John 8
Exodus 3:13-15 – And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
When God calls Moses to return to Egypt to bring the people out that land, Moses asks what will the people say the name of the God of our fathers is. God says that His name is I AM, I AM THAT I AM. This is God’s name forever. It is His memorial unto all generations.
As Jesus testified before the Pharisees concerning His Father, He explained His own existence as God. Jesus said that before Abraham was, I AM (John 8:58, read entire chapter for context). Jesus is God who became flesh (John 1:1-14); the image of the invisible God; the firstborn of every creature; He is before all things, and by Him all things consist; He is the head of the body of the church: who is the beginning (Colossians 1:12-18).
I AM is His name forever.
Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/rejik. Image covered under Creative Commons License.
What is Doctrine?
Doctrine is considered an instruction or teaching that can be learned or developed through experience. Doctrine is associated with a person’s beliefs; the way they ‘see,’ perceive, or relate to the world around them. Each person has a countless number of doctrines on the issues, people, and situations they experience on a daily basis. The number of doctrines a person has is countless and continues to be shaped and expanded throughout a person’s lifetime.
Within Christianity, sound biblical doctrine is based on the biblical teachings, experiences, pastors, ministers, and interactions with fellow brothers and sisters in the local church community. Within the context of this message, doctrine will encompass God’s Word. God’s Word is the foundation of good sound doctrine:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
A disciple is a person that is conformed into the image of Jesus through careful study and obedience to His life example, commands, and guidance through the Spirit.
Jesus outlines what one must do to be a disciple, how a disciple is identified, and how they are to live. Below is a listing of scriptural references that further outline the preceding sentence. Disciples:
1. Are not forced to follow Jesus (John 6:43-71).
2. Are drawn by the Father (John 6:44).
3. Must hate their father, mother, wife, children, and their own life (Matthew 10:32-39; Luke 14:26-33).
John 9:1-5 – And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
When the disciples saw the blind man, they asked Jesus who sinned, the man or his parents that he was born blind. Though neither sinned, his blindness was purposed to manifest the works of God (via Jesus healing him). Jesus said that He MUST work the works of Him that sent Him. He said these must be done while it is day, for when the night comes, no man can work.
Now, as Jesus declared, He is the light of the world. The life that is in Him is the light of men (John 1:4-9) and all that follows Him will not walk in darkness (evil, sin), but will have the light of life – righteousness, salvation, eternal life (John 8:12).
There will come a time when the night will come and no man can work. This refers to a future period in history, and for our own lives, it will come upon our death or the Lord’s return. Therefore, we must redeem our time by making the most of each moment we have:
Most people understand compromise to be a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles. Compromise is also known as an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion (Dictionary.com).
Each day we face numerous decisions that can affect our lives before the Lord. One choice decision can change the course of our lives on earth and beyond. There comes sometimes when you would want to please your spouse (1 Corinthians 7:32-33), children, family, friends, or associates when you know God’s will is entirely different. There is a compromise that occurs, but it is at your (and other’s) expense.
Why do I always have to go through trials and temptation? I don’t want to continue facing the same things over and over and over AND OVER again! I just want to be free.
Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever felt like the Apostle Paul when he said that when he wants to do right, sin is right there (Romans 7:21)? OR the things you want to do you don’t do, but the things you don’t want to do, THAT you find yourself doing (Romans 7:15)? Many of us can relate to Paul’s statements of temptation and sin, but we often stop there without going any further. We continue to live in a cycle that goes from temptation-sin-repentance-temptation-sin-repentance and it never seems to stop. We want to get off the merry-go-round, but it doesn’t seem like we ever can. Why do I have to go through this? Why can’t God just take it away because He knows I want to serve Him. If I didn’t have this ‘sin’ issue, I could just run for Him.
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