Jesse,
As I read your post, and as you mentioned one of my favorite verses, I was reminded of how excited I was when I first read the verse that says that we don\'t need anyone to teach us (age 21 or 22?). I\'m sure I was thrilled to read that the Spirit was my teacher, but I think I was even more thrilled to find out that I didn\'t need men to teach me! I must have been a little too rebellious in my early 20\'s and didn\'t think I needed help, or wanted to be so self reliant. It didn\'t take long for me to realize that teachers, and older/wiser men were still very nice to have around even if the Spirit is the ultimate teacher. But I think you\'re smarter than I was back then!
I really felt like first/second/third John were books of assurances. You don't need anyone to teach you, John says. 1 John is full of "You know"s and "you have heard"s, but it expounds upon them, taking the teaching of the anointing deeper, reminding and reassuring us of who we have become and what we must do.
Thanks for the discussion last night in 1-2-3 John ? and your commitment to be here for Book by Book on an ongoing basis. It is an important part of my ?whole counsel of God? approach for my own study, and your faithfulness helps me to be faithful.
I also feel that while this style of study is not as easy as me ?teaching? a study, it is effective regarding personal insight. The more comfortable we all are to share what we see (without feeling self-conscious) the time gets better and better. I feel last night?s discussion was very substantive, and I enjoyed it immensely!
Several "take-away/blow me aways" include the idea that God is "greater than our hearts" and the part about "victory & faith". I need this balance to keep me from thinking it is all about me. How can something be so easy and yet so incredibly deep. Sometimes I feel I could drown in God's depth.
hmmmm....
Chapter 1:21-24. Very cool that we are not dominated over by someone else, but rather fellow workers with our leaders. Certainly they lead, and we follow, but it's not up to the leaders to do all the work, nor is it expected of us to sit back and nod and be passive. I have a picture that Paul is very clearly saying, "hey, jump in here and participate. Come labor with us for your joy and faith-building. Put your money where your mouth is, and here's how and why we are doing these things..."
I wish I could have been there to hear how great you were at discussing things, Dennis! :o)
Oops, I reread my message and it should have started out "It" instead of "I". The way it is would certainly negate the rest of the message! Where's my proof reader when I need them?
I was great discussing 2 Corinthians last night. I was quite encourgaged by reading and discussing the book. As an overview, Paul was under suspicion by others within the church, but Paul defended not himself, but Christ which dwelled within him. He wasn't afraid of what other people THOUGHT of him, but rather he focused on what God KNEW of him. This has been a lesson I have been learning for some time now and this book helped me to reinforce this.
By the way - it is nice to have a Kevin added to the plethora of Dave's. :) (though Dave's are good!)
I agree. That is the truly beautiful thing about Paul. His confidence (by his own often admission) was not in himself, but in God. What Tremendous humility he must have experienced. He was a murderer of Christ-followers yet chosen to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. He was inferior to the other apostles in that he had not physically walked with the King. No wonder his authority flowed from Grace - and extended no further than what was being extended from the King's Hand.
It seems that we can have confidence in authority being genuine if the one in the place of authority has nothing to gain personally. Then the authority must be from God and for God (and his people).
I'm only half way through the book right now, but my first observation is this: This has got to be a very encouraging book for pastor/elder/apostle type of individuals. When compared to 1 Cor. it seems that Paul has very little to say in the area of correction and rebuke, and it has to encouraging to see a real life example of growth in a body of believers to those that may struggle with feeling as though they presently see so much of what Paul saw in the Church of Corinth in his first letter. The Corinthians obviously took much of his first letter to heart.
I will be moderating the discussion on 2 Corinthians =:) Don?t be afraid to pose any question - it is always cool to hear differing perspectives - even if we have a variety of experience with a topic.
Paul appears to be asserting Christ?s authority over the Christ-followers at Corinth. It is not so much that he wants them to submit to him but to Christ. The reality of Paul?s authority (because he was the first to bring the good news to Corinth) - is that it only extended as far as Jesus? headship over His followers. His deep care is reflected toward what appears to have been a very immature - yet gifted - body of believers or ?church.?
I noticed something I had never seen before. Paul is very interested in the Corinthians sharing Christ?s glory (3:18 et al). Check that idea out as you read the entire book - it seems to have a lot to do with the purpose of this letter.
I also was meeting with some guys this AM and one of them observed that Christ?s Kingdom seems to be advancing AGAINST the kingdom of darkness - and that maybe being a Christ-follower is more of an offense than a defense. Astute. Perhaps that is why 10:1-6 is so strong!
Some possible questions as we read:
- how do we share in Christ?s glory (in this context)?
- how can we know if authority is genuine and not manipulative?
- in what ways should we apply the warfare and weapons described in 10 to ourselves?
Comment by Ryan Foster on 2008-02-02 14:03:12
I was really struck by the straight forwardness of 4:1-6 and then 4:13,14
I think of my friends and family members who are struggling with the idea of Jesus being the only Way the Truth and the Life, and that we can test those spirits who "do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh"... And that we can plainly know those spirits are not from God. And in vs 13 "By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit."
So in all of John's letters He is pointing out that we can have this assurance of the Truth because of His Spirit who abides in us when we abide in Him. My prayer is that those who continue to listen to those other spirits would see the simplicity of this Truth.
I also have really been enjoying "eating" the word through the deeper meanings that are found in word pictures that were better portrayed in the original Greek and Hebrew languages. Thanks for teaching on that these past weeks Dave. Some cool word studies in these letters!