Unknown: just
with one plea. But for me,
Steve Webb: This is in the word with Mel Bennett, a study of
Scripture passages from the Word of God. Thank you so much for
being with us today. Pastor Bennett has had a few health
issues since our last episode, and I've been on a bit of a
hiatus myself since season 12 of the Lifespring family Audio
Bible wrapped up at the end of August. For today's episode,
Pastor Bennett is again in chapter one of the Gospel of
John, and why not, John, chapter one is one of the most beautiful
and important chapters in the Bible that speaks of the
divinity of Christ. Pastor Bennett talks about that. And at
the end of His message today, he has a timely exhortation for
those of us who call Jesus Lord. So if you have your Bible with
you, let's read along with our pastor, Pastor Bennett, welcome
back.
Mel Bennett: We're going to begin a series of Bible studies
on the Gospel of John today. And trust that they will be a rich
blessing to you, as we bring them we're studying in John
chapter number one, verses seven through nine. And ask you to get
your Bible out and follow along with this as we study today. In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. He was in the beginning with God, all things
were made through Him. And without him get that without
him. Nothing was made that was made, In Him was life, and the
life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness.
And the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man
sent from God whose name was John, This man came for a
witness to bear witness of the light that all through him my
believe. Now notice, again, what is said is that all through him,
my believe, he was not that light, but was sent to bear
witness of the light. That was the true light, which gives
light to every man coming into the world.
And so Jesus Christ came as a light. John wrote his gospel in
approximately 58 ad. At this time, John was the only one left
of the all the apostles, all the others had been killed for their
preaching of the gospel. For John the Revelator, to declare
that Jesus was God, and with God, in the beginning, was
blasphemy of the worst kind among Jews in his day. So John
had great courage in presenting his gospel. I can only say, Wow,
what boldness but John boldly proclaims that Jesus is God's
incarnate man. He not only is with God, but in fact is God and
he is a great Creator of all things. He is the one who
brought him into existence. What an act of boldness and courage,
this must have taken again to state that Jesus was equal with
God. And in fact was God was the worst kind of blasphemy they
could have been given in John's day, Blasphemy That was worthy
of death. But for the believer, it was a matter of simply
stating a fact. Jesus was truly alive and was God. So John makes
a bold statement. Jesus was with God from the beginning. And as
such he was God, and the creator of all things. Wow, what a
powerful statement. May God give us men and women of this kind of
courage. People who will stand up for Jesus, even if it means
their very lives. Someone has said in America, we have become
soft. May God put it back bone in us today that will stand firm
and straight and uphold the principles of truth of the
gospel of Jesus Christ. As believers, we must go back to
the beginning, and be willing to state our belief that Jesus is
truly God. When we have settled that issue, then we can move on
in our minds. We can
And then move on in our hearts and move to other issues in the
Word of God. But until we accept the fact that he is God, we
cannot truly believe. How can we believe for anything if Jesus is
not truly God, he can do nothing for us. But John then makes
another bold statement, verses four and five, In Him was life.
And the light shined in darkness, In Him was life, and
that life was the light of men. And the light shined in
darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. I love that. I
like the term overcome in this passage, Jesus is life, and that
life is light, not the light of the sun. In Genesis, the Bible
says that God spoke light into existence on the first day in
Genesis three one in Revelation 2123, and 24. The City of God
needs no light, or sun, or moon, or stars, for the Lamb is the
light. So Jesus is our life and our light. He is our life. And
we accept him. He gives us life and light revelation of truth,
and that more abundantly, praise God.
John in states, the light shines in darkness, and the darkness
could not overcome it. John here points to the resurrection of
Jesus. Think of it, they tried to put the light out, but they
could not. The devil thought that he won, he had put the Son
of God to death. But on the third day, Jesus arose triumph
and over hell over death, and the grave, praise God. He was
triumph and he was victorious. And so it is today. Light will
always prevail in the end. Many times we as Christians think
that it is oh, so dark, and the darkness has won. And we need
but look up, and we will see the light still shining. We live in
a sin darkened world, and it is very dark at times. But thanks
be unto God, the truth will win in the end, Keep Looking Up,
praise God. If you will check it out, you will find that the
light always wins, open the door to a dark room. And you will see
the light penetrates the darkness and not the reverse. In
verse six, John the Revelator introduces the other John, this
is John the Baptist, John the Revelator then tells us that God
said for him, John the Baptist was a man who was set for a
specific purpose. And his purpose was very clear and very
true to the gospel. He was not that light, it is important that
we understand that it is stated very clearly that he was not
that light. It is important that we understand that John the
Baptist never claimed to be the light, but was her way, always
pointing in to look unto the light through light, which was
Jesus Praise God. He said, Look to the light, look to the Lamb
of God, and you will see the light. I have attempted to
follow a pattern my life and ministry of not saying anything
about a ministry of that ministry was doing more than I
was. Nevertheless, I do feel that it is important that I
speak to the issue at hand and speak out on the issue at hand.
I realize no one have any sense at all claims to be equal with
Christ. But there are some who seem to promote themselves above
Christ. All I'm saying is, be careful who you follow. If
anyone could have laid claim to some of the praise of people. It
was John the Baptist. I loved the words of John the Baptist,
when he said plainly, He must increase but I must decrease.
May God help us to have the same kind of an attitude in our lives
that John the Baptist had in his life. He must increase but I
must decrease. John the Baptist had a specific ministry to
accomplish. He wanted to prepare a way for the Messiah, the crew
iced, and that he did. When Jesus Christ came, he declared
and was willing to step aside. His was a message of repentance
and God's forgiveness of sin. He was not that light, but was a
testimony to witness of the coming light. I believe virus is
similar in message today. It is one of repentance. It is one
that everyone who believes, can receive that marvelous gift of
God and be forgiven of their sins. If you are listening
today, and will accept Him Jesus as Lord and Savior, He is ready
to forgive you in your sins, and make your life a life worth
living and a testimony of his power. There is a beautiful hymn
that says it well. It was written by Isaac Watts, who was
born 78th of July 16 74, and died November 25 1748. And yes,
it is so many times today. It's called the cross. Isaac Watts
was a prolific speaker of words and a popular hymn writer. He is
credited with some 750 hymns. His works include when I survey
the wondrous cross, Joy to the world, and our God our help in
ages past and the him I want to use today at the cross, He is
recognized as the godfather of English him that he many of the
hymns remain in use today and have been translated into
numerous languages. Listen, as I quote to you some of the
beautiful hymns that he wrote, alas, and did my savior bleed,
and did my sovereign die. Would he devote at Sacred brow for
such a worm as I at the cross at the cross where I first saw the
light, and the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there
by faith I received my sight. And now I am happy all the day.
Verse two says, was it for crimes that I had done? He
groaned upon the tree, amazing pity, Grace, unknown, and love
beyond degree. And then goes the course again at the Grace at the
grace, where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart
roll away. It was there by faith I received my sight. And now I
am happy all the day. Verse three reads, well might the sun
in darkness hide and shed His glories in when Christ the
mighty maker died? For man, the creature sin and follow us the
course. Verse four says these words so beautifully. Thus might
Hi hide my blushing face, while he is dear across appears,
dissolve my heart in thankfulness and melt my eyes to
tears. Verse number five says as we agreed, but depths of grief
can never repay the depths of love I owe here, Lord, I give
myself to the Tissa haul that I can do at the cross at the
cross, where I first saw the light and the burden of my heart
rolled away. It was there by faith, I received my sight. And
now I'm happy all the day. There are a couple of questions I want
to leave you with today. As a believer, it is essential that
you have courage. Listen, friend, it is essential if
you're going to believe in Jesus Christ today, that you have the
courage to stand up for God, irregardless of the blowing
winds of time, and the change that comes in our world. We're
live in a world full of as they call it, woke speaking, and the
language is changing rapidly. And what once was meant is no
longer meant. And so you have to have the courage to stand
against the evil in the world. Secondly, if you're not trusting
in Christ, were your salvation. I urge you to accept Him today
to believe on the Lord and they accept Jesus as your personal
Savior and receive him right now.
Now, follow with me as we pray, Dear Jesus, come into my life.
Come into my heart today. Humbly, oh, God helped me that I
might have my sins forgiven, and know the joy of my salvation. In
Jesus name I pray, and for the glory of God. Amen. And Amen.
Steve Webb: If you prayed that prayer with Pastor Bennett and
gave your life to the Lord, I would love to send you a copy of
the New Believers Bible. It's a very special edition of the New
Testament with hundreds of notes written by Pastor Greg Laurie
that are meant to help you get into God's word and start
growing in your faith. It's free, and it is Lifespring
media's gift to you. All you need to do is send me an email
at steve@lifespringmedia.com, and tell me that you prayed that
prayer with Pastor Bennett. And let me know where to send your
copy of the New Believers Bible. I won't share or sell your
information to anyone. That's a promise, I just want to help you
get a firm foundation. Again, that email address is
steve@lifespringmedia.com And in the subject line of your email,
please put "I prayed with Pastor Bennett." And thank you pastor
Bennett for bringing us once more to look at scripture that
encourages us to meet the real and the living Messiah. And
beloved listener, I know for a fact that Pastor Bennett would
love to hear from you. You can email him at
pastorb@lifespringmedia.com. Take a moment out of your day
and drop him a line. I hope you'll join us next time. The
best way to get all of Pastor Bennett's podcast is to
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There's even a way there for you to receive an email whenever a
new episode is published. Until next time, may the Lord bless
you and keep you May he make his face to shine upon you and be
gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you
and give you peace. My name is Steve Webb