Good News Bible Church

Welcome to Good News Bible Church. We're a faith community focused on knowing God better and serving Him as a result. We pray our weekly messages provide encouragement & insights for living.

Welcome to Good News Bible Church. We're a faith community focused on knowing God better and serving Him as a result. We pray our weekly messages provide encouragement & insights for living.

God shows His love for His people in many different ways. We often complain to him just like the isrealites thinking that we are doing nothing wrong and questioning God's love for us. However God reminds us of his constant Love for us from the beginning of creation all the way to our lives today. One of the many ways we see his Love for us in Malachai 1 is by his protection over His people. Furthermore, He challanges the Israelites and us today to not offer unworthy sacrafices as a way of trying to short change him of all that He deserves.

It is possible that John intentionally moved north to avoid being “right on top” of Jesus. The editorial note in vs. 24 assumes that the reader is familiar with the story of John the baptist and particularly that they may have read the synoptics. It is almost certain given the lack of explanation that Jesus is baptizing for the repentance and forgiveness of sins just like John was. Purification in vs. 25 is likely a question about baptism and given the context the question likely had something to do with why there were two parties baptizing. We have already seen the Pharisees question John’s authority before… “now everybody thinks they can do it,” they might have thought. There is some emphasis in the use of “Rabbi” to refer to John. It would be perfectly natural for them to call him that, but in this Gospel we should see that this is used in 1:38, 1:49, and 3:2 with great respect toward Jesus. It is a tell that these disciples are clinging to John and not fully embracing Jesus. This is also seen in that they do not use Jesus’ name. Vs. 27 emphasizes that “God is doing this.” It is this verse that ties this text most closely to the one before under the theme of Divine sovereignty. (See 3:8 and 3:21) Vs. 28-30 emphasize that John agrees with (and takes joy in) what God is doing because he has a right understanding of who he is in comparison to Jesus. In the illustration of the bridegroom and the friend, the people are the bride. This is both telling of John’s understanding of who Jesus was and of his role. He knew that God had come to care for his people, and his job was to prepare them for Jesus and point them to Jesus.

It is possible that John intentionally moved north to avoid being “right on top” of Jesus. The editorial note in vs. 24 assumes that the reader is familiar with the story of John the baptist and particularly that they may have read the synoptics. It is almost certain given the lack of explanation that Jesus is baptizing for the repentance and forgiveness of sins just like John was. Purification in vs. 25 is likely a question about baptism and given the context the question likely had something to do with why there were two parties baptizing. We have already seen the Pharisees question John’s authority before… “now everybody thinks they can do it,” they might have thought. There is some emphasis in the use of “Rabbi” to refer to John. It would be perfectly natural for them to call him that, but in this Gospel we should see that this is used in 1:38, 1:49, and 3:2 with great respect toward Jesus. It is a tell that these disciples are clinging to John and not fully embracing Jesus. This is also seen in that they do not use Jesus’ name. Vs. 27 emphasizes that “God is doing this.” It is this verse that ties this text most closely to the one before under the theme of Divine sovereignty. (See 3:8 and 3:21) Vs. 28-30 emphasize that John agrees with (and takes joy in) what God is doing because he has a right understanding of who he is in comparison to Jesus. In the illustration of the bridegroom and the friend, the people are the bride. This is both telling of John’s understanding of who Jesus was and of his role. He knew that God had come to care for his people, and his job was to prepare them for Jesus and point them to Jesus.

Jesus is Alive! Thomas believes when he sees and touches the resurrected Jesus.

Jesus is Alive! Thomas believes when he sees and touches the resurrected Jesus.

Jesus REVEALS humanity's need for spiritual life. It is not enough for us to "do" better or be "better" people. Our sin problem runs much deeper than our behavior. Jesus indicates that our spirits are dead until the Holy Spirit awakens us causing us to be born again. As much as we would like to be able to control this to awaken ourselves and others, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is as free and mysterious as the wind which cannot be told by man when or where to blow. However, like the wind, the signs of the Spirit's work are visible. Belief in Jesus Christ is the vital sign that proves the Spirit has brought spiritual life.

Jesus REVEALS humanity's need for spiritual life. It is not enough for us to "do" better or be "better" people. Our sin problem runs much deeper than our behavior. Jesus indicates that our spirits are dead until the Holy Spirit awakens us causing us to be born again. As much as we would like to be able to control this to awaken ourselves and others, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit is as free and mysterious as the wind which cannot be told by man when or where to blow. However, like the wind, the signs of the Spirit's work are visible. Belief in Jesus Christ is the vital sign that proves the Spirit has brought spiritual life.

After performing the Miracle at the wedding in Cana where Jesus turned water into wine, He moves on to a more public setting an perform’s an astonishing act of righteous anger. Jesus arrives at the temple of Jerusalem on the day of Passover and see's the business being performed at the temple as flagrant disrespect to His Father’s house. Jesus REVEALS to everyone around that the Jewish leaders were making a mockery of God's house of worship by being more concerned with making money than revering the temple and the time worship itself. Jesus flips over tables of the money changers and causes the merchants and their animals to flee. When He is confronted by the Jewish Leaders on his authority to do such things He gives them a glimpse into the future by predicting His death and resurrection in vs. 19. Jesus shows us that we should have great zeal and reverence for the temple building and our bodies as the temple.

After performing the Miracle at the wedding in Cana where Jesus turned water into wine, He moves on to a more public setting an perform’s an astonishing act of righteous anger. Jesus arrives at the temple of Jerusalem on the day of Passover and see's the business being performed at the temple as flagrant disrespect to His Father’s house. Jesus REVEALS to everyone around that the Jewish leaders were making a mockery of God's house of worship by being more concerned with making money than revering the temple and the time worship itself. Jesus flips over tables of the money changers and causes the merchants and their animals to flee. When He is confronted by the Jewish Leaders on his authority to do such things He gives them a glimpse into the future by predicting His death and resurrection in vs. 19. Jesus shows us that we should have great zeal and reverence for the temple building and our bodies as the temple.

After John and the first disciples' testimony of belief in Jesus, John 2 gives us the first snapshots of this rising Messiah. This account REVEALS that Jesus was available, authoritative, and able. In demonstrating these traits, particularly His supernatural ability to transform what is common into something special and delightful, Jesus REVEALS His glory to His disciples. Then as now, a glimpse of Jesus' glory built up their faith that Jesus was sent from God.

After John and the first disciples' testimony of belief in Jesus, John 2 gives us the first snapshots of this rising Messiah. This account REVEALS that Jesus was available, authoritative, and able. In demonstrating these traits, particularly His supernatural ability to transform what is common into something special and delightful, Jesus REVEALS His glory to His disciples. Then as now, a glimpse of Jesus' glory built up their faith that Jesus was sent from God.

Ever since John the Baptist made the first declaration that Jesus is the Messiah, men and women have had to wrestle with whether this claim is true or not. First century Judaism had several false "messiahs" claim the title as a political attempt to raise a rebellion to overthrow Rome. With false hopes lurking in the streets, could people dare to trust this message about Jesus? Even if they did believe Him to be the Messiah... what would that entail? In our text today, we see an invitation loaded with promise- "Come, and you will see." Coming implies drawing near. This is the first step in obtaining clarity about Jesus' identity. He may not be truly known from afar any more than you or I. If we are to know Christ, we must COME to Him. Only then will we be able to SEE because His light REVEALS what we could not comprehend while in the darkness. We must remember that this is only possible because God saw us first and came to us first so that we might come to Him and see.

Ever since John the Baptist made the first declaration that Jesus is the Messiah, men and women have had to wrestle with whether this claim is true or not. First century Judaism had several false "messiahs" claim the title as a political attempt to raise a rebellion to overthrow Rome. With false hopes lurking in the streets, could people dare to trust this message about Jesus? Even if they did believe Him to be the Messiah... what would that entail? In our text today, we see an invitation loaded with promise- "Come, and you will see." Coming implies drawing near. This is the first step in obtaining clarity about Jesus' identity. He may not be truly known from afar any more than you or I. If we are to know Christ, we must COME to Him. Only then will we be able to SEE because His light REVEALS what we could not comprehend while in the darkness. We must remember that this is only possible because God saw us first and came to us first so that we might come to Him and see.

When Jesus came into the world He REVEALED truths about the Godhead that previously were unclarified in Scripture. It is with His coming that we begin to see the Trinity as John 1 makes distinction between the Word, the Father, and eventually the Spirit in vs.32-33. Jesus also REVEALS those who are children of God as people's response of belief or rejection mark them as children who see and live or as enemies who are blind and spiritually dead. Finally, Jesus will REVEAL a new way of relation to God besides the Law. The era of the Law was under Moses, but the era of grace and truth is introduced by Jesus. A new covenant is coming.

When Jesus came into the world He REVEALED truths about the Godhead that previously were unclarified in Scripture. It is with His coming that we begin to see the Trinity as John 1 makes distinction between the Word, the Father, and eventually the Spirit in vs.32-33. Jesus also REVEALS those who are children of God as people's response of belief or rejection mark them as children who see and live or as enemies who are blind and spiritually dead. Finally, Jesus will REVEAL a new way of relation to God besides the Law. The era of the Law was under Moses, but the era of grace and truth is introduced by Jesus. A new covenant is coming.

Welcome to Good News Bible Church. We're a faith community focused on knowing God better and serving Him as a result. We pray our weekly messages provide encouragement & insights for living.

Welcome to Good News Bible Church. We're a faith community focused on knowing God better and serving Him as a result. We pray our weekly messages provide encouragement & insights for living.

Welcome to Good News Bible Church. We're a faith community focused on knowing God better and serving Him as a result. We pray our weekly messages provide encouragement & insights for living.

Welcome to Good News Bible Church. We're a faith community focused on knowing God better and serving Him as a result. We pray our weekly messages provide encouragement & insights for living.

When we are blessed with divine renwal, our participation in God's process is not over. Indeed a key part of God's renewal process for His people includes us learning to properly respond to His gracious work in our lives. The proper response to God's grace is joyful thankfulness which in today's text is seen in dedication of renewed areas to God, intentional celebration of divine renewal, and joyful worship through singing, sacrifice, giving, and service.

When we are blessed with divine renwal, our participation in God's process is not over. Indeed a key part of God's renewal process for His people includes us learning to properly respond to His gracious work in our lives. The proper response to God's grace is joyful thankfulness which in today's text is seen in dedication of renewed areas to God, intentional celebration of divine renewal, and joyful worship through singing, sacrifice, giving, and service.

We are reminded in this text that God's people should actively pursue renewal by committing themselves to obedience. The danger in this is that we are tempted to depend on our performance rather than God's faithfulness. However, when we see rightly, we should take God's faithfulness as our motivation to strive for obedience. Our participation will not save us, but our participation demonstrates that God is at work in us.

We are reminded in this text that God's people should actively pursue renewal by committing themselves to obedience. The danger in this is that we are tempted to depend on our performance rather than God's faithfulness. However, when we see rightly, we should take God's faithfulness as our motivation to strive for obedience. Our participation will not save us, but our participation demonstrates that God is at work in us.

The divine process of renewing the people of God can often seem an endless process because human participants invariably fall into cycles of sin and repentance. This has confirmed to the people of God throughout history that they cannot attain nor maintain renewal through human adherance to divine laws. Indeed as sinful humans born of Adam they cannot adhere to divine law because of their sinful natures. Although this may feel like an endless cycle, it is actually only a repetative one meant to point us to our need 1) for the righteousness that only Christ can provide, 2) for a regenerate heart indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and 3) for a complete removal of sin from the people of God. All of these needs are provided graciously from the treasuries of the Father's good will toward men that we proclaim in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whereas the first two are available in this life, the last leaves us waiting and hoping in the return of Jesus Christ.

The divine process of renewing the people of God can often seem an endless process because human participants invariably fall into cycles of sin and repentance. This has confirmed to the people of God throughout history that they cannot attain nor maintain renewal through human adherance to divine laws. Indeed as sinful humans born of Adam they cannot adhere to divine law because of their sinful natures. Although this may feel like an endless cycle, it is actually only a repetative one meant to point us to our need 1) for the righteousness that only Christ can provide, 2) for a regenerate heart indwelled by the Holy Spirit, and 3) for a complete removal of sin from the people of God. All of these needs are provided graciously from the treasuries of the Father's good will toward men that we proclaim in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whereas the first two are available in this life, the last leaves us waiting and hoping in the return of Jesus Christ.

Understanding God's current renewal of His people is connected to understanding how He has been at work to set aside a people for Himself from the beginning. In praising God for what He has done from the beginning, we remember who He is to His people and what He has the power to do in and through us. The heart of being renewed by God is learning to praise Him and delight in Him above all.

Understanding God's current renewal of His people is connected to understanding how He has been at work to set aside a people for Himself from the beginning. In praising God for what He has done from the beginning, we remember who He is to His people and what He has the power to do in and through us. The heart of being renewed by God is learning to praise Him and delight in Him above all.

The renewal of the people of God through the Word includes being called back from straying from its teaching. God's renewal in us is most evident when we are willing to be corrected in our behavior. God's hand is clearly seen in these moments as He softens our hearts and brings us to an understanding of how obedience looks in our lives while human participation is seen in seeking insights into Scripture as a community and humbly confess and correct the ways our lives deviate from Scripture.

The renewal of the people of God through the Word includes being called back from straying from its teaching. God's renewal in us is most evident when we are willing to be corrected in our behavior. God's hand is clearly seen in these moments as He softens our hearts and brings us to an understanding of how obedience looks in our lives while human participation is seen in seeking insights into Scripture as a community and humbly confess and correct the ways our lives deviate from Scripture.

The renewal of the people of God is bigger than their physical needs. Not only did Israel need to return to the land and build up their walls, they also needed to return to the Book of the Law and build up their understanding of their God and their relationship with Him as His people. We see again that this form of renewal is initiated by God who gives and preserves His Book of the Law in the world while it is also clear that this divine revelation is hardwired to interact with human participation. God includes men in the process of revelation including the writing, the reading, the explanation, the hearing, and finally the application of the divine word. The Lord has given his Word for the renewal of His people, and in doing so, He has invited us to participate as listeners who obey and messengers who help others hear and understand the Word of God.

The renewal of the people of God is bigger than their physical needs. Not only did Israel need to return to the land and build up their walls, they also needed to return to the Book of the Law and build up their understanding of their God and their relationship with Him as His people. We see again that this form of renewal is initiated by God who gives and preserves His Book of the Law in the world while it is also clear that this divine revelation is hardwired to interact with human participation. God includes men in the process of revelation including the writing, the reading, the explanation, the hearing, and finally the application of the divine word. The Lord has given his Word for the renewal of His people, and in doing so, He has invited us to participate as listeners who obey and messengers who help others hear and understand the Word of God.

As we PARTICIPATE in God's processs of RENEWAL, opposition may attack through deception, rumors, and conspiracy. Because of this, the people of God must foster discernment to identify such tactics, wisdom to avoid such tactics, and patience to hand over the deceivers to God. Working through deceptive attacks (especially repetitive ones) can be draining, but there is joy and vindication in seeing the Lord's work succeed in spite of opposition.

As we PARTICIPATE in God's processs of RENEWAL, opposition may attack through deception, rumors, and conspiracy. Because of this, the people of God must foster discernment to identify such tactics, wisdom to avoid such tactics, and patience to hand over the deceivers to God. Working through deceptive attacks (especially repetitive ones) can be draining, but there is joy and vindication in seeing the Lord's work succeed in spite of opposition.

The Good News of Christmas is that God sent his son to save! The classic narrative of Jesus being born in a manger has numerous spiritual implications. 1. The problem of sin [How can any be saved?] 2. The promise of a Savior [Penalty for sin, but the promise of a Savior...] 3. The good news [Emmanuel] 4. Practical applications of the good news! [Go, love, incarnate]

The Good News of Christmas is that God sent his son to save! The classic narrative of Jesus being born in a manger has numerous spiritual implications. 1. The problem of sin [How can any be saved?] 2. The promise of a Savior [Penalty for sin, but the promise of a Savior...] 3. The good news [Emmanuel] 4. Practical applications of the good news! [Go, love, incarnate]

Sometimes opposition goes beyond mockery and enters into full fledged attacks on the people of God as they seek renewal. This raises a test of faith. Will we PARTICIPATE the same when it puts us in danger? Does our fear of men or our passion for the renewing work of God have a stronger hold on us? This test like the test of mockery is part of the DIVINE PROCESS. We see in the text today that withstanding attacks is something we should do as a community.

Sometimes opposition goes beyond mockery and enters into full fledged attacks on the people of God as they seek renewal. This raises a test of faith. Will we PARTICIPATE the same when it puts us in danger? Does our fear of men or our passion for the renewing work of God have a stronger hold on us? This test like the test of mockery is part of the DIVINE PROCESS. We see in the text today that withstanding attacks is something we should do as a community.

As we PARTICIPATE with God in a DIVINE process, mockers may arise who do not believe that our work will succeed. These mockers can raise doubt in our minds and discouragement in our hearts. Counter attacking these mockers will only lead to a toxic exchange that does anything but bring us closer to renewal. Instead, we should give them over to God, and continue trusting in Him. Withstanding mockery may seem only a hinderence, but it is actually a key part of the DIVINE PROCESS by which God renews us.

As we PARTICIPATE with God in a DIVINE process, mockers may arise who do not believe that our work will succeed. These mockers can raise doubt in our minds and discouragement in our hearts. Counter attacking these mockers will only lead to a toxic exchange that does anything but bring us closer to renewal. Instead, we should give them over to God, and continue trusting in Him. Withstanding mockery may seem only a hinderence, but it is actually a key part of the DIVINE PROCESS by which God renews us.

Seeking RENEWAL is stoked by looking at the disaster around us. This rightfully motivates us to PARTICIPATE TOGETHER to seek renewal… however this motivation is surpassed by the motivation we receive when we realize that God is on our side DIVINELY leading us into renewal.

Seeking RENEWAL is stoked by looking at the disaster around us. This rightfully motivates us to PARTICIPATE TOGETHER to seek renewal… however this motivation is surpassed by the motivation we receive when we realize that God is on our side DIVINELY leading us into renewal.

Realization of need for renewal. Remembering God promises for renewal. Seek renewal through prayer. As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

Realization of need for renewal. Remembering God promises for renewal. Seek renewal through prayer. As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. John 13:15

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. John 13:15

the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:14

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:14