1 John 2-10.11.22
Scripture
I John 2:8-11
Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
Observation
Darkness versus light. In the light we can see clearly, we can use our vision. In the darkness we stumble. In the light, others can see us and watch us. In the darkness, we hide. Let’s turn up the light!
Understanding
I John 2:6-Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
God’s love was revealed to us – he sent his son to die. The darkness is passing and the true light is shining. If his light is shining in us, we should be continually growing and changing to be more like him.
God’s love through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice brings us into a qualitatively different kind of existence, whereby we are able to see and walk in keeping with God’s will for our lives. We don’t merely turn on the light once in a while. We walk in the light continually, as a new way of life. (Theology of Work Bible Commentary)
If we are walking in his light, it should be evident to those around us in our words and our actions. It should be evident in our love for others.
Life Application
Jesus – I want to be in your light and I want to radiate your light! Please forgive me for all the times I have failed. Search my heart and continue to reveal to me areas that I need to work on in order to show others your love.
Today’s reading reminds me of one of my all-time favorite songs – In the Light by DC Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WlRt8z5bHA
-Debbie Dunn
1 John 1-10.10.22
Scripture
1 John 1:3-4 NLT
“We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.”
Observation-What does it say?
John writes this epistle to share with others what they have seen, heard, and know; and that is Jesus was God in the flesh. Jesus walked amongst us, showed us how to live, and sacrificed his life to restore the relationship between sinful man, and a Holy God. John encourages his fellow believers to go out into the world and share with others their testimonies of Jesus. Tell the world that we are all sinners in need of a savior. Tell them that our savior is Jesus Christ! Let them experience the freedom from sin and God’s grace the way we as believers have.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Evangelizing is not just for pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders. It is for ALL who call themselves Christ Followers.
When I first became a Christian, I was scared to death to go out into the world and evangelize. (Not going to lie, I still get kind of scared to do it). But when I was younger, I always felt that it wasn’t my calling or responsibility to do it. I thought it was up to the pastors, ministry leaders, and all the people working out there in the mission fields to share the gospel. I was nice and comfy, knowing that I was saved, and unwilling to get out of my comfort zone. But let me share with you all something that I found out the more mature I became as a Christian. Did you know that not sharing the gospel with someone can be a sin? You see, there are two types of sins that I learned of:
Sins of Commission: Doing something you should not be doing, (like breaking a commandment).
Sins of Omission: Not doing something that you ought to do.
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” -James 4:17
So, with that being said, we all know Jesus’ command for us before he ascended into Heaven.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””-Matthew 28:19-20
So you see, it’s the responsibility of EVERYONE who calls themselves Christians/Christ Followers to go out and share our testimonies and the gospel of Christ with the world. For a lot of us (me included), it’s going to take us out of our comfort zones, and stretch our faiths beyond what we could imagine. But know that Jesus, left His comfort zone in Heaven, and like verse 20 of Matthew 28 reminds us, Jesus is with us ‘til the end of the age.
Life Application
Don’t just sit in the stands and watch. Get in the game!!!
Christianity is not meant to be something we are all alone on an island doing. It is something that is meant to be doing together. We need each other as Christians to support, pray for one another, and help each other out. We all have different God-given gifts we bring to the table to accomplish God’s mission. And the only way we can really accomplish this mission is by working together, with God spearheading the plan. So let’s not wait and expect for others to go out there and get the job done for us. That’s just being lazy! Let’s go out there and contribute whatever gifts God has blessed us with. Let’s work together as a team. With God’s Mission in mind, and with His people working together, we can accomplish anything!
Let’s start by all being part of our Halloween Outreach at Pastor Levi and Katie’s house. It will be a great opportunity for us to come together, to connect with our community, and share God’s love with them by inviting them to church and offering prayers for those in need. See church or ask me for more details. Hope to see you all get involved and be part of something bigger than ourselves. Let’s get in the game!!!
-Moses Gaddi
John 21 - 10.7.22
Scripture
John 21:19b
Then [Jesus] said to [Peter], “Follow me!”
Observation – What does it say?
Peter had it rough lately. He watched Jesus get arrested which would be hard enough. This was the man he had left everything to follow and who he had realized was the Messiah. And now he was now facing execution.
Fast forward a couple hours. When Peter makes eye contact with Jesus for the last time before he was crucified, it was the moment he had denied Jesus for the 3rd time in one night. Peter had ran off and wept bitterly.
I can only imagine the guilt and shame he must have felt. No opportunity to apologize or to make amends before Jesus died. The feeling of loss and confusion and pain must have been overwhelming.
But, after rising from the dead, Jesus appeared to many people, including his disciples, over a period of 40 days before ascending to heaven. This is one of those instances.
Peter had gone back to his pre-following Jesus job: fishing. Jesus appears on the shore and instructs Peter and his crew to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, resulting in a massive catch.
Recognizing it was the resurrected Jesus, Peter quickly jumps overboard to swim to Jesus while his companions tow the catch back to shore. And as he and Peter converse, Jesus repeats to him the same invitation he gave at the very beginning: “Follow me!”
Understanding – What does it mean?
Even when we fail, Jesus continues to invite us to follow him.
After choosing to follow Jesus I have had many moments of failure. Many moments where I feel I have let him down. But praise God that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross wasn’t just enough to pay for my sins committed before I was saved! His death means each of us can experience forgiveness, restoration, and a clean slate at any moment.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Like the prodigal son who returned home to find his Father there with open arms for a hug followed by complete forgiveness and restoration, like Peter who swam to shore to find that Jesus came to him for the purpose of restoration, we can expect Jesus to meet us following our greatest moments of failure to restore us. He reaffirms his love for us, restores our relationship, and reminds us that we haven’t forfeited our place in his family or purpose in his kingdom. He calls us to dust ourselves off and choose to follow him once again.
Life Application
Praise God for his mercy and grace! Praise God that he is able to fulfill his purposes for us despite our failures and shortcomings!
When I fail, I need to resist the temptation to walk away from what God has called me to. Instead, I pray God empowers me to come to him to receive forgiveness and restoration.
-Levi Thompson