Salem in Ballwin United Methodist Church is located in Ballwin, Missouri.
--Ballwin is a western suburb of St. Louis.  It is part of St. Louis County.
--Salem in Ballwin UMC was founded in 1847.

Salem in Ballwin United Methodist Church

I. Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish (21:1-14) 
21:3 “that night they caught nothing” - Night was the time to go fishing. Jesus called his first disciples from their business of fishing. Read Matthew 4:18-22. After having seen the resurrected Christ, they leave their new life and return to the old. Why do you think the disciples were confused and went back to the old way of life? 
21:4-7 “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” Jesus gave them some fishing advice, but they didn’t realize it was him at the beginning. Later, John told Peter, “It is the Lord.” Why did Peter jump into the water? 
21:8-9 “When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.” For the disciples there needed to be some reminders, to bring their hearts and minds back to God’s mission. Jesus said they would all be scattered (dispersed). Read John 16:32. It is difficult to return to the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit can bring us forgiveness and anoint us for powerful ministry. The disciples will soon learn this on Pentecost. At this time, seeing the fish and the fire would have brought back some memories. First, the coals (charcoal) would remind the reader of the Gospel of John of the fire in the courtyard when Peter denied the Lord (John 18:18). What is the relationship between forgiveness and forgetting? If your sins are forgiven will you or should you forget your sin? 
21:11 Peter supervised the big task of hauling in the large catch of 153 fish. The miracle here is that the net was not torn, a symbol of not losing any that are evangelized. Read John 6:39; 10:28; 17:12. How can this give us hope of reaching the lost with the Gospel? 
21:12 “They knew it was the Lord” – How do you know the Lord? Read John 10:2-5 again. 
21:13 Jesus gives the food to his disciples. It reminded them of the miracle of breaking and multiplying the fish and the loaves and also of the Last Supper (Holy Communion). Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. 
II. Jesus Reinstates Peter (21:15-25) 
21:15 “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” It could mean that Peter was asked if he loved Jesus the Son of God more than the things of this world (fishing equipment). Or, Peter was asked if he really had greater love than the other disciples. Peter claimed to have more love. Read John 13:37; 15:13; Matthew 26:33. We live in a very competitive world. People want so much to be number one, to rise to the top, to go to the best school, and to become the most successful. Should the competitive spirit be in the church? Read Mark 9:33-37. Who is really the greatest? 
21:16-17 Peter is asked three times. This is to bring forgiveness for his three acts of sin. To “truly love” God also means that you and your children and grandchildren should love the Lord. It means you should love God by obeying all his commandments. Finally, we are to love God with our whole being: all your heart, soul, and strength. Read Deuteronomy 6:1-5. With all this in mind, can you answer today that you truly love Jesus? Peter is told that love for the Lord must be expressed in pastoral concern for others. Remember the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). We can’t say that we love God and not love our neighbor. Read James 2:8-9; 1 John 3:11; 4:20-21. 
21:18 “stretch out your hands” – This is a picture of how Peter would later die: crucified upside down. 
21:19 “follow me” – Jesus called people to follow him, to become his disciples. Read Matthew 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 16:24; and 19:21. 
21:21-22 “what about him?” – Again, we can hear some jealousy. The competitive spirit is hard to cast out of God’s house. Jesus responds simply with “what is that to you? You must follow me.” There is a good reason that we are to receive Christ as our personal Savior. Although we all are one body, united in Christ, we are still many individual members. The Bible also tells us that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Read Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27. Finally, it is always good to remember the words of our Lord in Matthew 7:1-5. 
21:22 “until I return” – Christ is making it clear that there will be a second coming. 
21:24-25 This Gospel was written by the beloved disciple John. The Gospel is about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and his appearance to witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:1-8). Twenty-one chapters is only the beginning of the glorious message of the Gospel: the life and ministry of our blessed Savior and Lord. The whole world cannot hold the books that could be written about the Lord who loved this world so much that he laid down his life.

I. Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish (21:1-14)
21:3 “that night they caught nothing” - Night was the time to go fishing. Jesus called his first disciples from their business of fishing. Read Matthew 4:18-22. After having seen the resurrected Christ, they leave their new life and return to the old. Why do you think the disciples were confused and went back to the old way of life?
21:4-7 “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” Jesus gave them some fishing advice, but they didn’t realize it was him at the beginning. Later, John told Peter, “It is the Lord.”  Why did Peter jump into the water? 
21:8-9 “When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.” For the disciples there needed to be some reminders, to bring their hearts and minds back to God’s mission. Jesus said they would all be scattered (dispersed). Read John 16:32. It is difficult to return to the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit can bring us forgiveness and a

Salem Ballwin Bible Study (part 28) Gospel of John 21:1-25 (February 10, 2021)

I.Jesus Arrested (18:1-14) 
18:1 The Kidron Valley was east of Jerusalem and was usually dry, except during the rainy season. 
18:4 “knowing all that was going to happen to him” – These events were no surprise to Jesus. Not only did he know about others, he knew about his own destiny. Remember the prayer of Jesus in John 17. He begins with these words, “Father, the time has come.” There is only one time that the Lord does not know. What is that? Read Matthew 24:36. Do we know our own future? 
18:5-8 We hear the Lord answering three times “I am he” in these verses. Throughout the Gospel of John we hear the Lord saying, “I am….” Can you remember some of the “I am” sayings? His word is so powerful that people were knocked down; no doubt they were surprised by his presence. Do you believe that the Lord’s Word is powerful today? Read Hebrews 4:12 and Revelation 1:16. 
18:9 The words spoken by Jesus Christ are at the same level as Scripture. He is the Living Word. He is the way, the TRUTH, and the life (John 14:6). It was important that the Lord not lose those the Father gave him. Read John 6:39 and 17:12. But Judas was a different story. 
18:10 Simon Peter – John gives us both the identity of the one who drew the short sword and the one whose ear was cut off. What does this say about Peter? In John 13:37, Peter declared, “I will lay down my life for you.” Peter was still self-confident when he reached for his sword, but the three denials are coming soon. Our feelings can sometimes get in the way of our faith. What does that mean? Which is more important: faith or feelings? 
18:11 “the cup” is a picture of suffering and judgment. Read Psalm 75:8. What about the cup that Jesus gave to His disciples at the Last Supper? Read 1 Corinthians 11:25-29. 
II. Peter’s First Denial (18:15-18) 
Probably the other disciple in verse 15 is John. He is not often named in this Gospel. Peter is challenged by a girl who is a slave, the lowest position in society. The easy answer to her question is “no,” but the easy way is not what is required of disciples. 
III. The High Priest Questions Jesus (18:19-24) 
Jesus taught the truth to his disciples and to the crowds. Questioning Jesus without any witnesses was illegal, also hitting him was illegal. 18:23 “the truth” – Throughout the Gospel of John we hear about the truth. Let’s read John 1:14, 17; 3:3; 4:24; 17:17. 
IV. Peter’s Second and Third Denials (18:25-27) 
Again, the question is asked in a way that it is easy to respond with “no.” The third question was from a relative of Malchus, someone who saw Peter. With this third denial, the rooster began to crow. Jesus’ prophecy is fulfilled. All four gospels mention the prediction (Matthew 26:33-35; Mark 14:29-31; Luke 22:31-34; John 13:38). When do you hear a rooster? 
V. Jesus Before Pilate (18:28-40) 
18:28 “the Roman governor” – Jesus is taken to the political leader for a hearing/trial. It was “early morning,” probably around 6 or 7 am. Notice that the Jews were nervous about entering a Gentile residence, “to avoid ceremonial uncleanness.” This was the same reason that the Priest and Levite avoided helping the man beaten on the road (Luke 10:31-32). Remember that Jesus was criticized for his association with “unclean” people. Read Luke 15:1-2. Later, in the book of Acts, Peter has a vision that changes his attitude toward Gentiles (Acts 10:9-23). Are there people today that are considered “unclean” by Christians (the church)? 
18:29-32 Pilate knows about Jewish religious laws and ceremonies. In his view there is no valid reason for a Roman political court to take this case. The real issue, however, is the authority to execute by crucifixion. The Jewish leaders had another way to execute people (stoning to death). We will see that in Acts 7 (the stoning of Stephen). What about capital punishment in South Korea? How is it handled? Do you believe the Bible teaches capital punishment for today? 
18:33-34 Pilate begins to question Jesus. The question is the same in all the Gospels. Jesus answers with another question. If this were Pilate’s own question, it would have meant “Are you a rebel?” The Jewish leaders would have asked, “Do you think you are the promised Messiah?” 
18:36 Jesus tells Pilate that his kingdom is “not of this world.” What does this mean? To what extent can the church be involved in the world? Politics? Economics? 
18:37-38 We hear our Lord declare his position as Messiah. The Messiah’s mission was to “testify to the truth.” Today many people say that we cannot know “truth.” Truth is no longer absolute, but is now relative. What does this mean? 
18:39-40 The people have a choice to release one prisoner. Their choice is Barabbas. Who was Barabbas? Read Luke 23:19. His name means “son of Abba,” or “son of the Father.” In place of the criminal with that name, Jesus the real Son of God was crucified.

I.Jesus Arrested (18:1-14)
18:1 The Kidron Valley was east of Jerusalem and was usually dry, except during the rainy season.
18:4 “knowing all that was going to happen to him” – These events were no surprise to Jesus. Not only did he know about others, he knew about his own destiny. Remember the prayer of Jesus in John 17. He begins with these words, “Father, the time has come.” There is only one time that the Lord does not know. What is that? Read Matthew 24:36. Do we know our own future? 
18:5-8 We hear the Lord answering three times “I am he” in these verses. Throughout the Gospel of John we hear the Lord saying, “I am….” Can you remember some of the “I am” sayings? His word is so powerful that people were knocked down; no doubt they were surprised by his presence. Do you believe that the Lord’s Word is powerful today? Read Hebrews 4:12 and Revelation 1:16.
18:9 The words spoken by Jesus Christ are at the same level as Scripture. He is the Living Word. He is the way, the TRUTH, and 

Salem Ballwin Bible Study (part 25) Gospel of John 18:1-40 (January 20, 2021)

I. Jesus Prays to Be Glorified (17:1-5) 
After Jesus speaks about the disciples deserting him, leaving him alone, he begins to pray. 
17:1 “looked toward heaven and prayed” This is one posture of prayer. Instead of looking down, with eyes closed, Jesus looked up and prayed. What is the symbolism of looking up with your eyes open? When we bow our heads to pray and close our eyes, what does that signify? 
17:2 “authority over all people” – We are taught to pray for ourselves last, but here we hear Jesus praying for Himself first. We need to remember who Jesus is. He is not a religious leader or a prophet; He is the Son of God. Read Matthew 16:13-16. Christ has all authority and He issues this authority for preaching the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). What does it mean to have authority over all people? He is Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14). 
17:3 “you have sent” – This is the language of mission. When you have His authority, you can boldly answer the question, “Who sent you?” 
17:4-5 “glory” – The Son brings glory to the Father. And, the Father restores glory to the Son. This refers to Christ’s resurrection and ascension. He will go to the Father’s side. As believers in the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ, we are given a responsibility of giving Him all the glory. Let’s recite the Lord’s prayer, noting the declaration of kingdom, power, and glory. 
 
II. Jesus Prays for His Disciples (17:6-19) 
17:6-9 “those whom you gave me out of the world” – In what way are the disciples “given” people? Note the use of the word “give” and “given.” Have you been “given” to the Lord? 
17:11 “Holy Father” – This is the only time in the New Testament we hear “Holy Father” as a title for God. It expresses that God is both awesome (holy) and near (Father). How do you address God when you pray? 
17:14-15 “not of the world” – This is the world that is a system set against God’s rule (1 John 5:19). We are not of this world and we are not to love the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17). Our Lord’s prayer is for our protection. Have you ever experienced the Lord’s protection in this world? 
17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” The Word of God is truth and the Word of God is powerful enough to purify us. Read Psalm 119:9-13. Do you experience a daily bath (reading) in God’s Word? 
17:18 “As you sent me….” Again we hear “sending” language. This shows the importance of mission in the teachings of Jesus. How important is mission in your Christian life? 
 
III. Jesus Prays for All Believers (17:20-26) 
17:20 “those who will believe in me through their message” – There is an understanding that the mission will not end with the first generation of disciples, but it will continue from one generation to the next. Now we can hear our Lord praying for us. Some of us are first generation Christians and some are second, third, or fourth generation, but we are all part of the Church that remained faithful to the preaching of the Gospel. The Gospel must be preached to all nations and to all generations. What is your part in this mission? 
17:23 “complete unity” – Jesus prays for us not to be successful or prosperous, but for us to be united. What does complete unity mean? Why is unity so important in the church today? Can you say that the church is united today or divided today? 
17:26 “the love you have for me may be in them” – What kind of love did the Father have for the Son? If we are filled with the Father’s love, what kind of life will we live? Read 1 John 4:7-12.

I. Jesus Prays to Be Glorified (17:1-5)
After Jesus speaks about the disciples deserting him, leaving him alone, he begins to pray.
17:1 “looked toward heaven and prayed” This is one posture of prayer. Instead of looking down, with eyes closed, Jesus looked up and prayed. What is the symbolism of looking up with your eyes open? When we bow our heads to pray and close our eyes, what does that signify?
17:2 “authority over all people” – We are taught to pray for ourselves last, but here we hear Jesus praying for Himself first. We need to remember who Jesus is. He is not a religious leader or a prophet; He is the Son of God. Read Matthew 16:13-16. Christ has all authority and He issues this authority for preaching the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). What does it mean to have authority over all people? He is Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14).
17:3 “you have sent” – This is the language of mission. When you have His authority, you can boldly answer the question, “Who sent you?” 
1

Salem Ballwin Bible Study (part 24) Gospel of John 17:1-26 (January 13, 2021)

I. Jesus Comforts His Disciples (14:1-4) 
14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” The disciples had just heard some distressing news, the Lord would be leaving to another place. In the middle of the most troubling news there is only one thing to do: Believe. 
14:2 “many rooms” The promise of heaven is not temporary; it is eternal. The rooms are our eternal dwellings. 
14:3 “I will come back” The promise of Christ’s second coming (advent). Every year we celebrate Christ’s first coming (advent) on Christmas day. How can we be prepared for His second coming? Read Mark 13:32-36. 
 
II. Jesus the Way to the Father (14:5-14) 
14:5 Usually Peter is the first disciple to say something, but here we have Thomas asking a question. Were you the first one in the class to ask a question? Or, do you never ask any questions? 
14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We hear another “I am” saying from Jesus. Jesus is not just another way, but the way. Other religious leaders would say that they will point you toward the way, but Christ boldly proclaims I AM. Orthodox Christians believe that Jesus is the only means of salvation, that the other world religions will not save you. Remember, Biblical Christians are exclusivist (only Jesus saves). How can this be troubling to people of other faiths? 
14:11 “Believe…that I am in the Father and the Father is in me” We have something to believe: the unity of the Godhead, one God in three persons. How close should our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ be? 
14:12 “greater things” The greater miracles will come after the Holy Spirit is sent to the disciples. What miracles are there in the book of Acts? 
14:13 “in my name” This means more than adding “in the name of Jesus” at the end of your prayer. We should pray everything according to His will, from beginning to end. Are there then some prayers that Jesus will not answer? What prayers are not according to His will? 
 
III. Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit (14:15-31) 
14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.” Love and obedience go together just like faith and works. Read James 2:14-26. 
14:16 “another advocate” We begin to hear about the coming Holy Spirit. Jesus will further give instructions about the Holy Spirit in the next two chapters. 
14:17 the Spirit of truth” God the Father and God the Son are both truth. The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, is also about truth. Our God is three times true, as He is also three times holy (Isaiah 6:3). What about the church? Can the world say that we are the people of truth? 
14:19-20 “on that day” Christ is looking ahead to the resurrection. Because He lives, we also shall live. What do we confess in the Apostles’ Creed about the resurrection (His and ours)? 
14:26 “will teach you all things and will remind you of everything…” The Holy Spirit would touch the disciples’ minds as well as their hearts and spirits. This is very important for the task of writing the New Testament. We also have the promise of the Holy Spirit as our teacher (1 John 2:20-27). How can the Holy Spirit help us in our studies? 
14:27 “Peace I leave with you…” Later, when the disciples are behind locked doors for fear, Christ will stand among them and proclaim His peace (John 20:19). When do you need His peace the most? 
14:30 “the prince of this world” Satan has a hold on the people of this world because of sin. However, Satan had “no hold on” Christ because Christ was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). 
14:31 “exactly what my Father has commanded me.” Christ was one with the Father also because of His obedience. Read Hebrews 5:7-10. What kind of grade would you give yourself for obeying God?

I. Jesus Comforts His Disciples (14:1-4)
14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” The disciples had just heard some distressing news, the Lord would be leaving to another place. In the middle of the most troubling news there is only one thing to do: Believe.
14:2  “many rooms” The promise of heaven is not temporary; it is eternal.  The rooms are our eternal dwellings.
14:3 “I will come back” The promise of Christ’s second coming (advent). Every year we celebrate Christ’s first coming (advent) on Christmas day. How can we be prepared for His second coming? Read Mark 13:32-36. 

II. Jesus the Way to the Father (14:5-14) 
14:5 Usually Peter is the first disciple to say something, but here we have Thomas asking a question. Were you the first one in the class to ask a question? Or, do you never ask any questions?
14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We hear another “I am” saying from Jesus. Jesus is not just another way, but the way

SalemBallwin BibleStudy: Gospel of John 14:1-31(part 21) December 23, 2020

Division Over Who Jesus Is (John 7:25-44) 
I. Reading the text. 
II. Commentary and Discussion: 7:25-27 Jesus was different, and people had a hard time understanding him. Who was he? Really, who was he? Can he be the Christ? Read John 7:27. The Jews who studied their Bibles knew that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem in Judea. Read Matthew 2:4-8. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but raised in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23). He was always called Jesus of Nazareth, not Jesus of Bethlehem (Mark 1:24; 14:67; 16:6; John 1:45-46). There was another religious group that didn’t talk about the Messiah from Bethlehem (City of David), but said that no one would know where he was from. When you tell people where you are from, what do they think? What do they say? 
7:28-29 The real point, according to Jesus, was not where he was from, but whom he was from. He was sent by the Heavenly Father (Matthew 10:40; John 20:21). 
7:30-31 Some people were ready to kill Jesus, but others “put their faith in him.” The people who believed in him were convinced by the miracles. Are miracles a good reason to believe in Jesus? Why? Why not? 
7:32-36 They “sent temple guards to arrest him.” Again, we hear about “the one who sent me.” Jesus will return to the one who sent him, but “you cannot come.” People misunderstood Jesus and thought he was talking about going to another country (the diaspora – where Jews lived among Gentiles). Where was Jesus really going to go? 
7:37-44 “On the last and greatest day of the Feast….” Jesus makes a loud announcement: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” Jesus is talking about the Holy Spirit. Jesus had already told the Samaritan woman about “living water” (John 4:10), now he makes the invitation to everyone at the feast. What does it mean to have a Spirit-filled Christian life? Again, people were confused about where Jesus was really from. 
 
Unbelief of the Jewish Leaders (John 7:45-8:11) 
I. Reading the text 
II. Commentary and Discussion 
 
7:45-53 The temple guards come back without Jesus. The guards were impressed with Jesus’ preaching. The Pharisees have so much pride that they say no Pharisee is fooled by Jesus, but then we remember Nicodemus and hear how he speaks up for Jesus Christ. Again, people say that “no prophet” comes from Galilee. Are there times when you have spoken up for Jesus? Are you always ready to stand up for Jesus? 
 
8:1-11 Jesus had a reputation of eating with sinners, and for many of the legal experts and Pharisees, Jesus was too chummy with sinners and too easy on sin. Now, the teachers of the Law and Pharisees want to test Jesus. Will Jesus stand on the side of a sinner or on the side of God’s Law? Jesus bends down to write “on the ground.” This is not doodling or just drawing a picture, but actual writing. Letters that people could see. We take reading and writing for granted in the USA in 2020, but many nations in the world do not have universal literacy. Many women in Muslim nations have not gone to school and are not able to read and write. Also, some nations like Afghanistan have literacy rates of only 35%. Less than half of the people can read and write. So, Jesus was educated enough to read and write. Question: What do you think he was writing? There are different interpretations, some saying that Jesus wrote Jeremiah 17:13b. “Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.” Other options are some verses from the Law that talk about sin and sinning. Remember that the Bible says we are all sinners, (Romans 3:23; 5:12) but some people think that means other people and not them. Notice that the older ones left first. Finally, only the woman is standing there. Jesus tells her “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Many people have misunderstood this passage to mean that Jesus looks the other way when people sin, but the truth is that the Lord knows all people and how all have sinned. He is waiting for sinners to repent and turn again from sin to the Lord. Easy on sin? No, the Lord knows the pain of sin as He was crucified for the sins of the world, and He is waiting for sinners to repent. Remember the Luke 15, where we have three lost things: a sheep, a coin, and a son. “More rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents....”

Division Over Who Jesus Is (John 7:25-44)
I. Reading the text.
II. Commentary and Discussion:  7:25-27   Jesus was different, and people had a hard time understanding him. Who was he? Really, who was he?  Can he be the Christ? Read John 7:27. The Jews who studied their Bibles knew that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem in Judea. Read Matthew 2:4-8. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but raised in Nazareth (Matthew 2:23). He was always called Jesus of Nazareth, not Jesus of Bethlehem (Mark 1:24; 14:67; 16:6; John 1:45-46). There was another religious group that didn’t talk about the Messiah from Bethlehem (City of David), but said that no one would know where he was from. When you tell people where you are from, what do they think? What do they say? 
7:28-29  The real point, according to Jesus, was not where he was from, but whom he was from. He was sent by the Heavenly Father (Matthew 10:40; John 20:21).
7:30-31 Some people were ready to kill Jesus, but others “put their faith in him.” T

Salem Ballwin Bible StudyThe Gospel of John 7:25-8:11 (part 14) November 4, 2020

The Authority of the Son (5:16-30) 
 
I. Reading the text (John 5:16-30) 
 
II. Commentary and Discussion: 5:16 The day of God’s rest is now a day of controversy. Because Jesus told the invalid to pick up his mat and walk, he is now being persecuted for breaking the Sabbath laws. Do we have some rules and regulations in the church that keep us from ministering to hurting people? 
 
5:17-18 After Jesus said, “My Father,” the Jews had a reason to kill him. Why was it so troubling for the Jews to hear Jesus call God “my father”? 
 
Let’s look closely at John 5:19-23. 
1. OBEDIENCE: The Son is obedient to the Father, “he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (5:19) This is about obedience. As children of God are we obedient to our Father? 
2. LOVE: The Father’s love for the Son is so great that God reveals himself, shows everything he does. Think, for a moment, about how much greater the Father’s love is for sinners. Remember John 3:16. God loves the world so much that he gave his son to die for their sins. What amazing love! Can you imagine that kind of love? 
3. LIFE: Raising to life means resurrection. Paul wanted to experience the power of the resurrection. See Philippians 3:10. 
4. JUDGMENT: We hear Jesus say that the “Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” Jesus is in the highest place and he has the highest name. See Philippians 2:9-11. We can see a picture of the Son judging the nations in Matthew 25:31-30. What makes some nations pass the judgment (test) while others fail? 
5:25-29 The dead and buried will come to life; it’s called the resurrection. Out of their graves, they will come to judgment. The good will “rise to life.” The evil will “rise to be condemned.” Read 2 Corinthians 5:10. 
 
Testimonies about Jesus (John 5:31-47). 
 
I. Reading the text (John 5:31-47) 
 
 
II. Commentary and Discussion 
 
The Old Testament calls for the testimony of two or three (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 
2 Corinthians 13:1). Why isn’t one person’s word enough? 
 
5:33-35 – Jesus calls John the Baptist to testify. But John’s testimony is limited because it is a human view. What did John the Baptist say about Jesus? (Read John 1:29-31) 
 
5:36 – Jesus also mentions his work as a testimony. 
 
Next, Jesus calls now on his Father to testify. The Father’s testimony is heard in Matthew 3:17 and 17:5. What do others say about you? What does the quality of your work say about you as a person? 
 
5:39 – Finally, there’s the Bible. Obviously the Jewish people had studied the Old Testament many times, but they missed the part that points to Christ. One example is Isaiah 53. Who do you see in that picture? 
 
5:43 – Anyone who promotes himself or herself will miss out on God’s promotion. Self-praise or praise from others falls short compared from the praise from God. Let us not praise ourselves or seek to hear others praise us, only God’s voice is enough. (Matthew 25:21, 23) 
 
5:44 – “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another…” Again, getting recognition from others blocks our relationship with God. How can you receive “glory from one another”? What do you think of applause in the church? 
 
5:45-47 The writings of Moses (Torah/Pentateuch) were studied closely by the Jewish people. Reading the Law should have pointed people to Christ, but they were unable to see the connection. If you want people to know who Jesus really is, what do you recommend them to read?

The Authority of the Son (5:16-30)

I. Reading the text (John 5:16-30)

II. Commentary and Discussion:  5:16 The day of God’s rest is now a day of controversy. Because Jesus told the invalid to pick up his mat and walk, he is now being persecuted for breaking the Sabbath laws. Do we have some rules and regulations in the church that keep us from ministering to hurting people? 

5:17-18 After Jesus said, “My Father,” the Jews had a reason to kill him. Why was it so troubling for the Jews to hear Jesus call God “my father”?  

Let’s look closely at John 5:19-23. 
1. OBEDIENCE: The Son is obedient to the Father, “he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” (5:19) This is about obedience. As children of God are we obedient to our Father? 
2. LOVE: The Father’s love for the Son is so great that God reveals himself, shows everything he does. Think, for a moment, about how much greater the Father’s love is for sinners. Remember John 3:16.

Salem in Ballwin United Methodist Church Videos

Salem Ballwin Bible Study (part 28) Gospel of John 21:1-25 (February 10, 2021)

Salem Ballwin Bible Study (part 25) Gospel of John 18:1-40 (January 20, 2021)

Salem Ballwin Bible Study (part 24) Gospel of John 17:1-26 (January 13, 2021)

SalemBallwin BibleStudy: Gospel of John 14:1-31(part 21) December 23, 2020

Salem Ballwin Bible StudyThe Gospel of John 7:25-8:11 (part 14) November 4, 2020

Bible Study on The Gospel of John 5:16-47 (part 10) October 7, 2020

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Grupo de Marcas

Salem in Ballwin United Methodist Church Videos

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Salem Ballwin Bible Study (part 28) Gospel of John 21:1-25 (February 10, 2021)

Salem Ballwin Bible Study (part 25) Gospel of John 18:1-40 (January 20, 2021)

Salem Ballwin Bible Study (part 24) Gospel of John 17:1-26 (January 13, 2021)

SalemBallwin BibleStudy: Gospel of John 14:1-31(part 21) December 23, 2020

Salem Ballwin Bible StudyThe Gospel of John 7:25-8:11 (part 14) November 4, 2020

Bible Study on The Gospel of John 5:16-47 (part 10) October 7, 2020

Description

Grupo de Marcas