The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
May 19
Commentary by Nick Boork
May 19
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May 19 - John 10:22-42
Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” 39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there.
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Jesus said My sheep hear My voice and follow Me. The question is how do we hear the voice of Jesus today? Let's look at four ways God speaks to us today. First, we need to understand that God has been speaking since the beginning of creation till the present day. Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…
The Old Testament has 39 books starting with Genesis and finishing with Malachi which was written about 400 years before Jesus Christ came into the world. During this time, God spoke continually to individuals, the nation of Israel and nations throughout the world through the prophets. The Old Testament is literally the voice of God written on paper. The New Testament has 27 books starting with the gospel of Matthew and finishing with the book of Revelation. As the Scripture says God spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets this referring to the Old Testament. Then it says that God spoke to us through His Son.
1) The Audible Voice of God
Remember the story of when Jesus took Peter, James and John up into a mountain and was transfigured before them? The father from heaven spoke in an audible voice saying; “This is My beloved Son, hear Him” Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Peter writes about this in 2 Peter 1:17-18 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
This was an experience that Peter, James and John would never forget. However, God typically does not speak to people audibly. I believe that Jesus wanted his leaders more specifically his inner circle to hear the audible voice of God affirming Jesus Christ as his Son. Why? Because they would be foundational leaders of the New Testament church and when the storms of persecution and doubt would come they would have a reference point to look back to as an anchor to remain unmovable in their knowledge and conviction that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah the Savior of the world.
2) The written Word of God, the Bible
God speaks to his people through the written word of God also known as the logos. The written word of God in both the Old and New Testament are the voice of God. As we give ourselves to read the written or logos word of God the Holy Spirit reveals to us specific things that guide us along in our understanding and ministry to follow the Lord. This kind of revelation from the word of God by the Holy Spirit is called the Rhema Word of God. An example of this is when Jesus appeared to the apostles after his resurrection and began to teach them the word of God.
Luke 24:45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Have you ever been reading the Bible and suddenly a portion of Scripture just jumps off from the pages and you understand and see it in a new light? This is the voice of God by the Holy Spirit revealing to you His word. However a word of caution, you have to interpret Scripture by Scripture and the Holy Spirit will never lead you to do anything that is contrary to the revealed will of God. But the good news is if you're born again and belong to Jesus Christ you have the Holy Spirit within you to lead you into all truth! Many times the Lord will use the written word of God to speak to a Christian's heart about a ministry that God has called them to. This happened with the apostle Paul and Barnabas. In Acts 13:47 they quoted
Isaiah 42:6 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
You see this Scripture became alive to Paul and Barnabas by the Holy Spirit. They were hearing the voice of the Lord through the Scripture about their call to preach the gospel to the nations.
3) The Inward witness of the Holy Spirit
The third way that God speaks to us today is through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. I believe that after the written (Logos) Word of God and God revealing the written word to us through a (Rhema) word, that inward witness of the Holy Spirit is the primary way that God speaks to his children today. We see Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit before entering public ministry:
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Jesus taught the disciples that when the Holy Spirit came He would speak to them as a teacher and a guide revealing spiritual things and showing the disciples things to come.
John 16:12-15 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Does the Holy Spirit continue to speak today? Absolutely and what he speaks according to Jesus comes from Him. Jesus wants to communicate to both individual believers and local churches. Believers need to learn how to develop their spiritual ear to listen to the inward voice of the Holy Spirit.
4) God speaks through the Holy Spirit by prophets in the church today
1 Corinthians 14:29-33 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
This obviously means that God speaks today through those that preach His Word being led by the Holy Spirit. In the book of Revelation Jesus spoke to his servant John the apostle through a revelation he received while in the Holy Spirit. In other words the Holy Spirit caused John to hear and see things spiritually and to write them down. Jesus told him to send these messages to the seven churches in Asia. Each time a message was communicated to a church there was specific words of encouragement and needed correction to these local churches. At the conclusion of each message an exhortation was given by the Lord to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Caution is needed here. There is no more Scripture being recorded through prophecy! No, that level of the voice of God through prophecy stopped and was completed with the book of Revelation and we are warned not to add or take away from the written voice of God. However, the Holy Spirit continues to speak the mind, will, desire and purposes of God to his people in churches wherever there is an openness to this ministry of the Holy Spirit today.
This is why the Bible encourages Believers to covet to prophesy! Why? Because God desires to communicate to His people today in specific ways that bring encouragement, motivation and great assurance to their hearts. There are various levels of the prophetic anointing. The lowest level would be a prophetic anointing that comes through preaching the word of God. Have you ever been in a church service and felt like the pastor was preaching directly to you and you wondered how in the world did he understand what I was going through? That's the work of the Holy Spirit speaking through the leader, the preacher to you today.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1. Jesus is our Good Shepherd and He is able to communicate with us today
2. There are four ways God speaks to His people:
· The Audible Voice of God (Rare but found in Scripture)
· The Written Word of God (Logos) and the (Rhema) Word revealed by the Holy Spirit.
· The Inward Witness of the Holy Spirit leading us daily.
· The Prophetic Word of God preached that speaks to our individual lives or corporately as a local church.
3. How do you know if what you’re hearing is from God? The Holy Spirit will NEVER lead us to go against the revealed will of God written in the Scriptures. However, be careful because the Devil always tries to twist the Scriptures and make them say something not in line with the character of God. How do you know the true voice of God from the counterfeit of Satan? The same way the tellers at banks learn the difference between true and counterfeit cash, they handle so much real cash that when they touch a fake bill it just doesn’t feel right! So, fill yourself with the written Word and pray constantly to be refilled with the Holy Spirit and you will discern the truth and not be led away by the lies of the Devil.
Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” 33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods”’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” 39 Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand. 40 And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. 41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true.” 42 And many believed in Him there.
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Jesus said My sheep hear My voice and follow Me. The question is how do we hear the voice of Jesus today? Let's look at four ways God speaks to us today. First, we need to understand that God has been speaking since the beginning of creation till the present day. Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…
The Old Testament has 39 books starting with Genesis and finishing with Malachi which was written about 400 years before Jesus Christ came into the world. During this time, God spoke continually to individuals, the nation of Israel and nations throughout the world through the prophets. The Old Testament is literally the voice of God written on paper. The New Testament has 27 books starting with the gospel of Matthew and finishing with the book of Revelation. As the Scripture says God spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets this referring to the Old Testament. Then it says that God spoke to us through His Son.
1) The Audible Voice of God
Remember the story of when Jesus took Peter, James and John up into a mountain and was transfigured before them? The father from heaven spoke in an audible voice saying; “This is My beloved Son, hear Him” Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Peter writes about this in 2 Peter 1:17-18 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
This was an experience that Peter, James and John would never forget. However, God typically does not speak to people audibly. I believe that Jesus wanted his leaders more specifically his inner circle to hear the audible voice of God affirming Jesus Christ as his Son. Why? Because they would be foundational leaders of the New Testament church and when the storms of persecution and doubt would come they would have a reference point to look back to as an anchor to remain unmovable in their knowledge and conviction that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah the Savior of the world.
2) The written Word of God, the Bible
God speaks to his people through the written word of God also known as the logos. The written word of God in both the Old and New Testament are the voice of God. As we give ourselves to read the written or logos word of God the Holy Spirit reveals to us specific things that guide us along in our understanding and ministry to follow the Lord. This kind of revelation from the word of God by the Holy Spirit is called the Rhema Word of God. An example of this is when Jesus appeared to the apostles after his resurrection and began to teach them the word of God.
Luke 24:45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Have you ever been reading the Bible and suddenly a portion of Scripture just jumps off from the pages and you understand and see it in a new light? This is the voice of God by the Holy Spirit revealing to you His word. However a word of caution, you have to interpret Scripture by Scripture and the Holy Spirit will never lead you to do anything that is contrary to the revealed will of God. But the good news is if you're born again and belong to Jesus Christ you have the Holy Spirit within you to lead you into all truth! Many times the Lord will use the written word of God to speak to a Christian's heart about a ministry that God has called them to. This happened with the apostle Paul and Barnabas. In Acts 13:47 they quoted
Isaiah 42:6 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
You see this Scripture became alive to Paul and Barnabas by the Holy Spirit. They were hearing the voice of the Lord through the Scripture about their call to preach the gospel to the nations.
3) The Inward witness of the Holy Spirit
The third way that God speaks to us today is through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit. I believe that after the written (Logos) Word of God and God revealing the written word to us through a (Rhema) word, that inward witness of the Holy Spirit is the primary way that God speaks to his children today. We see Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit before entering public ministry:
Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Jesus taught the disciples that when the Holy Spirit came He would speak to them as a teacher and a guide revealing spiritual things and showing the disciples things to come.
John 16:12-15 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Does the Holy Spirit continue to speak today? Absolutely and what he speaks according to Jesus comes from Him. Jesus wants to communicate to both individual believers and local churches. Believers need to learn how to develop their spiritual ear to listen to the inward voice of the Holy Spirit.
4) God speaks through the Holy Spirit by prophets in the church today
1 Corinthians 14:29-33 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
This obviously means that God speaks today through those that preach His Word being led by the Holy Spirit. In the book of Revelation Jesus spoke to his servant John the apostle through a revelation he received while in the Holy Spirit. In other words the Holy Spirit caused John to hear and see things spiritually and to write them down. Jesus told him to send these messages to the seven churches in Asia. Each time a message was communicated to a church there was specific words of encouragement and needed correction to these local churches. At the conclusion of each message an exhortation was given by the Lord to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Caution is needed here. There is no more Scripture being recorded through prophecy! No, that level of the voice of God through prophecy stopped and was completed with the book of Revelation and we are warned not to add or take away from the written voice of God. However, the Holy Spirit continues to speak the mind, will, desire and purposes of God to his people in churches wherever there is an openness to this ministry of the Holy Spirit today.
This is why the Bible encourages Believers to covet to prophesy! Why? Because God desires to communicate to His people today in specific ways that bring encouragement, motivation and great assurance to their hearts. There are various levels of the prophetic anointing. The lowest level would be a prophetic anointing that comes through preaching the word of God. Have you ever been in a church service and felt like the pastor was preaching directly to you and you wondered how in the world did he understand what I was going through? That's the work of the Holy Spirit speaking through the leader, the preacher to you today.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1. Jesus is our Good Shepherd and He is able to communicate with us today
2. There are four ways God speaks to His people:
· The Audible Voice of God (Rare but found in Scripture)
· The Written Word of God (Logos) and the (Rhema) Word revealed by the Holy Spirit.
· The Inward Witness of the Holy Spirit leading us daily.
· The Prophetic Word of God preached that speaks to our individual lives or corporately as a local church.
3. How do you know if what you’re hearing is from God? The Holy Spirit will NEVER lead us to go against the revealed will of God written in the Scriptures. However, be careful because the Devil always tries to twist the Scriptures and make them say something not in line with the character of God. How do you know the true voice of God from the counterfeit of Satan? The same way the tellers at banks learn the difference between true and counterfeit cash, they handle so much real cash that when they touch a fake bill it just doesn’t feel right! So, fill yourself with the written Word and pray constantly to be refilled with the Holy Spirit and you will discern the truth and not be led away by the lies of the Devil.
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll