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The Book of John Feel free to answer one, a few, or all questions. 1. What do you know about the book of John? 2. What do you believe was the purpose of this Gospel account (which was very different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke)? What do you believe was the emphasis? 3. In your opinion around what date was it written, to whom was it written, and by whom was it written? 4. What passage in this book speaks to you the most about our Savior - Jesus Christ? Looking forward to a good discussion. God bless, GE

Hi all, Enjoy!!! http://youtu.be/kvABbf6qQJY

i love all country gospel music...i find it inspiring and my spirit is so blessed when i listen to it

Mark 2:5-7 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” 6 And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” The scribes knew that scriptures stated that only God could forgive sins and that is why they were saying that Jesus was committing blasphemy. The passage in John 20:22-23 is teaching the same principle that is mentioned in Matt 18:18-20 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” The passage in John 20 is shortly after Jesus arose from the grave and appeared to these Apostles and He was telling them that when they proclaimed the gospel they had the authority to tell the people that whosoever believed on the Son of God could receive the forgiveness of their sins. The Holy Spirit gave them the power to perform miracles and wonders to be a witness that the Lord had authorized these men to preach the good news and that they could have forgive by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the beginning of the church age and after the book of Acts and the there are no more mentioning of some types of the events as in Acts. The principle is the same in Matt 18:18-20 when the church comes together to deal with an erring brother or sister in a dispute that when two or three are together and make the decision according to the word of God that it is bound in heaven and He agrees with their actions, and what they loose on earth He is in agreement with their actions. This is all dependent on following the leadership of the Holy Spirit and the word of God being in agreement with their actions. Every believer has the same authority when they follow the word of God and they tell a sinner what Paul said in Romans 10:9-10 or even as he told the jailer when asked what must I do, Paul said believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and that implies their sins are forgiven them.

Very good song. Not familiar with it. But I do like it. Thank you

I love this one too!

I love them to!! I did one of their songs as a solo. I think it was "not where I belong" Did it at my old church.

That's some real good stuff patticats. Thank you for sharing it! blessings

I like this song, and thought I would share it. Enjoy! Nichole Nordeman - Every Season (with subtitles)

This is great!

I AM - Nichole Nordeman

That's good spero, thanks for sharing. God bless you!

I think that Isaiah prophesied Jesus, not about Isaiah.

Re: Past and Future sins I see you keep going back to the passage in John. What do you make of John 1 in particular verse 29? Did John quantify his ascertion to say for them to look at the Lamb of God who takes away the {past} sins of the world? John 1:29-34 The Lamb of God 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” 32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” How do you view this passage in Colossians 2 particularly verses 13 and 14? Forgiven all trespasses? What does that mean? Wiped out the handwriting of the requirements (perfection) that was against us. Sin was partially nailed at the cross? Col. 2:11-15 Not Legalism but Christ 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins[c] of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. And what about this passage in 1 Peter 3 particularly verse 18? Does it say “Christ also suffered once for “past sins”? Or simply does it say “sins”? 1 Pet. 3:18-22 Christ’s Suffering and Ours 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us[e] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited[f] in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. Your thoughts? God bless, GE

Same thing with Psalm 22: Psalm of David and yet it accurately shows what Jesus went through for us on the cross on which He died. Sometimes God just wants us to share how He feels, not to harm us but so we understand and learn. In fact, verses 4 and 5 clearly show this also. Christ Himself learned obedience through suffering. How the Father's heart is grieved and burdened on our behalf! Let us also learn to share in His joy and love all the more. This is seriously getting to me!

When the GOP tried to reign in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ward off the inevitable collapse, Obama as a lawyer fought against those measures.

Need a good Laugh.... GBU and enjoy

I listen to the Gaithers more than to any other Christian group or individual. Personally I think they are wonderful and blessed with a great talent for putting in words, words that touch the soul.

I love The Gaither Vocal Band!! Thanks for sharing!

That prophecy describes Christ's persecution: Matthew 26:67,68+ John 18:22+ 19:1-3.

Welcome~! Praying~!

A few things resonate with me as far as the "legalistic" tag goes, so I'll list them: I agree with what Neb said for this one. She hit the nail on the head. I'll also add that I have seen more Christlike love and acceptance shown at a 12 Step recovery meeting to someone returning after a relapse (they got drunk or high) than in some churches I have visited or attended. They would be judged and condemned in many of those churches. They would be asked to leave in at least one that I remember. How cold is that? Same as what Neb said for #6. I believe that as we grow in Christ some of those listed in this one will probably change with time. I know my behavior has changed as I have grown in Christ. Everything listed in #11 is behavior and behavior comes from the heart. Only Christ can change a heart, and as He does the behavior will change. There is a good use for this one though. Show up at a new church in (clean!) blue jeans and a t-shirt on Sunday morning and see how you get treated. You'll know whether #11 is a problem in that church in less than 10 minutes, maybe as long as 20. If they freak out, you have time to go to the next church on your list and not miss the next service. Saves time finding a new church. This is another one where I've learned things from recovery meetings. They are one of the few places where folks from all walks of life, religions (or no religion), lifestyle, etc. will actually talk to each other about their common problem, usually drug or alcohol addiction. All the screaming, politics, etc. gets left outside in the parking lot during a meeting. Kinda how church is supposed to be, huh? I've long since lost count of the number of times sincere people have looked me in the eye and told me I wasn't saved because I haven't spoken in tounges. They completely overlooked the other gifts operating in their own church at the time! I could go on, but this is long enough.

How to prove the bible is true to anyone: Engage them in meaningful conversation about life. Speak the truth as it is found in the bible as it pertains to life, paraphrasing is OK provided the truth is spoken. Wait on the Lord to confirm your words to the individual through signs and wonders following. Rinse and repeat. When I met Scott, we had some really great theological discussions that challenged the very core of his being. Each time we discussed life and what the bible had to say about it, the following Sunday God would move his pastor to preach the topic of our discussions. Over a very short period of time, Scott became a believer that a) I was a follower of Jesus Christ in truth and b) The bible was undoubtedly the Word of God. We need not convince anyone of the truth about scripture. God will do that. We just need to ask that God will help us to boldly declare the truth before the unbelieving so that he might move to confirm our words with signs following. I believe and therefore I speak. God gives the increase.