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Wednesday, 6 October 2021

The Gospel According to JOHN - Chapter Two


Jesus changes water into wine

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’

4 ‘Woman, why do you involve me?’ Jesus replied. ‘My hour has not yet come.’

5 His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres.

7 Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’

11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.


Jesus clears the temple courts

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!’ 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’

18 The Jews then responded to him, ‘What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?’

19 Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’

20 They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ 21 But the temple he had spoken of was his body. 22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. 24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. 25 He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. 


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Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell


 John 2 : “the best ” (v.10)

John tells us later that Jesus performedmany other miraculous signs” (20 v.30), but this was the very first.  Such actions, especially but not exclusively in healing, not only demonstrated his greatness and power, but had a symbolical significance as well.  Wine represents joy or enjoyment, as here at this Galilean wedding.  What happened there occurs in the lives of many people –their joy runs out.  

What can Jesus do to improve matters?  Lots!  When the water was turned into wine, it was declared “the best” (v.10) in quality, with inexhaustible quantity (at least 400 litres – see v.6).  Is your glass empty? 


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READINGS


The Gospel according to JOHN

- Chapter 2 -

- Read by David Suchet -




The Gospel according to John 

Read by Sir David Suchet

https://youtu.be/PKiAXVxOm6o


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OVERVIEW 


THE Gospel according to

JOHN

Chapter 1 to 12

 - Overview -

The Bible Project 

https://youtu.be/G-2e9mMf7E8


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STUDY - LINKS


JOHN 2 : 1 to 11

-Lord of the wine-

By Timothy Keller





The Gospel according to

JOHN

by Tim Mackie 

(The Bible Project)

https://youtu.be/QHmGcmmnSI4


https://youtu.be/ttawDNQV7Bw



The Gospel according to JOHN

“The Life of Jesus” 

Official Full movie

https://youtu.be/2mgUPt2KI08


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Tuesday, 5 October 2021

The Gospel According to JOHN - Chapter One


THE Gospel according to

JOHN

Chapter 1 to 12 

 - Overview -

The Bible Project 




The Word became flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is the one I spoke about when I said, “He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.”’) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.


John the Baptist denies being the Messiah

19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not the Messiah.’

21 They asked him, ‘Then who are you? Are you Elijah?’

He said, ‘I am not.’

‘Are you the Prophet?’

He answered, ‘No.’

22 Finally they said, ‘Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Make straight the way for the Lord.”’

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, ‘Why then do you baptise if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?’

26 ‘I baptise with water,’ John replied, ‘but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.


John testifies about Jesus

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.” 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.’

32 Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.” 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.’


John’s disciples follow Jesus

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning round, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’

They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’

39 ‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).


Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

46 ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.

‘Come and see,’ said Philip.

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’

48 ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’

49 Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’

50 Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig-tree. You will see greater things than that.’ 51 He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.’ 


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Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell


John 1 : “Word” (vv.1 & 14)


Matthew and Luke’s narratives begin with Jesus’ ancestry, while Mark’s starts with his adult activity.  However John’s account goes back beyond the beginning of time to his true identity.  His real name is not even mentioned until verse 29!  He is referred to as “the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”(v.1); just as “God said in creation (Genesis 1 vv.3, 6, etc), so when “the Word became flesh” (v.14) he expressed in action what God is really like ( “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” Hebrews 1 v.3).  Have you “seen his glory … full of grace and truth” (v.14)?  Divine! 

  

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READINGS


The Gospel according to JOHN

- Chapter 1 -

- Read by David Suchet -





The Gospel according to John 

Read by Sir David Suchet

https://youtu.be/PKiAXVxOm6o



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OVERVIEW 


THE Gospel according to

JOHN

Chapter 1 to 12 

 - Overview -

The Bible Project 

https://youtu.be/G-2e9mMf7E8


-=-

 Various LINKS



The Gospel according to

JOHN

by Tim Mackie 

(The Bible Project)

https://youtu.be/QHmGcmmnSI4


https://youtu.be/ttawDNQV7Bw



JOHN 1 : 35 to 51

- Come and See -

By Timothy Keller

https://youtu.be/5qAxkOb02aA



The Gospel according to JOHN

“The Life of Jesus” 

Official Full movie

https://youtu.be/2mgUPt2KI08

 

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Monday, 4 October 2021

The Letter of PAUL to the COLOSSIANS - Chapter Four


1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.


Further instructions

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.


Final greetings

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

17 Tell Archippus: ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.


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Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell


Colossians 4 : “assured” (v.12)


Epaphras shows that physical distance doesn’t prevent us providing a positive influence in the lives of others.  Paul tells us that he 

[A] “is one of you” (from Colossae), yet caring for those in his home church, though far away in Rome; 

[B] is “a servant of Christ Jesus”, but not too busy to be in touch with them; 

[C] “sends greetings”, not forgetting them or being forgotten; 

[D] “is always wrestling in prayer” for them, that they would “stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”    All believers will gain from prayer for their spiritual morale.  Copy Epaphras!  Support and encourage far-off friends!

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The Letter of Paul to the COLOSSIANS 

- Chapter 4 -

- Read by David Suchet -



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OVERVIEW 


THE Letter of Paul to the 

COLOSSIANS

 - Overview -

The Bible Project 

https://youtu.be/pXTXlDxQsvc


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STUDY - LINKS


The Letter of Paul to the 

COLOSSIANS 

by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/2XCX__pCeOI



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Sunday, 3 October 2021

The Letter of PAUL to there COLOSSIANS - Chapter Three


Living as those made alive in Christ

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 

6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


Instructions for Christian households

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favouritism.


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Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell


Colossians 3 : “self” (vv.9 &10) 

Paul writes of two ‘selves’ in every genuinely converted believer – “your old self” (v.9) and “the new self” (v.10).  He states that “you have taken off” the one “with its practices”, and “put on” the other [N.B. like changing clothes].  The new selfis being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (v.10).  We decide on the initial removal, allowing replacement to commence.  That phase is now in progress, with our consent and cooperation.  But it’s the Lord’s handiwork to achieve this massive make-over inside us, remaking us in his likeness.  It doesn’t all happen in a flash, so give it time!

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The Letter of Paul to the COLOSSIANS 

- Chapter 3 -

- Read by David Suchet -



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OVERVIEW 


THE Letter of Paul to the 

COLOSSIANS

 - Overview -

The Bible Project 

https://youtu.be/pXTXlDxQsvc


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STUDY - LINKS



The Letter of Paul to the 

COLOSSIANS 

by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/2XCX__pCeOI



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The Book of GENESIS - Chapter Seven

1 The Lord then said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and  your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. 2  Take ...