Irmela
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Posts posted by Irmela
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Q45. (John 6:53-58)
What does the metaphor of "eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood," mean in practical terms? Jesus also said that He was the Bread of Life . Bread is the sustenance of life. To live spiritually, we are to feed on this Bread. So this to me means to feed on His flesh. To read His Word. To learn from Him, for that enables us to live. To become a partaker of His nature. To Drink His blood, (life is in the blood), to drink His Life. To become a part of Him.
To extend the same metaphor, what do you think might be the difference between nibbling the Bread of Life rather than actually making a meal of it? To nibble something gives a picture of taking in small portions of something. As Robomom3 suggested, taking in a verse of Scripture here and there and being satisfied that that's enough.
How does "eating His flesh" relate to abiding in Jesus? Abiding in Jesus would be staying in Him. Being part of Him. Feasting on Him, is not a one time occurrence, but a continual reading His Word and living accordingly.
Why do you think Jesus uses this offensive analogy that resulted in many disciples leaving Him? It sure made those that only wanted the "nibbling of the crumbs" part, to leave and those that were genuine to continue with Him and draw even closer. Acknowledging as Peter did, You have the Words of Life.
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Q44. (John 15:4-5)
What does it mean "to abide"? To stay in a relation, to remain, to hold to, to tarry, to dwell, to live with, to lodge, to be intimately connected to, even receiving nourishment from.
What does abiding have to do with "mutual indwelling"? It means agreeing to stay with or be with another and the other being with you. Not dwelling alone but agreeably staying or remaining with or living with another one, becoming a part of another, the sharing of a relationship.
What does abiding have to do with a "personal relationship"? We no longer live, as though alone, but share what we do or say with Christ, as if it is Christ that does or say it. In this way it is personal. I with or in Him and He in me.
What does Jesus mean when He says, "Apart from Me you can do nothing"? I am utterly dependent on Him.
What is the value of things done without Christ? It has no lasting eternal value.
What is the final end of things done without Christ? It will be burnt up, when tested with fire.
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Q43. (John 15:1-3)
How does skillful pruning increase the fruitfulness of a grapevine?
How are we pruned or cleansed by exposure and obedience to Jesus' words?
According to John 8:31-32, how does obeying Jesus' teaching bring cleansing and freedom from sin?
The energy of the plant is not wasted on unfruitful or diseased branches if these are cut off before the new season of growth starts. It is focused on the fruitful ones, which have also undergone pruning. The reason for the pruning is that the vine does not grow wild and that there is enough sunlight for the plant. The harvesting of the grapes is also easier if it is not so clumped up together. So the purposes of the pruning is to stimulate growth, to shape the vine, protect against mildew (there is enough light on every area), and to produce maximum yield without breaking the branches, with too many clusters.
If we read and hearken to the Word, that too will stimulate growth eg., we read in the Word to do all things without grumbling or complaining. If we act on this we change in ourselves and produce the fruit of joy. By so doing our lives are shaped into being more Christlike. Just so with other character traits. The old is pruned or cut off and new is produced. If we read the Word and act on it, we stay in the Light. If we then do sin, the Light will reveal this and then we learn from the Word that we are to confess our sins and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thus the mildew (sin) is cut out of our life and not allowed to spread more.
By abiding in His Word, we learn and know the Truth. The Truth will set us free. There is no double dealing, no hiding, no two-facedness, no hypocrisy. To abide in His Word, we obey His Word. Obeying His Word brings freedom from sin, as illustrated above with the example of the grumbling and complaining being exposed and then changing and bringing the fruit of Joy instead. By obeying His Word we repent and confess our sin, so we are cleansed (1 Corinthians 6:11) by the "washing of the Word".
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Q42. (Luke 12:1; Matthew 16:11-12)
Why is hypocrisy easy to detect in others, but difficult to detect in ourselves?
Why is hypocrisy so deadly to spiritual growth? To witness? To obedience? To being a disciple?
What is the antidote for hypocrisy?
Hypocrisy = the assumption of moral standards to which one's own behaviour does not conform. duplicity deception falseness insincerity fakery
Hypocrisy is not a very nice character-trait. It is not easy to acknowledge that something despicable is in us. It is a big flaw that in many ways, is covered up, but is bound to reveal itself sooner or later. Because of its despicable nature, hypocrisy is detectable in others and because we are so busy to try to hide the flaw in our character, we tend to see it in the next one rather than in ourselves. As some have mentioned: we see the spec in other's eyes and not the log in our own.
Hypocrisy is a deadly trait in our life because it is deception, it is insincerity to the nth degree. If there is something false in your life. eg., living as being someone in one place and someone else in another place, you cannot grow closer to the Lord. There is falseness in you. We cannot expect someone to follow our example, if our actions do not tally with what we say.
The antidote for hypocrisy is openness. When you have failed, you have sinned, confess it. Don't make as if it never happened. Be honest that you need help and cannot do "life" alone, you need help.
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Q41. (Luke 14:7-11)
Why do people push themselves forward?
In one way, I think it is, so they are not left out. Also, so that they are noticed. The bottom line would be fear and pride.
According to verse 11, what will happen to them?
They will be abased or humbled if someone of importance has come and they are asked to take a different seat, to in fact give up their seating for someone else.
Why is humility so important a lesson for Jesus' disciples?
It is very important to stay humble, because very easily people put someone who is used of God in a mighty way, on a pedestal. If pride is a part of your character, you will easily fall for satan's ploy and become proud because of it. Whereas if you remain humble you will easier push that aside and give God the glory. Remember pride was satan's downfall.
What is the danger to us, if we don't learn and internalize this lesson?
That we become proud. We believe that we are the one's that are important. Eventually we try to turn the spotlight onto us and not on Jesus.
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Q40. (Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17).
According to Mark 10:13-16, what characteristic of children is necessary for salvation?
What characteristic were the disciples showing in rebuking the parents?
When arguing about who was greatest? .................. This is not a question or statement. Not too sure what was intended here. ................
Why is humility essential to repentance? To learning? To obedience?
Why did Jesus give his disciples the saying of becoming like little children?
Taking a moment and just reflecting on a child in general. Under normal circumstances a child will come as it is, not first make sure that it is clean, scrubbed and "presentable". It does not think so far as, "I have been playing in the sand and my hands might just be dirty." It just comes. Usually it will just leave what it is doing and wander off to the next item of interest. It does not think of danger. It usually desires to see something new close up. No real fear until the fear is instilled by someone. They are curious and will come to meet a stranger, just as they are. Usually sharing is normal. The weak and different are either pushed aside or carefully "mothered." Unfortunately sometimes the grown-up's attitude has already rubbed off on the children and they can be very unkind, even cruel, to the poor and the different in society. Very often the poor and the "have not's" also just want to see and touch, not necessarily take to keep. If left to themselves many times they will be accepted into the "circle" somehow. They adjust to the "different" and accept easier. They don't think before they act, they just ACT.
Unfortunately I often experienced unkind treatment from other children, as a child. This has made me see humanity through clouded glasses, at times.
These verses have troubled me somewhat. Over the years I have worked with many children and have had my own and so I am assuming that what is meant here is the fact that the children don't take any forethought , they just come and accept what they are told. They are innocent in their humility and striving to reach their goal.
I would thus take the characteristic Mark refers to is: The desire to learn, to find out more. The openness of a child. The readiness to come as they are. I think the latter is very important for salvation, to come as we are. Unpolished. The dependence of a child. Absolute faith that God will meet my need.
The disciples were being unkind to the parents and arrogant in their behaviour. They reflected the thought of the day , viz., that children were unimportant.
When you are not humble your repentance is not genuine. To repent you need to accept the fact that you were wrong and this takes humility. When you are proud, this will block out any advise/teaching given to you from any source available. Obedience also takes humility. Repentance, learning and obedience steers one away from "I can by myself" concept, and actually brings one under the mercy of someone else.
The disciples were striving to be the most important and coming dangerously close to thinking they "know it all". They needed to become as the children who desire to know more/ to learn more.
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Q39. (Luke 18:9-14)
Why do you think the Pharisee is so convinced of his righteousness?
His so called prayer is full of his seemingly righteous deeds, and they are so different and above board in comparison to thieving, living an adulterous life and being openly unjust to his fellow-man. He is thus convinced that his deeds prove him to be righteous.
What do you think are his actual sins?
Pride and looking down on others. Also doing whatever he did, for man's approval, not for God's approval.
What is so remarkable about the tax collector's prayer?
The tax collector recognized his sinful state and acknowledged his need for mercy. He was not proud of it, but beat upon his chest. He was remorseful and recognized his need.
Why is it easier to promote ourselves in front of others rather than humble ourselves?
Why did Jesus tell this parable for His disciples?
It is easy to hide pride in our charitable deeds. These are easier to be spoken highly of. In this way others become aware of us and our works are promoted. This way it seems like there is no pride , meanwhile we stink of pride. I do think Jesus was warning His disciples of this. These deeds are indeed necessary, but we need to remain humble at all cost. When our deeds are pointed out, we become more favourable to society, or notorious, but we become known in a positive or negative way. As we are human we prefer the positive, which often then leads to pride as man tends to put man on a pedestal, rather than giving the honour to God.
Be warned, don't look down on others, for there BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, GO I. !!!!!!!!
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Q38. (Matthew 13:44-46).
If you were to objectively assess your life, career, family, values, and possessions, is there anything more important, anything of greater value to you than your relationship with Jesus? No there isn't, may God help me not to have anything be more important. Jesus is my All in all.
How would you objectively prove to a friend that Jesus is first in your life?
A very good description has been given by t-c.
My actions in word and deed, ought to reveal Jesus. When they don't, I need to search my actions and motives and repent from where I have deviated.
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Q37. (Luke 9:23-24, etc.)
What does it mean to take up your cross daily?
What does this have to do with "losing your life for Me."
What are the consequences in one's Christian walk if a disciple wants to take this step of commitment?
How does this contrast with trying to save one's life?
To take up one's cross daily means to be willing to die for Jesus at any time and any place. In any way.
To lose our life or to die on this earth, then means living with Jesus in eternity. (For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.)
This commitment is total. It is fully putting down self and taking on Christ.
If you mean by that to disown Christ and thus save one's life, that is definitely not what one should do. Christ comes first. Come what may, we are to live for Him.
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Q36. (Luke 14:25-32)
Are Jesus' demands of His disciples too uncompromising? (unyielding)
Are we too compromising (ready to reach an agreement) with the world's demands?
What do you need to completely surrender so Jesus has all of you?
Jesus is saying to us, come at all costs even if it means, losing relationships etc, He, Jesus has counted the cost and was willing to give up everything, for humanity to be saved. He does not expect of us, what He hasn't done Himself.
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Q35. (Luke 9:57-62)
What do these three analogies tell us about Jesus' requirements for His disciples?
Why is Jesus so urgent?
What was He seeking to teach would-be disciples about their priorities?
They need to be serious about their commitment. They need to know and understand what their priorities are and live and act accordingly. Jesus comes first. Not only one day and not the next, but all the time. Live for Him.
Jesus is urgent about this because there are many would be followers, who are actually fence sitters and want to follow for the excitement and the crowds, but they are not really serious about serving Him at all. Just interested in the good times. They can be a bad influence or a negative influence on the ones who are serious.
Jesus wants us to keep our priorities right. Not be wobbly as a wave, and uncertain about Him.
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Q34. (Luke 13:23-27)
Beyond the message that few will be saved, what is the unique message of the Parable of the Narrow Door?
Why must would-be disciples be aggressive in order to enter the Kingdom?
What happens if we don't aggressively seek God?
Why do you think Jesus told this parable to His disciples?
The message is to reveal the fact that there is more to the concept of being a true follower than just "sign a paper, as to having made a decision to change". It is more than just a desire, a few tears and that's it. It is a doing (striving), a letting go of all that hinders us from living for the Lord Jesus. A repenting from a selfish lifestyle, a godless existence, and a putting aside of ones own desires and a striving to "let God".
I understand this word aggressive to mean "be serious about" the decision, to seek God.
It means being forceful and bold. That is what I understand by making a decision to seek and follow the Lord.
If eventually you are not serious about seeking God and following/serving Him, you will loose out and the door will close. The opportunity to do so will end.
Hard times were looming ahead, and some would not follow through with the path they had chosen. They would fall back during the persecutions that were soon to follow and overcome the followers of Jesus. Not just in that era. Throughout the times even till now there are those persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Their have been many martyrs.
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Q33. (Matthew 13:22)
How do "thorns" prevent the Word of God from maturing in our lives?
Worries of this life can consume a person. Depends on how we handle them. If they crop up and we hand them over to the Lord and genuinely let them go and TRUST Him to take care of them, then the thorny branch begins to disentangle.
Riches and the Desire for other Things can easily deceive one into thinking that it will be easier to serve the Lord, if one has this or that. Meanwhile this and that can just be the start of the desire for more and more. Luring one into the "keeping up with the Jones's style of life. There is nothing wrong with riches in themselves, it is the love of riches that binds a person, which prevents the Word of God from being wanted to make a change in ones lifestyle.
Pleasures in this life can consume one. The need to take part in this event, that party, that sports, that competition etc. This crowds out time for anything else. No alone time spent with the Lord in quiet.
What is the difference between a genuine "disciple," follower or learner of Rabbi Jesus, and a person who holds a Christian belief system?
A genuine disciple/follower/learner of Rabbi Jesus, will put everything aside and desire to spend time with Him. His lifestyle will portray Jesus. A person who holds a Christian belief system, will be a person with good morals etc but not one who has a personal relationship with Jesus. One will know Jesus whereas the other will know about Jesus.
What can you do to clear your life of the thorns that prevent Christ's work from maturing in you?
Spend time in the Word (seeing we still have the chance to do so), speak to the Lord about anything and everything, know Him in everything, worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. This way worries are drowned and not fed, desires are curbed and pleasure is found in serving Christ.
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Q32. (Matthew 13:20-21)
Why, according to the Parable of the Sower, do some people fall away so quickly? What is their problem? Unbelief . . . doubting
Reading the responses brings many thoughts to mind. It is all well and good to say, they do not read the Word, or they fail to be grounded in the Word. What about the illiterate persons or where there is no Bible. I think of those in the Communistic countries who cannot even openly gather together around the Word. I personally have experienced not being free to openly read the Word. The Bible and any Christian books were hidden to not be thrown away or torn up.
I do feel that if the response to someone having shared the Gospel is shallow then indeed they will fall away quickly, as testified by ROBOMOM3. I also believe that if there is a genuine desire to have a change of heart that, that person will grow with or without normal fellowship and reading of the Word. Talking to and waiting on the Lord is also important. Reading the Word is very important (I don't deny that). Believing and trusting Him, is what matters.
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Q31. (John 10:6-15)
Why does a true shepherd "lay down his life for the sheep"? Because of his LOVE.
A true shepherd lives for his sheep. They are his. They are who he loves , who he is proud of. He cares for them, so that they are in good health, so that they learn how to be obedient. He knows that in the misty , foggy conditions, he can walk ahead with his stick, which he puts hard on the ground (so it can be heard) that he has taught his sheep to follow him. He also knows that his sheep are vulnerable. He is prepared, because of his love for them, to lay down his life for them. He gives up creature-comforts, to be with them. To keep them calm in harsh weather conditions, his presence is enough. His voice stills them.
How did Jesus' do this for His disciples? For us?
Jesus knew that the only way for humanity, to share eternal life with Him, a perfect sacrifice was needed. He was prepared to put aside His heavenly glory and take up life as man starts life. (a cell) Like that He grew to be born into a family; to live in a community where he was to be accepted by some, rejected by others; He learnt to accept instruction, guidance etc., from human parents/guardians; He was tempted to do wrong, yet He did not sin; etc. He was indeed the perfect man - the perfect SACRIFICE. He "laid down" His life for His disciples, for us.
In what way did Jesus intend His disciples to learn that they, too, must be willing to lay down their lives for the sheep?
Jesus intended us to recognize the need of fellow humans and be prepared to fulfill those needs, not only in food, clothing and maybe housing but also in giving of ones time. That is laying down ones life. Putting aside what is important for oneself and fulfilling someone else's need. Then too it was in fulfilling the work given to do viz., to teach others about Him. This could literally mean death for many.
Can you think of any examples where Christ's servants have done this?
We read of Stephen who was stoned for his faith. Tradition tells us that many of the first disciples were martyred. Today still, there are many who give their life in the Mission field and are martyred for their faith. Others accept Christ as Saviour and who are then thrown out by family and loved ones. They lay down their lives again for others to see and follow suit.
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Why is knowing the Shepherd's voice and obeying it so very important for disciples?
It is very important to know the shepherd's voice, so that we can follow the right voice. It doesn't help not knowing His voice, because which voice do we end up obeying. As disciples we need to know the Shepherd's voice that we are following.
What happens when we act independently of the Shepherd?
When we act independently of the Shepherd, we are on dangerous ground. Bound for disappointment, disillusionment and abandonment.
That is a very interesting point made about the Bummer lambs. (Nikonya16) Yes, rejection is a prime reason for straying and for fear to set in and uncertainty and then not to return to the original "church fold" one was in. Unfortunately very often it makes a person turn away from the Faith completely .
Important: Don't look on the other "sheep" nor on the so-called leader of that church-flock. Look to JESUS the TRUE SHEPHERD!!!!! I am talking from experience.
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Q29. (Luke 5:36-39)
What did Jesus intend his disciples to learn from the Parables of the Unshrunk Cloth and the Wineskins?
Why are we tempted to say, "The old wine is better?"
How might our church traditions limit the Holy Spirit's work in our day?
How do these parables illustrate the need for newly planted churches?
Jesus came to give us the "new wine" of the Gospel. This new wine is to be placed in the new wineskin of GRACE, not in the old one of LAW.
We are used to the old and can logically see that if the Law is not broken, it works. But we are not perfect and do sin, so we need the new. We see that the Law shows or portrays our wickedness, our shortfalls. Never can we be saved by the Law. Works fail us.
Traditions are not flexible. It is the same old all the time. The Holy Spirit does not act robotic. When someone is touched in a meeting and tears just flow and flow or someone is moved to confess a sin (repent) or someone from the street (a tramp who reeks of goodness knows what) comes in to attend the meeting, we are very apt to stop or watch sharply and try to stop the extra ordinary works going on. This is trying to limit the Spirit to what we seem to think as being proper. It limits the Holy Spirit's work, by stopping His free flowing, as He sees fit.
It's hard to change the old. Not necessarily that the people are against tramps coming to salvation. Almost as if they expect them to be "cleaned" up first, before they come to church. The new churches are almost sooner geared to accept the "obvious sinner" , and are aiming for just that, whereas the more traditional ones, make one be almost too scared to breathe in, in case you breathe wrong.
(Maybe it's just me that feels like that. Please forgive me if I have offended anyone, I didn't mean to) -
Q28. (Luke 13:18-21) What lesson did Jesus intend his disciples to learn from the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast or Leaven? Why might the disciples be discouraged by the "size" of the Kingdom? Why are we sometimes discouraged in Christian work? Why are patience and faith so important for disciples?
Having re-read the answer as I wrote it, I see that I only covered the mustard seed portion.
Looking at the yeast or leaven, I am even more convinced that Jesus is warning that the Kingdom will eventually be infiltrated and not look at all like it should. If we look at what is and has happened over the years. We find worldliness infiltrate into the churches. Many times there is no difference between a person in the world and a so called Christian. The "yeast" has truly done its work. Hidden, so it isn't noticed right away.
According to Dr McGee, "leaven" occurs ninety-eight times in the Bible. Never really in a positive sense. Seems strange for it to be so now.
Only when Christ returns will the true Kingdom be established.
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Q28. (Luke 13:18-21)
What lesson did Jesus intend his disciples to learn from the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast or Leaven?
Why might the disciples be discouraged by the "size" of the Kingdom?
Why are we sometimes discouraged in Christian work?
Why are patience and faith so important for disciples?
The questions are covered but not as they are asked.
I do notice that as mentioned there is controversy about the meaning of this parable. Smallness can often be discouraging to us. Be it as being insignificant, unimportant, not being similar in size to other "bigness". We need to remind ourselves it is quality that is important not quantity. It is not that which is seen on the outside, but the work that is going on inside of a recipient of the Gospel message, that is important. Faith to believe that the seed planted will continue to germinate and grow, is vital, else we will continually run back and check. Pull the seed out and look. Do more damage that way. Leave it. Let go and LET GOD. This is exercising both patience and faith.
Dr Campbell Morgan writes in his book "The Parables and Metaphors of our Lord" , Quote: "Whatever the popular interpretation may be, It is not therefore necessarily the correct one. It may be correct, but popularity is not any guarantee of accuracy. Considering history from the standpoint of observation and interpreting these parables of Jesus by the facts of history as we know them, is also a perilous procedure to guard against. General principles of interpretation to be observed is the harmony of the teaching of Jesus throughout these parables and the consistency of our Lord's figures of speech."
Thru the Bible with J, Vernon McGee gives a similar interpretation. The Sower sowing the seed, being the Son of man. The soil, the field where it is sown, is the world. The birds would then be symbolic of evil.
Thus the abnormality of the growth of the mustard shrub/tree, would then make a lodging (camping place) for the birds of the air. This indeed is what is seen that it has become. A great worldly power principally occupied with its loftiness, the expressing of itself in pride, seeking dominion, or domination in the affairs of the world; consequently it has become the refuge of unclean things.
Could Jesus not have been giving the disciples a warning in the citing of this parable. Don't think everything must be BIG. Don't think the following must always be LARGE. Don't strive for POPULARITY. Hank said it well: "Bigger is not better".
When the Lord cited this parable, He was not dealing with the true nature of the Kingdom. He said: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like . . . " The ethics of the Kingdom are found in THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT.
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Q27. (Luke 11:17-22)
In the Parable of the Binding of the Strong Man, who is the strong man?
Who is the stronger warrior?
How does this explain Jesus' power to cast out demons?
How does it explain Jesus' power to set you free? To set your friends free?
Satan indeed is no weakling but Jesus by far is the stronger Warrior. This is shown to us in human terms which we can relate to. We can understand that a strong man would need to be bound first in order to overthrow him. If he is loose he can still cause all sorts of "mischief" to try and prevent the overthrow. Demons are the beings that satan uses to try and thwart the work of Christ. Jesus has shown again and again in the accounts of the Gospels and happenings throughout history that demons can be cast out of the victoms they try to hold in their power.
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Q26. (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
How do the bread and wine remind us of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins?
In what way, when we partake of the Lord's Supper, do we "proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26)?
A spotless sacrifice was needed for the forgiving of sins.
The matzos made without yeast (yeast being a symbol of sin) symbolizes a life without sin. When we partake of it we break it. Jesus' s body was broken for us. The
wine which symbolizes blood, which in turn symbolizes life, symbolizes Christ's blood poured out for my sins. When I use the "Bread and the Wine", I am thus reminded of what Christ did for me on the cross of Calvary. He was the Perfect Sacrifice for me.In this way by partaking of the bread and the wine , we remind ourselves continually that it was the Lord's death that has made it possible that we are forgiven.
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Q25. (Luke 18:24-25)
Why do you think people try to distort Jesus' Saying of the Camel and the Needle from a parable of impossibility?
Why is salvation impossible to humans?
I have understood this to mean that with much or little riches or anything of our own doing, we cannot enter. All, be it riches or works, or even personality, needs to be laid aside, to enter the Kingdom of God. It is by GRACE alone that we can enter. So also we cannot enter that city gate called THE NEEDLE, with the opening being THE EYE, without laying aside everything first. Nothing we try to take with us, can enable us to enter.
Salvation is impossible to humans as we are sinful. With sin you cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That has to be laid aside. God's Gift of Salvation is not given by merit. It is by Grace we are saved through Faith. Nothing of our own doing has anything to do with it.
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Q24. (John 4:13-14; 7:37-39)
If water is symbolic of life, what is flowing or living water symbolic of in these passages?
Who creates this spiritual thirst in a person?
How are these promises fulfilled in believers?
To live, we need food, water, and air to be able to breathe.
A well needs replenishing. It contains water that is all gathered in one place. A spring has running water, that bubbles out of the ground. One can almost see it leaping out of the earth, as it were, with a never ending joy. In John 7 "Rivers of Living Water" are spoken about. It furnishes a picture of bountifulness, never ending, a continuity.
If we take the picture of the woman at the well, we find her spiritual thirst brought about by degradation in life, disillusionment in people and life itself, and total dissatisfaction about what her life had become. In general thirst is beneficial to a person, because one senses a need to be fulfilled, to be quenched. With no desire or thirst to change, that soul becomes dehydrated and dies.
Rivers are suggestive of life in quenching of thirst, also in providing means by which fruit or a harvest can be brought forth.
When Jesus said the words, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink," when STANDING, He was proclaiming them, like a herald. When we believe we begin thirsting, and come to Him to quench our thirst. Then the Holy Spirit fills us with the Living Water, that flows like a river from within us, bubbling up, beautifying satisfying, building us up, refreshing our souls, bringing forth fruit.
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Q23. (John 3:3-8)
In what way is becoming a believer in Jesus similar to a second birth?
What aspects of physical birth are analogous to spiritual birth that Jesus seeks to clarify with this analogy?
What about wind's characteristics are we to attribute to the Spirit?
A birth is coming out of somewhere into some other place. Out of the womb into the world. Becoming a believer is coming out of unbelief into believing in Jesus. (Unbelief disappears, just as the darkness of the womb). It is experiencing something new.' A new beginning. Life in the womb had already become a fact. Now the birthing brings in a new way of living.
With a natural birth the "water sac" which held the baby bursts and the birthing process begins. Being born again, also needs the working of that "water". By hearing and reading the Word, the process of repentance begins. and then the working of the Holy Spirit brings about the action of regeneration. In this way a "new person" is birthed and grows to "maturity". What is not of God is cleansed and made new or replaced/ regenerated.
The wind is and remains a mystery. The result of the working of the Spirit is a fact. The personality changes. But how and when it happens remains a mystery.
Working with the Spirit and you get desired results eg., allowing the wind to blow the sails of the ships and you get results. (cf wind and Spirit)
Q46. False Prophets
in 10. Parables about Disciple Values
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Q46. (Matthew 7:15-20; Luke 6:43-45)
From Jesus' images of wolves in sheep's clothing, good and bad fruit, and the treasure chest of the heart, how does He teach us to discern false leaders?
Why is this so important in our churches?
Why must we distinguish flawed Christian leaders from dangerous false prophets?
We must be able to differentiate between those who are innocent and those who are in fact disguised as though innocent. The fruit in their lives should warn us. The fruit of the false leaders will be different to the fruit you would expect from someone in the position of leadership. The actions shown in difficult times will show if the person is genuine or not. The seemingly nice character of the person may hold good for a season, but will ultimately change if that is not the real person. The true character will eventually emerge. One will see through the disguise. Listen carefully to their teaching . It will be strange and somewhat perverted or twisted from what you're comfortable with.
These people are rather influential and "tear" the church apart.
"Flawed" Christian leaders are innocent in comparison to false leaders. If they are genuine and are approached in a loving way they will repent. They will seek help from God to overcome that weakness.