This week we’ll see Jesus heal a man at the pool of Bethesda who has had an infirmity for 38 years. This will prompt a discussion with some of the religious leaders regarding the Sabbath. In the process Jesus will make some radical claims regarding His deity.
Audio: John05.mp3
Study Notes: John05.pdf
This evening at Horizon Central in our series 66 Books, we’re looking at the book of Job. Going through the book verse-by-verse can be a long, arduous process – almost a verbal version of Job’s actual trials. It is also, however, a book with the happiest of all endings and that’s where the big lesson is. James sums it up well for us in the New Testament:
Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord-that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” – James 5:11 (NKJV)
Every trial has its limits. Every temptation has its way out. Every difficulty has an “end intended by the Lord,” through which He will reveal His very compassionate and merciful character.
No temptation [trial, test] has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted [tested, tried] beyond what you are able, but with the temptation [trial, test] will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
Job also gives us an insight into the character and nature of Satan – which is just the opposite of God’s. He was only interested in destroying Job. His goal was to harm him, hurt him, make his life miserable, so that Job would give up, give in and ultimately reject God Himself.
This same cosmic struggle is played out each time we face a trial or temptation. Every such moment is a moment of truth, in which we have the chance to succumb to the enemy’s wishes or trust God with all of our heart. In submitting to the Lord’s will and waiting upon Him, we actually hand the devil one more crushing defeat.
This week we’ll look at Christ’s encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, which is followed by the healing of a nobleman’s son in Galilee. The notes and audio portion can be accessed by clicking on the links below:
Audio: John04.mp3
Study Notes: John04.pdf
The third stage in the to Christ – in Christ – for Christ vision is where the process comes full circle. At this point the person who has come to Christ is sent out and becomes His witness. The believer now has a ministry of his or her own. We can describe it as:
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
From the example of the church in Antioch we can see how we work together with the Holy Spirit in sending people out to do the work of the ministry.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. – Acts 13:2-4 (NKJV)
The Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to a specific work. The church then “sent them away” with fasting, prayer and the laying on of hands. Still, the two were “sent out by the Holy Spirit” and not just by the church.
May all our missionary endeavors be so well directed by His hand.
Central Reflections 