E-pistle for August 6, 2010
Posted by: info <info@...>
E-pistle
Dr. Dan Hite, President FreeWay Foundation August 6, 2010
A Grain of Wheat
(John 12:1-50)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Mary anointed Jesus in her home in Bethany, vv. 1-8.
2. The Jewish leaders plotted to kill Lazarus, vv. 9-11.
3. Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem, vv. 12-19.
4. Jesus taught the lesson about a grain of wheat, vv. 20-26.
5. God the Father spoke encouragement to Jesus, but the people
thought it was thunder; Jesus predicted His death on the cross:
"And I, if I am lifted up from earth, will draw all peoples to Myself,"
vv. 27-36.
6. John wrote that the ministry of Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of
Isaiah (Isaiah 53:6; 6:9-10), vv. 37-41.
7. Jesus called His followers to walk in the light; He pointed out that
persons who "see" Him also "see" the Father, vv. 42-50.
II. Observations: on the primary focus of Jesus' life and ministry
1. When some Greeks came to Philip, they said, "Sir, we wish to see
Jesus," vv. 20-21.
2. Jesus answered Philip by referring to His coming death, which was
the Lord's "magnificent obsession" at this time, vv. 22-23, 27.
3. Jesus used a grain of wheat to illustrate the principles of life and death,
and He applied these truths to His disciples, vv. 24-26.
4. Jesus prayed, "Father, glorify Your name," and a voice from heaven
replied, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again," vv. 27-30.
III. Meditation: on a grain of wheat (v. 24)
1. A grain of wheat represented Christ, who died to bring life.
2. Unless death occurs, there can be no reproduction of life.
3. Christ's death on the cross bore much spiritual fruit.
4. Christians, also, should give their lives for others and the cause of
Christ, which will bring to them honor form the Father, vv. 25-26.
IV. Revelation: on what needs to die in my life
1. Pride . . . to bring forth a humble spirit, v. 25.
2. Selfishness . . . to bring forth effective, God-honoring services, v. 25.
3. Fear and doubt . . . to bring forth assurance of spiritual results and
eternal life, v. 25.
4. Ambition . . . to bring forth fulfillment of God's purposed destiny for
my life, vv. 26-27.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Study to understand God's principle: death produces life.
2. Put to death my pride, selfishness, fear, doubt, and worldly ambition.
3. Witness faithfully to those who "wish to see Jesus,"
4. Glorify God in all I say and do . . . and hear Him affirm His glory to me.
Wash one another's feet
(John 13:1-38)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on what Jesus knew . . .
1. That Father had put all things under His power (authority), v. 3.
2. That He had come from God (origin), v. 3.
3. That He was returning to God (destiny), vv. 1, 3.
4. That the time had come (when), v. 1.
5. Who was going to betray Him (people), v. 11.
These characterize "the mind of Christ," I Corinthians 2:16.
II. Meditation: on what Jesus did . . . an acted-out parable
1. Got up from the meal, v. 4 . . . putting aside comfort for service.
2. Took off outer clothing, v. 4, as in Philippians 2:5-11 . . . stripping
Himself of privilege, standing, authority, dignity, and His role as
the leader.
3. Wrapped towel around his waist, v. 5 . . . that which, when used with
water cleanses . . . symbolizing the water of the word and the cleansing
action of the Holy Spirit.
4. Poured water into basin, v. 5 . . . applying the word of God.
(See Ephesians 5:25-27)
5. Began to wash disciples' feet, vv. 6-11 . . . from the daily contamination
of life.
6. Dried them with a towel, v. 5 . . . the Holy Spirit plus the applied word
brought cleansing, I John 1:9.
7. Finished washing all the disciples' feet, including Judas', v. 12.
8. Put on His clothes, v. 12 . . . reassuming His role as master and teacher.
9. Returned to His place, v. 12 . . . changing from servant to master.
10. Taught the meaning of the parable, and promised His blessing, vv. 12-17.
III. Revelation: on what Jesus taught ("showed")
1. Not humility, but love, v. 1.
2. He explained to Peter that the washing was spiritual, v. 10.
3. Jesus' feet did not get washed; He did not need cleansing.
4. He uses "messenger" to illustrate this concept, v. 16.
5. We are to follow Jesus' example in this acted-out parable, by ministering
to one another in love. See Galatians 6:1-2.
IV. Applications: from Numbers 19 (the red heifer), I need to understand that . . .
1. Old Testament persons were purified by applying ashes from a sacrificed
animal plus the running water, vv. 3-5, 17.
2. This cure could be administered by anyone who was clean, vv. 9, 18.
3. Forgiveness is immediate; restoration takes time (3rd and 7th day), v. 19.
4. Washing one another's feet (helping wounded soldiers) fulfills Jesus'
new commandment to "love one another," John 13:34.
WHY? (1) to obey Jesus' command, (2) to follow Jesus' example, and
(3) to identify myself as Jesus' disciple.
"It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, and hour to like someone,
and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone."
--Source Unknown
--
To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: epistle2equip-unsubscribe@welovegod.org