Bible Study Blog for Thursday, August 4, 2011
2 Chronicles 25-27; John 16
In John 16, Jesus makes His disciples several powerful PROMISES.
His resurrection, the Holy Spirit, answered prayer.
Then, he tells them WHY:
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.
PEACE. Jesus wants us to experience it – so HE tells us the only place we can find it – “in Me.”
He knew we’d be tempted to seek peace where others look for it – “in the world” – In things like financial security, possessions, life insurance, personal comfort, personal achievement. Jesus says don’t buy it. It’s all a big illusion: “In this world you will have trouble.”
But before we become pessimists – Jesus makes the biggest promise of all – “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus doesn’t promise, “I WILL overcome the world.”
That would have been a huge encouragement – and really cool.
But Jesus takes this promise to a new level by making it PAST tense: “I HAVE overcome the world.” WOW!
Jesus says – “Things are gonna get tough. But I’m removing all the suspense from your struggle. Here’s the outcome: YOU WIN. Because I’ve ALREADY WON!!!
Are you experiencing some tough times in this world?
Financial troubles, loss, uncertainty, disappointment?
Jesus says “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Done Deal.
See you Tomorrow!
Tags: 2 Chronicles, Bayside Church Woodland, Bayside Woodland, Bible Study, John
That’s a fundamental concept that we all too often overlook as we stand, short sword in hand, and face down the giants standing across the battle line from us with the spear like a weaver’s beam. All too often the giant holds our focus instead of the plans that God has for us (c.f. Jer 29:11)
During the men’s prayer group meeting this morning one of the guys came up with as solid an explanation as I’ve heard in a long time of how to have our Christian walk be effective. He said, simply, “Our business as Christians isn’t to try to please God, but to have faith in God.” The basics of our fundamental beliefs that Salvation = God plus nothing is nicely restated there. There is, of course the admonition in James 2 requiring us to have works that demonstrate our faith, but even that scripture starts with an assumption that we can’t please God without the gift of faith that only is available to us via the gift of God through the Holy Spirit. As a starting point I/we must believe that Christ has already overcome on my/our behalf.