My thoughts on 1 John 3

So guys sadly I am probably not going to make it tonight. It is my friends birthday tonight and it would mean a lot to him if I was there. But I decided to scour this weeks passage and offer up what I got out of it. I hope you guys have great discussion and fellowship tonight.

First off I read over verse one and something interesting struck me. The end of this verse says “The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

I think for me that explains a lot. I mean I have heard first hand many people take a blind eye to Christianity and Christians as a whole because they were never shown the true love of Jesus Christ and they really do not know him. This I think falls back on us as Christians in todays society because we as Christ’s followers are called to that exact thing Share the Love of Jesus. I know I need to get better at this but why does it seem so hard sometimes? That is a discussion point in and of itself.

Bam right after verse one there is a promise. These are scattered throughout the new testament and they all show us hope for a life full of joy and peace.

“2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears,^[a]we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.?

We shall be like Christ? What? What is this you ask? I am a sinner and I can never be like Christ!!!

Not true. Says it right there. “But we know that when he appears,^[a]we shall be like him”

That is awesome to think about. See there is something to look forward to after this temporary life!

“4Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

Dang.

Ouch this one stings a little bit. Only cause sometimes I struggle with keeping all of the man made laws (mostly the speeding)

Doesn’t hurt too much though because Jesus has bared all of our sin and Even though I continually screw up There is a thing called grace that I recieve once I repent of my screw ups (sins). Good to know right?

(I can tell already that you are going to have a hard time keeping the study on this chapter to only a few hours.)

Pressing onward,

“7Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.”

I think there is something to “Bad company corrupts good character” I think that is why John is so adamant about surrounding yourself with the right people. People that will lift you up in your struggles and lead you back on the path of righteousness. There is a lot of ways to get distracted in this life and get caught up in the bad situations but knowing who are truly your friend and truly someone that is good to associate with can mean a world’s difference in your walk with Christ and leading a righteous life.

Debunking Christian legalese speak:

Definition:righteous:

: characterized by or proceeding from accepted standards of
morality or justice

Basically living by a set of morals.

Moving on,

“He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”

Ouch more!

I don’t want to be of the devil!

“No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”

Phew! Thank goodness. Funny how the bible is written to break you down then build you up. Gives a “hedge of thorns” a lot more meaning to me.

10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

This is where the rubber meets the road. I have a feeling this is going to be discussed for awhile. What I take out of this is that if you are striving to be more Christ like in your walk and at least trying to exhibit these principles in your life all that God wants is your effort and he sent his son Jesus to help us when we falter.

1 Timothy 4:15
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

He just wants to see we are trying and change is apparent. When you become a follower of Christ it is a commitment. Just like your committed to your job, friendship or relationship. Except this commitment is with your CREATOR! Not to be taken lightly I think. He made us in his image but we screwed it up and he had grace enough to let us figure life out ourselves all he wants is for us to share the love of his son and his sacrifice made with others!!! I am not going to lie this hits me hard. I am not doing what I could at all times and this is something I am going have to work out through prayer and repentance. Neways I doubt you guys are going to be able to hit all of 1 John 3 so I will stop at verse 10. This is a good place to stop because verses 11-21 talk exclusively about how we are supposed to and called to love one another. Through the rest of this week I am going to ask myself how can I share God’s love today? Cause I have been dang selfish recently. May change be apparent and love abound in your lives this week!

Jake’s Thoughts on 1 John 2:15-29

I thought I’d check in from California and send some thoughts on this week’s bible passage.  Unfortunately, I can’t be with you guys this week (since I am on a business trip), but I am with you in spirit, just as the apostle Paul was with the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:3-4).  But unlike Paul, I can also communicate with you via this web page. 

Lies of Satan vs. True Joy – Verses 15-17, 25:
The three categories of sin are identified here by John. 

1. Sensuality – craving for physical pleasure or comfort
(Gluttony, sexual sin, lust, laziness, passivity, idolatry)

2. Materialism – craving for everything that we see
(greed, envy, living for money and things, idolatry)

3. Pride of Life – Pride in your achievements and possessions
(trying to “keep up with the Jones’”, arrogance, false sense of superiority, sense of self worth defined by others, idolatry)

I noticed that all three really amount to idolatry.  That is, placing something else above your relationship with God.  When we sin we are saying (in that moment) that we care more about this thing than we care about God.  And, we buy into Satan’s lie that God is really depriving us of something good. 

Adam and Eve did this in the Garden of Eden.  Satan told Eve that God was limiting her and that he didn’t want her to eat the fruit because she would become like God.  We buy in to his oldest trick, believing the world has something better to offer than the creator.  We worship the creation rather than the creator.  As Romans 1:24-25 says:

“So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”

It is not that God wants to deny us pleasure or wealth or success.  It is that those things are not the things that will satisfy us.  God created us that way so that the only thing that truly satisfies us is Him.  We must come to Him for our ultimate satisfaction.  If we go to the things of this world then we worship them.  We base our eternal happiness on things that are fading away (v 17).  But look at the promise at the end of v 17, “but the man who does the will of God lives forever”.  What a promise.  What John is saying is that that the joy we experience by putting God first in our lives is a joy that will last forever.  It is eternal.  This is stated in v 25:

“And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.”

It is not that the things God created are evil.  Far from it.  He created the things of this world for our pleasure, if they are used and experienced in the way they were intended.  We are intended to experience them, and be moved by the joy we receive from them, to return worship to the God who created them!  We must worship the giver of the gifts, not the gift itself. 

So much more I could say on this, but it is getting long . . . good stuff!

Remaining in Fellowship with God – Verses 18-19, 22, 26, 28-29:

“The last hour is here” . . . What did John mean by this?  John believed that it was quite possible that Jesus would come back within his lifetime.  He didn’t know when (obviously).  Not even Jesus knew the date, while he was on earth (Matthew 24:36).  The point is that we are to live prepared for it to happen at anytime.  How should we be prepared?  Verse 28 says we are to remain in fellowship with Christ so that we aren’t ashamed of what we are doing and how we are living when He returns. 

How do we remain in fellowship?  Well, last week we learned that it is sin that breaks our fellowship with God and others.  We must not be living in sin when Christ returns.  We need to be living a life devoted and on mission for Jesus Christ.  We need to daily follow after Him and then we will remain in fellowship with Him. 

Verse 19 talks about those who have left us and gone their own way.  These are people who are anti-Christ, or against Christ.  They are against Him because they say that he is not God (v22).  I believe this is primarily talking about people who have left the church and are now teaching false doctrines about who Jesus was. 

However, there are many that have left our group to follow after the 3 sins listed by John in v16.  They have, in essence, made these things (these sins) their God, and thereby removed Jesus from His rightful place as God of their life.  This is also living an “anti-Christ” life.  John is saying that they never really belonged to us or they would have stayed.  Let this be a caution to all of us that we are all susceptible of being led astray by the world and the lies of Satan.  See verse 26:

“I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray.”

The Work of the Holy Spirit – Verses 20-21, 27:

God has given all Christians the Holy Spirit that testifies to the truth.  The Spirit distinguishes between truth and lies. The better and more complete the fellowship between the Christian and God, the more clearly that person can tell what the Holy Spirit is saying.  If you are in deep fellowship with God you won’t easily be led astray because you can hear the Holy Spirit tell you that what you have just been told is a lie.  This is why it is important to be in fellowship with God as I discussed earlier.

With the Holy Spirit in our lives we really don’t need anyone to teach us (v27).  He will help us understand the word of God if we are earnestly seeking Him and ask Him to.  Brother Yun had no one to teach him the bible or what it meant.  He read it and the Holy Spirit helped him to understand. 

I get tired of hearing lazy American Christians say they don’t read the bible because they “can’t understand it”.  That is a major cop-out!  They don’t understand because their lives are so full of sensuality, materialism, and the pride of life that they can’t hear the Holy Spirit shouting at them with a megaphone.  This is a promise from God.  There is no room for debate.  If you seek Him and desire to learn, the Holy Spirit will teach you!  The bible says if you lack wisdom ask and God will give it to you freely (James 1:5). 

Hopefully this helps in your studying this Scripture.  Here is my prayer for myself after mediating on this passage:

[Dear Lord,
I confess to you that I have believed the lies of Satan this week in several areas.  I know that I have believed that I can find happiness in worldly possessions and I have placed my focus on making my self comfortable.  I know that I have failed in the area of pride this week as well.  I know that they impact my relationship with you.  I desperately want to continue to have deep fellowhip with you.  Thank you for dieing on the cross for these sins.  I know that they are forgiven and I am clean in your eyes.  I love you Jesus.  Thank you Holy Spirit for convicting me of the sin that is in my life.  I know that as I grow in fellowship with You that I will be able to hear Your voice telling me of my sins more clearly.  Thank you for the understanding of this wonderful passage of scripture that you have given me.  Amen.]

A thought of Service

I was just thinking today and in the brief quiet time I had this weekend that I want to figure out some more opportunities to serve the community. I am going to try to scare up some ideas. Your thoughts and input on this are greatly appreciated!

Rock Band Party at Jake, Kristin, and Dave’s House

We are throwing a spontaneous Rock Band party at our house this Thursday night starting at 7:00. Dave has a couple of guys that he wants to introduce us to so that we can show some love and be a refuge. This will be a good intro to our group, since they are apparently very good at RB (guitar on expert, I hear).

Hopefully all you guys can make it.

Refuge Study Notes May 13th, 2008 / Wrap of 1 John 1 and Study of 1 John 2:1-14

#1. What is the purpose(s) found in Chapters 1 & 2 that the Apostle John is writting this letter? (Ref 1 John 1:34 & 1 John 2:1)

#2. How do these purposes make you feel?

#3. Read Romans 3:23 Read it a second time adding your name into the scripture for personalization. Now read Romans 7:14-25.
Q: Based on what you just read in Romans: Does God (your Creator) demand perfection? Where can we look if we want to see perfection?

Think about the following lines from the dc Talk song we heard last week, In the Light:

Whats going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That Im still a man in need of a savior

#4. Do you think that God has patience for your sin? ((Sin = Archery term meaning missing the mark/target)) Further study for a later time… Did he have patience with Saul? Did he have patience for Abraham? Did he have patience for David? Did he have patience for Peter? Did he have patience for Sarah? Can you find a name that God did not display great patience for? (This might take you the rest of your life in the reading of the entire to fully answer)

#5. Based on the stated partial purpose in 1 John 2:1 what is an Advocate? Who is our Advocate? Is this example being written in legal language to strick a word picture for us? Why is it important for each of us to have an advocate…and what does this advocay mean for us?

#6. There is a big concept in 1 John 2:2…”Jesus is the sacrifice that atones for our sins” in more formal versions it might say “Jesus is the propitiation for our sins”. So this is obviously “religous speak”…however what does attonement or propitiation mean? Hint: What in these words has Jesus done for us and our sin? (Propitiated/Atonement = Satisfied/Appeasement)

#7 (Read 1 John 2:3-6) What is your “knee jerk” reaction to these words? Now read 1 Timothy 4:11-15 and relate your initial feelings about 1 John 2:3-6 to the “progress” that is talked about in 1 Timothy 4:15. At the end of the day, at the end of the month, at the end of the year, at the end of a physical life…what is the desire of God being communicated here in 1 John 2:3-6?

#8. When you become a christian is darkness in you life (sin) completely gone? What is a better statement about the sin in your life past, now, and future?

#9. As a word picture…what does a small flicker of a flame do in a pitch black room? As long as the flame is flickering is ther ANYTHING that the darkness can do to diminish the light?

#10. A commandment of loving one another is revisited in 1 John 7, and Jesus was the example of how to live such a life. How can you relate to the scripture in 1 John 2:8? where it says, “For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.” (NLT) “Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.” (NKJ) ((I put two versions here so that you could read))

#11. (Read 1 John 9-11) How are christians to act / react / relate/ live / love in the midst of the type of person being described in 9-11?
Reference these examples: (Colosians 3 all) (Colosians 4 all) (1 Corinthians 13) (Phillipians 4:4-14) (Ephesians 6:10-20) (Galatians 5:1) (Galatians 5:16-26) (James 1 all) (James 4 all) I know that this is a ton of examples…but they are all so amazing….and there are so many more!!!

#12. Again what did Romans 3:23 say? Again what did Paul say in Romans 7:14-25 that gives us hope and encouragement? Again does 1 Timothy 4:11-15 speak of perfection or progress?

#13. Does reading Romans 7:25 and 1 John 2:12 give you hope that you have REFUGE in Jesus Christ not condemnation? That you have an ADVOCATE that is standing up for you in the court of all eternity inspite of all of the many reasons past, present and FUTURE give account of our hands firmly holding onto the hammer that help to pound the nails of our living God on the cross?

#14. What are the differences in the people that John is addressing this message of hope to in 1 John 2:12-14?

#15. What is the diffinitive PROMISE that is given to YOUNG people with a strong faith in Jesus Christ in 1 John 14’s final sentence?

I just wanted to end this with a great song by Casting Crowns, Stained Glass Masquerade.  We all fail, we all fall, we all need Jesus!

An Encouraging Word from the Lord this Morning

As I was listening to the Psalms this morning on my way to work. I was encouraged by this verse from Psalm 68 and I thought I’d pass it on.  I have been feeling overwhelmed by the mountain of work I have to do this week at my job.  How great to know we have a God who DAILY bears our burdens.

“Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!”

“God is to us a God of deliverances and salvation; and to God the Lord belongs escape from death [setting us free].”

~ Psalm 68:19-20 (Amplified Bible)

Banner Vote

Ok. So I want to take a vote. Which banner do you all prefer? Which is more attractive to our target audience? The one at the top of the page or the one on this page?

 

In the Light – Follow Up Post for Meeting 5/7/08

I wanted to add the lyrics to the dc Talk song, In the Light, that I read this past week in bible study.  Something to think about this week as we try to walk in the light.

I keep trying to find a life
On my own, apart from you
I am the king of excuses
Ive got one for every selfish thing I do

Whats going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That Im still a man in need of a savior

(chorus)
I wanna be in the light
As you are in the light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh, lord be my light and be my salvation
Cause all I want is to be in the light
All I want is to be in the light

The disease of self runs through my blood
Its a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control

Tell me, whats going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That Im still a man in need of a savior

(repeat chorus)

Honesty becomes me
[theres nothing left to lose]
The secrets that did run me
[in your presence are defused]
Pride has no position
[and riches have no worth]
The fame that once did cover me
[has been sentenced to this earth]
Has been sentenced to this earth

Tell me, whats going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That Im still a man in need of a savior

(repeat chorus 2x)

[theres no other place that I want to be]
[no other place that I can see]
[a place to be thats just right]
[someday Im gonna be in the light]
[you are in the light]
[thats where I need to be]
[thats right where I need to be]

If that gave you the desire to listen to this song (like it did for me), click play below and crank the volume!

Domain Choices

Hi guys I am planning on purchasing a domain for the refuge site to make it easier for people to find us and to put on business cards or posters when we make them. Below are some domains that I have found that are available. If you can let me know which one you like the best.

1.jesusistherefuge.com

2.therefugesnohomish.com

3.refugeforlife.com

4.therefugehouse.com

5.findtherefuge.com

Questions for Meeting on 5/7/08

Tim “Peter” Potts and I came up with some questions for you to consider for the meeting this Wednesday.  We are excited about taking the group to W & U this week!  Last week some of us got together and decided that would go over the book of 1 John next.  So we will cover the first chapter of first John this week and also try to do a quick summary of 1 Corinthians 16 to finish off our study on that book, if time permits.

Questions from 1 John 1:

1. What is the significance/importance of the firsthand eye-witness account? (v 1-4)
2. What does it look like in (today’s culture) to “walk in the light”?
3. What does it look like to “walk in darkness”?
4. What promise is given to those who walk in the light? (v 7, cross reference Eph. 5:8-10, 13)
5. What sin in your life are you either a) unwilling to admit is sin, b) continued in so long you don;t recognize it as sin, or c) is now habitual? (v 8)
6. What happens when we confess our sins? (v 9)
7. What happens if we are unwilling to confess our sins? (v 10)
8. Confession: what is the purpose? What is the outcome? (v 9, and your own experience)
9. What is the importance of confessing sin immediately?

Questions from 1 Corinthians 16:

1. When Does Paul say is the best time to tithe?
2. Why is the gift from Corinth going to Jerusalem?  What does this tell us tithes should support?
3. Verse 58 of chapter 15 and verses 13 and 14, tell us to be strong and immovable.  How can we do that in this culture?
4. What would it look like if you did all the things you do with love?
5. How should we act in our relationship with our church elders and leaders? (v 10-12, 15-16, 18)