Looking at Christ Infuses His Life & Faith Into Us!

[farouk]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

Love that verse!  Yes - what am I feeding on is the answer to how I think & feel.

Following through all those things with word studies, it's clear also that the Lord Jesus Himself is their perfect fulfillment.

[Marilyn C]

I have often wondered, how many sermons do we hear about the Lord or about US. 

[Marathoner]

1 minute ago, Marilyn C said:

I have often wondered, how many sermons do we hear about the Lord or about US. 

Seeing as how I don't pay heed to sermons, I'm curious. When a brother or sister has been supplied with something by the Spirit to give others --- what @Vine Abider shared in the OP is an excellent example of this --- then I gladly receive! No research is required, for whatever the Spirit gives is poured like living water. It isn't an academic exercise. 

I need what our brother has to give because with everything that's going on right now, that's what happened: my focus left Jesus Christ. If my focus leaves Him, there's no hope. I know better than that!

[Marilyn C]

37 minutes ago, Marathoner said:

Seeing as how I don't pay heed to sermons, I'm curious. When a brother or sister has been supplied with something by the Spirit to give others --- what @Vine Abider shared in the OP is an excellent example of this --- then I gladly receive! No research is required, for whatever the Spirit gives is poured like living water. It isn't an academic exercise. 

I need what our brother has to give because with everything that's going on right now, that's what happened: my focus left Jesus Christ. If my focus leaves Him, there's no hope. I know better than that!

I agree bro. However, there are people who do go to meetings and hear sermons. I was just pointing out that we need to hear more of Christ and less of ourselves and be aware of this. Too much of US can bring condemnation and trying to do things by our own efforts. 

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, Marilyn C said:

I have often wondered, how many sermons do we hear about the Lord or about US. 

I wasn't sure what you meant by this, as I think it can be taken in more than one way.  But your response to Marathoner seems clearer.  Doesn't the OP go toward what you're pointing out, or am I still misunderstanding your take?

[Marilyn C]

4 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

I wasn't sure what you meant by this, as I think it can be taken in more than one way.  But your response to Marathoner seems clearer.  Doesn't the OP go toward what you're pointing out, or am I still misunderstanding your take?

Yes, sorry that my post was not clear. And your post, as usual is helping us all to focus on the Lord. Music to our ears and hearts.

Well done, and keep up the good posts.

[farouk]

46 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

I agree bro. However, there are people who do go to meetings and hear sermons. I was just pointing out that we need to hear more of Christ and less of ourselves and be aware of this. Too much of US can bring condemnation and trying to do things by our own efforts. 

It's indeed clear Who the exhortation in Hebrews 12.2 is about.........

[farouk]

17 hours ago, AdHoc said:

Amen. John is so rich. Man has many problems and it the Lord's grace that we can recognize them. In John 1 we have the setting that men will become Bethel - the House of God. In John 2 we have the transition from a House made with hands to a House made by the Life-giving Spirit. God's House is a matter of resurrection as in Chapter 1 it is built with men like angels (see Luke 20:35-36) and in Chapter 2 it is after THREE days - the number of resurrection. But sadly it is Cana where Jesus is rejected - and so He is only a guest at that wedding. Both underscore that the Gates of Hades will not hinder the building. But to Adam is withheld living forever for he is carrier and propagater of the Adamic nature. Chapter 3 presents Judaism at its best "a master of Israel who is righteous". But Nicodemus fears men and trusts His flesh to keep the Law. He knows who Jesus is and anoints Him - but too late. Jesus is dead.

Nicodemus, conqueror of the people, does not react to the rebirth. Jesus must leave the seat of Judaism and go to "Galilee of the NATIONS". The Nations are  made of two types - (i) those religious and those indifferent. The Samaritan woman is offered "living water". But she must first have faith. Her sins are arrayed before her. Jesus tells her "all she ever did" - seven sins in total (5 husbands divorced and the sixth man a fornicator, plus telling a lie). The water of life is for life. "Living water" is water that has its own life and power to make you a testimony of it. Water of Life is for the spirit. Living water if for the soul. One for intrinsic change of nature and one for testimony (Jn.4:14). The woman departs and we know she drank of the living water for she has no need of her water jug. We know that she now has the testimony of Christ - for the "man-stealer" causes "many to believe her". Jesus abides with the despised Samaritan Gentiles "two days" or 2,000 years - the time of Israel's chastisement (Hos.6:2).

But while Life does its work inside man for a change of nature and testimony, his body is "vile". The chief of the synagogue has the Law, but his son is dead. While the Gentile women came to Jesus, the ruler of the synagogue, an Israelite still needs the Lord to come to him. Jesus comes and not only the son is dead, but all Israel - for the man at Bethesda has been indisposed 38 years - the time it took for all men over 20 years to die in the wilderness. But if Israel do not believe, on what basis can thy be forgiven and resurrected? Purely on grace - for it is Bethesda which means "the House of Mercy" (Romans 9 & 11). Bu alas ... the time for REBIRTH and Testimony of divine life is over. Resurrection is theirs but intrinsic divine nature is not. All circumcised are returned to their Land - but many in disgrace (Dan.12:1-2).

You probably know all this, but it did my soul good to BEHOLD Christ as He took that fateful journey to the Gentiles - for LIFE.

Indeed it's a great study to follow through similar themes which arise in both John's Gospel and John's First Epistle.

[enoob57]

Our greatest growth in sanctification takes us to the place as little children... 
1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Matthew 18:3 (KJV)

[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

total reliance without a clue as to the what of it....

[Vine Abider]

2 hours ago, enoob57 said:

Our greatest growth in sanctification takes us to the place as little children... 
1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Matthew 18:3 (KJV)

[3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

total reliance without a clue as to the what of it....

 

 

I think when we see Him face to face, things will suddenly seem so much simpler . . .