This week we’ll finish the Gospel of John by looking at John 21. It starts with Peter taking some other disciples fishing. That leads to another appearance of the risen Christ, who questions Peter about his love and recommissions him into His service. It ends with a question by Peter comparing his own promised martyrdom with the life of John.
Here are the notes and audio:
This is the last of five faithful sayings, which all appear in the pastoral epistles. This is the only one not given to Timothy, but rather to Titus.
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.These things are good and profitable to men.” – Titus 3:8 (NKJV)
The people of God are to be known for doing good. A righteous life, a life of charity and blessing to others, is the essential outcome of a life-changing faith. Somewhere I’ve heard it said that “Faith that does not change your lifestyle cannot change your destiny.”
O how true that is. Consider the woman I spoke with at an Indianapolis bus stop the other day while handing out gospel tracts. In an apparent effort to positively identify with my faith in Christ, she smilingly told me, “My baby’s daddy is a preacher. And he’s trying to get a divorce right now so that we can get married.” I’m ashamed to say I was so astonished that I was nearly struck dumb at that point. In disbelief I think I blurted out a “What!?” only to have her repeat herself and cheerfully reinforce the gloomy truth. No coherent response even entered my befuddled mind. Where’s Paul the apostle when you need him? Suffice it to say his counsel is still needed:
“These things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works.”
This Sunday we’re going to look at John 20, which records the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As I was going over the chapter, I was struck by the strength of this statement speaking of the disciples:
“For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” – John 20:9 (NKJV)
The resurrection is an essential doctrine of the faith. Without it there is no Christianity. Here are just a few more verses that come to mind:
“…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9 (NKJV)
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NKJV)
“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up…” – 1 Corinthians 15:14-15 (NKJV)
Not all “Christians” any longer believe the resurrection is such an essential doctrine. Consider the following 18 second clip from one of the Jesus Seminar scholars.
John Dominic Crossan on the Resurrection
It appears that John 20:9 is still just as true as ever, perhaps especially among certain scholars.
“For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” – John 20:9 (NKJV)
Today we’ll read about Christ’s final trial under Pilate, His scourging, cruxifixion, death and burial.
Here are the notes and audio:
Central Reflections 