Commentaries

Biblical commentaries – a collection of sermons, bible studies, books & radio messages, along with some original contributions from me.

Last update 2/8/2007 main spiritual resources page

New Testament

General

John

1^st half is “The book of signs”; 2^nd half is “The book of the Passion”.

1:1 (4/2006) – In the beginning was the Word… made me think of Matthew 15:11 – what comes out of our mouths makes us unclean. Look what comes out of God’s mouth: Jesus! God demonstrates His righteousness by speaking Jesus. Makes me think of Gen 1:1 – speaking to create.

I took a moment to lookup Adam’s first words (2:20 – naming the animals; 2:23 speaking about Eve; 3:10 hiding from God). I didn’t discern any meaningful link.

I think an interesting sermon series would be on John 1 alone – a sermon for each verse.

1 Thessalonians

1:3 – Faith produces Work; Love prompts Labor; Hope inspires Endurance.

I like the connections & promises we find in the bible. This can now be cross referenced with other occurrences of Faith, Love and Hope to develop a better understanding of the biblical meaning of these words.

1 John

Read this book to learn about ‘Authentic Christianity’ – from a 2004 sermon series by Chip Ingram.

Pay attention to the ‘This is how we know…’ statements.

Chapter 1:

1) identity (v1-2); 2) love relationship (v3); 3) purpose (v4).

v. 5-10: Walking in the Light

one helpful image to me is that of light; I tell myself ‘walk in the light’. Where there is light, there is also no shame! When all is seen, the sin goes away. We are then before Christ accepted, secure and significant. Jesus did not come into the world to shame us, but to save us. When we name a sin, that is, bring it into the light, Satan can no longer shame us by it. It is exposed to all, confessed and forgiven. Then the guilt is washed away and the shame loses it’s power.

Our relationship with Jesus is always secure. But we come in and out of fellowship with him.

Chapter 2:

John gives us tests we can use to know if we are walking as Jesus did: Righteousness and Obedience.

v2: ‘atoning sacrifice’ also in 4:10.

See John 8:32 ‘you will know the truth and the truth will set you free’.

Walking in the light involves self-honesty. Reference also Psalm 51:10 and Psalm 139:23-24.

v17: this verse is on DL Moody’s tombstone. Also Charles Fuller’s?

Chapter 3:

v10: “This is how we know…” hinges on the phrases ‘do what is right’ and ‘love his brother’.

See Matthew 5 for the rules of ‘what is right’.

Question: What is the difference between Christians and non-Christians? righteousness and love.

The Seven Habits of Righteousness (Chip Ingram):

Obey the law

Avoid anger

Avoid lust

Practice marital fidelity

Be honest in speech

Practice non-retaliation

Express love

The Five Characteristics of Love (Chip Ingram)

Love longs intensely to do something for the one loved

Love is completely self-forgetful

Love is willing to sacrifice for the one loved

Love never fails to play the part of the surgeon

Love longs for fellowship with the one loved

Wow. When we profess to love someone, do we love them that way? That is quite a test.

v11: “..love one another.”

v18: love with actions and in truth

v19: which leads to peace

v23: believe in the name of Jesus, and love one another

It seems to me that it comes down to trust & faith in Jesus.

v24: obey his commands

After that foundation, John gets even more practical: obedience to Jesus leads to fellowship with him.