt us, even if they continue to do so
• This brings us to liars, thieves, murders: write down the names of people you will pray mercy over in the name of Jesus right now
• Mercy from God is taking on himself the punishment we deserve. Open your arm to the right and say "mercy is on one side of the cross and grace is on the other" as you open your left arm, by Grace and mercy we are made right with God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

In the right box write "Grace"

• ASK: What is grace? 
• We are saved by God's Grace, not anything we did (Ephesians 2:8-10)
• We are redeemed (Romans 3:22-24) - what a great promise! Some people would be happy if God would allow there great grand children to have a future. But by Grace he redeems us, right now his grace is available to redeem you in accordance with the riches of God's grace (Ephesians 1:7).
• The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17)
• By the trespass of one man (Adam from Genesis 3), death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who received God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:27)
• This brings us Geysers, planters and pruners; write down the names of people you'll thank God for who have given you grace when you needed it most
• Geysers: Jesus said the water he gives will become in us a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14) and whoever believes in Jesus as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38;Isaiah 44:3; Jeremiah 2:13). In both John 7:37 and Revelation 21:6 "to the thirsty I will give from the spring of water of life without payment" We are like a spring of water whose waters do not fail (Isaiah 58:11).
• As the church we say Come to all who hear, to the one who is thirst come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price! (Revelation 22:1)
• Planters:  Jesus said the word of God is like seed (Luke 8:4-15). 1 Peter 1:23 says we a born again by the word of God, the incorruptible seed. Jesus said the words he speaks are spirit and they are life (John 6:63). God's word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). Galatians 6:7 whatever a man sows, that is what he will reap. Seed takes time to produce and will stop growing without nourishment given through the living water.
• Pruners: God's discipline cuts off anything that no longer is bearing fruit giving room for new branches to grow (Hebrews 12:5-11). This is done by the holy Spirit who convicts the world of righteousness and judgement (John 16:8).

Phase 3, the top section - this is the results of your faith

In the top left section write the names of family members who you are uncertain if they know Jesus

• Jesus said go out to world, preach the gospel (Mark 16:15-16) and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), however the first place to start is our close family. Provide for the physical needs and spiritual needs of your family. (1 Timothy 5:8)
• Jesus first disciples invited their family to be disciples (John 1:42)

In the middle top section write the names of your friends, people you'd like to be friends with and acquaintances

• We are to put our faith in action as God's ambassadors (James 2:14-26; 2:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21)
• Jesus said Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, I'll be ashamed of them when I come in the glory of the Father and his holy angels  (Luke 9:26; Mark 8:38; Matthew 10:32)

In the right hand side write the names of people that might look up to you, these are the people who want and need you as their friend

• What do they look like? Who are people you know that are overlooked? Who may need help and kindness - who may not be able to repay you. Let's read Luke 10:25-37 (read out loud passage)
• Notice these are the people closest to the sun, these are your "ripe" fruit. These people only know you as God has shown his mercy and grace. You are the geyser or the planter here but God is the one who makes it grow (the sun). 1 Corinthians 3:6

#lifeChange

Evidence of life change is when we go public with our faith. This is the first step obedience to God. This is the water baptism. This is were you share what you believe in public and openly commit your life to him. Have you taken this step? If not why not?

Close in prayer:

"Dear God, thank you for showing me your plan for my life. Give me your grace to be your light in the world I live in - with the people you have entrusted around me. Help me to be your merciful, gracious ambassador - sharing the good news of salvation from sin, death to eternal life. In Jesus name. Amen"

Definition-of-gods-grace-faq.htm

living_water

God's word is a Seed

Work, As Ordained By God

convict-world-sin-righteousness-judgment.html

Jesus Calls His Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-34; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:29-2:2

Luke 9:26

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