Matthew 25:1-13

The context is the end of time as we know it and the return of Jesus. The theme is preparation for His return. But it is also something else that has to do with right now. What is the goal and substance of that preparation? You'll have to have the parable in front of you as your read this.

Let's take it a section at a time:

“At that time” refers obviously to the moment of the Lord's return but suppose we are in a situation of conflict or one where a…

There is an old two box cartoon that makes a point. The first box shows two psychiatrists passing each other in a hallway. They each say 'Good morning.' In the second box the balloon over each of their heads conveys the same thought, “I wonder what he meant by that?” A lot can be drawn out of it: a wry statement about psychiatric methodology, the aloneness we all have when we try to figure each other out, the way words carry unique meaning for us in terms of past experience. Even doctors of…

The Gospel of John is designed to get us to think spiritually. When you allow your mind to take that trip it opens up the reality the Lord wants for us. Paul's realization of this fact gives us a starting point to put John's Gospel in a premier context especially when you see the connectedness that occurs in all of Scripture. Follow along on this theme:

Php.4:7, “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” is the basis…

The Gospel of John

A common theme in 1:1-4:54 is the idea of newness. In Jesus something new happened. Actually newness is the theme of the whole Gospel not only in John but in the '-New-' Testament as well. It is a change in perspective. There has been a shift, a replacement of the old with the new, a new revelation from the physical to the spiritual, from Law to heart, from institution to relationship, from 12 tribes (bloodline) to 12 disciples (heartline). The point is that newness…

Recently the Parable of the Wedding Banquet was read in a worship service (Mt.22:1-14). It speaks of a king preparing a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited but they didn't come. He sends some more servants but due to business they still refused to come.. Then the ones that weren't busy abused and killed the servants. Enraged the king had the murderers and their city destroyed after which he sent out more servants and invited everyone both good and…

It's not complicated. It's really very simple when you think about it. It has to do with the most overlooked theme in John's Gospel, the uniqueness of Jesus. No one before or since has ever, is, or will be the same as the Lord Jesus. He is unique to His Father who is unique to Him and the Holy Spirit in turn just as unique to each of them. He is unique as One God being the only God there is revealing Himself in three persons in the most unique relationship ever given to mankind. And as…

Gospel of John---Introduction

John 4 Shedding the Old, Receiving the New

“Knowing Christ and Making Him Known” is the mission of All Souls. The core meaning here is wrapped up in the word 'know.' The usual secular meaning is limited to intellectual knowledge. However, to know as a disciple of Jesus is much broader. It has a threefold dimension. It involves the whole person---mind, heart and spirit---the image of God in us.

First, to know Christ involves the mind. That…

Outline for Tuesday Bible Study

The Gospel of John

A common theme in 1:1-4:54 is the idea of newness. In Jesus something new happened. Actually newness is the theme of the whole Gospel not only in John but in the '-New-' Testament as well. It is a change in perspective. There has been a shift, a replacement of the old with the new, a new revelation from the physical to the spiritual, from Law to heart, from institution to relationship, from 12 tribes (bloodline) to 12 disciples…

I remember in school the warning from fellow students about certain teachers, “Boy, if you're not obedient to their rules you will suffer.” And a coach saying with that stern look on his face, “Obedience rules on this team.” Obedience seems to carry a negative 'You better...' tone when you hear the word. It's an attitude word. That's what we need to probe.

When we are talking attitude it is necessary to include obedience. It is one thing to be obedient. It is another to have it as an…