Crieve Hall church of Christ Fall 2007 thru Spring 2008 The Gospel of John The Life of Jesus as...

Crieve Hall church of ChristFall 2007 thru Spring 2008

The Gospel of JohnThe Gospel of John

The Life of Jesus as recorded by JohnThe Life of Jesus as recorded by John The Gospel that is differentThe Gospel that is different

Week 1, August 6, 2014Week 1, August 6, 2014

Probably the last gospel writtenProbably the last gospel written Matthew - written early to the JewsMatthew - written early to the Jews Mark - 60ish AD, companion of PeterMark - 60ish AD, companion of Peter Luke - 60ish AD, companion of PaulLuke - 60ish AD, companion of Paul John - 90-100ish AD in EphesusJohn - 90-100ish AD in Ephesus Time for reflection of things not Time for reflection of things not

previously includedpreviously included A big focus on the beginning of Jesus’ A big focus on the beginning of Jesus’

ministryministry


The gospel that is differentThe gospel that is different Omits much in Matthew, Mark & LukeOmits much in Matthew, Mark & Luke No mention of:No mention of: Birth of Jesus, His baptism, His Birth of Jesus, His baptism, His

temptationstemptations Last supper, Gethsemane, AscensionLast supper, Gethsemane, Ascension No healings of anyone possessed by No healings of anyone possessed by

devils or evil spiritsdevils or evil spirits No parablesNo parables


The gospel that is differentThe gospel that is different Only John records…Only John records… Marriage feast at CanaMarriage feast at Cana Coming of NicodemusComing of Nicodemus Woman of SamariaWoman of Samaria Raising of LazarusRaising of Lazarus Washing of disciples feetWashing of disciples feet Teachings about the ComforterTeachings about the Comforter


The gospel that is differentThe gospel that is different Provides a great deal of insightProvides a great deal of insight Length of Jesus ministry. In Matthew, Length of Jesus ministry. In Matthew,

Mark and Luke it appears Jesus’ ministry Mark and Luke it appears Jesus’ ministry may only have lasted one year. Only one may only have lasted one year. Only one Passover is mentioned.Passover is mentioned.

John records three Passover feasts.John records three Passover feasts. Without John, would not know it lasted 3 Without John, would not know it lasted 3

yearsyears


The gospel that is differentThe gospel that is different Other disciples come “alive” in JohnOther disciples come “alive” in John Thomas speaks only in JohnThomas speaks only in John Andrew becomes a real personalityAndrew becomes a real personality Philip’s character exposed - his ability Philip’s character exposed - his ability

to believeto believe Protests of Judas about the use of Protests of Judas about the use of

moneymoney


The gospel that is differentThe gospel that is different John reveals specific detailsJohn reveals specific details Loaves brought were Loaves brought were barleybarley loaves (6:9) loaves (6:9) Rowed between Rowed between 3 and 43 and 4 miles in boat (6:19) miles in boat (6:19) SixSix stone waterpots at Cana (2:6) stone waterpots at Cana (2:6) Crown of Crown of thornsthorns (19:5) (19:5) Four soldiers gambling (19:23)Four soldiers gambling (19:23) ExactExact weight of spices used (19:39) weight of spices used (19:39) Remembers how the perfume Remembers how the perfume filled the housefilled the house

(11:32)(11:32)


The gospel that is differentThe gospel that is different Specific details about JerusalemSpecific details about Jerusalem Written well after Jerusalem destroyed, but knows Written well after Jerusalem destroyed, but knows

intimate detailsintimate details Knows the sheepgate and the pool near it (5:1)Knows the sheepgate and the pool near it (5:1) The pool of Siloam (9:7)The pool of Siloam (9:7) Solomon’s porch (10:23)Solomon’s porch (10:23) Brook of Kidron (18:1)Brook of Kidron (18:1) The pavement called Gabbatha (19:13)The pavement called Gabbatha (19:13) Golgotha, like a skull (19:17)Golgotha, like a skull (19:17) Knows these things because he was thereKnows these things because he was there


The gospel that is differentThe gospel that is different Miracles shown for a different purposeMiracles shown for a different purpose Note of compassion not presented in John as it Note of compassion not presented in John as it

was in other accountswas in other accounts Moved with compassion for Leper (Mark 1:41)Moved with compassion for Leper (Mark 1:41) Sympathy to Jairus (Mark 5:22)Sympathy to Jairus (Mark 5:22) Sorry for the father of the boy (Mark 9:14)Sorry for the father of the boy (Mark 9:14) After raising the widow’s son, Jesus “gave him After raising the widow’s son, Jesus “gave him

back to his mother” (Luke 7:15)back to his mother” (Luke 7:15) In John, these reactions are not shownIn John, these reactions are not shown


The gospel that is differentThe gospel that is different Miracles in John show a different purposeMiracles in John show a different purpose Deeds to demonstrate the glory of ChristDeeds to demonstrate the glory of Christ Beginning of miracles in Cana “manifested His Beginning of miracles in Cana “manifested His

glory” (2:11)glory” (2:11) Raising of Lazarus “for the glory of God” (11:4)Raising of Lazarus “for the glory of God” (11:4) Man’s blindness existed to show glory of God (9:3)Man’s blindness existed to show glory of God (9:3) Every miracle in John shows the glory of the Every miracle in John shows the glory of the

reality of God breaking into time and human reality of God breaking into time and human affairs.affairs.


The gospel that is differentThe gospel that is different By 100 AD, the church was differentBy 100 AD, the church was different No longer primarily Jewish but Gentile (Greek)No longer primarily Jewish but Gentile (Greek) Greek opening up Matthew is greeted with…Greek opening up Matthew is greeted with… Genealogies (who are these people?)Genealogies (who are these people?) Confronted with Jesus as son of David (who?)Confronted with Jesus as son of David (who?) Jesus as messiah predicted by prophets (who were Jesus as messiah predicted by prophets (who were

they?)they?) John presents Jesus differentlyJohn presents Jesus differently Well worth our study…join us this year as we learn Well worth our study…join us this year as we learn

more about Jesus.more about Jesus.


Greeks had two great ideasGreeks had two great ideas 1) 1) LogosLogos - means “word” and “reason” - means “word” and “reason” Jews familiar with all powerful word of God - Jews familiar with all powerful word of God -

Genesis 1:3 “God said, ‘Let there be light;’ and Genesis 1:3 “God said, ‘Let there be light;’ and there was light”there was light”

Greeks familiar with the thought of reason. Greeks familiar with the thought of reason. Greeks looked at this world with all of its order Greeks looked at this world with all of its order and regularity.and regularity.

What produces this order?What produces this order?


Greeks had two great ideasGreeks had two great ideas 1) 1) LogosLogos - means “word” and “reason” - means “word” and “reason” What produces this order?What produces this order? Greek answer: The Logos of God - the mind of God Greek answer: The Logos of God - the mind of God

is responsible for the order of the worldis responsible for the order of the world They didn’t stop there - they also askedThey didn’t stop there - they also asked What gives man the power to think, reason and What gives man the power to think, reason and

know?know? The Logos of God, dwelling within man makes him The Logos of God, dwelling within man makes him

a thinking, reasoning beinga thinking, reasoning being


Greeks had two great ideasGreeks had two great ideas 1) 1) LogosLogos - means “word” and “reason” - means “word” and “reason” John opens by saying to the Greeks:John opens by saying to the Greeks: ““All your lives you have been fascinated All your lives you have been fascinated

by this guiding, controlling mind of God. by this guiding, controlling mind of God. The mind of God has come to the earth in The mind of God has come to the earth in the man Jesus.”the man Jesus.”

““Look at Him and you see what the mind Look at Him and you see what the mind of God is like”of God is like”


Greeks had two great ideasGreeks had two great ideas 1) 1) LogosLogos - means “word” and “reason” - means “word” and “reason” 2) 2) Conception of two worldsConception of two worlds One was the world in which we live, wonderful, but a world of One was the world in which we live, wonderful, but a world of

shadows, copies and unrealities.shadows, copies and unrealities. The other world was the real world, in which the things copied The other world was the real world, in which the things copied

in this world really existed.in this world really existed. In that unseen world, the perfect patterns existed for In that unseen world, the perfect patterns existed for

everything.everything. The pattern of all patterns in this unseen world is God.The pattern of all patterns in this unseen world is God. Greek problem:Greek problem: How to get into that real world? How to get into that real world? John’s answer is Jesus.John’s answer is Jesus. Jesus IS reality come to earth. Jesus IS reality come to earth.


Greeks had two great ideasGreeks had two great ideas 2) 2) Conception of two worldsConception of two worlds The Greek word for The Greek word for realreal is alethinos. is alethinos. Often translated as “true”, but better translated as “real”Often translated as “true”, but better translated as “real” Jesus is the Jesus is the realreal light (1:9) light (1:9) Jesus is the Jesus is the realreal bread (6:32) bread (6:32) Jesus is the Jesus is the realreal vine (15:1) vine (15:1) To Jesus belongs the To Jesus belongs the realreal judgment (8:16) judgment (8:16) Jesus alone has reality in our world of shadows and Jesus alone has reality in our world of shadows and

imperfectionsimperfections John presents Jesus to the GreeksJohn presents Jesus to the Greeks


Other driving force - Other driving force - Rise of the HeresiesRise of the Heresies A heresy is a departure from Orthodoxy (right A heresy is a departure from Orthodoxy (right

beliefs)beliefs) By 100 AD, several heresies had spring upBy 100 AD, several heresies had spring up Heresy 1:Heresy 1: Emphasis on John the Baptist Emphasis on John the Baptist There was something about this John which really There was something about this John which really

appealed to the Jews.appealed to the Jews. Acts 19 reveals individuals who were close to being Acts 19 reveals individuals who were close to being

Christian but never moved beyond JohnChristian but never moved beyond John


Other driving force - rise of the HeresiesOther driving force - rise of the Heresies Heresy 1:Heresy 1: Emphasis on Emphasis on John the BaptistJohn the Baptist Time after time, the gospel of John places John the Time after time, the gospel of John places John the

Baptist in his proper placeBaptist in his proper place He is not the light (1:8), John himself disclaims He is not the light (1:8), John himself disclaims

being the Messiah (1:20, 3:28, etc), and he is not being the Messiah (1:20, 3:28, etc), and he is not even the highest witness (5:36) - Jesus’ works were.even the highest witness (5:36) - Jesus’ works were.

John the Baptist is John the Baptist is notnot criticized in this book, but criticized in this book, but those who put him in a high place are rebuked, those who put him in a high place are rebuked, since that place should belong to Jesus alone.since that place should belong to Jesus alone.


Other driving force - Rise of the HeresiesOther driving force - Rise of the Heresies Heresy 2:Heresy 2: Gnosticism - “knowledge” Gnosticism - “knowledge” Basic teaching was matter is essentially evil and Basic teaching was matter is essentially evil and

spirit is essentially good.spirit is essentially good. Since that is so, God Himself cannot touch matterSince that is so, God Himself cannot touch matter So, God put out a series of emanations, each of So, God put out a series of emanations, each of

which was further and further away from Himself which was further and further away from Himself until at last one was so far away from God that it until at last one was so far away from God that it could touch matter.could touch matter.

That emanation was the creator of the worldThat emanation was the creator of the world That was bad enough, but…That was bad enough, but…


Other driving force - rise of the HeresiesOther driving force - rise of the Heresies Heresy 2:Heresy 2: Gnosticism - “knowledge” Gnosticism - “knowledge” Gnostics taught that each emanation knew less and Gnostics taught that each emanation knew less and

less about God (being further away) until they actually less about God (being further away) until they actually became ignorant of and hostile toward Godbecame ignorant of and hostile toward God

Gnostics taught that the creator God was hostile Gnostics taught that the creator God was hostile toward the Real God.toward the Real God.

““God” had nothing to do with the creation of the God” had nothing to do with the creation of the world.world.

That is why John begins “All things were made by That is why John begins “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was Him and without Him was not anything made that was made” (1:3)made” (1:3)


Other driving force - rise of the HeresiesOther driving force - rise of the Heresies Heresy 2:Heresy 2: Gnosticism - “knowledge” Gnosticism - “knowledge” Gnostic beliefs influenced some ChristiansGnostic beliefs influenced some Christians A) Jesus was one of these emanationsA) Jesus was one of these emanations B) Jesus had no real body. Jesus was some sort B) Jesus had no real body. Jesus was some sort

of phantom. When He walked, he left no footprint. of phantom. When He walked, he left no footprint. This belief is called Docetism, that things This belief is called Docetism, that things

seemedseemed to be as they were but really were not. to be as they were but really were not. That is why John states “The Word became That is why John states “The Word became

fleshflesh” (1:14).” (1:14).


Other driving force - rise of the HeresiesOther driving force - rise of the Heresies Heresy 2:Heresy 2: Gnosticism - “knowledge” Gnosticism - “knowledge” C) A variation of Docetism - Jesus was a man into C) A variation of Docetism - Jesus was a man into

whom the Holy Spirit entered at His baptism and whom the Holy Spirit entered at His baptism and remained in Him until His death.remained in Him until His death.

Gnostic heresies issued in one of two beliefs then: Gnostic heresies issued in one of two beliefs then: Jesus was not really divine, but an emanation from Jesus was not really divine, but an emanation from

God, or …God, or … Jesus was not really human but some sort of Jesus was not really human but some sort of

phantom. phantom. The gospel of John takes aim at The gospel of John takes aim at bothboth of these. of these.


Other driving force - rise of the HeresiesOther driving force - rise of the Heresies Not really divine and/or not really humanNot really divine and/or not really human The gospel of John emphasizes The gospel of John emphasizes bothboth Humanity of JesusHumanity of Jesus Angry in the temple courts (2:15)Angry in the temple courts (2:15) Physically tired at well in Samaria (4:6)Physically tired at well in Samaria (4:6) Offered food when hungry (4:31)Offered food when hungry (4:31) Sympathy to hungry and afraid (6:5,20)Sympathy to hungry and afraid (6:5,20) Knew grief and shed tears (11:33)Knew grief and shed tears (11:33) Knew agony on the cross (19:28)Knew agony on the cross (19:28) John displays a truly human JesusJohn displays a truly human Jesus


Other driving force - rise of the HeresiesOther driving force - rise of the Heresies Not really divine and/or not really humanNot really divine and/or not really human Divinity of JesusDivinity of Jesus Jesus’ Jesus’ omnipotenceomnipotence: His miracles: His miracles Jesus’ Jesus’ pre-existencepre-existence: “Before Abraham was, I AM” (8:58): “Before Abraham was, I AM” (8:58) Jesus’ Jesus’ omniscienceomniscience: : Knew woman of Samaria’s life (4:16)Knew woman of Samaria’s life (4:16) Knew answer to question He asked Philip (6:6)Knew answer to question He asked Philip (6:6) Knew Judas would betray Him (6:61)Knew Judas would betray Him (6:61) Knew of Lazarus’ death (11:14)Knew of Lazarus’ death (11:14) John presents Jesus as undeniably human and yet equally John presents Jesus as undeniably human and yet equally

undeniably divine.undeniably divine. Next week? John 1:1Next week? John 1:1


Crieve Hall church of Christ Fall 2007 thru Spring 2008 The Gospel of John The Life of Jesus as...

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