Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

John 12:23 "And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." We continue to study the questions that Jesus asked. This week's question will take us to the heart of what it means to glorify GOD. Yesterday we read from the book of Ecclesiastes. Written approximately three thousand years ago by King Solomon. Even back then, people knew "the whole duty of man" was to "Fear God, and keep His commandments." We also looked at the way the Westminster Shorter Catechism says it, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” When people think of "GLORY" today, we perceive that someone is at the top of their game. Maybe even champions! Definitions say "Great honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent; renown." Is this what GOD means?  In today's verse, Jesus said "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." Jesus is on His way to the cross. ...

Ecclesiastes 12:13 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Last week we studied the parable of the ONE lost sheep. In it Jesus explained that He wants us to help others find their way back to faith. No one is ever too far gone. Shepherd them back to the Lord. Don't give up. Don't be intimidated by what others might think and say. Get out there to find them. Even in difficult and dark places. When they are found, there is REJOICING in heaven! We need to align our hearts and minds with God. This has eternal implications for us, our family, our friends, and our world. For today's verse we go WAY back to the book of Ecclesiastes. Written approximately three thousand years ago by King Solomon. The very wise son of King David. He knew a lot back then. Some things that people of today have forgotten. The biggest one, "the whole duty of man." It doesn't get much plainer than th...

Luke 15:7 "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." The words of our Lord and Savior. More joy in heaven over the FOUND sheep! In the final verse of this parable, Jesus explains that the ONE lost sheep is "a sinner." We were all lost sheep at one time. We want to help others find their way back to faith. Lost Sheep need your help and care. Get them safe from abuse and danger. Reach out to them, even the abuser. Go out after the lost. We need help from the Holy Ghost. Let it sink in. No one is ever too far gone. Shepherd them back to the Lord. Because God wants to celebrate their return! Keep looking UNTIL they are found. Bring the missing back into the flock of faith. Don't give up. Be tenacious. Jesus went the distance for you. You probably know 4 to 7 people who are missing. Bring them back. Invite them to church. Don't be intimidated by what...

Luke 15:6 "And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost." In the parable of the ONE lost sheep, Jesus asked "Will you search for ONE lost sheep?" 1 out of 100 is NOT significant. 1% loss is not a big deal. But, it's a sheep. It's separated from the others. It is in danger. It is alone and afraid. It needs to be found. When it is found, there is REJOICING by all! In the final verse of this parable, Jesus explains that the ONE lost sheep is "a sinner." We were all lost sheep at one time. We want to help others find their way back to faith. Lost Sheep need your help and care. Get them safe from abuse and danger. Reach out to them, even the abuser. Go out after the lost. We need help from the Holy Ghost. Let it sink in. No one is ever too far gone. Shepherd them back to the Lord. Because God wants to celebrate their return! Keep looking UNTIL they ar...

Luke 15:5 "And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing." Jesus is telling the parable of the ONE lost sheep to His audience. Jesus asked "Will you search for ONE lost sheep?" 1 out of 100 is NOT significant. Right? We are often very happy with 99 of 100. 1% loss is not much. But, it's a sheep. It's separated from the others. It is in danger. It is alone and afraid. It needs to be found. "And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing." REJOICING! And the sheep is happy, too. In the final verse of this parable, Jesus explains that the ONE lost sheep is "a sinner." We all want to help the lost sheep get back to the herd. Where do we look for the lost sheep? They are right under our noses. The undesirable people. They need your help and care. Get them safe from abuse and danger. Reach out to them, even the abuser. Go out after the lost. We cannot do this on our own. We need help from the Holy Ghos...

Luke 15:4 "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?" Jesus attracted an audience that is sinners, traitors, Pharisees and scribes. A volatile mix of people. Some look to Him for salvation. Some are looking to discredit Him, maybe even arrest Him. Today's verse is the start of Jesus's parable for this audience. This is a brilliant technique because believers will pick up on the spiritual truths but the people hostile to Jesus's teaching will not understand. In today's verse, Jesus asks "Will you search for ONE lost sheep?" It's a GREAT question. 1 out of 100 is NOT significant. We are often very happy with 99 of 100. 1% loss is not much. "Will you search for ONE lost sheep?"

Luke 15:3 "And He spake this parable unto them, saying," As Jesus's ministry grew, word spread. This attracted the type of people you would expect, "sinners." The type of people, ostracized by good upstanding Jews, that were coming to hear what Jesus was teaching. This inspired the Pharisees and scribes to MURMUR. They concluded that if Jesus treats sinners kindly, He must be okay with what they do. The Pharisees and scribes also insinuated that Jesus is of similar character. Disgusting behavior by the Pharisees and scribes. With this volatile mix of people listening Jesus tells a parable. Parables are earthly stories with a deeper, spiritual significance. This is a brilliant solution because believers will pick up on the spiritual truths but the people hostile to Jesus's teaching will not understand. 

Luke 15:2 "And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." As Jesus's ministry grew, word spread. Jesus wants to reach and redeem all people, regardless of their background. Jewish, Samaritan, or otherwise. He was revealing the true heart of God. This attracted the type of people you would expect, "sinners." Also mentioned in yesterday's verse "publicans." Think of them as traitors. They were the Jewish people who helped the occupation forces from Rome. An example of a publican is a tax collector. It's these types of people, ostracized by good upstanding Jews, that were coming to hear what Jesus was teaching. In the previous chapter, Jesus criticized the Pharisees and scribes. They are still hurt by that as they seek to criticize the Son of God. "And the Pharisees and scribes MURMURED, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." Whispering behind His back, trying to bri...

Luke 15:1 "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him." Jesus has questions for many of the people He talked to in the record of the Holy Bible. His questions were not asked because He did not know. He asked questions because He wanted us to think about the topic in discussion. Last week we looked at the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well. This was God reaching out to the Gentiles. This emphasizes God’s desire to reach and redeem all people, regardless of their background. Jewish, Samaritan, or otherwise. Revealing the true heart of God. As Jesus's ministry grew, word spread, and it attracted the type of people you would expect, "sinners." Also mentioned in today's verse "publicans." Think of them as traitors. They were the Jewish people who helped the occupation forces from Rome. An example of a publican is a tax collector. It's these types of people, ostracized by good upstanding Jews, that were coming to hear what Jes...

John 4:10 "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water." The Samaritan woman was suspicious of this lone Jewish man at Jacob’s Well. This woman came at noon to avoid people. She did not want to run into anyone at the Well, much less a Jewish man. And, soon she finds herself in conversation with the Son of God! Jesus asked her "Give me to drink." This is God reaching out to the Gentiles. This demonstrates God’s actions to reach and redeem all people, regardless of their background. Jewish, Samaritan, or otherwise. In this event we witness the Samaritan woman pass through the five thresholds. This was a natural expression of God’s nature in Jesus. It's something that is trained an taught by Intervarsity Campus Ministry. The 5 thresholds are: Trust, Curiosity, Change, Seeking, and Following.  To learn all ...

John 4:9 "Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." The Samaritan woman is suspicious of this lone Jewish man at Jacob’s Well. The Disciples were away. Jesus was alone when this Samaritan woman arrived. Most people came to the Well in the morning or evening, when it was cooler. This woman came at noon to avoid people. She was ostracized. She did not want to run into anyone at the Well, much less a Jewish man. Jewish men would not talk to women by themselves. And they would not talk to Samaritans. Much less ask them for help! Jesus asked her "Give me to drink." This is God reaching out to the Gentiles. It was a shocking moment for all the people involved. The implications of Jesus' question go far beyond a thirst-quenching drink of water. This emphasizes God’s desire to reach and redeem all people, regardless of their background. ...

John 4:8 "(For His disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)" The Disciples were away. Jesus was alone at Jacob’s Well when a Samaritan woman arrived. Most people came to the Well in the morning or evening, when it was cooler. This woman came at noon to avoid people. She was ostracized. She did not want to run into anyone at the Well, much less a Jewish man. Jewish men would not talk to women by themselves. And they would not talk to Samaritans. Much less ask them for help! Jesus asked her "Give me to drink." This is God reaching out to the Gentiles. It was a shocking moment for all the people involved. The implications of Jesus' question go far beyond a thirst-quenching drink of water. God does not discriminate based on social status, ethnicity, or religious affiliation. This emphasizes God’s desire to reach and redeem all people, regardless of their background. Jewish, Samaritan, or otherwise.

John 4:7 "There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink." This place, Jacob’s Well, holds significant biblical importance for Christians, Jews, and Muslims, representing a site of encounter, conversion, and spiritual renewal. At this place, Jesus arrived around noon after a long walk. The day would be heating up, and He would be thirsty from His journey. This place has a long history that Jews and Samaritans share. This land is their shared homeland. The childhood home of the twelve tribes of Israel. And this piece was given to Joseph, whose life was a foreshadowing of the Salvation and forgiveness that Jesus Christ brings! This place is where Jesus meets this unsuspecting Samaritan woman. Jesus asked her "Give me to drink." Most people came to the Well in the morning or evening, when it was cooler. This woman came at noon to avoid people. She was ostracized. She did not want to run into anyone at the Well, much less a Jewish ...

John 4:5 "Then cometh He to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph." The Samaritans were Jewish before the Assyrias conquered them. The Asyrians killed many and enslaved the rest. The Asyrians broke down the culture and traditions of the people they conquered. The Asyrians goal was to break the society and either neutralize them or assimilate them. Decades of this treatment made the northern kingdom Jews into the Samaritans. We can think of them as half-Jewish and half-Gentile. And, "fully" Jews people reviled them like TRAITORS! Jesus will be reaching out to the Samaritans in this week's reading. The place He has come to has a long history that Jews and Samaritans share. This land was acquired by Jacob after being reunited with his estranged brother Esau. Jacob was renamed "Israel" by God, becoming the patriarch of the Jewish people and, by extension, the people who became the Samarita...

John 4:4 "And He must needs go through Samaria." We are continuing to study the questions that Jesus asked. Last week Jesus was asking His Mother "What Does This Have To Do With Me?" After she asked Him to turn the water into wine at the wedding in Cana. This was the first of what would become many signs and wonders. The Disciples saw greater things, and recorded them for us to read and know Jesus is The Son of God.  Today we turn to another event related to water. Maybe a little less glamorous than a wedding, but still very important. As today's verse notes, Jesus and His Disciples have entered Samaria. This is earth shaking! Jews did NOT go into Samaria. They would go out of their way to go around Samaria. The bad blood between Jews and Samaritans goes back some seven hundred years. When Israel was divided into two kingdoms, the northern kingdom, called Israel, and the southern kingdom, called Judah. Their political divisions were so deep that they aligned wit...

John 2:10&11 "10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and His disciples believed on Him." Kept the good wine until NOW! The "governor of the feast" judged this NEW wine to be the BEST! Minutes before, this wine was water. Jesus turned it into wine. Not only wine, but GREAT wine! The host had run out of wine. The host's reputation was on the line. The guests would be VERY disappointed if there was no more wine. Mary wanted to save the family from any embarrassment. She asked for help from her Son. Jesus wasn't quite ready. But, Mom had other ideas. She wanted Him to help then and there. Ready or not? God's plan may have been something else? Mary was part of God’s plan. Mary treasured all these things in her heart. She knew her ...

John 2:8&9 "8 And He saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom," The moment of truth... There is BAD wine. There is GREAT wine. And, there is everything in between. Ultimately, the proof is in the tasting. Will this wine that was water minutes ago be received as tasting good? What did "the servants which drew the water" think? Were they nervous that the "governor of the feast" would taste the difference? Might they be in trouble for passing off this fake "wine?" Play the game show music as he tastes the "wine." The servants were just doing what Jesus told them. Following the orders of Mary, Jesus's mother. And they did a lot. We're talking about the equivalent of 800 bottles of wine! This...

John 2:6&7 "6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim." "Do It." Mary, Jesus's mother, instructed the workers at the wedding. In today's verses we get an idea of what they did. The word “firkin” is probably “a little fourth,” and equal to nine gallons, or the fourth of a barrel. Multiplied by two or three gives the contents of each "waterpot" as from about eighteen to twenty-seven gallons. There were six of them, approximately, 100 to 150 gallons for the whole. We're talking about the equivalent to 800 bottles of wine! This was a BIG PARTY! We will know this as Jesus's first miracle. And! It's better than that. Jesus and His Disciples show up to this wedding looking to have a good time. Mary, Jesus's Mom, asks Him to go to work at the wedding! ...

John 2:5 "His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it." "Do It." Some of the best advice in all written words. "Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it." As we study the Holy Bible we see lots of instructions from GOD. And, our failing as people with free will is that we do what we want. How much better could your life be if you did what Jesus says to do? This event is very interesting, being Jesus's first miracle. And! It's better than that. Jesus and His Disciples show up to this wedding looking to have a good time. Mary, Jesus's Mom, asks Him to go to work at the wedding! It's a surprise. It's a change of plans. And, it's something that is going to reveal to everyone who He is!!!

John 2:4 "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." Imagine showing up to a wedding celebration ready to socialize and have a good time AND your Mom asks you to work at the wedding! It's a surprise. It's a change of plans. This unexpected turn of events may explain Jesus's response to His Mother, "Woman, what have I to do with thee? Mine hour is not yet come." Jesus had one thing in mind and His mother another thing in mind. And, Jesus will honor His mother. His mother, Mary, was sharing in the stress the wedding party was experiencing. A family's reputation could be made or damaged by a wedding celebration. In Jesus's time, the whole family was mentally and emotionally invested in this ceremony. The wine shortage would have disrupted the entire wedding celebration, as the guests would have been left without an important part of the festivities. The hosts would have been seen as neglecting their obligat...

John 2:3 "And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto Him, They have no wine." Out. Of. Wine!?!? Weddings at this time lasted for days, maybe all week long. They were very costly celebrations. A family's reputation could be made or damaged by a wedding celebration. We think of "bridezilla" situations today. Every bride dreams of her perfect wedding day. In Jesus's time, the whole family was mentally and emotionally invested in this ceremony. For everyone involved, it's good to realize that there are NO perfect weddings. At the wedding in Cana, things were going wrong. And, Jesus's mother tells Him "They have NO wine!" The wine shortage would have disrupted the entire wedding celebration, as the guests would have been left without an important part of the festivities. The hosts would have been seen as neglecting their obligations. Rightly or wrongly, people would think the host was either thoughtless or impoverished. This would...

John 2:1&2 "1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2 And both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage." This week we are going to a wedding in Cana! An exciting event anytime a man and a woman unite in Holy Matrimony. And, even more notable, when our Lord and Savior performed His first miracle in public! Right before this, Jesus was baptized by His cousin. And Jesus called Philip. "the third day" later they went to the wedding. Jesus was taking time to be with friends. This is important to Him. Part of His leadership strategy that builds deep and lasting relationships. No way any of the Disciples could imagine from the joyous wedding celebration they would one day be witnesses to their teacher being betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane! God could have chosen anyone for the twelve disciples. He purposefully chose them. And, God intentionally chooses you, too.

Acts 1:8&9 "8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight." This week we studied the incident where Peter, James and John, Jesus's inner circle, could NOT stay awake to watch and pray for their friend and teacher in the Garden of Gethsemane. As disturbing as this is, we do need to admit that we all let Jesus down. We need to pray that we will not fall into temptation. God could have had anyone He wanted for the twelve disciples. He purposefully chose them. And, the inner circle was specially blessed. At Jesus's ascension, the eleven remaining Apostles were given the same mission, to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. Today's verses come from the record of this incredible...

Mark 14:41 "And He cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners." "The Third Time!" Peter, James and John, Jesus's inner circle. They could NOT stay awake to watch and pray for their friend and teacher. This is almost the only personal request He is ever recorded as having made. And, His inner circle let Him down. This has to hurt Jesus. As disturbing as this is, we do need to admit that we all let Jesus down. We all veer off from God's plan. We need to pray that we will not fall into temptation. Even when we might be overwhelmed by our part in God's plan, we will need friends to stay close and pray with us. When things seem to be going all wrong, like here when "the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners." God is still in control. If we "fall asleep" and let Jesus down, God will use our pitiful contr...

Mark 14:39&40 "39 And again He went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him." "ASLEEP AGAIN!" Peter, James and John, Jesus's inner circle. They could NOT watch and pray for their friend and teacher. Jesus wanted nothing more than a little human sympathy, companionship. This is almost the only personal request He is ever recorded as having made. And, His inner circle let Him down. This has to hurt Jesus. They didn't know God's plan the way Jesus did, but still, they should have been able to see the stress He was under. When Jesus asks them about this, there is no answer they can give. As disturbing as this is, we do need to admit we all let Jesus down. We all veer off from God's plan. We need to pray that we will not fall into temptation. Even when we might be overwhelmed by our part in God's plan, we will need friends to ...

Mark 14:37&38 "37 And He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." "couldest not thou watch one hour?" ONE HOUR! Peter, James and John, His inner circle. They could NOT watch for one hour. Jesus wanted nothing more than a little human sympathy, companionship. This is almost the only personal request He is ever recorded as having made. And, His inner circle let Him down.  The anticipation of the great suffering He will face is weighing heavily on Him. Jesus is fervently praying, His Disciples should be too. They don't know God's plan the way Jesus does, but still, they can see the stress He is under. Jesus asked His Father for there to be another way. A moment where His human side is showing through. He confirms this in today's verses, "The spirit truly is ready, but the fle...

Mark 14:35&36 "35 And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt." "tarry ye here, and WATCH." Jesus said to Peter, James and John, His inner circle. This is the night in which He was betrayed. The anticipation of the great suffering He will face is weighing heavily on Him. Jesus wants nothing more than a little human sympathy. This is almost the only personal request He is ever recorded as having made. "And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt." Jesus knows GOD'S plan, and He is stressed out over it. Jesus is asking fo...

Mark 14:33&34 "33 And He taketh with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch." We are continuing to study the questions that Jesus asked. His questions teach and guide us. As we learn more, we can see God’s plan unfolding. We do see God using people as part of His plan. But, ultimately, God is doing it all. This week we have turned to the Gospel of Mark to study the night in which Jesus was betrayed. Jesus brought His Disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. His plan for them is to sit there while Jesus prays. God is doing it all. In today's verses "And He taketh with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;" These 3 Disciples are like Jesus's inner circle. They were also present at Jesus's transfiguration on the mount, and now of His extreme sorrows in the garden. "And saith u...

Mark 14:32 "And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and He saith to His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray." Last week we studied the miracle at the pool of Bethesda. A place where there was a multitude of sick and suffering people. Jesus healed one man there. He didn't heal every one. He could have but He didn't. It wasn't part of God’s plan. Jesus asked the sick man "Do you want to be healed?" This man had come to the pool every day, hoping and praying he might get into the water first, and be healed. Every day he is there trying to be made well. Against all odds. Knowing very well that it would take a miracle. And Jesus showed up! God is doing it all. We have no way of knowing was this sick man the most persistent? Or, did he pray harder than all the others? Or, was there another reason? We cannot know. We do know he was part of God’s plan. Like the Disciples are part of God’s plan. Today we turn to the Gospel of Mark to study ano...