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Following Jesus by Learning and Living the Bible
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Monday Jan 06, 2020
Monday Jan 06, 2020
How can God forgive your sins?
When I first became a Christian, I wanted nothing more than to please God. When I felt like I was doing good at that, I was happy, at times even a little self-righteous. When I felt like I wasn't doing good at that, I was down on myself, beating myself up with guilt.
While I knew that Jesus died so my sins could be forgiven, I struggled to really grasp that truth and make it my own. After all, sin was serious - deadly serious. God had to take it seriously, didn't He? He couldn't just overlook it could He?
And since I continued to sin, He had to take my sin seriously, right? And I had to show Him how sorry I was.
So I swung between feeling good about myself and my walk with God and feeling down on myself for failing Him!
Until I understood Romans 3:21-26:
21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
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As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Dec 30, 2019
Monday Dec 30, 2019
The book of Ecclesiastes opens with these well known words:
“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
And the book continually revisits this theme... which raises a very real and pressing question: Is this Bible book saying life is meaningless?
Life can be confusing. It can be frustrating. It can be hard.
But meaningless?!
So many people already feel like life is pointless. Certainly the Bible doesn't agree, does it?
Actually, Ecclesiastes is making a different point altogether, a point that is incredibly profound and insightful. It's a point about the goodness of life and how we should live it as creatures of the living God. It's a message that is very appropriate as we come to the close of the year and begin, not only a new year but a new decade.
How should live in view of the fleeting, confusing, and sometimes hard nature of life?
That's what Ecclesiastes is all about.
▶️FREE BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
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▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Monday Dec 23, 2019
▶️Would you consider a year-end gift to the Bible in Life online teaching ministry? You can donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
What do you know about the Christmas story?
There's Mary and Joseph, of course, and little baby Jesus. Probably some shepherds. Oh, wise men... don't forget the wise men. There's a stable and a manger.
Some sheep ... and cattle that are lowing.
Angels!
What about night time and a nasty old inn keeper?
And a star!
The reality is, some of those details are in the text, though they're not all in the text at the same time. Some details aren't in the text at all. And so often, what we think we know about the Christmas story is a mashup of biblical details and traditional details, all mixed together into a sentimental Christmas story.
So often, we pay attention to our version of the story and ignore the details of the Bible's version.
In this three-part series, I walk down through Luke 2, and look at the details of the story in its original context.
This is the Christmas as the Bible tells it!
Luke 2:1-20
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds begansaying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
▶️FREE BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Dec 16, 2019
Monday Dec 16, 2019
▶️Would you consider a year-end gift to the Bible in Life online teaching ministry? You can donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Was Jesus born in a barn?
I'm guessing that according the Nativity set you have out for Christmas the answer would be yes ... He was born in a barn complete with shepherds, sheep, cattle, and wisemen too!
And of course we know how the story goes: Mary and Joseph make the difficult trek to Bethlehem by themselves, arrive at night, and upon arriving Mary goes into labor.
The town hotel has a no-vacancy sign out and a nasty old inn keeper kicks them to the curb.
And they find a barn out back and give birth to baby Jesus all by themselves.
The reality is, some of those details are in the text, though they're not all in the text at the same time. Some details aren't in the text at all. And so often, what we think we know about the Christmas story is a mashup of biblical details and traditional details, all mixed together into a sentimental Christmas story.
So often, we pay attention to our version of the story and ignore the details of the Bible's version.
In this three-part series, I walk down through Luke 2, and look at the details of the story in its original context.
This is the Christmas as the Bible tells it!
Luke 2:1-20
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds begansaying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
▶️BOOK MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Click this link Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes
▶️FREE BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
*Some links are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
What do you know about the Christmas story?
There's Mary and Joseph, of course, and little baby Jesus. Probably some shepherds. Oh, wise men... don't forget the wise men. There's a stable and a manger.
Some sheep ... and cattle that are lowing.
Angels!
What about night time and a nasty old inn keeper?
And a star!
The reality is, some of those details are in the text, though they're not all in the text at the same time. Some details aren't in the text at all. And so often, what we think we know about the Christmas story is a mashup of biblical details and traditional details, all mixed together into a sentimental Christmas story.
So often, we pay attention to our version of the story and ignore the details of the Bible's version.
In this three-part series, I walk down through Luke 2, and look at the details of the story in its original context.
This is the Christmas as the Bible tells it!
Luke 2:1-20
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds begansaying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
▶️FREE BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Dec 02, 2019
Monday Dec 02, 2019
"Be a good little boy."
"Johnny, you know the rules ..."
"You know what company policy is!"
Rules. Some seem better than others. Some seem arbitrary.
I think sometimes we think of sin in that context, and assume it's about breaking or keeping the rules ... and those rules might even be arbitrary religious rules or arbitrary divine laws.
But sin is more intrinsic and "organic" than that. That is, it has a lot more to do with our human nature and how we are made to function.
And understand the meaning of sin is necessary to understanding our humanness and what's wrong with the world and the story of the Bible.
Listen to this episode to understand what sin is.
▶️FREE BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Nov 25, 2019
Monday Nov 25, 2019
Redemption.
In church circles, we read that word in the Bible or we sing about it in songs on Sunday.
What does it mean?
In sports, we say things like "this is a redemption game" for this team (almost like revenge or getting even).
In the realm of shopping, we talk about "redeeming this coupon."
But those meanings of the word are very different than how the Bible uses it.
So what does the Bible mean by the word "redemption"? Well it has a lot to do with slaves and pharaoh ... and even lambs.
In this episode, John explores the way the word was used on the street in Paul and Peter's day and the theological background that shaped how those two apostles understood the word.
Bible verses referenced in this episode:
Romans 3:23-24 - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;"
1 Peter 1:18-19 - "knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."
Exodus 6:6-7 - Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians
Exodus 15:13 - In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed; n your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.
▶️FREE BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Nov 18, 2019
Monday Nov 18, 2019
Jesus came announcing the "kingdom of God." He went about preaching "the gospel of the kingdom." And in fact, the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) are the story of God becoming king, with His coronation day being the day he received a crown of thorns and lifted up on the cross.
This is what all the poets and prophets of the Bible look forward to ... and sometimes even celebrate in advance, anticipating the day when all will say "the Lord reigns." They look forward to the day when He will rule the peoples with equity.
This is the great biblical hope - that God would be king and make everything right again.
So when Jesus comes announcing that the day has arrived in Himself, the people of his day were filled with great expectation!
But when you look around at the world today, it doesn't look like God is king?! Everything hasn't been set right. So how should we understand the kingdom of God?
Bible Passages Reference in this episode:
Psalm 96:7-13
7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Daniel 7:13-14
9 “As I looked,
thrones were placed,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued
and came out from before him;
a thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened.
Luke 1:30-33
30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
Matthew 4:17
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
▶️FREE RESOURCES
-BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/readingplan
-GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/understand-apply-bible
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Nov 11, 2019
Monday Nov 11, 2019
Grace!
In church, we talk about grace. We sing about grace. We read about grace in passages like Ephesians 2:8: “By grace you have been saved…”
When I first became a Christian, I heard these words and I read these verses and I knew I was saved by grace. I could affirm that ... assert that. I could tell people that - "We're saved by grace!"
But I didn’t really get it.
And spiritually and emotionally I was marked by highs and lows depending on how I felt like I was doing as a Christian. If I felt like I was doing well - reading my Bible, praying, and not sinning too much - I felt good. If I wasn't doing those things, I felt bad. This led to all sorts of striving to be good enough and to comparison.
I knew the word "grace" but I did know grace.
When we truly understand what it what grace means - deep in our bones understand it - it changes everything!
So what is grace?
Bible passages referenced in this episode:
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14
"The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." - Exodus 34:6
Click this link to buy the book mentioned in this episode:
God Has a Name, by John Mark Comer.
▶️FREE BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
*Note: there are affiliate links above, which means if you purchase using that link I get a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Monday Nov 04, 2019
Monday Nov 04, 2019
The word "gospel" is familiar to Bible readers and to Christians. But what many modern Christians mean by the word and what the earliest Christians meant by the word aren't necessarily the same.
Today, the word "gospel" is often associated with a so-called plan of salvation.
But when the apostles shared the gospel, they announced something other than a plan of salvation.
So what is the gospel?
Scripture passages referenced in this episode:
Isaiah 52:7
How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Luke 2:10:
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Acts 10:39-41
We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
Acts 17:31
because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.
▶️FREE BIBLE READING PLAN: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.