The Word: Christ Jesus John 1:1-5

Text:  “In the beginning was the Word (capital W), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:1.

          “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men…”

                                                                                                              Philippians 2:5-7.

Good morning, serious Christian!  Your faith and trust in Christ Jesus, the Son of God, is the most serious aspect of your being.  Therefore, you seek to examine, in a most serious manner, the beliefs you both hold and proclaim - that others might also receive faith from your ministry, and precious souls might find Salvation in Christ and through His Atonement Sacrifice at Calvary’s Cross.  Praise God for serious-minded Christians!

“For whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?”  (Romans 10:13-14)

The Apostle John was also a serious Christian - an eye-witness of the risen Lord - one inspired by the Spirit of God within to record for our benefit an account of the Gospel message of Salvation.               (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“John was the son of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21) and Salome (Matthew 27:56).  Salome seems to have been the sister of Jesus’ mother (John 19:25).  If this was so, then John was the cousin of Jesus, which may partially account for his being Christ’s most intimate apostle.

“John was a fisherman in Galilee.  He had hired servants (Mark 1:16-20) and apparently owned a home in Jerusalem (John 19:27); therefore he was a man of some social standing and wealth.  This explains why, in John 18:15-17, John is admitted into the high priest’s palace while Peter is denied entrance.

“Along with Peter and James, John became a member of the special inner circle of Jesus’ most beloved and most trusted disciples during the last half of our Lord’s ministry.  These three alone accompanied Christ on some of His most important occasions:

1.  The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8);

2. Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-41).

3. Only John followed Christ to the Cross (John 19:26).”  (Salem Kirban Reference Bible p.1315.)

John’s Gospel account is believed to have been written by John, possibly at Ephesus, between 85-90A.D.  It was written as a general record to Christians everywhere and seeks to set forth clearly the fact that Christ is indeed the Son of God and the only Saviour of sinner’s souls.  (Acts 4:12)

Today’s selected reading sets forth the vital fact of Christ’s Eternal Son-ship; that Jesus Christ is, was, and always shall be, God incarnate; the Supernatural Creator God formed in a natural Body of flesh and bones - in order to be Sacrificed for sinful mankind upon a cruel Cross to bring us into God’s light from the darkness of our sin, guilt, and shame.

“Wherefore when He (Christ Jesus) cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering (of bulls and goats) Thou wouldest not, but a Body hast Thou (God the Father) prepared for Me (God the Son, Christ Jesus)…I come to do Thy will, O God…”  (Hebrews 10:5-10)

“Him (Christ Jesus, the Word made flesh) being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have Crucified and slain; Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death; because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.”  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!  Up from the grave He arose!   (Acts 2:22-24)

How could mere death ever have power over the sinless Son of God; God the Son; Who was, is, and ever shall be Life and Light incarnate?  The apostle John sets forth this Scriptural truth at the very commencement of his Gospel (Good news) account.  How appropriate, since Christ Jesus, the Word of God, is the Creator Lord of all life, ‘…all things…’ have been made by Him, ’…and without Him was not anything made that was made.’ (V. 3)

“And He (the risen Christ Jesus) was clothed with a vesture dipped in Blood; and His Name is called The Word of God.”  (Revelation 19:13)

Let us take a journey in John’s Gospel, examine afresh John’s Spirit-inspired truths, and know the full assurance of our souls’ Salvation in Christ and in Him alone.  May the Lord bless us as we study His written Word.  Amen.

Thought:  Eternal Salvation begins and ends with The Word of God.

New Series 'Journeying With John' Commences Today! 29/6/18

Journeying With John

By

Dr C.K. McClinton

BA (Hons); MA; Ph.D.; D.Litt.

Ulster/American Christian Fellowship

An exposition of the Gospel according to John that seeks to teach the deep doctrinal and practical truths of God’s Word in a forthright, ‘easy-to-understand’, daily devotional format that will edify the serious Christian believer and encourage him/her to faithfully serve the Living Christ Jesus.

Necessary Recognition Romans 16:1-27

Text:  “But ye, Brethren, be not weary in well doing.”

2 Thessalonians 3:13.

          “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Galatians 6:9.

Good morning, Christian well-doer!  Praise God for your constancy in Christian living!  Praise God for your untiring service to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ!  Praise God for your ever-giving, of yourself and of your resources to the work of the Lord!  As you have done well unto many and for your Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, may you be blessed a thousand fold in every area of your own life.  Your work has been clearly recognized, and your witness is both appreciated and powerful.  Amen.

The apostle Paul, in his Spirit-led letter to the Christians at Rome, ends his epistle with a long list of commendations, giving clear recognition to many believers who have been faithful and constant in their ‘well doing’.  What the Holy Spirit is teaching here, through Paul’s letter, is the necessity of giving clear recognition to those Christian workers that deserve it.  It’s a Godly trait to say, “Well done!”. 

“His Lord said unto him, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”  (Matthew 25:21;23)

How often we hear of sound Christian believers, who have been pillars of a church group; always the first to volunteer for service; and present at every meeting - suddenly falling down into deep depression, or a situation of gross, uncharactistic sin?  They have suddenly and visibly become what the Scripture texts above calls, “...weary in well doing....”.

The Devil is a sly old serpent.  Not being able to break our God-given faith in the Lord Jesus, he tries to multiply the faithful Christian’s work-load, while at the same time, decrease his/her recognition within the church group.  The Christian naturally becomes ‘...weary in well doing...’, and  while in such a state, vulnerable to the Devil’s wiles. 

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.”  (Ephesians 6:11)   

We Pastors can be the worst perpetrators of such discouragement.  It is our pastoral duty to not only ‘...feed the flock...’, but to watch out for the individual’s welfare.  So often we can take the faithful Christian worker completely for granted - encouraging other ‘...bruised reeds and smoking flaxes...’, while missing the needs of the faithful who are usually and continually ‘right under our noses’. 

The disciple, Thomas, is known internationally as ‘Doubting Thomas’, but few give recognition to his courageous commitment as he boldly declared, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”  (John 11:16)

Thus it is that, in this last chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans we find the wise apostle exercising a duty that we, Pastors and church leaders, must learn afresh and practice continually - the absolute necessity of ongoing recognition for work well done within the Church at large.

Have you got a faithful Phebe in your fellowship who has “...been a succourer of many...”?  Have you got some diligent Priscillas and Aquilas, helpers who volunteer day and daily to do the manual and often tedious work within the church, yes, and in many cases, “...laid down their own necks...” for the life of God’s people?  Have you recently recognized, and greeted publicly from the pulpit, the Marys of your fellowship group who have consistently, “...bestowed much labour on us...”?

Well, Pastor, Elder, Shepherd, Deacon and Youth Leader:  there is no time like the present in which to do so!  Let these dear people hear your “Well done!” today.  Praise God for the wisdom of His Word!  (Psalm 119:98-99)

Of course, the reverse side of this principle must be promoted and taught also if any church group is to flourish and renew itself daily.  Congregation member, when was the last time you stood to your feet in a church meeting and, with all respect to the speaker, and in the power and boldness of the Spirit of God, declared your full appreciation for the Minister, the Pastor; the Elder; the Choir Master; the Deacon, etc.?

I wonder how many Christian congregations understand the extra pressures that are endured by Christian leaders within the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ?  The Devil will attack the leadership first, with all the legions of evil at his vile disposal.  Why?  Because the leadership of a church group are leading the flock.   If the leadership can be tainted, pulled down; or disillusioned into apostasy - then the whole congregation will very soon follow that path.  Whole sections of Christ’s Church can be rendered useless in this manner.  The leadership of church groups must also be constantly encouraged that they become not “...weary in well doing...”. 

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for ME, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  (Ephesians 6:18-20) 

With the above teaching in mind therefore, go to, Christian soldiers, follow Paul’s great Spiritual examples in the Book of Romans - for in so doing , you too will one day hear the Master’s Almighty “Well done!”.

Thought:     Christian well doing deserves clear and constant recognition!

Dr C.K. McClinton Ph.D. Ulster/American Christian Fellowship (C) Copyright strictly reserved (2001)
NOTE:  Next week, God willing, I will commence an exposition of the entire Gospel of John.  Tell all your Christian friends/fellowship to send me their email addresses, if they desire to have these FREE Bible Lessons sent to them via email weekly.  The Lord bless His Word to you.

The 'Love Offering' Romans 15:23-33

Text: “Whensoever I take my journey...I will come to you; for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward BY YOU..."

Romans 15:24.

          “Every man according as he/she purposeth in his/her heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for the Lord loveth a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7.

Good morning, generous Christian!   Having been taught the Scriptural concept on giving to the work of the Lord Jesus, you have sought to be a ‘...willing giver...’, and as a direct result, been blessed of God without measure.  But, all who name the Name of Christ have not yet discovered this sound Scriptural doctrine and, therefore, not all Christians prosper according to the will of God.  Here then, for all who will take time to hear and heed, is the will of God in the matter of cheerful Christian giving. 

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete (give) it shall be measured (given) unto you again.”  (Luke 6:38)

Simple, isn’t it?  The Lord Jesus is here teaching us that, if we are willing to give generously to His servants, He will generously give all the more unto us.  Self takes a knock; greed is curtailed; the giving heart and hand is enlarged bountifully by the Hand of God Almighty.  Hallelujah!  What a Saviour!  (Proverbs 19:17)

It’s a Spiritual mystery, but the Word teaches us clearly: “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.  The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”  (Proverbs 11:24-25)

The writer is a travelling Evangelist and Bible Expositor - I am led of the Lord God, by vocation and by necessity of social circumstances of ever-present dangers at home, to travel and to preach/teach the wondrous things of God’s Word that the Holy Spirit has taught me over a period of thirty-nine years.  “Here am I, Lord, send me...and He said, ‘Go...’”.  (Isaiah 6:1-8)

Now, it might surprise some of my readers that, during my years of foreign travel and preaching the Word, in so many many different places - I have actually encountered some church denominations who know absolutely NOTHING about Christian giving to travelling evangelists and Bible teachers!  Startling fact, but believe me, it is true.  (Psalm 119:105)

Some church groups can actually get it into their heads that to ‘allow’ a travelling evangelist or Bible teacher to minister from their pulpit is to do the traveller a big favour!  Isn’t that pathetic?  Such genuine Christian groups can deprive themselves, and their congregations, of so much that the Lord God would otherwise give them, for in the giving, the Lord ordains His ‘receiving’.

By their ignorance of this doctrine of Christian giving, they go on week by week, month by month; year by year; forfeiting the larger blessings that God wants to give them.  They are coming year after year to the Lord with a bucket seeking His blessing; when the Almighty is waiting ever so patiently to pour them out an ocean of His best blessings!  What a sad fact, but true! 

God says: “Bring ye ALL the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine House (the universal Church), and prove (or test) Me now herewith (in this manner),...if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”  (Malachi 3:10)  Thus saith the Word of God.  Amen!

In our Bible reading for today from Romans, Paul the apostle is teaching us how to treat the travelling evangelist and those who labour long in the study of God’s Word that they might bless the universal Church of Christ with the Spiritual treasures they labour to find. 

Paul declared that he was, “...Sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ.”(V.29)

Oh that the present day evangelist, Bible teacher, or missionary could be as certain as the apostle was of this fact!  What anxieties, and pressures would be lifted off the minds of today’s travelling evangelists.  Praise God for His grace.  Our needs shall be met by God’s unselfish servants - or the Lord God will open His great purse and provide for us Himself. (Matthew 7:7-12) (Philippians 4:19)  Thanks be to God for His grace!

Thought:  What measure of a cheerful Christian GIVER are YOU and I?

Mutual Admonishments Romans 15:14-22

Text:  “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my Brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.”

Romans 15:14.

Good morning, mature Christian!  Let me ask you, “What distinguishes you from a mere ‘babe in Christ’, a novice in the faith, an immature believer in the Lord Jesus Christ’s service?” 

The maturity-level of the Christian’s faith and usefulness in His service is clearly revealed in our text above.  The mature Christian is striving to be like Christ daily.  He/she is often failing; often faltering; sometimes in doubts; and at all time merely a sinner saved by grace - but always continuing on in the faith; growing, ever growing, ‘...in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...’.       (2 Peter 3:18)

At least three things mentioned in today’s Bible passage determine Christian maturity, and it is these three Christian attributes that we shall look at in today’s lesson.  (Psalm 119:105)

Full of Goodness: The mature Christian servant must be ‘...full of goodness...’, for God is goodness incarnate, and we must be ‘born again’ of God if we are to manifest any true ‘goodness’ at all! 

“This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is Light (i.e. goodness), and in Him is no darkness (i.e. badness, evil) at all.”  (1 John 1:5)

Therefore, to be ‘...full of goodness...’ in this Scriptural meaning is to be ever seeking to be full of Godliness; Christ like; truly Christian.  This first attribute is an absolute necessity for Christian maturity. We must have learned by personal experience how to be like the Christ Whom we profess to a world of darkness and ignorance.  We do this by studying the Lord Jesus, His teachings; and His way of living in obedience to our Father in Heaven.  

If we can achieve this honourable goal in any degree, we can then move on to fuller Christian maturity in our daily lives for Christ.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15)

Filled with all knowledge:  Secondly, we must seek to be ‘...filled with all knowledge...’ if we are to be deemed 'mature Christians'.

We have already seen how knowledge of God’s Word incarnate (the Word in bodily form, Christ Jesus!) is vital to the maturity we seek.  However, only as we seek to apply ‘knowledge’ of God’s Word to our own daily lives in a very personal manner will we begin to ‘...grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ...’.  (2 Peter 3:18) (John 1:1;14)

God the Spirit leads us into all truth as we read/study the inspired Word of God; we in turn pray to be, and become, ‘...filled with the Spirit...’ of God. 

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”  (Ephesians 5:18) 

Being filled with the Spirit of God gives us the power we require to do great things for Jesus, and bring much glory to His Holy Name.  People will often be influenced more by what spirit we believers manifest consistently than a million words we might say.

“But ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me...unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8) 

Able also to admonish one another:  Ability to successfully admonish one another is a very clear trait of Christian maturity.  Oh, it takes no Spiritual attribute at all to CRITICIZE another Christian sister or brother - in fact, fault-finding Christians are one of the biggest hindrances to the real work of any Christian group within Christ’s church!  

But, to successfully admonish one another, with a view to bringing each other even closer to Christ, is an ability which is invaluable in the church at large today.  What does God’s Word say on the matter:

“Brethren, if any man/woman be overtaken in a fault, ye which are Spiritual (i.e. mature in the faith), RESTORE such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”  (Galatians 6:1)

It is some other Christian in trouble today, it could be YOU or I in trouble  tomorrow!  We must seek to restore each other with meekness, for if we can manifest and practice this Godly Christian quality, we will be manifesting a characteristic of our beloved Saviour, Jesus Christ, Himself.  Praise His lovely and most gracious Name!  (1 John 1:8-9)

In conclusion therefore, let us go forth in the knowledge of our lesson above and grow, and become even more mature in our Christian faith daily.  The Lord needs mature Christians in His church in these ‘latter days’ of self-righteousness and apostasy.   Go forth, and the Lord go with you in all you say and do.  Amen.  (Exodus 4:12)

Thought:  If we think we have reached absolute maturity in the faith - it’s a proof we really haven’t!  We are, at all times, a ‘work-in-progress’.