Daily Bible studies. Originally written for men.

Started on 1 January 2021 with 1 Timothy and finished the two letters to Timothy in July.

Currently posting 3 videos a week. Try to upload a video on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

You can follow the studies daily or just pick out one. 

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ENWphysics

Jude 1:17-18, “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, ‘In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.’” 
 
Interesting points: 
 
1. In these verses, Jude reminds his readers that the apostles had predicted the emergence of false teachers who sought to indulge their own wicked desires. The apostles' predictions about the rise of false teachers can be found throughout the New Testament, to include Acts 20:29–30, 1 Timothy 4:1–3, 2 Timothy 3:1–9 and 13, 2 Peter 2:1–3 and 3:1–7. Jude's deep concern for his readers contrasts sharply with the false teachers' concerns for only themselves. 
 
2. Unlike the false teachers who served only themselves, the apostles were committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was their Master (Lord), Savior (Jesus), and Messiah (Christ). The word Christ is really a title, derived from a Greek term christos, meaning "anointed one." This, in turn, is a translation of the Hebrew term meshiach. This refers to Jesus' position as God's anointed prophet, priest, and king. 
 
3. The apostles predicted that "scoffers" -- who ridicule the Truth and morality so they could freely cater to their sinful passions would emerge in the "last times." As used in the Bible, this refers to the period of church history which began with the formation of the church in Jerusalem, 50 days after Jesus' resurrection, and continues until His return and the completion of God's ultimate plan for our redemption. 
 
4. The term “scoffers” clearly refers to the apostates and false teachers who laugh at things they don't understand (Jude 1:10). The quotation made in Verse 18 is taken directly from 2 Peter 3:3, demonstrating that Jude’s warnings echo those of the apostles. 
 
Application: 
 
Brothers, as believers living in the last times, we know from Scripture that we will always be surrounded by a world full of scoffers and false teachers who are more concerned about self than the cause of Christ, people who lean on their own understanding versus God’s wisdom and almighty power, and those that despise the truth because it exposes the sin and brokenness characteristic of their lives. In John 15:18, Jesus told us that the world would hate us because they first hated Him. 
 
God’s Word -- our standard – not only helps us know right from wrong, it provides us discernment when faced by all kinds of false teachers who try to convince us that the sin they engage in is not really or no longer wicked. The Holy Spirit’s transformational work in us not only changes our convictions concerning sin but strengthens us so that its allure no longer holds sway over our lives as it once did. 
 
May we continue to hold up what we read, see and hear to God’s Holy Word, asking for wisdom and discernment so that we may cling to the truth in the face of false teachers and may God’s anointing be on us as we reach out to others and introduce them to our Lord Jesus Christ so that they too, may be plucked from slavery to sin!

Jude 1:17-18, “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, ‘In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.’” 

Interesting points: 

1. In these verses, Jude reminds his readers that the apostles had predicted the emergence of false teachers who sought to indulge their own wicked desires. The apostles' predictions about the rise of false teachers can be found throughout the New Testament, to include Acts 20:29–30, 1 Timothy 4:1–3, 2 Timothy 3:1–9 and 13, 2 Peter 2:1–3 and 3:1–7. Jude's deep concern for his readers contrasts sharply with the false teachers' concerns for only themselves. 

2. Unlike the false teachers who served only themselves, the apostles were committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. He was their Master (Lord), Savior (Jesus), and Messiah (Christ). The word Christ is really a title, derived from a Greek term christos, meaning "anointed one." This, in turn, is a translation of the He

Verse by Verse Men Bible Study - Jude 1:17-18 - The Book of Jude

Jude 1:14-15, “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesized about these men: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands of His holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’” 
 
Interesting points: 
 
1. In these verses Jude draws from a non-Biblical source in the Jewish tradition to quote one of mankind's earliest patriarchs, Enoch, to reinforce to his readers of the fate of false teachers and all who reject or distort the truth. 
 
2. Having lived before Noah's flood, Enoch was not a writer of Scripture although Genesis 5:24 credits him with walking with God before He took him away from earth to remain in His presence. Enoch's prediction is quoted in verses 14 and 15 and holds that the Lord will return to earth with thousands of "holy ones" – which we can surmise from Matthew 25:31 and Colossians 3:4 is a reference to angels and raptured Christians. 
 
3. Jude has already spent a great deal of effort explaining how dangerous false teachers really are. In Verse 14, Jude explains that the Lord will return to earth (with thousands of His angels and raptured believers) to judge them and convict the ungodly of their wicked deeds and baseless insults against Him. The apostates will be judged by Jesus, the one of whom they had spoken abusively as we saw in Jude 1:4 and 1:8). 
 
Application: 
 
Brothers, although we are not exactly sure where this quotation comes from -- or even if it was part of some other Jewish writing before being recorded here -- by the time Jude wrote, Jewish literature included a non-inspired book, The Book of Enoch, which contains a similar statement. Jude's phrasing is significantly different, however, leading many to suggest that he was either quoting from oral tradition, or had been given particular information by the Holy Spirit. As writers of Scripture often quoted from non-inspired texts for the sake of making a point (for example, Paul’s quoting a local saying in Titus 1:12), this passage does not imply that Jude accepted The Book of Enoch as God's Word. 
 
Similarly, as we try to explain God’s Word to unbelievers, we may have to draw on non-Biblical material(s) to help them understand the Truth of who Christ is and how God chose to reconcile each of us to Him through the blood of the Lamb. 
 
Just as we must be ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ, we must be ready to share God’s Word in such a way that it resonates in the heart of our listeners. Every day passing draws mankind closer to the day of Judgment…

Jude 1:14-15, “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesized about these men: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands of His holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’” 

Interesting points: 

1. In these verses Jude draws from a non-Biblical source in the Jewish tradition to quote one of mankind's earliest patriarchs, Enoch, to reinforce to his readers of the fate of false teachers and all who reject or distort the truth.  

2. Having lived before Noah's flood, Enoch was not a writer of Scripture although Genesis 5:24 credits him with walking with God before He took him away from earth to remain in His presence. Enoch's prediction is quoted in verses 14 and 15 and holds that the Lord will return to earth with thousands of "holy ones" – which we can surmise from Matthew 25:31 and Colossians 3:4 is a reference to angels and raptured Christians. 

3.

Men Bible Study - Jude 1:14-15

3 John 1:1-2, “The elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 
 
Interesting points: 
 
1. This opening verse of 3 John follows the common format of ancient letter writing. It includes the author, the recipient, and a brief introduction. This letter is from "the elder." From the earliest days of Christianity, this has been accepted as John the apostle. As is typical of John, though, his name is not specifically mentioned in the letter. John calls Gaius "whom I love in truth," and truth is a common theme in this short letter. 
 
 
2. The recipient is the "dear friend” or ‘beloved’ Gaius." The name Gaius was common in the first century and is also seen in Acts 19:29, Acts 20:4, Romans 16:23, and 1 Corinthians 1:14. However, it is unlikely that all of these were the same person. Although little is known of this Gaius, he was clearly well known by the apostle John, and was a man committed to sharing the truth of the Lord with others. 
 
3. John seems to have known Gaius for some time and speaks of his church members as children (3 John 1:4). Third, John spoke specifically about Gaius's spiritual maturity. John loved him (3 John 1:1), spoke well of those he led in his church (3 John 1:3–4), and commended his work (3 John 1:5–8). 
 
4. Taken with 2 John, this letter gives a balanced view of Christian hospitality. While 2 John warned against entertaining false teachers, John praises a man named Gaius in this letter for warmly welcoming genuine Christian teachers. His actions had been opposed by Diotrephes, a cantankerous church dictator that gossiped against John. We’ll find that these two letters deal with heresy and church splits – two problems that have plagued the Church in every age and in every place. 
 
Application: 
 
Brothers, what a powerful encouragement it is for us to greet one another with words from the heart and a confirmation of our ongoing prayers concerning their situation/request for prayers. In some places in the world, people tend to be more polite and greet each other before advancing to the task at hand but the world is becoming so impatient it dispenses with such important pleasantries, failing to acknowledge each other properly as they rush to conduct business without any thought as to how the person engaged is faring. 
 
Let’s focus today on disciplining ourselves to greet people with esteem and love that God has for each of them and where we have been praying for them, communicate this fact, even as we bless them. 
 
May we continue to build each other up with words of love and life!

3 John 1:1-2, “The elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 

Interesting points: 

1. This opening verse of 3 John follows the common format of ancient letter writing. It includes the author, the recipient, and a brief introduction. This letter is from "the elder." From the earliest days of Christianity, this has been accepted as John the apostle. As is typical of John, though, his name is not specifically mentioned in the letter. John calls Gaius "whom I love in truth," and truth is a common theme in this short letter. 

 
2. The recipient is the "dear friend” or ‘beloved’ Gaius." The name Gaius was common in the first century and is also seen in Acts 19:29, Acts 20:4, Romans 16:23, and 1 Corinthians 1:14. However, it is unlikely that all of these were the same person. Although little is known of this Gaius, he was clearly well known by the 

Men Bible Study - 3 John 1:1-2

2 John 1:10-11, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him will share in his wicked work.” 
 
 
 
Interesting points: 
 
1. With these verses John builds on his teaching concerning false teachers starting from Verse 7 to conclude the main body of this letter. In Verse 10 the teaching he refers to is the one that Jesus came in real, physical, human form (John 1:1–14). In John’s gospel, he strongly emphasized that Jesus came from heaven to earth, saying He "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Believers must accept that Jesus walked the earth as both divine and fully human. To deny this truth is to deny a core aspect of the gospel. 
 
2. According to John, those who rejected this truth were not to be given any support. If a traveling teacher who did not accept the humanity of Jesus came to a church, John commanded separation. They are not to be given resources, hospitality, or any other help. Believers are not to associate themselves in any way with false teachers who deny the true identity of Jesus. 
 
3. Verse 11 offers an additional reason for John's command, where he refers to the danger of sharing the evil of these false teachers. John's pointed comment leaves no doubt: a person who shows hospitality to false teachers "takes part" or "shares" in that sin. In the context of his culture, John has in mind a person who accepts a false teacher into his or her home. This does not mean that a believer cannot say "hello" or "good morning" to a false teacher; rather, the idea is to avoid anything that even slightly supports a false teacher's work. 
 
4. John desired for believers to walk "in the truth" (2 John 1:4), not to share in wicked work or evil. This means more than simply not doing evil ourselves. As believers, we are also called on to condemn those who teach some other, false gospel (Galatians 1:9). Being polite and loving does not necessarily mean defending or even giving equal speaking time. We are not to confuse civility with promoting those who preach a dangerous and false message. 
 
Application: 
 
Brothers, besides several practical concerns, we ought to exercise discernment and wisdom in deciding who we receive into our homes. In Matthew 7:6, Jesus tells us, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” There is no good reason to facilitate a false teacher in his/her quest to lead God’s people astray. Not only should we guard the resources God has given us to further His kingdom, we must avoid giving our brothers and sisters in the faith a false signal of accepting a false teacher into the fold by welcoming and housing them in our homes. We must not be complicit in advancing false teachings. 
 
This is not a reason to be rude or aggressive to such people. Treating them with respect and God’s love is extremely important as we build relationships key to sharing the Gospel with them and combatting ills. There will be times when cooperation is necessary with false teachers and those that espouse other religions (flood relief, fighting poverty, ending violence, etc.) but we must be very aware that there is a spiritual battle ongoing in the heavenly realms. As with life, we must remain on our guard against undue spiritual influence.

2 John 1:10-11, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him will share in his wicked work.” 

 

Interesting points: 

1. With these verses John builds on his teaching concerning false teachers starting from Verse 7 to conclude the main body of this letter. In Verse 10 the teaching he refers to is the one that Jesus came in real, physical, human form (John 1:1–14). In John’s gospel, he strongly emphasized that Jesus came from heaven to earth, saying He "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Believers must accept that Jesus walked the earth as both divine and fully human. To deny this truth is to deny a core aspect of the gospel. 

2. According to John, those who rejected this truth were not to be given any support. If a traveling teacher who did not accept the humanity of Jesus came to a church, John commanded separation. They are not to be given resources, hospitality, or any other help. Beli

Men Bible Study - 2 John 1:10-11

1 John 5:3-4, “This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 
 
Interesting points: 
 
1. Building on the previous verses, John drives home the point that a believer's love for God is measured by obedience. Obedience to God's commands is a necessary expression of love. Just as a child obey his or her parents in love, we believers obey our heavenly Father to show Him love Him. Obedience is NOT the vehicle to receive salvation, rather it is the expected result of being a child of God. 
 
 
 
2. Faith in Christ makes possible obedience to the commandment of love. Some of John's readers may have felt daunted about a list of expectations which seemed impossible to obey. However, we saw in 1 John 4:21 that John had already defined the fundamental commandments of Christianity: as loving God and loving one another. Christ's commands are not a burden, but a blessing for those who know God. Jesus said in Matthew 11:30, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" and in Luke 11:46 indicated that it was the teachers of legalism and hypocrisy who made the burden of the commandments hard to bear. 
 
3. In Verse 4, John returns (again) to the theme of believers as overcomers. In John 1:5 we find the light (Jesus) has overpowered the darkness, and in John 16:33 that He has defeated the powers of this world (John 16:33). Because of Him, we believers are not to be overcome by evil, but can overcome evil with good as Paul reminds us in Romans 12:21. Christians are not left weak and defenseless in spiritual battles because Jesus Christ has already won them! This point is the result of John’s words in 1 John 2:13–14 that believers have overcome both the evil one and even evil spirits (1 John 4:4). 
 
4. How do believers overcome the world? John will unpack this in Verse 5: by believing in Jesus as the Son of God. Here in verse 4, John simply refers to "faith" as our victory. The faith of the believer is the victory that overcomes. Every believer is an overcomer and is victorious because they have eternal life in Christ (John 3:16) and abundant life now (John 10:10). God's Spirit lives within the believer to provide power over the battles of this world. 
 
Application: 
 
Brothers, in John 14:15 Jesus told us, “If you love me, you will obey what I command,” right before saying (Verse 16), “…I will ask my Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.” Since we studied that the One who is in us “is greater than the one who is in the world” in 1 John 4:4, we can attack our spiritual battles with confidence knowing that God’s good work is ongoing in us, transforming us and resulting in the ultimate victory. Let’s live that way!

1 John 5:3-4, “This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 

Interesting points: 

1. Building on the previous verses, John drives home the point that a believer's love for God is measured by obedience. Obedience to God's commands is a necessary expression of love. Just as a child obey his or her parents in love, we believers obey our heavenly Father to show Him love Him. Obedience is NOT the vehicle to receive salvation, rather it is the expected result of being a child of God. 

 

2. Faith in Christ makes possible obedience to the commandment of love. Some of John's readers may have felt daunted about a list of expectations which seemed impossible to obey. However, we saw in 1 John 4:21 that John had already defined the fundamental commandments of Christianity: as loving God and loving one another. Christ's commands are not a burden, bu

Men Bible Study - 1 John 5:3-4

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” I John 4:19-21 (ESV) 
 
CONTEXT 
 
These verses conclude and sum up what John has been writing about love (4:7-21). 
 
- vss 7-12 love for the brethren 
 
- vss 13-16, talks about living in God and living in love 
 
- vss 17-18, love drives out fear 
 
- vss 19-21, summarizing love 
 
WE ARE ABLE TO “AGAPE” BECAUSE GOD FIRST “AGAPED” US. 
 
God took the initiative. After mankind’s fall in the Garden of Eden, God began taking the initiative, and set everything in motion to redeem the world, through the death of His Son, Jesus the Christ. We read this in Genesis 3:15-16 “I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” This is the very first prophesy in the Bible about the coming Messiah. Paul also tells us in Rom 5:8 and Titus 3:3-5 that even though we were sinners, God, through his love took the initiative to save us. It wasn’t because of anything we have done, but totally through His love. 
 
IF YOU DON’T LOVE OTHERS, YOU CAN’T LOVE GOD 
 
John speaks bluntly and directly in verse 20. If you say you love God, but do not love your brother you are a (pseustēs), a liar, faith breaker, a false and faithless person. Harsh words, but true. John Stott provides this very interesting insight on this verse: “The folly of the liar’s position is seen not only its inherent inconsistency, but in the fact that love for God and love for our brother form one single command. Jesus himself taught this. It was he who united Deut 6:4 and Lev 19:18, and then declared that all the Law and the Prophets hung upon them (Matt. 22:37–40). We may not separate what Jesus has joined.” 
 
LOVING GOD BY LOVING OTHERS 
 
John makes it clear, that the Love of God and the Love of our brother is inseparable. In these passages, John isn’t talking about our earthly family, rather our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus clearly told his disciples that “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35. Unfortunately, in many churches around the world, we can witness hatred towards others who are not like themselves. It is sad to see Churches split because they can’t love each other as Christ loved us. Maybe it is a different race, nationality, interpretation of scripture, political position, or even the style of worship. It is a tragedy when fellow brothers and sisters cannot live in love. John Piper sums it up perfectly, “If you don't love your visible brother, then you can't be loving the invisible God.” 
 
APPLICATION 
 
Here are the words of an old saying: “You love Jesus only as much as you love the person you love the least.” These words are similar to 1 John 4:20, “He who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” 
How often do you catch yourself criticizing and thinking badly of others, yet at the same time overlooking your own glaring faults? If we loved Jesus only as much as we loved the people that we find ourselves criticizing, then we indeed love Jesus very little. Ask God to bring to mind people you struggle loving. Then ask Him to help you see those people in the say way that Jesus sees them. Pray for them and look for a way of loving them in a tangible, Christlike manner.

“We love because he first loved us.  If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” I John 4:19-21 (ESV) 

CONTEXT 

These verses conclude and sum up what John has been writing about love (4:7-21). 

- vss 7-12 love for the brethren 

- vss 13-16, talks about living in God and living in love 

- vss 17-18, love drives out fear 

- vss 19-21, summarizing love  

WE ARE ABLE TO “AGAPE” BECAUSE GOD FIRST “AGAPED” US. 

God took the initiative.  After mankind’s fall in the Garden of Eden, God began taking the initiative, and set everything in motion to redeem the world, through the death of His Son, Jesus the Christ. We read this in Genesis 3:15-16 “I will put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise 

Men Bible Study - 1 John 4:19-21

Hello guys! 
 
We are back! Had a 3 weeks summer break. Now picking up the studies again! 
 
Here is the text: 
 
1 John 4:13, “We know that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. In this verse John notes that someone who has true fellowship with Christ will also have the Holy Spirit in their lives. This echoes what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" and his words in 2 Timothy 1:14 which refers to "the Holy Spirit who dwells within us." Those who don't recognize this Spirit at work in their lives ought to examine their relationship with Christ. 
 
2. If a person has God's Spirit, he or she has Jesus, too. John has already taught that the one who has the Father has the Son. Here he adds that the one with the Spirit also has the Son. All three persons of the triune God are involved in our salvation. God sent the Son to provide salvation. The Spirit lives within us to help us live for Christ at the point of salvation and beyond. All three persons are involved in the life of the believer. 
 
Application: 
Brothers, how many of us take for granted the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives? We forget the Holy Spirit’s instrumental roles of helper and transformer in our spiritual walk and development. God loved us so much He saved us just as we were, and He loves us too much to leave us in the state He found us. 
The ongoing transformational work of the Holy Spirit should convict us of the sin in our lives, propel us in choosing to live righteously, and strengthen us as we opt to lean on the Lord’s understanding instead of our own. This leaves us restless, wanting something more – more intimacy with Christ – and hungering to serve the Lord. 
Let’s take some time today to hear what God is telling us about where we stand today. Do we really live in Him or have we turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to what the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, is trying to tell and show us? May we continue to encourage one another to take time to listen to what God is saying to us and to have the discipline to act in keeping to what we hear!

Hello guys! 

We are back! Had a 3 weeks summer break. Now picking up the studies again! 

Here is the text:

1 John 4:13, “We know that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.”

Interesting points:
1. In this verse John notes that someone who has true fellowship with Christ will also have the Holy Spirit in their lives. This echoes what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" and his words in 2 Timothy 1:14 which refers to "the Holy Spirit who dwells within us." Those who don't recognize this Spirit at work in their lives ought to examine their relationship with Christ.

2. If a person has God's Spirit, he or she has Jesus, too. John has already taught that the one who has the Father has the Son. Here he adds that the one with the Spirit also has the Son. All three persons of the triune God are involved in our salvation. God sent the Son to provide salvation. The Spirit lives within 

Men Bible Study - 1 John 4:13

1 John 4:12, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. In this verse John reminds his readers of an important truth: no person has ever seen God in His full divine essence. Even Moses saw only the back of God (Exodus 33:18–23). However, God's love is made manifest -- allowing humanity to "see" Him -- through the actions of His people. 
 
2. When we are walking in God's love, we demonstrate Him to ourselves and to others. God abides in those who seek to love Him. We do not need to physically see Him since we know He is already in us. 
 
3. Furthermore, God's love is made perfect or complete in us. This does not mean we become sinless. Instead, the focus is on maturity or the quality of love in us. We can find no greater love than God's love. We believers experience God's love inside of us and offers us everything we need to live for Him and to love others. In contrast to the teachings of false teachers, we do not need to seek another experience, person, or teaching: the love of God is sufficient. 
 
Application: 
Brothers, while we are assured that we will see our Heavenly Father at His appointed hour, what a joy it is to know that our walk with God is one that draws us progressively closer to Him. As we learn to love one another with our Savior’s sacrificial love, our selfish nature enters a process of transformation. We gain insight and comfort in learning what it truly means to love and be loved. 
 
Although this transformational process will experience setbacks along the way, we can rest assured that the good work that God began in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus when we will finally meet our Lord face to face!

1 John 4:12, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

Interesting points:
1. In this verse John reminds his readers of an important truth: no person has ever seen God in His full divine essence. Even Moses saw only the back of God (Exodus 33:18–23). However, God's love is made manifest -- allowing humanity to "see" Him -- through the actions of His people. 

2. When we are walking in God's love, we demonstrate Him to ourselves and to others. God abides in those who seek to love Him. We do not need to physically see Him since we know He is already in us.

3. Furthermore, God's love is made perfect or complete in us. This does not mean we become sinless. Instead, the focus is on maturity or the quality of love in us. We can find no greater love than God's love. We believers experience God's love inside of us and offers us everything we need to live for Him and to love others. In contrast to the teachings of false teache

Men Bible Study - 1 John 4:12

CONTEXT 
We have entered the section of 1st John where he emphasizes Love. (1 John 4:7-21). John writes in various ways that 1. God Loves Us, 2. We are to Love God, and 3. We are to Love one another. 
 
PERFECT EXAMPLE OF LOVE 
It is interesting that in John’s definition of love, he describes what God did for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to be the “atoning sacrifice” for our sins. It is Christ’s work on the cross is the absolute perfect definition of love. The Bible is full of verses which describe Gods love for us in this one act of sacrifice. As examples see: John 3:16, Rom 5:8, Rom 8:38-39, Psa 36:7, Eph 1:5-6, Eph 2:5-7, Eph 3:18-19 … 
 
OUR RESPONSE — WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER 
Because of this perfect example, we are told that we too ought to love one another as Christ loves us. 
 
While the message of this verse is simple, HOW God accomplished it is so profound, so powerful, and so loving that it is beyond our comprehension. Scripture uses strong words filled with meaning and implication to describe what happened when Jesus became that “Atoning Sacrifice.” Therefore, I thought I would walk us through the “big words” of salvation, to help us understand their meaning, but much more important how they fit together to describe the wonder of Christ’s work on the Cross. 
 
 
SALVATION (sōtēría) is a general word which describes a rescue or deliverance from danger, destruction, or peril. Jesus’ death and resurrection saved us from our sins and the wrath we deserve. We read in Acts 4:10, 12: “then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed …. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 
 
RANSOM (lutron) primarily means to substitute something in place of another. Jesus traded himself for us as a ransom payment. Mark 20:28 tells us that “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 
 
ATONEMENT, ATONING SACRIFICE (hilasmos), also translated propitiation and expiation in older translations. It primarily means to appease anger or avert a coming wrath by offering a sacrifice. Old Testament sacrifices were given as a temporary atonement for the sins of Israel and its people. This is the word used in today’s verse as we read that God sent his Son as an “atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 
 
REDEMPTION (agorazo) This word had a powerful image in the OT. The Law we read that if a close relative loses property because of debt, or was sold as a slave, it was the duty of the kinsman to recover, or buy back for a price what the person had lost, whether it was property or personal freedom. They were called a kinsman-redeemer. We read in Titus 2:13-14: “while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” 
 
JUSTIFICATION (dikaiōsis). Frequently used by Paul, this is a courtroom word, basically meaning to be acquitted or declared not guilty. Jesus’s sacrifice took the guilt and the penalty for our sin, so that we would not be held accountable. Not guilty does not mean that you did not commit the crime, it only means that you are not held accountable. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!” Rom 5:8-9 
 
RECONCILIATION (katallasso) starts with a breakdown of a relationship, and reconciliation comes the relationship changes from animosity and division to harmony and fellowship. Sin has caused that breakdown in our relationship with God, and the sacrifice of Christ brought about that reconciliation. “For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” Rom 5:10 
 
ADOPTION (huiothesia) Throughout 1 John, we read how we are now Children of God. Adoption is a Roman term, as it was frequent practice for Roman families to adopt individuals into their family. It was not uncommon that those adopted were slaves or servants who served their masters faithfully. Adopted children were given all the rights and responsibilities as natural children. Gal 3:4-7 “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’ So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” 
 
Appl does not fit in desc sorry.

CONTEXT
We have entered the section of 1st John where he emphasizes Love. (1 John 4:7-21).  John writes in various ways that 1. God Loves Us, 2. We are to Love God, and 3. We are to Love one another. 
 
PERFECT EXAMPLE OF LOVE
It is interesting that in John’s definition of love, he describes what God did for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to be the “atoning sacrifice” for our sins.  It is Christ’s work on the cross is the absolute perfect definition of love.  The Bible is full of verses which describe Gods love for us in this one act of sacrifice.  As examples see:  John 3:16, Rom 5:8, Rom 8:38-39, Psa 36:7, Eph 1:5-6, Eph 2:5-7, Eph 3:18-19 …
 
OUR RESPONSE — WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Because of this perfect example, we are told that we too ought to love one another as Christ loves us. 
 
While the message of this verse is simple, HOW God accomplished it is so profound, so powerful, and so loving that it is beyond our comprehension.  Scripture uses strong words filled with meaning and implic

Men Bible Study - 1 John 4:10-11

1 John 4: 2-3 (ESV), “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.” 
 
CONTEXT 
Verse 4:1 tells us to test the spirits, and in verses 4:2-6, John provides us how to know the difference between the spirit of God and the devil. Of course, these are not the only ways to distinguish between the spirit of God and the spirit of the antichrist, but John was specifically writing about the false teachers of his day, the Gnostics. One of their teachings was that the human body was evil, therefore Jesus could not have come in a human body, but only appeared in the form of a human so that he could communicate with humanity. Therefore, the person who died and rose again was the human Jesus, not the Son of God. Today we know a lot about the belief of the Gnostics texts found at Nag Hammadi in Egypt. Some of the prominent documents included the gospel of Thomas, the gospel of Philip and the gospel of Mary Magdalene, which were all written in the second century AD. 
 
KNOWING THE SPIRIT OF GOD 
The “Spirit of God” in this passage, does not necessarily mean the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity. Rather it is probably referring to God in His totality. For Jesus makes it clear that “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." Matt 4:24. Also, as mentioned in the previous study, these verses are not talking about spiritual beings, rather the overall spirit that flows out of us. 
 
TO CONFESS 
The word to “confess” (homologeō) is an important word in this passage. It does not mean merely to admit or make a statement, rather it means being in agreement, outwardly acknowledging a belief or truth. It also has the connotation of declaring it openly as well – such as this statement by Jesus: “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven.” Matt 10:32. 
 
Romans 10:9-10 tells us about the importance of confession in our salvation: ”if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” 
 
JESUS HAS COME IN THE FLESH FROM GOD 
In John 1:1 the apostle writes "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Word refers to Jesus Who has always existed and always been God. Then in John 1:14 he writes that "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." This is basic doctrine 101. While John was dealing with a specific false ideal cropping up in the church, we have similar false teachings or churches today which deviate from the truth. Some make Jesus something less, such as a prophet, a great teacher, or a little god. Others make Jesus something entirely different, a mystic spirit, an alien, or even merely an ideal. 
 
THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST vs ANTICHRIST 
As we read through Scripture, we find that there are many black and white statements, with little room from gray area in between. Good/Evil, Light/Dark, Love/Hate, Spirit of God/Sprit of evil, children of God/children of Satan. For us, I like to say that the teachings of God are digital, not analog. Meaning they are one or the other, not multiple shades in between. If you are not for God, you are against Him. A sin is a sin, there are no big sins and little sins. While there might be different consequences in the world to different sins, they are all equally hated by God. Also, this verse is not talking about the Antichrist in the book of Revelation, rather it is describing those against Christ to antichrists. Again, John is talking about the either/or proposition. Either you are for Christ, or you are antichrist – there is not in between. 
APPLICATION 
So far in 1 John, we are provided 8 ways we can “test” ourselves to determine if we belong to God: 1- Walking in the Light (1:5-7). 2- Acknowledging we are sinners (1:8-10). 3-Obeying His commandments (2:3-4). 4-Loving our family in Christ (2:9-11). 5-Not loving the world (2:15-17). 6-Abiding in the Word (2:24-25). 7-Practicing Righteousness (3:10). 8-Confessing truth of Jesus and rejecting lies (4:1-6). Meditate on this list and pray about where you are most vulnerable for going astray. Ask God to give you insight, and strength to acknowledge your error, and make course corrections in your life.

1 John 4: 2-3 (ESV), “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”  

CONTEXT
Verse 4:1 tells us to test the spirits, and in verses 4:2-6, John provides us how to know the difference between the spirit of God and the devil.  Of course, these are not the only ways to distinguish between the spirit of God and the spirit of the antichrist, but John was specifically writing about the false teachers of his day, the Gnostics.  One of their teachings was that the human body was evil, therefore Jesus could not have come in a human body, but only appeared in the form of a human so that he could communicate with humanity. Therefore, the person who died and rose again was the human Jesus, not the Son of God.  Today we know a lot about the belief of the Gnostics texts 

Men Bible Study - 1 John 4: 2-3

1 John 3:14-15, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. In Verse 14 John next adds a key line of evidence that by love a person has moved from the realm of evil into the realm of God. John and his readers loved one another. The Greek root word translated here as "love" is agape. The term implies a selfless, self-sacrificing love focused on other people. Those who exhibit this kind of love provide strong evidence to support that they are true believers. 
 
2. In contrast, John taught that a lack of love is a sign of remaining (or abiding) in death. This concept is important, as the intended audience of this letter is Christian believers. Hatred, according to Jesus, is the spiritual equivalent to murder (Matthew 5:21–22). Christians are certainly capable of feeling hate, but such feelings are never the product of fellowship with Christ. As John words it, anyone who hates (does not love) remains in death. 
 
3. John's words in Verse 15 have been misinterpreted to cause much controversy with positions such as anyone who has committed murder cannot become a Christian, were never were a Christian, and/or that feeling hate towards a fellow Christian is an absolute sign of being lost, without Christ. 
 
4. The context provides a different solution. In Verse 12, John had just warned believers, "We should not be like Cain." Cain murdered his brother because of his own evil deeds. Verse 15 builds on this idea. The person who hates his brother is, like Cain, a murderer. Such a person is not "abiding" in eternal life (1 John 2:9, 11). Under no circumstances can a Christian excuse hatred for another believer: such attitudes are entirely from the Devil. Those who persist in such attitudes, more likely than not, have no relationship with Christ at all. 
 
Application: 
Brothers, John will build on this further in 1 John 4:20, adding, "If anyone says, ‘I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." Love is not merely a feeling, it is a choice to act and hatred is always an act of disobedience to God. 
Let’s take some time today to consider our relationship with those who disappoint, annoy or irritate us. If we cannot bring ourselves to love them with the love of Christ, we are failing at an opportunity to bring someone into a relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we reflect on those we need God’s help to love, may we lift our attitudes and thoughts to the Lord and ask for His love to flow through us so that we can turn from hate to love.

1 John 3:14-15, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”

Interesting points:
1. In Verse 14 John next adds a key line of evidence that by love a person has moved from the realm of evil into the realm of God. John and his readers loved one another. The Greek root word translated here as "love" is agape. The term implies a selfless, self-sacrificing love focused on other people. Those who exhibit this kind of love provide strong evidence to support that they are true believers.

2. In contrast, John taught that a lack of love is a sign of remaining (or abiding) in death. This concept is important, as the intended audience of this letter is Christian believers. Hatred, according to Jesus, is the spiritual equivalent to murder (Matthew 5:21–22). Christians are certainly capable of feeling hate, but such feeling

Men Bible Study - 1 John 3:14-15

1 John 3:12-13, “Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own acts were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised that the world hates you.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. John brings up the example of the first murderer, Cain, to contrast with what it means to “love one another”. Although Cain recognized God (Genesis 4), he did not follow Him. Instead, Cain showed that he did not love God by killing his brother. 
2. Verse 12 also asks and answers the question of why Cain killed his brother: jealous resentment, since Abel's offerings were more acceptable to God than Cain's. Jealousy and hatred towards one's brothers and sisters is "of the evil one." Cain's offering was sinful in itself as he did not offer the Lord his best whereas Abel's offering was considered righteous. John uses this contrast to show the difference between attitudes motivated by God, and those motivated by Satan. Hatred for the good that others do is absolutely evil, and a sign of someone lacking fellowship with Christ. 
 
3. Extending his discussion of hate from Verse 12 John recognized that his audience was already experiencing some level of persecution. While some considered this persecution a surprise, John warned them to expect it. His teaching reflects Paul's words in 2 Timothy 3:12, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." The reason for this persecution is the same reason Cain killed Abel: because the world is evil and it hates goodness. There is a hateful jealousy in sin, which despises seeing others do what is right. 
4. Jesus taught, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Such people will be rewarded (Matthew 5:12). Jesus also taught, "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). 
 
Application: 
Everyone, how often do we give God the leftovers: our leftover time, leftover income, leftover attention? When we come to understand that such an attitude is sinful, we start to place God in the rightful first place in priority for our lives. 
How do we know that we prioritizing properly? The World will despise us! As opposed to the claim that salvation will make all of our earthly trouble vanish, the gospel implies that loving God means being hated by the world. 
Let’s take some time today to consider this hard truth: we all like to be loved but even when we act in love, we will quickly see that our righteousness will be resented by others who would rather not give up their wicked ways. 
May we encourage and support one another as we strive to live righteously in an increasingly hostile World!

1 John 3:12-13, “Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own acts were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised that the world hates you.”

Interesting points:
1. John brings up the example of the first murderer, Cain, to contrast with what it means to “love one another”. Although Cain recognized God (Genesis 4), he did not follow Him. Instead, Cain showed that he did not love God by killing his brother. 
2. Verse 12 also asks and answers the question of why Cain killed his brother: jealous resentment, since Abel's offerings were more acceptable to God than Cain's. Jealousy and hatred towards one's brothers and sisters is "of the evil one." Cain's offering was sinful in itself as he did not offer the Lord his best whereas Abel's offering was considered righteous. John uses this contrast to show the difference between attitudes motivated by God, and those motivated by Satan. Hatred for the good 

Men Bible Study - 1 John 3:12-13

Please find below the study. 
 
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1 John 2:22-23, “Who is the liar? It is the man that denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist – he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. In these verses, John builds on the previous verses to better define the liars mentioned in Verse 18 as those who deny that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) and to reaffirm that Jesus and our Heavenly Father are one. When a liar denies Jesus is the Savior, he denies the Father. 
 
2. Such a liar may acknowledge some aspects of who Jesus is, but will not accept the true message of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. Just as those who reject Jesus are rejecting God as well, a true believer accepts both God the Father and Jesus the Son. John specifically notes this by confirming that those who accept Christ accept God the Father. The person who confesses or believes in Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9) has the Father. This is because Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6) and is the only name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). This is the message they had heard from the beginning (1 John 2:24). Any different message is to be rejected. 
 
Application: 
Brothers, some religious groups accept God the Father or Jesus or even the Holy Spirit, but not all three persons as the one triune God. Any religion that accepts Jesus as something less than eternal God, fully human and divine, is a false religion and those that proclaim such religions fit the description of false teachers / antichrists. 
 
As such, since most unbelievers are blinded to the truth by our enemy, the best thing we can do is pray that the Lord will open their eyes to the Truth that we proclaim (with our actions, lips or in writing) so that their stubborn stance will fall apart and that they will choose to enter a relationship with the one true and almighty God!

Please find below the study.

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1 John 2:22-23, “Who is the liar? It is the man that denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist – he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”

Interesting points:
1. In these verses, John builds on the previous verses to better define the liars mentioned in Verse 18 as those who deny that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) and to reaffirm that Jesus and our Heavenly Father are one. When a liar denies Jesus is the Savior, he denies the Father. 

2. Such a liar may acknowledge some aspects of who Jesus is, but will not accept the true message of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine. Just as those who reject Jesus are rejecting God as well, a true believer accepts both God the Father and Jesus the Son. John specifically notes this by confirming that those who accept Christ accept God the Father. The person who confesses or believes in Jesus as Lord

Men Bible Study - 1 John 2:22-23

1 John 2:20-21, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write you to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it and because no lie comes from the truth.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. In contrast with the false teachers described in 2:18–19, John reassures true believers reading this letter that they have been both anointed and possess knowledge of the truth. This anointing referred to the Spirit of God being poured out by Jesus -- the Holy One -- on those who have come to faith in Christ. In 1 John 2:27, he tells us “the anointing you received from Him remains in you", meaning it is lasting/enduring. 
 
2. Jesus is called “the Holy One” in Revelation 3:7, and Peter uses this term for Him in John 6:69 and Acts 2:27, Paul refers to Him as such in Acts 13:35, the angels in Revelation 16:5, and even evil spirits in Mark 1:24 and Luke 4:34. Acts 4:26-27 describes Jesus as the Anointed One and in turn, we see in Verse 20 that Jesus anoints those who believe in Him. 
 
3. The concept that all of us believers "know the truth" refers to our knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, and by making the decision to accept as Lord of our lives, we gain salvation. It follows that those reading this letter have this knowledge (and belief) in the truth, meaning they are not antichrists. Truth is something a believer knows, not simply factual information, but knowledge that is accepted and applied. This, in fact, is faith: more than mere agreement, it is trust and Verse 21 emphasizes the biblical view of truth: truth exists and its opposite is false. This contrasts with other viewpoints/beliefs/approaches to truth which deny this, claiming that opposites can both be true, or that there is no "real" truth. According to the Scriptures, this is not the case. There is one, and only one, "real" truth! 
 
4. John follows with the clarification that truth and lies are in opposition to one another. This verse repeats the theme of 1 John 1:6 that living sinfully while claiming fellowship with God is a heinous lie. 
Application. 
Brothers, how do we view truth? Do we buy into the World’s view of truth with such popular exhortations to “speak your truth” (tell of your perspective, experience, state your opinion) or do we frame what we say and do around “the Truth” which John 14:6 helps us understand is our Lord Jesus, who being the Truth, sets us free (John 8:32)? 
 
If no lie comes from the Truth, then that means God fulfills all His promises (in His way). What implication does that have for us believers as we live our lives and fulfill His purpose in our lives. As we contemplate this today, what is God revealing to you today about how you can better step out in faith?

1 John 2:20-21, “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write you to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it and because no lie comes from the truth.”

Interesting points:
1. In contrast with the false teachers described in 2:18–19, John reassures true believers reading this letter that they have been both anointed and possess knowledge of the truth. This anointing referred to the Spirit of God being poured out by Jesus -- the Holy One -- on those who have come to faith in Christ. In 1 John 2:27, he tells us “the anointing you received from Him remains in you", meaning it is lasting/enduring. 

2. Jesus is called “the Holy One” in Revelation 3:7, and Peter uses this term for Him in John 6:69 and Acts 2:27, Paul refers to Him as such in Acts 13:35, the angels in Revelation 16:5, and even evil spirits in Mark 1:24 and Luke 4:34. Acts 4:26-27 describes Jesus as the Anointed One and in turn, we see in Verse 20 that Jesus 

Men Bible Study - 1 John 2: 20-21

And here is part 2. If you did not listen to yesterdays study, please go one video back, these two belong together! 
 
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1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 
 
Yesterday, we meditated on the world, the things of the world, and why we shouldn’t love the world. To better understand this, I am taking a short side trip to John’s Gospel, where Jesus gives us a much deeper explanation. In one of Jesus’ last recorded prayers he said: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:14-18). 
 
What does it mean to be not OF the world, but sent into the world? 
 
WE WERE CHOSEN OUT OF THE WORLD 
After becoming part of God’s family, we no longer belong to the world. We have been specifically chosen out of the world (John 15:19) to do God's bidding. Jesus chose his Bride, the Church, to be HOLY. This means to be separate, called out for God’s specific purpose. We can expect the world to hate us and persecute us because of this; but take heart Jesus has already overcome the world. (John 16:33) 
 
WE WERE SENT INTO THE WORLD AS JESUS WAS 
After being chosen out of the world and given a heavenly citizenship, we have been sent back into the world as representatives of Jesus, or as Paul states it “ambassadors.” “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 1 Cor 5:17-20 
 
As any earthy ambassador, our job is the represent our country (God’s Kingdom), to the country where we have been sent (the world). 
 
WE ARE NOT TO CONFORM OR LOVE THE WORLD 
The job of an ambassador is not to adapt the values and culture of their assignment, rather to promote the culture and values of their home country. In the same way, Scripture specifically tells us not to conform and/or love the world. Why is this important? 
1. To be able to test and approve what the will of God is. (Rom 12:2) 
2. Because the love of the Father would not be in us. (1 John 2:15) 
3. We could lose our soul. (Matt 16:26) 
4. Friendship with the world means hatred toward God. (James 4:4) 
5. The world is temporary, God is eternal. (1 John 2:17) 
 
WE ARE TO OVERCOME THE WORLD 
God’s Word teaches us that we are to overcome the world. Thus means that we are not to be influenced by the world or the world system. 1 John 5:4,5 tells us that "everyone born of God" and "who believes that Jesus is the Son of God" overcomes the world. Often overcoming the world is very difficult. How does Scripture tell us this is accomplished? 
1. With Jesus' Help - We have the help of Jesus because he has already overcome the world. (John 16:33) 
2. By Living in the Spirit - Gal 5:16-26 describes how the Holy Spirit aids us in overcoming the sin of the world. 
3. By the Grace of God - Titus 2:12 tells us that the grace of God teaches us to say "no" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age. 
4. By Fixing our Eyes on Jesus - We are to fix our eyes on what is heavenly because the world and its passions are temporary (2 Cor 4:18) 
 
APPLICATION 
Reflect on Paul’s analogy of us being an ambassador of heaven. Research a little on the role of an ambassador, and ask God how you can be a better representative of His Kingdom in the unique situations where God has placed you.

And here is part 2. If you did not listen to yesterdays study, please go one video back, these two belong together! 

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1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 
 
Yesterday, we meditated on the world, the things of the world, and why we shouldn’t love the world.  To better understand this, I am taking a short side trip to John’s Gospel, where Jesus gives us a much deeper explanation.  In one of Jesus’ last recorded prayers he said:  “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them 

Men Bible Study - 1 John 2:15-17 (2/2)

Welcome! Great that you are taking the time to study the Bible with us. Today is the first day that we study the verses 15-17. Tomorrow we will do it again with another focus. Please see the text below and listen to the study for the explenation. 
 
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1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 
 
Today and tomorrow we will spend time mediating on these three very important verses. Today, we will talk about the world, what is in the world that we should not love. Tomorrow, we will dwell on what it means for us as believers to be IN the world, yet not be OF the world? 
 
DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD 
James Montgomery Boice has a good explanation of the world. “the world of men is in rebellion against God and therefore characterized by all that is in opposition to God. This is what we might call “the world system.” It involves the world’s values, pleasures, pastimes, and aspirations.” Later in 1 John 5:19, we also learn that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 
 
DO NOT LOVE THE THINGS OF THE WORLD 
Verse 16 describes three types of sin that can ensnare us and take our eyes off God. While many things in this world can be good, but when they become an obsession or craving, they become sin. 
It is interesting to note, the three things that Satan tempted Jesus within the wilderness, fall under the same categories in this passage. (Matt 4:1-11) 
“THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH”: the Lust after physical or emotional pleasures, regardless of their consequences. Such desires are self-centered in nature, and include sex, drugs, addictions, revenge, violence, gossip and so much more. When Jesus was tempted by Satan, he told Jesus “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread,” a mighty temptation for anyone after a 40-day fast. 
“THE DESIRES OF THE EYES”: The world contains many desirable things. The lusts of the eyes seek after riches and things the world considers valuable. These can become idols in our life, replacing God. For Jesus, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ”All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 
“THE PRIDE OF LIFE”: The world praises status, importance and honor from others. Pride is a downfall which we must resist. Jesus tells us over and over, “the first shall be last, and the last first.” The values of the Kingdom of God are totally opposite from the world. For Jesus the pride of life temptation was to show off his power to the world: “Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. ”If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will commend His angels concerning you and they shall lift you up in their hands, So that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 
Remember, in each temptation, Jesus used Scripture to answer Satan. 
 
THE FATE OF THE WORLD 
Verse 17 tells us that the “world is passing away along with its desires.” The good news is that we know how it all ends. The last two chapters of the Bible (Rev 21, 22) describe how a new heaven and a new earth appear, as the first earth has “passed away.” 
 
APPLICATION 
Reflect a bit on your relationship with the world. Do you find yourself taken by its fleshly desires, are you distracted by its shining baubles and pretty objects which beckon to us, or are you driven by desire be somebody in the world, to be admired and have a high status? In the scope of eternity, do you focus on the temporal which will pass away, or what God has in store for us in the future? 
 
Check out one of my favorite videos of Francis Chan’s rope illustration. It changes our perspective. 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=86dsfBbZfWs

Welcome! Great that you are taking the time to study the Bible with us. Today is the first day that we study the verses 15-17. Tomorrow we will do it again with another focus. Please see the text below and listen to the study for the explenation. 

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1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”  
 
Today and tomorrow we will spend time mediating on these three very important verses.  Today, we will talk about the world, what is in the world that we should not love. Tomorrow, we will dwell on what it means for us as believers to be IN the world, yet not be OF the world?
 
DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD
James Montgomery B

Men Bible Study - 1 John 2: 15-17 (1/2)

Hi guys, here's Lindsey again! 
 
Below you can find the text of the Bible Study. 
 
1 John 1:5, "This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. With this verse, John begins the main body of the letter which develops the theme "walking in the light" through Verse 10. Using the metaphor of light and darkness, this message begins with the idea that God is entirely goodness and truth, with no evil or falsehood. 
 
2. Echoing his words in Verse 3, John notes that he is speaking with first-hand information and his use of "we" likely refers to himself and the other apostles and/or believers present: the teachings they heard directly from Jesus, they proclaimed/taught to others. 
 
3. As in Verse 1, John alludes both to the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2 and the first chapter of his own Gospel. God's first recorded words are, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). John 1:4–5 records, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." 
 
4. In this verse, John adds that God is light. He is without any darkness or shadow; meaning, perfect and without sin. 
 
Application. 
Brothers, let’s take some time today to develop this concept of “God is light” with regards to our Christian walk. What other Bible verses about the Light come to mind? 
Mark 4:22 tells us, “For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.” There will certainly be a day of accounting before the Lord. 
Rather than wait until that day, let’s make time to take stock of any sins and shameful thoughts/actions that we have failed to address, bring them to the Lord and repent and relinquish them once and for all.

Hi guys, here's Lindsey again! 

Below you can find the text of the Bible Study.

1 John 1:5, "This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.”

Interesting points: 
1. With this verse, John begins the main body of the letter which develops the theme "walking in the light" through Verse 10. Using the metaphor of light and darkness, this message begins with the idea that God is entirely goodness and truth, with no evil or falsehood.

2. Echoing his words in Verse 3, John notes that he is speaking with first-hand information and his use of "we" likely refers to himself and the other apostles and/or believers present: the teachings they heard directly from Jesus, they proclaimed/taught to others.

3. As in Verse 1, John alludes both to the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2 and the first chapter of his own Gospel. God's first recorded words are, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). John 1:4–5 records, "In Him was life, and t

Men Bible Study - 1 John  1:5

Titus 3:14, "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. In this verse Paul adds a plea to his instruction that the churches of Crete should assist and care for Zenas and Apollos on their mission trip: Christians should be diligent in doing what is good (including both good works and living righteously), something he had already underlined in Titus 1:16, 2:7, 2:14, 3:5 and 3:8. 
 
2. The rationale Paul offers for doing what is good is “to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives”, implying three things: 
a) good works result in spiritual fruit: they are not a religious, liturgical attempt to earn God’s favor. Instead, their natural consequence is they build the kingdom and point to God’s glory. 
b) the body of Christ must wisely prioritize urgent needs and meet dire and time-sensitive cases efficiently. Not every request is a priority nor even a valid requirement the Church must/should address! 
c) the proper prioritization of needs and focused good works to address them results in spiritually productive lives that both boosts the believer’s spiritual growth and makes an impact on others as much as it testifies to the power of God and His glory in transforming sinners into people called by His name. 
 
Application. 
Brothers, this verse really speaks to the attitude of our hearts. Is it our joy (devotion) to “do[ing] what is good” – both living righteously and doing good works? The answer to this question reveals whether we have made Christ the foundation and filter for how we see and interact with the world or whether we choose to maintain control in setting priorities and engaging when it suits us. 
Paul says that we must “learn” to devote ourselves to doing what is good which helps us understand that this is not natural for us! We must be taught and trained to do so, meaning that the Holy Spirit must be actively working in us as we apply what we study in the Word. The body of Christ and Church leaders have an important role in equipping each believer, discerning priorities and directing good works so that urgent needs are met efficiently and adequately. 
May we each encourage one another as we learn to do what is good so that we can provide for urgent needs and live spiritually productive lives!

Titus 3:14, "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”

Interesting points: 
1. In this verse Paul adds a plea to his instruction that the churches of Crete should assist and care for Zenas and Apollos on their mission trip: Christians should be diligent in doing what is good (including both good works and living righteously), something he had already underlined in Titus 1:16, 2:7, 2:14, 3:5 and 3:8.

2. The rationale Paul offers for doing what is good is “to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives”, implying three things:
a) good works result in spiritual fruit: they are not a religious, liturgical attempt to earn God’s favor. Instead, their natural consequence is they build the kingdom and point to God’s glory.
b) the body of Christ must wisely prioritize urgent needs and meet dire and time-sensitive cases efficiently. Not every request is a priority nor even a valid requir

Men Bible Study  - Titus 3:14

Titus 3:10, "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. In this verse, Paul builds on the previous verse about avoiding of bickering, arguing, or squabbling with instruction on how to handle people who insist on stirring up division. Titus is to warn them twice before having nothing to do with them. This is similar to the instruction Jesus provided in correcting others in Matthew 18:15–17. 
 
2. Note that Paul wants to ensure that false teachers, agitators, and people that sow divisiveness should not be given a platform in the church. As verse 11 will explain, their own conduct condemns them. Paul instructs Titus not to have any association with those who try to cause divisions within the church. 
 
3. As the early Christian church grew, problems with false teachers grew as well. Several other New Testament writings and writers will address the recurring problem of false teachers, warning believers to stay away from them. Second John 1:10–11 adds an additional measure: those who insist on rejecting sound doctrine should not be supported in any way whatsoever. In Jude 1:4, indicates that divisive people can infiltrate churches unnoticed, only to be found out later. 
 
Application. 
Brothers, we must know the Word and be on our guard: even today, false teachers and trouble-makers infiltrate congregations to cause problems within the Church. When they are identified, we should advise church leaders so they can carefully and courageously investigate, address and correct false teaching. If required, church leaders must make the decision of publicly removing such false teachers or divisive persons from the Church and have nothing to do with them.

Titus 3:10, "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.”

Interesting points: 
1. In this verse, Paul builds on the previous verse about avoiding of bickering, arguing, or squabbling with instruction on how to handle people who insist on stirring up division. Titus is to warn them twice before having nothing to do with them. This is similar to the instruction Jesus provided in correcting others in Matthew 18:15–17. 

2. Note that Paul wants to ensure that false teachers, agitators, and people that sow divisiveness should not be given a platform in the church. As verse 11 will explain, their own conduct condemns them. Paul instructs Titus not to have any association with those who try to cause divisions within the church.

3. As the early Christian church grew, problems with false teachers grew as well. Several other New Testament writings and writers will address the recurring problem of false teachers, warning believers to st

Men Bible Study - Titus 3:10

Titus 3:9, "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” 
 
Interesting points: 
1. In this verse, after giving Titus many positive instructions, Paul tells him four areas which he should avoid. 
a) First, Titus is to avoid "foolish controversies". Arguing over superfluous details and specifics is poisonous to the Christian life. Paul took this so seriously that, in Verse 10, he commands Titus to completely cut off a divisive person after giving them a second warning. 
b) Second, Titus was to avoid genealogies. This sounds odd in our world today but certain false teachers at the time took great pride in proving that they were direct descendants of Abraham. God is not concerned with who our parents are: He is concerned about our salvation. Being a Gentile with no Jewish lineage, Titus ought to sidestep such fruitless discussion to instead preach the Gospel. 
c) Third, Titus was commanded to avoid "arguments". Being argumentative for the sake of arguing not only would divert him from God’s purpose, it would turn people away from him and diminish his ability to teach and instruct them. 
d) Fourth, Titus is to avoid "quarrels about the law." The false teachers of Crete were using the law of Moses to make accusations against Titus and other true believers. Paul tells Titus not to lose focus by arguing about details of the Jewish law. Instead, he is to center his ministry on the good news of Jesus, promoting sound doctrine in the local churches. 
 
2. All four of these practices—foolish controversies, recounting genealogies, pointless arguments, and quarrels over the law of Moses—are considered a waste of time. All they would accomplish is take energy and resources away from the ministry Paul had entrusted to Titus. 
 
Application. 
Brothers, this verse is a great reminder of not being drawn away from God’s purpose for us in sharing the Gospel. Rather than being drawn into side topics and arguing against a faulty understanding others have about the Word, we should focus on the truth captured in Verses 4 through 7 about who God really is, how He saved us and continues to transform us. 
When we keep our priorities straight and focus on sharing the Gospel, we prevent others from stealing an opportunity to communicate the Gospel and wasting our time and energy on discussions that will not bear spiritual fruit. 
May we be discerning in gently drawing those who would prefer to argue aimlessly and focus them on the Truth so that they can make an informed decision on whether to accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

Titus 3:9, "But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.”

Interesting points: 
1. In this verse, after giving Titus many positive instructions, Paul tells him four areas which he should avoid.
a) First, Titus is to avoid "foolish controversies". Arguing over superfluous details and specifics is poisonous to the Christian life. Paul took this so seriously that, in Verse 10, he commands Titus to completely cut off a divisive person after giving them a second warning.
b) Second, Titus was to avoid genealogies. This sounds odd in our world today but certain false teachers at the time took great pride in proving that they were direct descendants of Abraham. God is not concerned with who our parents are: He is concerned about our salvation. Being a Gentile with no Jewish lineage, Titus ought to sidestep such fruitless discussion to instead preach the Gospel.
c) Third, Titus was commanded to avoid "argum

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