July 9, 2023 – John’s Writings – A People of New Hearts

A People of New Hearts

Ezekiel 36:24-32 - New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. ²⁵ I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. ²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. ²⁷ And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. ²⁸ Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. ²⁹ I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. ³⁰ I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. ³¹ Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. ³² I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!

Where will the Lord gather his people from (verse 24)?

Where will He bring them back to (verse 24)?

When will the people be clean (verse 25)?

What will they be cleansed from (verse 25)?

What kind of heart will the people be given (verse 26)?

How is their current heart described (verse 26)?

Whose Spirit will be put into the people (verse 27)?

What will the relationship between the people and God be (verse 28)?

What will God save the people from (verse 29)?

Why will the people no longer suffer disgrace because of famine (verse 30)?

Why will the people loathe themselves (verse 31)?

Who will these things not be done for (verse 32)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about God’s kingdom?

John 18:33-38 - New International Version (NIV)

³³ Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

³⁴ “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

³⁵ “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

³⁶ Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

³⁷ “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

³⁸ “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.

Where did Pilate go (verse 33)?

What did Pilate ask Jesus (verse 33)?

In your opinion, why did Jesus ask “is that your own idea” (verse 34)?

How did Pilate respond to the question (verse 35)?

What did Jesus say about His kingdom (verse 36)?

What did Pilate conclude about Jesus (verse 37)?

Why did Jesus say that He “was born and came into the world” (verse 37)?

Who listens to Jesus (verse 37)?

In your opinion, why did Pilate say “what is truth” (verse 38)?

Who did Pilate tell “I find no basis for a charge against him” (verse 38)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about God’s kingdom?

In your opinion, does Jesus’s statement in John 18:33-38 that “my kingdom is not of this world” your understanding of the prophesy “I will gather you from all the countries” in Ezekiel 36:24-32?

1 John 3:11-18 – New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. ¹² Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. ¹³ Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. ¹⁵ Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

What is the message “you heard from the beginning” (verse 11)?

Who “belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother” (verse 12)?

Why did he murder his brother (verse 12)?

What should Christians not be surprised by (verse 13)?

What do Christians know “because we love each other” (verse 14)?

Who is a murderer (verse 15)?

What does no murderer have residing in themselves (verse 15)?

How do we “know what love is” (verse 16)?

Who can love not be in (verse 17)?

How are we commanded to love (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about God’s kingdom?

In your opinion, how does 1 John 3:11-18 help us understand the new heart and new spirit that Ezekiel 36:24-32 says will be given those who are cleansed?

In your opinion, how is the truth that Jesus says that He came to testify to in John 18:33-38 represented in 1 John 3:11-18?

Revelation 21:1-8 – New International Version (NIV)

¹ Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

⁵ He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷ Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. ⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

What did John see (verse 1)?

What had happened to “the first heaven and the first earth” (verse 1)?

Where was the Holy City coming from (verse 2)?

How was the Holy City prepared (verse 2)?

Where is God’s dwelling place (verse 3)?

Why is there “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (verse 4)?

Who says “I am making everything new” (verse 5)?

What will “the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” give without cost (verse 6)?

Who will “inherit all this” (verse 7)?

What are “the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars” consigned to and what is it (verse 8)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage teach us about God’s kingdom?

In your opinion, what does the promise in Ezekiel 36:24-32 to cleanse from their impurities those who are gathered teach us about the people who God is going to dwell with according to Revelation 21:1-8?

In your opinion, how is the kingdom Jesus spoke of in John 18:33-38 revealed in Revelation 21:1-8?

In your opinion, for those who 1 John 3:11-18 says are hated by the world, how is everything transformed by the promises of Revelation 21:1-8? 

In your opinion, what do these passages from Ezekiel, John, 1 John and Revelation help us understand about the hearts of the people of the kingdom of God and of the people who hate them?

In your opinion, how do people move from hate to love?

 

(sprucewhispers.blogspot.com)

April 16, 2023 – John’s Writings – Reaction to God

Reacting to God

Isaiah 66:4-10 - New International Version (NIV)

⁴ so I also will choose harsh treatment for them
    and will bring on them what they dread.
For when I called, no one answered,
    when I spoke, no one listened.
They did evil in my sight
    and chose what displeases me.”

⁵ Hear the word of the Lord,
    you who tremble at his word:
“Your own people who hate you,
    and exclude you because of my name, have said,
‘Let the Lord be glorified,
    that we may see your joy!’
    Yet they will be put to shame.
⁶ Hear that uproar from the city,
    hear that noise from the temple!
It is the sound of the Lord
    repaying his enemies all they deserve.

⁷ “Before she goes into labor,
    she gives birth;
before the pains come upon her,
    she delivers a son.
⁸ Who has ever heard of such things?
    Who has ever seen things like this?
Can a country be born in a day
    or a nation be brought forth in a moment?
Yet no sooner is Zion in labor
    than she gives birth to her children.
⁹ Do I bring to the moment of birth
    and not give delivery?” says the Lord.
“Do I close up the womb
    when I bring to delivery?” says your God.
¹⁰ “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her,
    all you who love her;
rejoice greatly with her,
    all you who mourn over her.

Who listened when the Lord spoke (verse 4)?

What did people do in the Lord’s sight (verse 4)?

Why do people hate those “who tremble at his word” (verse 5)?

What do people who hate those “who tremble at his word” say (verse 5)?

What is the uproar in the city and the noise in the temple (verse 6)?

What happens “before she goes into labor” (verse 7)?

In your opinion, “can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment” (verse 8)?

Who asks “do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery” (verse 9)?

What are those who “mourn over” Jerusalem to do (verse 10)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage show us about how people react to God?

John 19:25-30 - New International Version (NIV)

²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Who stood near the cross of Jesus (verse 25)?

What did Jesus say to His mother about “the disciple whom he loved” (verse 26)?

What did Jesus say to the disciple (verse 27)?

How did the disciple react (verse 27)?

When did Jesus say “I am thirsty” (verse 28)?

What did they soak the sponge in (verse 29)?

How did they get the sponge to Jesus’ lips (verse 29)?

What did Jesus say “when he had received the drink” (verse 30)?

What did Jesus give up (verse 30)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage show us about how people react to God?

In your opinion, how do you reconcile the “harsh treatment” that is promised in Isaiah 66:4-10 for those who do evil and displease God with the Son of God, who is God, hanging on the cross and giving up His spirit in John 19:25-30?

1 John 3:11-18 – New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. ¹² Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. ¹³ Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. ¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. ¹⁵ Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

¹⁶ This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? ¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

When did John’s readers hear the message “we should love one another” (verse 11)?

Who did Cain belong to (verse 12)?

Why did Cain murder his brother (verse 12)?

What should not surprise Christian “brothers and sisters” (verse 13)?

How can we “know that we have passed from death to life” (verse 14)?

Where does someone “who does not love” remain (verse 14)?

Who is a murderer (verse 15)?

How do we know what love is (verse 16)?

How should we love (verse 18)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage show us about how people react to God?

In your opinion, who in Isaiah 66:4-10 is like Cain as he is revealed in 1 John 3:11-18?

In your opinion, how does what Jesus finished in John 19:25-30 help us understand the love that 1 John 3:11-18 tells us about?

Revelation 16:17-21 – New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” ¹⁸ Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. ¹⁹ The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath. ²⁰ Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. ²¹ From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

Where did the seventh angel pour out his bowl (verse 17)?

What did the loud voice “from the throne” say (verse 17)?

What did the pouring of the bowl cause (verse 18)?

What split into three parts (verse 19)?

Who got the “cup filled with the wine of the fury of his wrath” (verse 19)?

What did “every island” do (verse 20)?

How heavy were the huge hailstones that fell from the shy (verse 21)?

How did people respond to all of this (verse 21)?

In your opinion, what is the basic message of this passage?

In your opinion, what does this passage show us about how people react to God?

In your opinion, how does the “uproar from the city” in Isaiah 66:4-10 relate to the events of Revelation 16:17-21?

In your opinion, how is Jesus’s statement from the cross, “it is finished” in John 19:25-30 related to the loud voice from the throne in the temple that says “it is done” in Revelation 16:17-21?

In your opinion, how can you reconcile that the God 1 John 3:11-18 teaches us love by Jesus Christ laying His life down for us being the same God that has a cup filled with the wine of His wrath for Babylon the Great in Revelation 16:17-21? 

In your opinion, what do these passages from Isaiah, John, 1 John and Revelation help us understand about the complexity of God?

In your opinion, how should we, who have received God’s love, know He is the God of love who said “it is finished”, and of wrath who will say “it is done”, live in a world that choses Babylon the Great over Jesus Christ?