Servant Leadership
Today’s Passage – John 12 – 13
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)
When I was in Bible College, I worked for Super One Foods, a supermarket chain that operated in the Ark-La-Tex area. They had a philosophy for management that was not common for many companies that I had been associated with before. They believed that the managers should work alongside of the employees, instead of just directing them. I was eventually promoted to a grocery department manager, which basically meant that I was the overseer of the night stockers. In order to get that position I had to demonstrate that I could stock as well or better than the other men on the night crew. Once I received the promotion, I still had to stock along with the crew as much as I could. There was nothing that I expected them to do that I was not willing to do myself.
Jesus taught and lived servant leadership. He did not separate Himself from His disciples, except when He was praying privately with His Father. He lived with them, ate with them, ministered with them; and most importantly, He served them. Here in this passage, He is washing their feet. It is interesting that none of the disciples thought about washing each other’s feet. The water was there, the towel was there, and the need was there; yet only the Lord had enough humility to get down on His knees and clean off the filth from the world that had accumulated on them.
I wonder, how many of God’s servants today are truly servants. Both words, “minister” and “deacon”, have as their primary meaning the idea of serving others. There are too many preachers out there that want to be ministered to, instead of ministering to others. Every once in a while I hear about preachers that have a list of demands that must be met in order for him to come and minister to a church. The list might include first class flights, a certain brand of hotel, minimum amount of love offering, etc. Now I am certainly not opposed to giving “double honor” to the men that come to preach for us; but I can’t in my wildest imagination think that Jesus or Paul would have such a list of demands. We need to get back to serving people. All kinds of people: rich ones and poor ones; educated ones and ignorant ones; all cultures; all races; even the ones with very dirty feet.
Posted in Thoughts from John by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Where Am I Going To Go?
Today’s Passages – John 6 – 7; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 36 – 40; Proverbs 8)
Memory passage for the month of November – Psalm 95
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 51:11
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” – (John 6:68)
I remember recently having a discussion with a close friend of mine about whether he ever thought about quitting on God. His answer kind of reminded me of Peter’s answer in John 6:68 above. He said, “where am I going to go?”. What he was actually saying was that there is only one hope for salvation, and that is in the Person of Jesus Christ. Who else could we possibly turn to? There is no-one else.
I have been saved now for nearly twenty-two years; and in that time I have experienced many mountaintops. It is easy to praise God and exalt His name when I am on the mountaintop. However, I have also been in the valley, many times due to some bad decisions that I have made. In the valley it is not always so easy to praise the Lord. In fact it is not always easy to even see the Lord. There have been times that I have actually contemplated throwing in the towel, and turning my back on the Lord and His church. By the grace of God, He has kept me in, but I think what has always helped me was the fact that God would remind me that I really have no alternative. Who would I go to? What would I do? If I thought the valley I was in at the time was bad, I wondered how much worse life would be without the Lord. My faith in God, and the promises of His Word, would always keep me from quitting.
Praise the Lord for His grace! Let me encourage you: don’t run from the Lord – run to Him. He has the Words of eternal life!
Posted in Thoughts from John by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Living Water
Today’s Passages – John 4 – 5; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 31 – 35;Proverbs 7)
Memory passage for the month of November – Psalm 95
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 40:31
Read a previous post from this passage – “Are You Thirsty”
“Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” – (John 4:13-14)
Several years ago I was preaching and teaching through the Gospel of John, and as I was preparing for the message from chapter four I came across a commentary written by a man named Arthur Pink. I was fascinated by what Pink wrote about this passage regarding how water is a type of salvation. Here is an excerpt from his book:
1. Water is a gift from God. It is something which man, despite all his boasted wisdom, is quite unable to create. For water we are absolutely dependent upon God. It is equally so with His salvation, of which water is here a figure. 2. Water is something which is indispensable to man. It is not a luxury, but a vital necessity. It is that without which man cannot live. It is equally so with God’s salvation—apart from it men are eternally lost. 3. Water is that which meets a universal need; it is not merely a local requirement, but a general one. All are in need of water. It is so with God’s salvation. It is not merely some particular class of people, who are more wicked than their fellows, for all who are outside of Christ are lost. 4. Water is that which first descends from the heavens. It is not a product of the earth, but comes down from above. So is it with salvation: it is “of the Lord.” 5. Water is a blessed boon: it cools the fevered brow, slakes the thirst, refreshes and satisfies. And so does the salvation which is to be found in Christ. 6. Water is something of which we never tire. Other things satiate us, but not so with water. It is equally true of God’s salvation to the heart of every one who has really received it. 7. Water is strangely and unevenly distributed by God. In some places there is an abundance; in others very little; in others none at all. It is so with God’s salvation. In some nations there are many who have been visited by the Dayspring from on high; in others there are few who have passed from death unto life; while in others there seem to be none at all. (Pink, Arthur –The Gospel of John, chapter 12)
I do not know if all of these thoughts were original to Mr. Pink, but I was fascinated by his observation. Let me be quick to point out, however, that we would certainly not agree with everything that Mr. Pink believed and taught, especially his hyper-calvinistic leanings; but I have been blessed countless times by some of the thoughts that he received from the Lord. We need to be good Bereans, and search the Scriptures ourselves in order to see whether the things that men are teaching us are true. But I am glad that I can glean some wisdom from men who have pondered these truths before me.
PS – I would like to ask you to consider another observation from chapters 3 and 4 of John’s Gospel. Notice the contrast between Nicodemus and this un-named woman:
1 Nicodemus is a ruler of the Jews. She is a despised, Samaritan woman.
2 Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night, perhaps because he feared being seen by his peers. Jesus comes to this Samaritan woman in the middle of the day.
3 Jesus is very pointed to the Pharisee, but He is very patient with the woman.
4 There is no indication that this proud Pharisee trusts Christ after this first encounter, though he did get saved later. The humble woman, however, saw her need and opened her heart to the Savior.
I love studying the Bible, don’t you? There are so many thoughts that we can pull from these passages. Perhaps you saw some things from the passage today that you would like to share with us. Leave a comment here so that others might be blessed with what God has given you.
Posted in Thoughts from John by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
I’m Going Fishing
Today’s Passages – John 20 – 21; Proverbs 14
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 66 – 70; Memorize – Philippians 4:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 51:11
Click here to read last year’s post from this passage.
“Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” – (John 21:3)
In our passage today we see Peter returning to his old occupation of fishing. When the Lord first called Peter into the ministry he was a fisherman. In fact, that occasion was amazingly similar to this passage. You can read about yourself in Luke 5,but I will point out some of the similarities:
In both passages Peter and company are fishing through the night on the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberius).
In both of the passages the fishermen catch no fish despite all of the efforts.
In both passages Jesus asks them to cast the net(s) out again. Actually, the first time the Lord told Peter to cast out his nets (plural). Peter reluctantly casts out one net, but the catch of fish was too big for the one net, and the net broke. He should have listened to the Lord.
In the first passage, Jesus was calling Peter into the ministry. He told Peter that he would no longer be fishing for fish, but rather he would now be catching men for the Saviour. In this morning’s passage, however, Peter is being reminded of that call. Jesus is reminding Peter that “the gifts and calling of God are without repentance”. In other words, God was telling Peter that He had not changed His mind about Peter, even though Peter had just recently change his mind about the Lord. Remember, just a short time prior to this passage, Peter had denied the Lord. Peter thought that he was through. He assumed that the Lord would no longer want him in the ministry after what he had done. He was wrong. The Lord was not finished with Peter. He still wanted to use him. In tomorrow’s reading in Acts, we will see what the Lord will do with Peter.
The Lord is not through with you either. I know that you may have blown it in the past, like Peter did; but the Lord is merciful, and gracious. Don’t turn back, and if perhaps you have already turned back, you can always come back to the Lord. God called me to preach the Gospel nearly 20 years ago. There have been many times that I have wanted to quit and turn back, but I am thankful that the Lord has always somehow reminded me that He wanted me to keep going for Him, and by His grace, I am still fishing for men.
Don’t quit.
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That the Scripture Might Be Fulfilled by Pastor Ted Stahl
Listen to this morning’s message – What Makes God Weep?
Today’s Passages – John 17 – 19; Proverbs 13
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 61 – 65; Memorize – Philippians 4:6)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 40:31
“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.” – (John 17:12)
Good morning. What a great way to start the morning with my favorite chapter from the Bible: John chapter 17. Jesus is praying to His Father before going to the cross. Jesus prayed for His disciples, and us: those who would believe through their testimony: their word. And there was only one who was lost: the son of perdition: Judas. And the explanation is given as to why: that the Scripture might be fulfilled (vs12). The Scripture, God’s Word, should be one of the most cherished possessions in our lives. Chapter 17 is all God’s Word (yes, even the 13 words printed black in verse 1). Because God’s will is being done no matter what, we can trust the promises from the Scripture will come to pass: that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
1) The Father would be glorified through Jesus, that the Lord’s glory would be restored as it was before creation, and that we would glorify Jesus (vs 1-10).
Revelation 19:11-16 says, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
That the Scripture might be fulfilled.
2) Safety for believers (vs 11-16).
John 10:27-30 tells us this also, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”
We are protected so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
3) Jesus also prayed that we would be sanctified (made holy) through the Scriptures (verses 17-19). And in Hebrews 10:10 the Scriptures tell us that, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Because of His sacrifice the Scriptures say we are sanctified.
I’m getting excited about this. Isn’t it great to know you’re saved and on your way to Heaven!
4) In verses 20 through 23, Jesus prays for the unity of those who believe, and that the world would believe. Revelation 7:9-12 gives us a glimpse into the future. John said, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
And that’s only the tribulation saints, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
5) And I especially like verse 24 which tells us that one day we will see Jesus. Stephen saw Jesus just before he was stoned to death, Acts chapter 7:55-56 tell us, “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Face to face we shall behold Him that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.
6) And that brings us to verses 25 and 26. Jesus prayed that we would have the same love of the Father that He had. This is the sacrificial love, the agape’ love. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This was Jesus going to the cross, paying the price for our sins, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. We are supposed to have the same love in us. We need to die too: die to self. If we can be a little bit humble, maybe bury our pride, we can easily forgive our brothers and sisters when they sin against us, or hurt us. We should be demonstrating the love of God to others so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Peace (John 14:27).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from John by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
A World Of Trouble – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – John 14 – 16; Proverbs 12
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 56 – 60; Memorize Psalm 100:4)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Proverbs 27:15
Jesus said in the last verse of John chapter 16:
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Have you ever visited Ellis Island? Ellis Island is where more than 12 million immigrants entered our great nation. They wanted to leave the tribulations going on in their own countries and start fresh, a new life, here. Little did they know what was coming. If you’ve been to the museum that is on the island, you know what I’m talking about. One thing they have there are computers loaded with names. There were three with the name Theodore Henry Stahl that came over on the banana boat. I guess my name was pretty popular. But when you tour the museum, they have pictures like the one shown here. First and second class passengers were interviewed and allowed to exit the ship and go through customs. The third class passengers were taken to Ellis Island where they were subjected to a medieval torturer doing a medical examination. Still, only 2% of those 12 million were turned away. Ellis Island was closed on November 12th 1954 (I was a little over 9 months old at the time).
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
If you asked an immigrant if the long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, and all the poking and prodding of the medical examination was worth their escape from the tribulation of the homeland, they would probably tell you: “Yes. It was.”
Jesus said that in this world ye SHALL have tribulation. Do you think heaven is worth it? All those things that happen to you or your family. The struggles to pay bills, buy your family food and clothes. Maybe you even face persecution for the Lord’s sake. Either way, in this world ye shall have tribulation. It’s part of the curse – “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread…” Maybe God put the trials and tribulations in our lives for a reason. Maybe we should look at our troubles in a different light. Maybe we should look at them as little gifts from God, drawing us closer to Him. After all, He is always going to be with us through whatever we go through. He will always give us what we need.
I think if we look at our problems as gifts from God, just maybe they will not upset or frustrate us anymore. When one of these “gifts” come up, stop and pray. Ask the Lord how He would want you to deal with it. Or maybe He will make it His to deal with, showing Himself great and powerful in your life.
Remember, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Peace. (John 16:33)
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Closet Christians
Today’s Passages – John 12 – 13; Proverbs 11
“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” – (John 12:42-43)
We often talk to our children about peer pressure, encouraging them to not follow the crowd, and instead live their lives boldly according to principle. Peer pressure is not something that just affects young people, however. Most adults also live their lives in a form of bondage that causes them to adapt to the world around them. Unfortunately, the same can be said about most Christian adults. When they are around the people of the church, they act like Christians and talk like Christians; but when they get out into the world, they want to fit in with them as well. In our passage today we read about these religious leaders of Israel that secretly believed in Jesus. Nicodemus was no doubt part of this crowd. You will recall from John chapter 3 that Nicodemus was the one who came to Jesus by night, probably because he didn’t want any of his friends to see him.
Christians are supposed to be salt and light to this world. We do not have the luxury as God’s ambassadors to be chameleons, adapting to every group we are with. We need to be Christians all of the time. When we are with our co-workers, or with extended family, or with the other parents of the kids that play sports with our child, we need to remember that our primary function in life is to draw attention to the Saviour: to glorify Him in all things. Stop trying to please or be like everybody, and have enough guts to take a stand for the Lord. You don’t have to be unkind or obnoxious: just be a Christian; and Christians should be different from the world around them.
We are living in a time period where the world, more than ever before, needs to see some real Christians who truly live out their faith. Most of today’s churches have adopted a people-pleasing, seeker-sensitive brand of Christianity. These churches make it their main goal to give people whatever they want. We have adapted Burger King’s “Have It Your Way” logo to our churches. The problem is that if we are just like the world around us, why would they ever desire to be one of us. I became a Christian because I saw something different, something real in the people that claimed the name of Christ. They were not like me. They had something I didn’t have, and I wanted it.
Christian, why don’t you come out of the closet, and start living like a blood-washed Christian should live. Be the salt and light that God expects you to be. Look deep within you, and find your backbone. It’s there somewhere. Stop compromising what you believe, and show the world that you belong to Christ, and that you are not ashamed of it.
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” – (2 Corinthians 6:17)
“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” – (Mark 8:38)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” – (Romans 1:16)
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Jesus Still Weeps
Today’s Passages – John 10 – 11; Proverbs 10
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 46 – 50; Memorize – Psalm 100:4)
Read last year’s post from this passage – “The Door”
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 121
Click here to read “How To Steward Your Trials With Grace” by Paul Chappell.
“Jesus wept.” – (John 11:35 )
Though this verse is short in length, it is long in truth because it reveals the heart of compassion that God has for His children. If you think carefully about this passage, you will conclude that Jesus was not weeping for Lazarus. He knew that He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead; He knew that Lazarus would soon be reunited with his sisters, Mary and Martha. In fact, Jesus delayed his arrival to Bethany long enough because had He gotten there earlier, we would have been reading about a healing rather than a resurrection. Jesus wanted to prove His power over death, and by so doing foreshadow his own resurrection. So why was Jesus weepin? I believe He was weeping because the people that He cared about were weeping. He identified with their grief. He actually felt the pain that they were feeling. It is comforting to know that even when Jesus allows difficult days to come into our lives, He goes through them with us; and He weeps with us.
As I was reading this passage, I got to thinking about another passage that tells us about our Saviour’s tears:
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” – (Matthew 9:36)
In this passage Jesus looks out over the multitudes and He was “moved with compassion”, which means He wept for them. I believe at that moment Jesus not only saw the multitudes of that location and that time, but He also saw all of the people in every place throughout eternity that were without a Shepherd. He saw all of the people that were in need of a Saviour; and He saw all of the people who would ultimately die without Him. By the way, this verse has caused me to reject the Calvinistic idea that Christ created people to go to Hell, and does not give them a choice regarding salvation. Why would God weep over people that have no free will and were created to go to Hell. It just doesn’t make sense. No, “God is not willing that any should perish”. He wants people to be saved. Unfortunately, most will reject Him; and this will still cause God to weep.
Let me give you one more time where Jesus wept:
“And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” – (Luke 22:44)
In this passage, Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane and He is about to have the sins of the world placed squarely upon His shoulders. His Father will turn His face away from Him, and pour out His wrath upon His only Son. Our sin causes God to grieve. We grieve Jesus, and we grieve the Spirit within us, when we sin. Many people are kept inside the will of God because they fear His wrath or judgment; but I have to tell you, His tears are what bother me the most. I don’t want to grieve God anymore. I have caused Him enough tears already.
Posted in Thoughts from John by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Put Down Your Stones
Today’s Passages – John 8 – 9; Proverbs 9
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 41 – 45; Memorize – Psalm 100:4)
Read this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105
Click here to read last year’s post on this passage – “Believe It – He’s the Great I Am”
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. … She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” – (John 8:7, 11)
Preachers have a difficult job. They are commanded by God to preach the Word; and as we all know well, preaching involves a great deal of reproving and rebuking. The problem is that the preacher who may be reproving and rebuking others through the Word of God is also a guilty sinner himself. Recently, I was told about a person who had fallen into sin. My first reaction was that I wanted to sharply rebuke this person; but then God began to remind me of how often I have failed; maybe not in the same area, but guilty nonetheless.
I have decided that I am going to put down my stones. Oh, I will still preach the Book; but I will try to stop preaching it with a self-righteous tone of superiority. I am guilty myself. The older I get, and the more I grow in the Lord, the more I realize how far away from God I really am. My flesh is still alive and well, and though I try to crucify it often, it still resurrects itself and wreaks havoc with my spiritual walk. You see, If I received my just reward there would be a pile of rocks on top on me. Let’s try to be as compassionate as we can with people who are weak in their flesh just as we are. Let’s try to edify and strengthen each other; and encourage each other to walk in the Spirit so that we will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Let’s stop condemning each other. There is going to come a day when I will need some compassion from the people around me; but I fear that I will only reap proportionately to what I have sowed. Let’s put down our stones.
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Where Am I Going To Go?
Today’s Passages – John 6 – 7; Proverbs 8
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 36 – 40; Memorize Psalm 100:4)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1 – 4
Read last year’s post on this passage – “Don’t Quit!”
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” – (John 6:68)
I remember recently having a discussion with a close friend of mine about whether he ever thought about quitting on God. His answer kind of reminded me of Peter’s answer in John 6:68 above. He said, “where am I going to go?”. What he was actually saying was that there is only one hope for salvation, and that is in the Person of Jesus Christ. Who else could we possibly turn to? There is no-one else.
I have been saved now for nearly twenty-two years; and in that time I have experienced many mountaintops. It is easy to praise God and exalt His name when I am on the mountaintop. However, I have also been in the valley, many times due to some bad decisions that I have made. In the valley it is not always so easy to praise the Lord. In fact it is not always easy to even see the Lord. There have been times that I have actually contemplated throwing in the towel, and turning my back on the Lord and His church. By the grace of God, He has kept me in, but I think what has always helped me was the fact that God would remind me that I really have no alternative. Who would I go to? What would I do? If I thought the valley I was in at the time was bad, I wondered how much worse life would be without the Lord. My faith in God, and the promises of His Word, would always keep me from quitting.
Praise the Lord for His grace! Let me encourage you: don’t run from the Lord – run to Him. He has the Words of eternal life!
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