And just as Moses came later to rescue the people from Egypt, so too Daniel predicted that even after the exodus from Babylon there would be a new exodus led by the One he referred to as the Son of Man.. [xviii] Frame, Systematic Theology, Pg. The horrid realization is setting in that everything you did today doesnt even matter. Also present were john and Alexander, but we know nothing about them. The second point is mind blowing and its also where people get tripped up in Universalism. Knowing all of that, I think that the best way to understand the word World here is that is refers to all mankind Jews and Gentiles. He was not a hypocrite in His teaching, He lived out this love it was this love that motivated His every action and controlled His every move. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:4-5 ESV), Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. The Hound of Heaven - Wikipedia But we know how the story ends, do we not? First is in the revealing of His character, second is in the reflection of His character (among His people), and third is in the praises/worship/acknowledgement/agreement of His people (which is essentially His people agreeing with Him that He is praiseworthy, that He is great etc.). This call is especially so for believers who have been united to Christ, Our growth in maturity is blocked not merely by intellectual issues, but by sin and love of the world, indicating a serious heart issue, God calls us to press on toward maturity in the strength He has given: in prayerful reading and studying of His Word, asking for and depending on Gods help for our increased spiritual growth, That Jesus was perfectly righteous and that righteousness enabled him to be our source for righteousness and salvation the very fountainhead from which we would derive our right standing before a holy God vs. 9, That these things contributed to the fact that. The heart change that only comes by new birth. 11:54-57Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. Furthermore, he knows that what he has done has been an offense first and foremost against heaven. Note what they say to her, Woman, why are you weeping? It isnt as though they dont know the reason shes weeping. [19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. Apart from the Son there will be only darkness. It is to provide further revelation of His character and being as the true Son of God. Is it not significant that Martha had a better understanding of the resurrection than the Sadducees? I want to add some thoughts about the practical purposes of understanding this concept of Christs glory and what it has to do with us. The Author is expounding on some deep Christological truths mostly pertaining to the Priesthood of Jesus that required a foundational understanding already in place. How Lazarus Points Forward to the Pleasure of God in Christ. While Im not sure if Spurgeon was aware of and influenced by this poem, its hard not to see the parallels! I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 13:3-7: Note the patience of Christ. He doesnt simply understand it for we could well believe that He understands it being, as He is, a all-wise all-knowing God but He also empathizes with us. Get Free Weekly Updates from Preaching Today, Secular Jewish Writer Comes to Faith in Christ, Famous Playwright and Journalist on 'The Hound of Heaven'. Sproul says, It was a blessing that Jesus died, because His death was necessary for the salvation, not only of Jews, but of the elect of the whole world.. The way that John tells the story is really interesting. God loves the world despite the fact that the world is evil. Are we not all the plants of his right hand planting? Ezek. What caused Peter and John to leave like this? Consequently, thats why He was so poignant in His remarks about eternity earlier. They may not commend themselves to some readers. [xv] Frame, Systematic Theology, Pg. When all else fails, kill the person who stands in his way. [32]Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died., Marys faith responded in an identical way to Marthas from the earlier verse. And when fear governs your thinking, its very difficult to make wise discerning decisions (spiritual or otherwise). In fact, the New Testament opens with John the Baptists announcement of the kingdom: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2). The second thing I want to note here is that Martha is the one who comes running to Jesus when word reaches their home that the Lord is on His way, and is nearing the village. One of these silver coins, called drachamas, was worth an entire days labor in the time of Jesus. (Carson). The specific link can be found here: http://www.reformationtheology.com/2009/04/world_johns_ten_uses_of_the_wo.php. They dont know how to handle their Bible, and consequently they are not living a life in accordance with Gods will they arent pressing on toward completeness (Phil. In order to do that, we must be knowledge about what He says in His Word. There were two trials, one Jewish and one Roman. Interestingly, Beale thinks that John wrote Revelation with the book of Daniel in mind especially important in Daniel is the already/not yet function of his literature. Now Jesus, the great Shepherd of His flock, begins his interactions with Peter by asking him if he loves him more than these. In this context Jesus likely means these as the disciples. [xi], The Amillennial position, which holds some points in common with both of the premillennial positions, believes that the church age is the kingdom age prophesied in the Old Testament. But that is not the case as well see later on, for when Christ approaches the tomb and asks that the great stone blocking its entrance be removed, Martha protests that there would be a stench! I suppose it is also necessary to address the fact that some say that by the way Mary and Martha address Lazarus as the one loved by Christ, that Lazarus is perhaps the author of this gospel and not John there are other times, of course, when the author refers to himself as the beloved of the Lord. Brethren, in heaven we shall dive into the deepest depths of fellowship with Jesus . Therefore, because he no longer has the power of the last word spiritually, he will do everything he can to make your life miserable and ultimately rejoices in your death for that is all he has left. Although Thompson was a follower of Christ, he struggled with poverty, poor health, and an addiction to opium (which in those days was sold as an "over-the-counter" medication). But when one reads the poem this strangeness disappears. The main thrust of John 11 seems to be two-fold: to show forth the glory and honor of Jesus Christ as the true Son of God, and to show how Lazarus was a type of Christ remembering that Jesus would soon triumph over the grave to the glory of God in Christ. He lavished upon the son great gifts and love. The apostle knows that the Jews are familiar with the love God had for them as His special people, and Jesus relating to them the story of Moses and the bronze serpent would have certainly reminded them of Gods loyal love for them (hesed), all of this is contrasted with John now saying that God so loved the world this would have set alarm bells ringing for his audience. George Ladd once said that, the Kingdom of God is the redemptive reign of God dynamically active to establish his rule among men, and that this Kingdom, which will appear as an apocalyptic act at the end of the age, has already come into human history in the person and mission of Jesus to overcome evil, to deliver men from its power, and to bring them into the blessings of Gods reign The Kingdom of God involves two great moments: fulfillment within history, and consummation at the end of history., Section 4 Heart of Darkness: The Power of Unbelief, 11:45-48Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, [46]but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Speak it when you lie down, and when you are out running errands. Whose son is he? They said to him, The son of David. [43] He said to them, How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, [44] The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet? [32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Spurgeon sees a rich typology in this passage. After looking into this a bit more I found that Spurgeon wasnt the first person to come up with this analogy! It isnt as though His staying away had any affect on the situation materially. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV), Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [48]If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.. My personal notes reflect several pages of introspection from those teaching sessions in August of 2013. So Jesus, having retired to a garden for prayer, to commune with the Father, is approached by a band of men led by Judas the betrayer. 313. HE BOY SPURGEON continued in quest of Christ for five yearsfrom the time when he was between ten and eleven years old until he was between fifteen and sixteen. [10] Ryken wisely points out that there is a progression in the three parables. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."Matthew 8:11-12. These are not two separate items. They failed to grasp the significance of Jesus teaching, and their failure cannot be attributed merely to intellectual incapacity. Thomas Schreiner[vii]. Therefore, the discerning Christian/growing Christian is marked by time in Scripture and prayer. I hid from him, and under running laughter. o Read Good Christian Authors: Many of us spend our time reading all fiction, or all one field or another. So our need for salvation cannot be met by our own efforts to cling to Christ. What took years to save is spent in no time at all. Make no mistake, every man, whether spiritually alive or spiritually dead, will face the judgment of Christ when He comes back in glory. Memorization (Spiritual Formation in Christ for the Whole Life and Whole Person inVocatio, Vol. For that is the way of Satan. I praise God that though I am a sinner, Christ died for me. The revelation of the name of Christ is the revelation of who He is. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. In the poem Jesus pursues Thompson with "unhurrying chase, and unperturbed pace, deliberate speed, and majestic instancy [or urgency]." That enclosure needs a gardener. [15] All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (1 John 3:2). In each parable something that was lost been restored. [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.. And this is what Paul sums up in 2 Corinthians 4:4: In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. Let him go up. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23 ESV). Listen to the reflections of C.H. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Gods desire and purpose for His image bearers is that we know Him. (Matthew 22:41-46). If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Mary is in tears not simply a small stream of tears, she is weeping. [xvi] In the context of Hebrews 5 the call is to understand better the mystery of the priesthood of Christ. The future aspect of the kingdom is its final consummation.[iii]. So Jesus withdrew for a time in order to prepare for the final chapter in His ministry, where He would once again enter Jerusalem, this time for the last time before His grand passion that would serve as the atoning sacrifice for millions and millions of His followers for generations to come, effectively changing the world forever. This follows close on the heels of verse 11 which stated, Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend So what we see is that God has initiated a personal relationship with Moses (keep in mind this is in the Old Testament, for those of you who think God has somehow changed and is more loving and personal now because of Jesus). We know right from wrong, yet we have spurned the Lord and Creator of all that is right. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, he might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven at once. We should recall that the tension between the Jewish religious leadership in Jerusalem and Christ was at a boiling point at this time. 11:16So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. When the morning dawns, Christ will appear. Below are my notes, I hope you profit from them! They would have been happy for their suffering to be relieved Id wager. They were doing work which was strikingly emblematic of their calling. Add content to this section using the sidebar. [33] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. It runs between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives some 200 feet below the base of the outer court of the Temple it was on the west side of the city that Jesus was crucified (Pink/Josephus/Carson). This is important to note simply because we see by this timeline that Christ, knowing all that was going on here, did not kill Lazarus by not coming right away. Jesus, who has dwelt with the Father in unapproachable light from eternity past has cracked open a smidgen of His glory and its enough to level a mob. But his willingness to join Jesus was a matter of accepting the inevitable, clearly without understanding anything of the joy of which Jesus had spoken, to say nothing of being able to share in it.. Christ inaugurated a kingdom (the already) and with that inauguration has brought forth fruit first by His cross work, and now by His Spirits powerful work here on earth through the spread of the gospel. They were vexed to see even more unanswerable proofs that Jesus was the Christ, and irritated to feel that their own unbelief was more than ever inexcusable.. In his love for us Jesus acts like a hound-dog, intense and focused as he pursues the hunt. For as Paul says elsewhere: o Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Want an immediate 15% discount & exclusive offers? Our task isnt made any easier when we realize that throughout the rest of his gospel John sets the world over against the things of the Spirit. Thats His mission. [3] Or are you compassionate, and full of wisdom? [15] We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. Wayne Grudem says, Those who are said to be reigning with Christ for the thousand years are Christians who have died and are already reigning with Christ in heavenThis view is called Amillennialism because it maintains that there is no future millennium yet to come.[x], The Amil believe that the millennium is now, the whole period from Jesus ascension to his return. I think that is significant because if nothing else, it shows us once again how Christ in His sovereignty and His obedience to the Fathers plan stayed and waited for a specific reason (which we discussed above) and not to put Lazarus through some struggle unnecessarily or sadistically. I year or so ago I had the opportunity to teach through John 11 in my sunday school, and recently this past Monday I was able to revisit this chapter and spend two hours going through each verse with a ladys Bible study group at my parents home church. [3] For this is the will of God, your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:1-3a). Ryken says, The word sinners was the catch all for people who had a notorious reputation for bad behavior thieves, drunkards, prostitutes, and anyone else who refused to conform to the holy habits of the religious community.[1]. Ryken comments, Can you see what Jesus was doing? The Remedy: Discernment Attained by Constant Practice 5:14b. First, the father didnt deny his son what he asked for. He is the resurrection and the life, and those who believe that will never die. Could He have been any more blunt than this? Christ could either stay beyond the Jordan and enjoy a vibrant ministry (10:40-42), or He could fulfill the will of the Father and accomplish His ultimate destiny and mission here on Earth. So Davids Son and Lord, crossed the Cedron while Judas was betraying Him to His foes. Father! [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirsheirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Ironically, Christ did this very thing in order make those who werent His family part of His family by sovereign adoption. And he has set his affection on a chosen number to save from eternal punishment. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. It was included in the Oxford Book of . Esau is a princely being, but he is "a profane . 11:30-32Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. It is believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and has done what He says He has done. It seems that, usually, we think of giving God glory by praising Him. [vii] Bruce Ware talks about how people see Christ intellectually, but they dont see him as glorious. Snow sits upon it in winterand the heat of the sun bakes it in the summer. Its about Him giving us a preview of the rest of our lives. Moody and Lovett point out that Thompson's use of free and varied line lengths and irregular rhythms reflect the panicked retreat of the soul, while the structured, often recurring refrain suggests the inexorable pursuit as it comes ever closer.[3]. Those who do not place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ are condemned already. As John MacArthur notes, while the final sentencing of those who reject Christ is still future, their judgment will merely consummate what has already begun., I will offer a paraphrase here based on what I understand John to be saying: every human being is born already condemned by their own sinfulness and if you dont believe in Jesus then you will remain condemned., Therefore, Condemned already is another way of saying, the wrath of God abides on him.. Why is this? The Hound of Heaven. [viii] In fact, when God does turn us over to our own desires, they arent good, and the outcome is horrific! Make yourself weak in your own eyes, and trust in His strength the strength of the great I AM who sustains you and the whole world. [55]Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. Likewise, the miracle that were about to read of bolstered the faith of the disciples and those who were near Christ. These are sins that block the blood flow and clot the arteries of our faith, causing our thirst for the knowledge of God to dry up. This is what R.C. They functioned as mercenaries who cared more about riches than holiness. [36]So the Jews said, See how he loved him! [37]But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?. Like cockroaches, we are described as running from the light, not running to the light! You wish to bring others to Christ, because you yourselves have been brought to life and liberty in him. Christ could either stay beyond the Jordan and enjoy a vibrant ministry (10:40-42), or He could fulfill the will of the Father and accomplish His ultimate destiny and mission here on Earth, by the time the messenger arrived at Jesus Lazarus would have already been dead, http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/seated-at-gods-right-hand/, http://www.gty.org/resources/print/sermons/66-73, http://www.gotquestions.org/phileo-love.html#ixzz3FWIhOYPt, http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/why-we-read-the-bible, http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/why-memorize-scripture, Relying on the Supernatural Power of Christ for Life and Strength, http://www.reformationtheology.com/2009/04/world_johns_ten_uses_of_the_wo.php, Steven Lawson New Reformation Ministries. THE HOUND OF HEAVEN - By Francis Thompson, (1859-1907) This account includes the restoration of the Apostle Peter. But let us go to him., It wasnt a terribly common thing in second temple culture to use the euphemism fall asleep for death, but if we scan the entirety of Scripture we see it is actually a very common phrase/word overall especially in the books of Kings and Chronicles (examples: 1 Kings 22:40, 50; 2 Kings 8:24, 10:35). For when we speak of the millennium were talking about the Kingdom of God, and specifically the reign of His Christ. They just kept on rebuilding! I hid from him, and under running laughter. Below is a sermon I preached this past week on John 18:1-27. What we learn from this passage of Scripture is that salvation is from first to last of God, by God, from God, for God it is all of God. *I have omitted parts of the linguistic explanations from Carson for smoothness of reading. A very straightforward proposition, however, just like not everyone would have been saved by the copper snake, not everyone is saved by Christs sacrifice. Not simply good for everyone, but for those who A) love Him and B) are called according to His purpose. Thats probably why she tells Peter in the plural that, they have taken the Lord., This shock is followed by another, the Lords body is gone. In fact, there will be no sun because Jesus will be our only necessary light. Carson. We need hearts whose desires are to follow hard after Christ, not spend endless years on spiritual life support! Supposing him to be the gardener, thenlet us bring forth fruit to him. To argue a distant futurist reign of Christ is to argue the opposite of how the Bible describes the efficacy of Christs work on the cross. For we cannot read this and judge ourselves content to move on before we settle some things in our mind. The second thing I think is notably here is the reaction of Mary she quickly rose up and went to find Christ. Post-mills also agree with Amils on the binding of Satan during Christs ministry and his release for a short time before Jesus return. And on the flip side, perhaps you are willing to eat with them, and youre very approachable, but you dont ever lead them to the reason for the hope within you. (John 14:6, ESV), He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. Mostly, though Thomas might be brave and we can admire that in him he is also following as a rule. There is no proposal here that the listeners should abandon these basic truths. [53]So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. You can check out the full poem here. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. [15] I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. He continues The natural dullness of our minds in receiving spiritual things, is, it may be, included; but it is our depraved affections, casting us on a neglect of our duty, that is condemned.. Ive briefly touched on this earlier, but we must examine briefly again the mission that is given to the Apostle Peter.
And just as Moses came later to rescue the people from Egypt, so too Daniel predicted that even after the exodus from Babylon there would be a new exodus led by the One he referred to as the Son of Man.. [xviii] Frame, Systematic Theology, Pg. The horrid realization is setting in that everything you did today doesnt even matter. Also present were john and Alexander, but we know nothing about them. The second point is mind blowing and its also where people get tripped up in Universalism. Knowing all of that, I think that the best way to understand the word World here is that is refers to all mankind Jews and Gentiles. He was not a hypocrite in His teaching, He lived out this love it was this love that motivated His every action and controlled His every move. [5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:4-5 ESV), Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. The Hound of Heaven - Wikipedia But we know how the story ends, do we not? First is in the revealing of His character, second is in the reflection of His character (among His people), and third is in the praises/worship/acknowledgement/agreement of His people (which is essentially His people agreeing with Him that He is praiseworthy, that He is great etc.). This call is especially so for believers who have been united to Christ, Our growth in maturity is blocked not merely by intellectual issues, but by sin and love of the world, indicating a serious heart issue, God calls us to press on toward maturity in the strength He has given: in prayerful reading and studying of His Word, asking for and depending on Gods help for our increased spiritual growth, That Jesus was perfectly righteous and that righteousness enabled him to be our source for righteousness and salvation the very fountainhead from which we would derive our right standing before a holy God vs. 9, That these things contributed to the fact that. The heart change that only comes by new birth. 11:54-57Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. Furthermore, he knows that what he has done has been an offense first and foremost against heaven. Note what they say to her, Woman, why are you weeping? It isnt as though they dont know the reason shes weeping. [19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. Apart from the Son there will be only darkness. It is to provide further revelation of His character and being as the true Son of God. Is it not significant that Martha had a better understanding of the resurrection than the Sadducees? I want to add some thoughts about the practical purposes of understanding this concept of Christs glory and what it has to do with us. The Author is expounding on some deep Christological truths mostly pertaining to the Priesthood of Jesus that required a foundational understanding already in place. How Lazarus Points Forward to the Pleasure of God in Christ. While Im not sure if Spurgeon was aware of and influenced by this poem, its hard not to see the parallels! I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 13:3-7: Note the patience of Christ. He doesnt simply understand it for we could well believe that He understands it being, as He is, a all-wise all-knowing God but He also empathizes with us. Get Free Weekly Updates from Preaching Today, Secular Jewish Writer Comes to Faith in Christ, Famous Playwright and Journalist on 'The Hound of Heaven'. Sproul says, It was a blessing that Jesus died, because His death was necessary for the salvation, not only of Jews, but of the elect of the whole world.. The way that John tells the story is really interesting. God loves the world despite the fact that the world is evil. Are we not all the plants of his right hand planting? Ezek. What caused Peter and John to leave like this? Consequently, thats why He was so poignant in His remarks about eternity earlier. They may not commend themselves to some readers. [xv] Frame, Systematic Theology, Pg. When all else fails, kill the person who stands in his way. [32]Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died., Marys faith responded in an identical way to Marthas from the earlier verse. And when fear governs your thinking, its very difficult to make wise discerning decisions (spiritual or otherwise). In fact, the New Testament opens with John the Baptists announcement of the kingdom: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2). The second thing I want to note here is that Martha is the one who comes running to Jesus when word reaches their home that the Lord is on His way, and is nearing the village. One of these silver coins, called drachamas, was worth an entire days labor in the time of Jesus. (Carson). The specific link can be found here: http://www.reformationtheology.com/2009/04/world_johns_ten_uses_of_the_wo.php. They dont know how to handle their Bible, and consequently they are not living a life in accordance with Gods will they arent pressing on toward completeness (Phil. In order to do that, we must be knowledge about what He says in His Word. There were two trials, one Jewish and one Roman. Interestingly, Beale thinks that John wrote Revelation with the book of Daniel in mind especially important in Daniel is the already/not yet function of his literature. Now Jesus, the great Shepherd of His flock, begins his interactions with Peter by asking him if he loves him more than these. In this context Jesus likely means these as the disciples. [xi], The Amillennial position, which holds some points in common with both of the premillennial positions, believes that the church age is the kingdom age prophesied in the Old Testament. But that is not the case as well see later on, for when Christ approaches the tomb and asks that the great stone blocking its entrance be removed, Martha protests that there would be a stench! I suppose it is also necessary to address the fact that some say that by the way Mary and Martha address Lazarus as the one loved by Christ, that Lazarus is perhaps the author of this gospel and not John there are other times, of course, when the author refers to himself as the beloved of the Lord. Brethren, in heaven we shall dive into the deepest depths of fellowship with Jesus . Therefore, because he no longer has the power of the last word spiritually, he will do everything he can to make your life miserable and ultimately rejoices in your death for that is all he has left. Although Thompson was a follower of Christ, he struggled with poverty, poor health, and an addiction to opium (which in those days was sold as an "over-the-counter" medication). But when one reads the poem this strangeness disappears. The main thrust of John 11 seems to be two-fold: to show forth the glory and honor of Jesus Christ as the true Son of God, and to show how Lazarus was a type of Christ remembering that Jesus would soon triumph over the grave to the glory of God in Christ. He lavished upon the son great gifts and love. The apostle knows that the Jews are familiar with the love God had for them as His special people, and Jesus relating to them the story of Moses and the bronze serpent would have certainly reminded them of Gods loyal love for them (hesed), all of this is contrasted with John now saying that God so loved the world this would have set alarm bells ringing for his audience. George Ladd once said that, the Kingdom of God is the redemptive reign of God dynamically active to establish his rule among men, and that this Kingdom, which will appear as an apocalyptic act at the end of the age, has already come into human history in the person and mission of Jesus to overcome evil, to deliver men from its power, and to bring them into the blessings of Gods reign The Kingdom of God involves two great moments: fulfillment within history, and consummation at the end of history., Section 4 Heart of Darkness: The Power of Unbelief, 11:45-48Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, [46]but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Speak it when you lie down, and when you are out running errands. Whose son is he? They said to him, The son of David. [43] He said to them, How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, [44] The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet? [32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Spurgeon sees a rich typology in this passage. After looking into this a bit more I found that Spurgeon wasnt the first person to come up with this analogy! It isnt as though His staying away had any affect on the situation materially. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV), Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. [48]If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.. My personal notes reflect several pages of introspection from those teaching sessions in August of 2013. So Jesus, having retired to a garden for prayer, to commune with the Father, is approached by a band of men led by Judas the betrayer. 313. HE BOY SPURGEON continued in quest of Christ for five yearsfrom the time when he was between ten and eleven years old until he was between fifteen and sixteen. [10] Ryken wisely points out that there is a progression in the three parables. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."Matthew 8:11-12. These are not two separate items. They failed to grasp the significance of Jesus teaching, and their failure cannot be attributed merely to intellectual incapacity. Thomas Schreiner[vii]. Therefore, the discerning Christian/growing Christian is marked by time in Scripture and prayer. I hid from him, and under running laughter. o Read Good Christian Authors: Many of us spend our time reading all fiction, or all one field or another. So our need for salvation cannot be met by our own efforts to cling to Christ. What took years to save is spent in no time at all. Make no mistake, every man, whether spiritually alive or spiritually dead, will face the judgment of Christ when He comes back in glory. Memorization (Spiritual Formation in Christ for the Whole Life and Whole Person inVocatio, Vol. For that is the way of Satan. I praise God that though I am a sinner, Christ died for me. The revelation of the name of Christ is the revelation of who He is. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. In the poem Jesus pursues Thompson with "unhurrying chase, and unperturbed pace, deliberate speed, and majestic instancy [or urgency]." That enclosure needs a gardener. [15] All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (1 John 3:2). In each parable something that was lost been restored. [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.. And this is what Paul sums up in 2 Corinthians 4:4: In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. Let him go up. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23 ESV). Listen to the reflections of C.H. Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Gods desire and purpose for His image bearers is that we know Him. (Matthew 22:41-46). If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Mary is in tears not simply a small stream of tears, she is weeping. [xvi] In the context of Hebrews 5 the call is to understand better the mystery of the priesthood of Christ. The future aspect of the kingdom is its final consummation.[iii]. So Jesus withdrew for a time in order to prepare for the final chapter in His ministry, where He would once again enter Jerusalem, this time for the last time before His grand passion that would serve as the atoning sacrifice for millions and millions of His followers for generations to come, effectively changing the world forever. This follows close on the heels of verse 11 which stated, Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend So what we see is that God has initiated a personal relationship with Moses (keep in mind this is in the Old Testament, for those of you who think God has somehow changed and is more loving and personal now because of Jesus). We know right from wrong, yet we have spurned the Lord and Creator of all that is right. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, he might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven at once. We should recall that the tension between the Jewish religious leadership in Jerusalem and Christ was at a boiling point at this time. 11:16So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. When the morning dawns, Christ will appear. Below are my notes, I hope you profit from them! They would have been happy for their suffering to be relieved Id wager. They were doing work which was strikingly emblematic of their calling. Add content to this section using the sidebar. [33] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. It runs between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives some 200 feet below the base of the outer court of the Temple it was on the west side of the city that Jesus was crucified (Pink/Josephus/Carson). This is important to note simply because we see by this timeline that Christ, knowing all that was going on here, did not kill Lazarus by not coming right away. Jesus, who has dwelt with the Father in unapproachable light from eternity past has cracked open a smidgen of His glory and its enough to level a mob. But his willingness to join Jesus was a matter of accepting the inevitable, clearly without understanding anything of the joy of which Jesus had spoken, to say nothing of being able to share in it.. Christ inaugurated a kingdom (the already) and with that inauguration has brought forth fruit first by His cross work, and now by His Spirits powerful work here on earth through the spread of the gospel. They were vexed to see even more unanswerable proofs that Jesus was the Christ, and irritated to feel that their own unbelief was more than ever inexcusable.. In his love for us Jesus acts like a hound-dog, intense and focused as he pursues the hunt. For as Paul says elsewhere: o Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Want an immediate 15% discount & exclusive offers? Our task isnt made any easier when we realize that throughout the rest of his gospel John sets the world over against the things of the Spirit. Thats His mission. [3] Or are you compassionate, and full of wisdom? [15] We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. Wayne Grudem says, Those who are said to be reigning with Christ for the thousand years are Christians who have died and are already reigning with Christ in heavenThis view is called Amillennialism because it maintains that there is no future millennium yet to come.[x], The Amil believe that the millennium is now, the whole period from Jesus ascension to his return. I think that is significant because if nothing else, it shows us once again how Christ in His sovereignty and His obedience to the Fathers plan stayed and waited for a specific reason (which we discussed above) and not to put Lazarus through some struggle unnecessarily or sadistically. I year or so ago I had the opportunity to teach through John 11 in my sunday school, and recently this past Monday I was able to revisit this chapter and spend two hours going through each verse with a ladys Bible study group at my parents home church. [3] For this is the will of God, your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:1-3a). Ryken says, The word sinners was the catch all for people who had a notorious reputation for bad behavior thieves, drunkards, prostitutes, and anyone else who refused to conform to the holy habits of the religious community.[1]. Ryken comments, Can you see what Jesus was doing? The Remedy: Discernment Attained by Constant Practice 5:14b. First, the father didnt deny his son what he asked for. He is the resurrection and the life, and those who believe that will never die. Could He have been any more blunt than this? Christ could either stay beyond the Jordan and enjoy a vibrant ministry (10:40-42), or He could fulfill the will of the Father and accomplish His ultimate destiny and mission here on Earth. So Davids Son and Lord, crossed the Cedron while Judas was betraying Him to His foes. Father! [16] The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, then heirsheirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Ironically, Christ did this very thing in order make those who werent His family part of His family by sovereign adoption. And he has set his affection on a chosen number to save from eternal punishment. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. It was included in the Oxford Book of . Esau is a princely being, but he is "a profane . 11:30-32Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. It is believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and has done what He says He has done. It seems that, usually, we think of giving God glory by praising Him. [vii] Bruce Ware talks about how people see Christ intellectually, but they dont see him as glorious. Snow sits upon it in winterand the heat of the sun bakes it in the summer. Its about Him giving us a preview of the rest of our lives. Moody and Lovett point out that Thompson's use of free and varied line lengths and irregular rhythms reflect the panicked retreat of the soul, while the structured, often recurring refrain suggests the inexorable pursuit as it comes ever closer.[3]. Those who do not place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ are condemned already. As John MacArthur notes, while the final sentencing of those who reject Christ is still future, their judgment will merely consummate what has already begun., I will offer a paraphrase here based on what I understand John to be saying: every human being is born already condemned by their own sinfulness and if you dont believe in Jesus then you will remain condemned., Therefore, Condemned already is another way of saying, the wrath of God abides on him.. Why is this? The Hound of Heaven. [viii] In fact, when God does turn us over to our own desires, they arent good, and the outcome is horrific! Make yourself weak in your own eyes, and trust in His strength the strength of the great I AM who sustains you and the whole world. [55]Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. Likewise, the miracle that were about to read of bolstered the faith of the disciples and those who were near Christ. These are sins that block the blood flow and clot the arteries of our faith, causing our thirst for the knowledge of God to dry up. This is what R.C. They functioned as mercenaries who cared more about riches than holiness. [36]So the Jews said, See how he loved him! [37]But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?. Like cockroaches, we are described as running from the light, not running to the light! You wish to bring others to Christ, because you yourselves have been brought to life and liberty in him. Christ could either stay beyond the Jordan and enjoy a vibrant ministry (10:40-42), or He could fulfill the will of the Father and accomplish His ultimate destiny and mission here on Earth, by the time the messenger arrived at Jesus Lazarus would have already been dead, http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/seated-at-gods-right-hand/, http://www.gty.org/resources/print/sermons/66-73, http://www.gotquestions.org/phileo-love.html#ixzz3FWIhOYPt, http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/why-we-read-the-bible, http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/why-memorize-scripture, Relying on the Supernatural Power of Christ for Life and Strength, http://www.reformationtheology.com/2009/04/world_johns_ten_uses_of_the_wo.php, Steven Lawson New Reformation Ministries. THE HOUND OF HEAVEN - By Francis Thompson, (1859-1907) This account includes the restoration of the Apostle Peter. But let us go to him., It wasnt a terribly common thing in second temple culture to use the euphemism fall asleep for death, but if we scan the entirety of Scripture we see it is actually a very common phrase/word overall especially in the books of Kings and Chronicles (examples: 1 Kings 22:40, 50; 2 Kings 8:24, 10:35). For when we speak of the millennium were talking about the Kingdom of God, and specifically the reign of His Christ. They just kept on rebuilding! I hid from him, and under running laughter. Below is a sermon I preached this past week on John 18:1-27. What we learn from this passage of Scripture is that salvation is from first to last of God, by God, from God, for God it is all of God. *I have omitted parts of the linguistic explanations from Carson for smoothness of reading. A very straightforward proposition, however, just like not everyone would have been saved by the copper snake, not everyone is saved by Christs sacrifice. Not simply good for everyone, but for those who A) love Him and B) are called according to His purpose. Thats probably why she tells Peter in the plural that, they have taken the Lord., This shock is followed by another, the Lords body is gone. In fact, there will be no sun because Jesus will be our only necessary light. Carson. We need hearts whose desires are to follow hard after Christ, not spend endless years on spiritual life support! Supposing him to be the gardener, thenlet us bring forth fruit to him. To argue a distant futurist reign of Christ is to argue the opposite of how the Bible describes the efficacy of Christs work on the cross. For we cannot read this and judge ourselves content to move on before we settle some things in our mind. The second thing I think is notably here is the reaction of Mary she quickly rose up and went to find Christ. Post-mills also agree with Amils on the binding of Satan during Christs ministry and his release for a short time before Jesus return. And on the flip side, perhaps you are willing to eat with them, and youre very approachable, but you dont ever lead them to the reason for the hope within you. (John 14:6, ESV), He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. Mostly, though Thomas might be brave and we can admire that in him he is also following as a rule. There is no proposal here that the listeners should abandon these basic truths. [53]So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. You can check out the full poem here. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. [15] I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. He continues The natural dullness of our minds in receiving spiritual things, is, it may be, included; but it is our depraved affections, casting us on a neglect of our duty, that is condemned.. Ive briefly touched on this earlier, but we must examine briefly again the mission that is given to the Apostle Peter. Gym Class Games High School,
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