John 4:43-54
1. Talk publicly about Jesus, v. 43-47
"What’s exciting about this “out loud with words” set of propositions is that it can and should lead to real equality, racial unity and radical generosity. This is exactly what unfolded in the early church."
-Greg Stier
a) real equality- “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
-Galatians 3:28
b) racial unity- “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”
-Ephesians 2:14-18
c) radical generosity- “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches in Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints- and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”
-2 Corinthians 8:1-5
2. Think deeply about how you believe, v. 48-54
Two types of faith in this passage:
a) intellectual faith- mere acknowledgment of some fact or event. "Believe that." Starts on the outside and never moves inward.
b) personal faith- the conviction and trust to which a person is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul. "Believe in." Starts on the inside and moves outward.
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith- that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
-Philippians 3:8-11
Six things that a Christian does...
1. treasures Christ
2. devalues everything else
3. puts faith in Christ alone
4. knows Him
5. suffers for Him
6. becomes like Him
1. Talk publicly about Jesus, v. 43-47
"What’s exciting about this “out loud with words” set of propositions is that it can and should lead to real equality, racial unity and radical generosity. This is exactly what unfolded in the early church."
-Greg Stier
a) real equality- “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
-Galatians 3:28
b) racial unity- “For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.”
-Ephesians 2:14-18
c) radical generosity- “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches in Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints- and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”
-2 Corinthians 8:1-5
2. Think deeply about how you believe, v. 48-54
Two types of faith in this passage:
a) intellectual faith- mere acknowledgment of some fact or event. "Believe that." Starts on the outside and never moves inward.
b) personal faith- the conviction and trust to which a person is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul. "Believe in." Starts on the inside and moves outward.
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith- that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”
-Philippians 3:8-11
Six things that a Christian does...
1. treasures Christ
2. devalues everything else
3. puts faith in Christ alone
4. knows Him
5. suffers for Him
6. becomes like Him