Lessons From John
John 1:14 (5/11/17)
May 11, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. * Our words reveal who we are. * God’s Word is a picture of Himself. * God’s Word became flesh through Jesus. * Every truth of God’s Word was embodied in His Son, Jesus. * So when God’s Word speaks about living powerfully, the picture is Christ’s life. * How does God’s Word become flesh for us? * When we live it out! * Our theology must become biography so others can see God in us. * The devil’s word can become flesh if we choose to disobey God. * Here’s the key - God’s Word became flesh but we often want to turn it back into words again. * We do this when we think religiously and no longer relationally - when we refuse to live it out. * So how do we live it out? * The end of the verse - we abide by grace and truth. * Jesus was all love and all truth - He didn’t err to one side or the other. * If we try to separate God’s love (grace) from His truth then we cease to make His Word flesh in our lives.
John 1:35-37 (5/11/17)
May 11, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* John the Baptist is the best example of what a true leader should be. * John had his own ministry with his own followers, but when Jesus showed up he deferred his following to Him. * John pointed to Jesus and lost his disciples. * John was more concerned with God’s kingdom than his own. * When he announced Jesus as the “Lamb of God” everyone understood he was making reference to the Messiah (passover). * John’s whole goal was to get people to follow Jesus. * One interesting point - one of those two disciples was John, the writer of the book of John.
John 1:38 (5/16/19)
May 16, 2019 • Benham Brothers
* Jesus first asked John’s disciples what they were looking for before He allowed them to follow Him. * He was forcing them to define their purposes and goals. * This is a great way to approach people we see every day. * But it’s also good to ask ourselves. * It keeps us following Jesus for the right reasons.
John 2:13-16 (5/18/17)
May 18, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* One of the first things Jesus did to kick off His public ministry was clean out the temple. * The first thing Gideon did was tear down the altar of his own father. * Both of these show that the first item of business is to clean up your own house! * You gotta do that before you go out and try to save the world. * Take care of your business at home first - in your own life and family - then go out and do great things for God. * Another observation - the first thing Jesus did was pick a fight with the religious establishment of His day. * Gideon did the same thing. * Both of them were threatened by death from the religious leaders whose system they busted up. * God is calling for warrior - pure warriors who are clean on the inside and ready to fight on the outside.
John 2:13-16 (1/31/17)
January 31, 2017 • Benham Brothers
Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple twice - one at the beginning of His ministry and one at the end. On the first occasion they questioned His authority. They didn't question if it was right, because they knew He was doing what was right. On the second occasion they decided to kill Him. When He came back to Jerusalem they were doing it again - using the temple as a marketplace. Observe: 1) WHO was there? Two types of people: money changers & livestock traders - both very valuable and meeting a real need. a) Money Changers - Jews traveled far and only had pagan coins so they needed to exchange them for Hebrew coins. b) Livestock Traders - Since the trip was so far many Jews purchased livestock for sacrifice as opposed to hauling their own sheep a great distance. The lines at the temple went as far as the eye could see. Because there were people with real needs there arose a market to meet those needs! That's the secret to finding a good business - just find where people are and what they need - then meet that need! The problem was HOW the needs were getting met - this is what Jesus took issue with. 2) WHAT was wrong? Two things - they overcharged the people and they were in the wrong place. a) The exchange rate outside the temple was cheaper than inside the temple, and the excess profit was split with the high priest. It would be like going to an NFL game and buying a water for $6 when you could get it for $1 at a grocery store. The high priest Ciaphas's father-in-law Annas was in charge of this business and the priests were profitting off this market. b) It was taking place INSIDE the temple where the devoted God followers would come to pray. Wherever there was business there was "busyness," so a literal market sprang up right inside the temple are where people were supposed to pray. It would be like going to a mall food court and trying to spend your alone time with God - way too many distractions. 3) WHAT did Jesus do? He did what the high priest should have done - drive them all outside and rebuke their evil practices. This would hurt Ciaphas's net worth, so it's no wonder why he wanted Jesus dead. Once they were all gone Jesus took a seat and began to teach! NOTE - the temple of old was replaced by our bodies, and Jesus wants to take a seat in our hearts - but He will not until He drives out all the "busyness!" The good news is that HE will drive it out - we just have to let Him. We are just like those greedy traders - we just want Jesus to "hook us up" with His blessings but we don't really want Him. This causes busyness and distraction - just look at your prayer life - how often to "busy" thoughts interrupt your time with Him? Our temples must be temples of prayer where Jesus can take residence - don't let the busyness of your business interfere.
John 3:3 (5/18/17)
May 18, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* What are some signs that prove you have truly been born again? * 1) A new awareness of sin - you’re more conscientious about your behavior and how it affects your relationship with God. * 2) You’re more convicted about sin - you are convicted about more and more stuff you used to not be convicted about. * 3) A desire not to sin - you want to do what’s right. * 4) A budding desire for God’s Word. * 5) A desire to be around other believers. * 6) A growing desire for others to come to know Jesus.
John 3:16-19 (5/16/19)
May 16, 2019 • Benham Brothers
* Nic came at night because he felt felt condemned/judged by his Pharisee buddies for being interested in Jesus. * Jesus educates him on the spiritual nature of salvation, then rebukes him, then educates him on eternal life. * vs 16 - Skip Moen- “believe” in the Greek means to “believe into” - to move from one place to another. * It’s a verb that involves a constant state of action. * It’s not a static collection of facts. * To believe is to commit. * Believing is an activity that moves us from one place to another. * It is movement of my whole being out of myself and into God. * If you are “believing INTO God” you will experience change in this new place. * Get into it today! * vs 17 - Jesus gives a qualifier after His famous words in John 3:16. * Why would Jesus do this? * Because His love first feels like condemnation. * You have to know you’re condemned before you want to get saved. * Romans 8:1 - the word “NOW” is key. * vs 19 - people loved darkness more than the light - Nic came at night! * He most likely felt condemned. * But Jesus wanted Him to get saved!
John 3:30 (5/8/14)
May 8, 2014 • Benham Brothers
John's disciples were leaving him and his large following was getting smaller by the minute. They were all going to Jesus' side. Some of his disciples and Pharisees took notice of this and mentioned it to him. John recognized that he must decrease so Christ can increase. He didn't try to increase so God could increase. Just like Daniel - he removed himself so that God could be glorified. We tend to try to build ourselves up big while we need to just stay very small. We need to remain in a constant state of DECREASE!
John 4:13-24 (5/19/16)
May 19, 2016 • Benham Brothers
• Churchianity is threatening to replace Christianity - the organization of a business and building vs the organism of a body. • When Christ confronted the woman in her sin she starting talking about religion - “where do you go to church?” • She would rather talk religion than relationship. • Vs 21-24 reveal Christ’ thoughts on religion over relationship. • KEY - He told her the place of worship doesn’t matter (religion), but the heart of worship does (relationship). • He then told her WHO to worship and HOW. • WHO - it’s about “knowing” God (vs 22). • HOW - in spirit and truth (vs 23-24). • Spirit - we worship in spirit by being born again and then nourishing ourselves through His Word. • This is the living water He talked about - it feeds your spirit. • Truth - Jesus confronted her with her sin (about her husbands). • We worship in truth by living the truth and being God’s representatives of His truth on the earth. • Application - too many Christians today think like this lady - where do you go to church? • But Christ wants us to BE the church by worshipping Him from the heart in spirit and truth. • Vs 42 - she was no longer worried about religion but fully zealous for relationship.
John 4:28 (5/14/14)
May 14, 2014 • Benham Brothers
The woman at the well came there to get physical water. When she found living water she left her jar at the well and went to tell her friends. The very thing she came for she came there for she was willing to forfeit for something greater. For those of us in the marketplace, people will come to us with physical needs but we need to have eyes to see their spiritual need. When we meet the physical need it opens the door for an opportunity to meet the spiritual need. Physical needs are conscious, but spiritual needs are often unconscious. Living water is a spring - it never runs out.
John 4:28 (5/21/13)
May 21, 2013 • Benham Brothers
She came there with a conscious need - she left there understanding an unconscious need She left the jar - the very thing she came there for in the first place She forfeited the conscious for the unconscious LIVING water is a "spring" that never runs out - you don't have to dip a bucket down there to get it out
John 4:28-34 (5/14/20)
May 14, 2020 • Benham Brothers
* If you meet the need you’re paid for it may open a door for you to meet the need you’re not paid for, but the one you were made for! * At the beginning of Christ’s ministry He announced who He was to a woman at a well. * ** story ** * She came there with a physical need. * She was unconscious of her spiritual need. * Vs 28 - “she LEFT THE JAR.” * Her physical need was no longer as important to her as her spiritual need. * At work, people come to us with their physical needs - that’s what business is all about. * The better we help them meet their conscious needs the better opportunity we’ll have to meet their unconscious needs. * HOW do we do this? * Vs 29-34 - You have to see your work as HIS work. * When you see it this way it changes everything. * Plumbing those toilets, closing those deals, teaching that class, wiping those rear-ends as a stay-at-home-mom, starting that business - that’s all HIS work. * When you know your job isn’t just in the physical but the spiritual, you will be so much better at your job. * WHY? Because you know your ability to touch a person spiritually is on the line. * *** NOTE - Jesus at 29 years old. * Jesus had the same assignment, but a different venue. * Imagine the number of customers who never forgot what it was like to hire a carpenter like Jesus. * If you meet the need you’re paid for it may open a door for you to meet the need you’re not paid for, but the one you were made for!
John 4:39 (5/17/18)
May 17, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* Jesus is talking with a Samaritan woman, who were a people group despised by the Jews. * The strictest Jews had laws governing the relationship between the two people groups. * This woman came in the middle of the day, showing that even among Samaritans she was unclean. * vs 10-14 - He talks with her about Living Water. * He’s not there to get a drink, He’s there to GIVE ONE! He’s fishing for people. * vs 15-18 - The minute she shows interest in living water Jesus tells her something she doesn’t want to hear. * Why did He have to mention her marriage issue - it’s such a sensitive subject. * She knew she was talking to a prophet. * vs 19-20 - She responds, “where do you go to church?” * vs 21-24 - Jesus tells her it’s not about WHERE you worship but WHO you worship. * vs 25-26 - He is the WHO - the Messiah she needed. * vs 28-30 - She left her water jug and went and told everyone. * vs 39 - she became a LINCHPIN, connecting God with the people He created. * We need to be more like this woman!
John 5:6-9 (5/25/22)
May 25, 2022 • Benham Brothers • John 5:6–9
* Your identity is determined by whatever or to whomever you surrender. * In order to have Jesus, we have to surrender “all.” * Vs 1-6 - this is an odd question, but an important one. * Oftentimes, people identify by their infirmity (sickness, handicap, etc). * Jesus needed to know if he identified with his sickness. * If you’re diagnosed with something, two things are limited for you: * 1) Obligations * 2) Expectations * Essentially, Jesus is saying, “If you get well, then you will be obligated and expected to work and help others.” * Vs 7 - The man’s response showed the condition of his heart. * Essentially - “I try to get in the water every time, but I get beat every time. If someone were here to help me, like you, I could get well. Can you help me?” * He didn’t lack the desire to get well, but the means to do it. * Do you want a new identity? Then Jesus can touch you. * Vs 8 - When Jesus knew he truly wanted to be made well, He told him to do something impossible. * He had tried to pick up his mat and walk for 38 years, but nothing. * The command came before the cure. * He had to move from his place of comfort. * Vs 9 - He was healed. * TWIST - Vs 14 - this man’s new life did not reflect gratitude toward Jesus. * Yes, he was in the temple, but the temple wasn’t in him! * Trials and tribulation sensitize your spirit - put you in the place of a beggar. * Our job is to stay sensitive when we’re cured or it’s over. * We do that by living gratefully in light of the mercy we received. * When you’re made well, remember what you felt in your trial and live with gratitude.
John 5:17 (5/17/18)
May 17, 2018 • Benham Brothers
* Jesus said, “I have been working.” * So at 28, what did work look like for Jesus? * At 32 He was doing the same thing but just a different venue. * He worked with His hands in both venues. * Jesus was a minister on both occasions. * What defines the minister is not where you’re placed or how you’re paid. * It’s about your passion, not position. * If you’re working as a salesman in an insurance company with a heart to please God then you are in full time ministry. * You must now make your work your worship. * Work is anything you do. * Worship is your attempt to make God smile.