Bible Study – John 3.1-17
The background to this famous conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus is the cleansing of the temple and its aftermath. Begin your study by looking at the following passages in order to understand what the temple meant to the Jews and what Jesus was angry about:-
Psalm 84; Isaiah 2.3-4; Isaiah 56.3-8; John 2.13-25
It might be useful to write your own summary of what these passages have shown you and what was going on at the cleansing of the temple.
Now read John 3.1-17 and consider the following questions. It may help you to know that the greek words translated “born again” or “born from above” in your Bible can in fact mean either. “Born from above” is more strictly accurate, but in everyday usage, the phrase had also come to mean “born again”.
Q1 Do you consider yourself a “born again” Christian? What does this label mean in your experience?
Q2 Why do you think Nicodemus visited Jesus and why did he do so at night?
Q3 How are Nicodemus’s opening words connected with the protest Jesus had made in the temple (verse2)?
Q4 Why do you think Jesus responds in the way he does? In what way is he addressing Nicodemus’s concerns?
Q5 The kingdom of God has both present and future aspects. Which do you think Jesus is referring to in verse 5 where he says no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit?
Q6 How is the spiritual birth or birth “from above” that Jesus refers to related to the initiation rite of baptism?
Q7 Why is it important for followers of Jesus that they have been spiritually born / born from above? Does the manner or timing of their birth matter?
Q8 Why do you think Jesus’s words switch from singular to plural (from “I” to “we”) in verse 11?
Nicodemus cannot understand how this birth from above can take place. Jesus replies by making a comparison with Moses’ lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. Have a look at Numbers 21.4-9 to remind yourself of this incident. Jesus then tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man must be lifted up in a similar way, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life (which means the life of the coming age).
Q9 How is Jesus’s death on the cross related to the possibility of people being born from above / spiritually born? How is this related to Jesus’s words about the temple being destroyed and rebuilt (John 2.20-22)?
At last we come to John 3.16-17, the climax of the conversation and a simple yet profound statement of the gospel.
Q10 What do these verses tell us about the purposes and motives of God?
Q11 How does John 3.16-17 help us understand the reasons for Jesus’s temple protest and answer the concerns which brought Nicodemus to Jesus?
Q12 How can we live as God’s people today and co-operate with God’s purposes?
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Psalm 23 for Christians
The 23rd Psalm has always been one of my favourites, with its powerful picture of God's care and protection for those he loves. Recently though, I've been challenged to rethink verse 5a, where we read "You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies". The psalmist seems to envisage a situation where God serves a meal to him whilst his enemies look on, but are unable to harm him. There may even be a suggestion that the enemies have been defeated and captured by God and now, bound and gagged, they are forced to look on, humiliated, as God vindicates the psalmist once and for all. This is probably the kind of picture the writer had in mind and you can see how it would be an encouragement to an individual or tribe or nation suffering persecution.
But how does this sit with the teaching of Jesus and the apostles about how christians are to relate to their enemies?
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. Matthew 5.44-45
No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12.20-21
I've been challenged by verses like these to see that in a Christian version of Psalm 23, when God is feeding us "in the presence of my enemies", our enemies are not cowering in handcuffs but sitting at the table alongside us. What do others think?
But how does this sit with the teaching of Jesus and the apostles about how christians are to relate to their enemies?
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. Matthew 5.44-45
No, if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12.20-21
I've been challenged by verses like these to see that in a Christian version of Psalm 23, when God is feeding us "in the presence of my enemies", our enemies are not cowering in handcuffs but sitting at the table alongside us. What do others think?
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Did God really say..?
I've been engaged in some interesting debates in recent days and a few times I've come across the comment... "Ah, but who was it who said 'Did God really say...?' - making reference to the snake in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3.1) as a way of shutting off discussion and sidestepping the other person's question.
I hope most readers agree that this is a very inappropriate tactic to use. It can be taken to imply that your opponent is evil, or indeed that all enquiry into the truth of God is inherantly evil. But the Bible clearly teaches us to love God with all our mind and also promises that the Holy Spirit will guide the followers of Jesus into all truth (John 16.13). So let's keep asking the tough questiona and seeking God's truth, in loving fellowship with our fellow-seekers and praying for the Holy Spirit's guidance.
I hope most readers agree that this is a very inappropriate tactic to use. It can be taken to imply that your opponent is evil, or indeed that all enquiry into the truth of God is inherantly evil. But the Bible clearly teaches us to love God with all our mind and also promises that the Holy Spirit will guide the followers of Jesus into all truth (John 16.13). So let's keep asking the tough questiona and seeking God's truth, in loving fellowship with our fellow-seekers and praying for the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Transfiguration Sermon Matthew 17.1-9
Matthew 17.1-9 The Transfiguration
• I’m grateful to all of you who have made your way up the hill to St George’s this morning. Also especially grateful to all who made their way up here to join in with our first 24 hour prayer meeting.
• I only went into the prayer room a few times, but each time the air was thick with the presence of God. It was beautiful and awe-inspiring.
• This morning I want to explore some of the links which the story of the Transfiguration has with (a) our attendance at this service and (b) our participation in the 24 hour prayer meeting.
A Strange Interruption to the flow of the gospel story.
• Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry has been progressing very well.
• So well that both friends and enemies are speculating about exactly who he is and what he is up to.
• Out of this speculation has come Peter’s declaration that Jesus is “the Christ (or Messiah), the Son of the living God.”
• After he confirms his identity and clarifies what this means for his future, we might expect Jesus to start his journey to Jerusalem straight away.
• But no. Instead we have a pause of about a week, at the end of which Jesus takes a walk up a mountain with three of his disciples. A strange meeting takes place, words are said, and then the four of them come down the mountain again with Jesus telling the disciples not to tell anyone what they have seen.
• The work of Jesus and the disciples then continues and it is not immediately obvious what the “pause” of the trip up the mountain was all about.
Why was the mountain top “pause” necessary?
• The clues are at the end of the previous chapter – in the sharp disagreement between Peter and Jesus, which came immediately after Peter’s declaration about the identity of Jesus (Matt 16.21-28).
• After confirming that Peter was correct, Jesus started explaining to his disciples what his being Messiah would entail and it was certainly not what they expected. He would be rejected by the religious leaders, executed and then raised to life.
• Peter, taking his duties as “The Rock” very seriously, immediately stepped in and reassured Jesus that he would never let that happen to him.
• Jesus ought to be grateful for this but no. He’s angry. Peter is no longer “The Rock” but a stumbling block worthy of the name “satan”.
• Bad enough to be rebuked for misunderstanding Jesus’ mission, Peter and the others are also told just how tough their own role as his followers will be (16.24-28). And it probably wasn’t exactly what they thought they had “signed up for”.
• Rather than being “cheer-leaders” for a popular rebel healer and teacher, they were going to be despised and hunted outlaws, associated with a disgraced and deceased enemy of the state.
• Life had been a fun adventure. Now they suddenly experienced that sinking feeling. They were confused, afraid. Their heads were spinning. But Jesus needed them to keep on following him. That’s why they needed the Transfiguration, but what about Jesus himself?
• Jesus needed it too. Not quite for the same reasons. He’d probably understood for a while that he was his life was to fulfil BOTH the prophecies of Messiah AND of Suffering Servant – linking these in a way no one had imagined possible.
• He could only do this as God made flesh, but he was fully human too and we should not underestimate the challenge to his faith as the prophesied events unfolded, and also the strength of his emotional tie with these followers who must give up everything. The Transfiguration was for Jesus too.
What happened on that mountain top?
• I’m not going to speculate on some of the details. In what sense was what happened “real”? Were Elijah and Moses physically present or was it a kind of group “vision”? How did the disciples know it was them – did they have name badges? Was the voice of God heard physically or in some other way?
• Interesting questions but we can’t answer them. But even though we can’t know what kind of reality it was, we can be sure it was a vital “reality check”.
• Somehow, hidden truths became visible to the disciples:-
• That Jesus was the fulfilment of the OT Law and Prophets
• That Jesus was the image of God and the light of the world, overflowing with glory and truth.
• That Jesus must be listened to and obeyed and followed
Thes things were revealed at the transfiguration, but could not be understood until after the resurrection, which seems to be the reason why Jesus told the three disciples to keep it to themselves until then.
• The disciples responded in two ways. First, a rather sweet desire to keep the moment, to build shelters so that the mountain top experience can continue.
• Secondly, at the sound of God’s voice they fall face down, overcome by fear. But they are immediately touched by Jesus, who helps them to their feet and reassures them that there is no need to be afraid.
• Finally they are left alone with him and the journey continues, back down the mountain and beyond...
What has it got to do with us?
• Sometimes life is just one big fun adventure, as it must have seemed for the disciples in the early days. But this can change suddenly and we can suddenly be aware of how fragile and dangerous life is.
• Is this a “reality check” or is it an indication that we need a reality check. And we can trust God to give us what we need.
• Coming to church for a service, even more so for a 24 hour prayer meeting, may seem like a strange and unnecessary interruption to the realities of normal life.
• Perhaps some of your friends and family tell you this. Perhaps part of you thinks it too.
• But sometimes what we need is a mountain top experience in the company of Jesus. This is where we can experience the reality of God’s complete and unconditional love for us and for all people.
• It is here that we can experience the touch of Jesus which takes away our fear, helps us to our feet and prepares us to go back down the mountain, full of his light and his love to share with others.
• If we are lucky enough to have a mountain top experience, we may want to hang onto it forever. Some of you may have experienced this in the prayer room yesterday. Some may even experience it in a church service.
• It is possible to spend our lives flitting from one Church to another, one conference to another, constantly seeking new “mountain top” experiences.
• But our mission is back in the world, not on the mountain top, and as we follow him, Jesus will lead us back down into the mess of life, where we are to reflect his glory and his love into even the darkest places...
• I’m grateful to all of you who have made your way up the hill to St George’s this morning. Also especially grateful to all who made their way up here to join in with our first 24 hour prayer meeting.
• I only went into the prayer room a few times, but each time the air was thick with the presence of God. It was beautiful and awe-inspiring.
• This morning I want to explore some of the links which the story of the Transfiguration has with (a) our attendance at this service and (b) our participation in the 24 hour prayer meeting.
A Strange Interruption to the flow of the gospel story.
• Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry has been progressing very well.
• So well that both friends and enemies are speculating about exactly who he is and what he is up to.
• Out of this speculation has come Peter’s declaration that Jesus is “the Christ (or Messiah), the Son of the living God.”
• After he confirms his identity and clarifies what this means for his future, we might expect Jesus to start his journey to Jerusalem straight away.
• But no. Instead we have a pause of about a week, at the end of which Jesus takes a walk up a mountain with three of his disciples. A strange meeting takes place, words are said, and then the four of them come down the mountain again with Jesus telling the disciples not to tell anyone what they have seen.
• The work of Jesus and the disciples then continues and it is not immediately obvious what the “pause” of the trip up the mountain was all about.
Why was the mountain top “pause” necessary?
• The clues are at the end of the previous chapter – in the sharp disagreement between Peter and Jesus, which came immediately after Peter’s declaration about the identity of Jesus (Matt 16.21-28).
• After confirming that Peter was correct, Jesus started explaining to his disciples what his being Messiah would entail and it was certainly not what they expected. He would be rejected by the religious leaders, executed and then raised to life.
• Peter, taking his duties as “The Rock” very seriously, immediately stepped in and reassured Jesus that he would never let that happen to him.
• Jesus ought to be grateful for this but no. He’s angry. Peter is no longer “The Rock” but a stumbling block worthy of the name “satan”.
• Bad enough to be rebuked for misunderstanding Jesus’ mission, Peter and the others are also told just how tough their own role as his followers will be (16.24-28). And it probably wasn’t exactly what they thought they had “signed up for”.
• Rather than being “cheer-leaders” for a popular rebel healer and teacher, they were going to be despised and hunted outlaws, associated with a disgraced and deceased enemy of the state.
• Life had been a fun adventure. Now they suddenly experienced that sinking feeling. They were confused, afraid. Their heads were spinning. But Jesus needed them to keep on following him. That’s why they needed the Transfiguration, but what about Jesus himself?
• Jesus needed it too. Not quite for the same reasons. He’d probably understood for a while that he was his life was to fulfil BOTH the prophecies of Messiah AND of Suffering Servant – linking these in a way no one had imagined possible.
• He could only do this as God made flesh, but he was fully human too and we should not underestimate the challenge to his faith as the prophesied events unfolded, and also the strength of his emotional tie with these followers who must give up everything. The Transfiguration was for Jesus too.
What happened on that mountain top?
• I’m not going to speculate on some of the details. In what sense was what happened “real”? Were Elijah and Moses physically present or was it a kind of group “vision”? How did the disciples know it was them – did they have name badges? Was the voice of God heard physically or in some other way?
• Interesting questions but we can’t answer them. But even though we can’t know what kind of reality it was, we can be sure it was a vital “reality check”.
• Somehow, hidden truths became visible to the disciples:-
• That Jesus was the fulfilment of the OT Law and Prophets
• That Jesus was the image of God and the light of the world, overflowing with glory and truth.
• That Jesus must be listened to and obeyed and followed
Thes things were revealed at the transfiguration, but could not be understood until after the resurrection, which seems to be the reason why Jesus told the three disciples to keep it to themselves until then.
• The disciples responded in two ways. First, a rather sweet desire to keep the moment, to build shelters so that the mountain top experience can continue.
• Secondly, at the sound of God’s voice they fall face down, overcome by fear. But they are immediately touched by Jesus, who helps them to their feet and reassures them that there is no need to be afraid.
• Finally they are left alone with him and the journey continues, back down the mountain and beyond...
What has it got to do with us?
• Sometimes life is just one big fun adventure, as it must have seemed for the disciples in the early days. But this can change suddenly and we can suddenly be aware of how fragile and dangerous life is.
• Is this a “reality check” or is it an indication that we need a reality check. And we can trust God to give us what we need.
• Coming to church for a service, even more so for a 24 hour prayer meeting, may seem like a strange and unnecessary interruption to the realities of normal life.
• Perhaps some of your friends and family tell you this. Perhaps part of you thinks it too.
• But sometimes what we need is a mountain top experience in the company of Jesus. This is where we can experience the reality of God’s complete and unconditional love for us and for all people.
• It is here that we can experience the touch of Jesus which takes away our fear, helps us to our feet and prepares us to go back down the mountain, full of his light and his love to share with others.
• If we are lucky enough to have a mountain top experience, we may want to hang onto it forever. Some of you may have experienced this in the prayer room yesterday. Some may even experience it in a church service.
• It is possible to spend our lives flitting from one Church to another, one conference to another, constantly seeking new “mountain top” experiences.
• But our mission is back in the world, not on the mountain top, and as we follow him, Jesus will lead us back down into the mess of life, where we are to reflect his glory and his love into even the darkest places...
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Rob Bell "Heresy Trial"
The controversy about Rob Bell's new book continues, even though it still doesn't come out for a few weeks. Some people want you to believe that Bell is a dangerous "heretic" who wants you to abandon the truth of the Bible and accept some wicked and untrue beliefs. Unfortunately the one thing these critics all have in common is that they haven't read the book yet! Sadly, many of their comments also seem to lack both love and humility.
Well, here at last is a balanced and sensible review of the book by Greg Boyd, who has actually read the book! Thank you Greg.
And here is a great post by Robin Parry on the subject, which offers wise counsel on how Christians should discuss controversial issues. Thank you Robin.
One thing the premature critics have achieved is to ensure that Rob's book will be a massive best seller. I'll certainly be getting a copy... and reading it!
Well, here at last is a balanced and sensible review of the book by Greg Boyd, who has actually read the book! Thank you Greg.
And here is a great post by Robin Parry on the subject, which offers wise counsel on how Christians should discuss controversial issues. Thank you Robin.
One thing the premature critics have achieved is to ensure that Rob's book will be a massive best seller. I'll certainly be getting a copy... and reading it!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Matt 17 Transfiguration Bible Study
Bible Study - Matthew 17.1-9
Q1 What can we learn from the context of this passage within Matthew’s gospel?
Q2 Why do you think Jesus took the three disciples up the mountain with him at this time?
Q3 What do the changes in Jesus’s appearance tell us?
Q4 What is the significance of the appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus?
Q5 What do they each represent and what connection do they have with the mission of Jesus?
Luke tells us what Moses and Elijah talked about with Jesus. See especially Luke 9.31 where the word translated ‘departure’ is actually the word ‘exodus’ – an unusual word to use about someone’s death.
Q6 What are the similarities and differences between the Old Testament exodus and the exodus that Jesus achieved through his journey, his death and his resurrection?
Q7 What do you make of Peter’s suggestion in verse 4? How does this relate to spiritual high-points in our own lives?
Q8 How do the words of God and the actions of Jesus address the disciples? You might want to compare Ezekiel 1.25 to 2.3, Acts 9.1-6 and Revelation 1.12-18.
Q9 Why do you think Jesus instucted the instruction of verse 9 “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead”? How could they understand what he meant?
Q10 What was the significance of the transfiguration (a) for Jesus, (b) for the disciples and (c) for us? It may help to look at 2 Peter 1.12-18.
Q1 What can we learn from the context of this passage within Matthew’s gospel?
Q2 Why do you think Jesus took the three disciples up the mountain with him at this time?
Q3 What do the changes in Jesus’s appearance tell us?
Q4 What is the significance of the appearance of Moses and Elijah with Jesus?
Q5 What do they each represent and what connection do they have with the mission of Jesus?
Luke tells us what Moses and Elijah talked about with Jesus. See especially Luke 9.31 where the word translated ‘departure’ is actually the word ‘exodus’ – an unusual word to use about someone’s death.
Q6 What are the similarities and differences between the Old Testament exodus and the exodus that Jesus achieved through his journey, his death and his resurrection?
Q7 What do you make of Peter’s suggestion in verse 4? How does this relate to spiritual high-points in our own lives?
Q8 How do the words of God and the actions of Jesus address the disciples? You might want to compare Ezekiel 1.25 to 2.3, Acts 9.1-6 and Revelation 1.12-18.
Q9 Why do you think Jesus instucted the instruction of verse 9 “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead”? How could they understand what he meant?
Q10 What was the significance of the transfiguration (a) for Jesus, (b) for the disciples and (c) for us? It may help to look at 2 Peter 1.12-18.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Rob Bell raises a Big Issue
LOVE WINS. from Rob Bell on Vimeo.
Try to watch this video - and read the book if you can - with an open mind. I've been thinking and praying long and hard about these issues over the last few years and I'm very happy to respond to questions anyone may have. See also the discussion forum at theevangelicaluniversalist.
God is love and love wins. Alleluia!
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