Jen

Q4. (John 16:33) In what sense has Jesus “overcome” the world? In what sense can we “overcome” the world? Can we overcome Satan even though we are martyred in the process? (see Revelation 12:11) In every sense Jesus has overcome this world. Even though there is still tribulation this world is in its death throes. We, through the work of Christ in His sinless life and HIs substitutionary death on the cross, have peace with God no matter what the world throws at us for we know that everything that comes to us has to go through God first who fashions it so that it's time is limited and will work out for our good and for His Glory. We have that peace with God, those of us who have accepted Jesus work on the cross as for us, whether we feel that peace or not. We have peace with God. Thank you Jesus! We can "overcome" the world by remaining (abiding) in Christ. I in Him and He with me, Oh how glorious it is with Thee. The more the world drifts from Christ and the Cross the more we who abide in Him overcome the world through His strength, work, and victory. "O victory in Jesus, my Savior forever! He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him-He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood." God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

(John 16:32) Jesus said that he is not alone, that the Father is always with him. What does this mean to us when we are lonely? What should we do to deepen our fellowship with the ever-present Father so that we aren’t as lonely? Oh What a God we worship. That our God should always be with us. This world is a dark scary place and getting more so everyday. What a comfort to know that our God is with us and nothing can separate us from Him. Romans 8:38,39. We need to deepen our realization of this with more time in the Word, more prayer and more and more gratitude to Him, more meditation of Him. I forget who wrote that little book "Practicing the Presence of God" but we need to do more of that. At least to all these things I need to do them. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (John 16:23-28) What does it mean to pray to the Father "in Jesus' name"? Is it okay to pray to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit? Why or why not? Is it scriptural to pray to a saint to intercede for us? Why are we allowed to pray to the Father directly? In prayer we are able now to go directly to the Father through the finished work of Jesus on the cross and because we have RSVPed to that work. An RSVP is needed by us not to finish the work on the cross however to have it apply to us personally. The Father loves us because we have loved the Son and what He has done for us. It is amazing what Jesus has done for us and I personally want to go directly to the Father because the Father loves me. No saint loves me that way, the Father does. And I believe that is what the Father desires. He wants to commune with me. Maybe it is okay to pray to Jesus and the Holy Spirit however I find it awkward. It has been made possible for me to go directly to the Father through the work Jesus did on the cross and through the power of the Holy Spirit though whom I receive the truth of the God Head and the words to pray and I personally find this to be natural. I do talk to Jesus during the day with a thank you Jesus or praise to Him and the same with the Holy Spirit. I don't believe it is scriptural to pray to a saint (who was in need of a Redeemer himself). He did not do the work on the Cross, Jesus did and Jesus Himself is forever at the right hand of God interceding for me. To pray to a saint is asking a person to do the work of Christ which makes a sort of idol of the saint. It is Christ we worship not a saint. We can read about their works and admire them but to ask them to intercede for us would be a waste of time because to my knowledge of Scripture they cannot. I agree with SoiKosum, "What more can we ask for?" Thank you Jesus for leaving your kingly throne and coming to earth for me. God Bless! Jen Romans 15:13

Q1. (John 16:12-15) In what sense does the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth. Does this promise apply only to the apostolic age to lay the foundations of the faith? In what sense does it apply to us today? The Spirit always speaks that which comes from Christ who only spoke that which came from the Father. They are of one accord. The Spirit was sent to be a guide for us to lead us into all truth. On our own we would go astray however the Spirit is the truth and going back to the 'personal emissary' term when someone sends out their personal emissary they send someone who will accurately represent what they stand for according to who they are. In this case, God is the truth and Christ came to reveal Him to us as God's personal emissary. Christ is able to do this because He and the Father are one. John 10:30. The Spirit is also one with God and Christ and only speaks what He hears from Jesus who only spoke what He heard from the Father. If Jesus needed to listen to the Father and the Holy Spirit needs to listen to Jesus how much more do we need to listen to the Holy Spirit. We are surrounded by the untruth of the world everyday and we need to be surrounded by the truth of the Holy Spirit to not be lead by the untruth of the world. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q5. (John 16:8) Through what means does the Holy Spirit convict unbelievers? Is it our job as preachers or lay Christians to convict unbelievers or backslidden people? If not, why not? What damage do we inflict on people when we try to do the Holy Spirit's job? Through miracles prophetic words preaching and testimony our righteous lives instruction and prayer No It is the Job of the Holy Spirit We turn them off of the gospel and church God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (John 16:5-7; 14:12) What benefit is there to the disciples that Jesus goes away? What promise do we have in John 14:12 concerning the Spirit's power in believers? When Jesus goes away, He tells the disciples that the Counselor, the Holy Spirit will come and live within them. They will not be left alone but will forever have the Spirit within them. Wherever they go, what ever happens He will be with them and so it is better for them that Jesus goes in His physical body and comes through the Holy Spirit to live within them each. The promise to us in John 14:12 is that we will do works also and greater because the works will be in all of the believers and not limited to the disciples. These works are now throughout the world through the power of the Holy Spirit, God's personal emissary to each of us. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (John 15:26-27) What does it mean to “testify”? In what way does the Spirit testify about Jesus? Can you testify from personal knowledge about Jesus, or only the apostles who were eyewitnesses? To testify means to tell the truth about what you have seen or heard. It is the working of the Holy Spirit that gives us the courage, power, words, leading to tell the world about Jesus. The Spirit is the power behind everything. Though no one sees Him, they see or hear the words of the believers and the lives they lead that testify about Jesus through the power and promptings of the Spirit. I can testify to what I have seen or heard only. I have never walked this earth with Jesus in His physical form however I have walked with Him as my Lord and Savior. I can testify what He did for me to bring me to Him, what He has saved me from, the hope that now resides within me, the joy, peace with God, His love within me. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13a) Why do we believe that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or power, but a Person? What kinds of functions that we attribute to persons does the Holy Spirit do? Why is it so easy to refer to the Spirit as "it" rather than "Him"? The Holy Spirit is spoken of as a distinct person who comes from the Father and is Holy. He is the Counselor for us and the Advocate for Christ. He has been appointed by the Father for this. What the "know it all" world doesn't see, it doesn't recognize as anything to be reckoned with. So the world diminishes anything that is not of the world. What we don't understand we give the title "it". If we understand we will refer to in a proper title, in this case He. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. (John 15:18-21a) Why are Christians persecuted even if they haven't hurt others? What about a faithful Christian's life threatens non-Christians? Why does Jesus warn his disciples that persecution will come? What happens to our testimony if we give in under mild persecution? What does it say to persecutors when we don't react to their persecution? Do they see us as weak or as strong? 1) If they hated Christ they will hate us. 2.) It is a testimony for Christ and against them. 3.) Jesus wants them to know so that they won't be surprised and discouraged but rather they can be encouraged as they see the persecution as a sign that they are living as an effective witness for their Lord. 4.) It is not an effective testimony 5.)that what they do matters not. We know in Whom we believe. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q7. (John 15:12-15) What is required to be counted a "friend of Jesus"? What privileges do "friends" enjoy according to verse 15? What happens when we take for granted this privilege? Those who love Christ for who He is, God, Lord, Savior, Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel and who recognize who they are, sinners, unable to help themselves, unclean, unable to clean themselves and accept His offer of forgiveness and desire His righteousness in them and His Holy Spirit to work in them to conform their wills to His are to be counted a friend of Jesus. He says it not me. He is my Lord and Savior. He is the One who paid the price for me to lift me up out of the miry clay and receive me into His kingdom of light. I owe Him everything. He gives me the privilege of knowing Him and fellowshipping with Him. And He calls me a friend. Amazing! When we take for granted this privilege, we treat everything He has done for us like it is nothing, meaningless. He stills bears the nail prints in His hands and feet. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26 There are no words sometimes, only heartfelt stirrings in the mind but there again He understands our heart and our desire to show Him love for who He is and what He has done. Amazing. I don't even know the depths of what He has done because I don't know the depths of the sin nature, except I know it is evil beyond words. I don't know all that He has saved me from except that I know it is inconceivably awful. So Jesus please accept my feeble efforts and use them for your glory. I can never repay you, find the words to thank you enough. So give me the grace to live my life with the fruit of your Spirit abiding in me and to be ever grateful for what I don't seem to fully comprehend but You do.

Q6. (John 15:9-11) How are obedience and joy linked? Is obedience an obstacle to a joyful relationship between you and the Lord? I once heard that you obey the one you love. I agree with that and if I don't obey then maybe I love my self too much. How can there be a joyful relationship with God if I don't obey His commands. How can He be happy with me if I don't obey. If I take matters in my own hands ( which I have done and it is a disaster with long term consequences) how can He be joyful in me. And if He is not happy with what I am doing I will not be happy for long either. The sorrow I will feel will be immediate and the long term consequences will follow. I so love the hymn that Hanks posted. There is no other way than to trust and obey. God Bless! Jen Romans 15:13

Q5. (John 15:7-8) The fruit from branches connected to a vine is the grape. What is the nature of the fruit that comes from being connected to Jesus? Is it accurate to define fruit as "souls saved"? What is the danger in this definition? When we abide in God though the Word it will show in our lives. When the Holy Spirit is allowed to have His will in our lives (remember we are in some ways the master of our fate) the fruit of His being in us will be the fruit that will save souls, not of us and our works but the work of the Holy Spirit. Isn't God gracious to work through us, to give us that privilege to have Him living in us and doing His work. Lord , keep your strong hand on me that I might not stray. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (John 15:4-6) Unbelievers can do many things. So what does Jesus mean when he says, "Apart from me you can do nothing"? What is the value of things done without Christ? What is the final end of things done without Christ? Only by God's grace can unbelievers do anything and what they do will be laced with sin (selfishness, jealousy, anger, revenge, lustful thoughts etc). If we abide in Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us we will have the fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, gentleness,kindness, goodness, patience, long-suffering, self-control. Unbelievers cannot have what the Holy Spirit does not give, they have only a sin nature and can do many things (by God's unbelievable grace) but there again it will be laced with sin. The value of things done without Christ, cheap at best, no lasting value. All things done without Him will be for destruction, burnt in the fire. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (John 15:4-5) What does it mean "to abide"? What is the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints? How do these verses support it? What does abiding have to do with "mutual indwelling," of a "personal relationship"? How well are you abiding? Abide means to remain. We don't pack up and move. In Christ we are home whether here or in heaven. Christ also lives in us through the Holy Spirit without which we would not remain because we cannot do it on our own power no matter how much we determine. We are in constant need of nourishment from the vine. The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints (assuming they have been truly born again) will be kept by the power of God and will persevere as Christians ( remember we are in emery territory, behind the enemy lines) until the end of our (their) lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Without constant abiding in Christ, His Word and prayer, I tend to slip back into old patterns. Oh Lord BeThou Near To Me. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (John 15:2b) How are we pruned or cleansed by exposure to and obedience to Jesus' words? According to John 8:31-32, how does obeying Jesus' teaching bring cleansing and freedom from sin? When we are in Him we are saved totally and completely and our Father begins the pruning process to get rid of the dead and diseased branches in us. He doesn't leave us as the filthy persons we were when He found us, He begins the cleansing and pruning process. When we read His Word we learn the truth about Him and about this world system. We are set free from the lies of the world and from sin to learn to live righteous in Christ Jesus. It is so important to be in His Word. We need it all in us everyday to keep us clean and healthy spiritually. If we stay in Jesus teaching we will not want, be attracted to the deceit and lies of the world and we will be free, no longer slaves to sin, but delivered from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of His Son who is light and truth. Thank you Jesus! God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. (John 15:2) How does judicious pruning benefit a grapevine? What happens to productivity and health when a vine is left unpruned? What does God use to prune our lives? What does God use to prune our congregations? Why do we resist pruning? What can we do so that the eventual pruning isn't as severe? 1. Stimulates growth 2. Allows the vine dresser to shape the fruit 3.Produce maximum yield with out overcrowding 4. protects against mildew 5. better quality fruit ​When the vine is left unpruned it will become diseased and weakened with loss of nourishments going to healthy fruit. God uses circumstances and his Word to prune out lives. God prunes our congregations in leadership, correcting course, saying no to people not suited for certain positions. We can let God have his way so that the pruning is able to accomplish its goal. God Bless! Jen Romans 15:13

Q5. (John 14:30-31a) How does Satan take advantage of our previous sins to control us or make us fearful? In verse 31, how does Jesus stay free from bondage to Satan? How can we free ourselves from bondage to Satan and fear of exposure? Satan is the deceiver, the accuser, the father of lies, the enemy. There is nothing he will not employ against those who would come unto God through Jesus and are in Christ now. He will constantly remind us of past sins (which the world which is under his control is happy to remember through little bits of gossip). He is the destroyer and wants to destroy our joy, peace, blessed assurance we have in Christ and if he cannot do that he wants us to think he can and has. However our Redeemer, our Savior, our Lord, the Son of God, God Himself, is perfect and Holy and Satan can find nothing on Him. Hallelujeh! Praise the Lord! There is a Redeemer, Jesus God's own Son that we flee to, He is our advocate and everything we have or will do is covered already in the finished work of the cross to be remembered no more. The sin debt has been paid in full! Hallelujeh! Praise the Lord! God Bless Jen Romans 15:13

Q4. (John 14:27) If it doesn’t mean cessation of conflict in our everyday lives, what then is the peace that Jesus offers us now? When I read this my first thought was "what difference, at this point, does it make". It makes all the difference! This world is not at peace with God and will be judged by God and feel His wrath but we have peace with God through the finished work of Jesus on the cross for us, as payment for our sin debt. What a mighty, mighty God we worship and serve. Hallelujeh! Praise the Lord! Shalom Jen Romans 15:13

Q3. (John 14:25-26). What do we learn about the Paraclete in verses 25 and 26? Who is he? Why is his teaching/reminding role important to the apostles? The Paraclete is the Helper, Comforter, Counselor, Jesus personal emissary (love this). The paraclete is the Holy Spirit. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in us that keeps us in line so to speak, reminds us, corrects us, teaches us. He is the power house behind everything accomplished for our Lord, He is the one who pricked our consciences and still does to bring us to Jesus. He is God the Spirit who lives in us so that we are not alone, left alone on this earth. He is holy and makes us holy to God. He always points us to Jesus who is God our redeemer, our Savior, our Lord. God Bless! Jen Romans 15:13

Q2. (John 14:15, 21-25) How is obedience to Jesus linked to loving him? When Jesus emphasizes obedience, what keeps this from being the heavy burden of a new legalism? Can we love Jesus and not obey him? If so, how? You obey the one you love! If obedience is done in love then it cannot be legalism. Legalism is something you have to do, when done in love it is because you want to do it. When I have not followed the urging of the Spirit I have suffered a very heavy heart, sadness for not listening. I want Him to be pleased with me and I want to listen and learn of Him and to Him. This journey is a learning journey and we are not perfected yet, we may not recognize yet His voice in some situations, however we should know (we do know) what is right and wrong in major sins (indeed in most) and if we deliberately cross that line there will be heavy consequences to pay. However there is forgiveness with Jesus, if we get caught in a transgression, we can go back to the cross. We live with the shame or regret however if we are truly His He paid it all for us on the cross. God bless! Jen Romans 15:13

Q1. (John 14:15-17) What do you think is the best way to describe the Paraklētos that Jesus sends? In what sense is the Holy Spirit "another" Paraclete? Who was the initial Paraclete? In what way can the Holy Spirit replace him? The Parakletos that Jesus sends is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Jesus was the first Paraclete, the Holy Spirit is the new Paraclete when Jesus is no longer on earth. The Holy Spirit (Paraclete) is from God and sent by God and is God (as Jesus was) and indwells within the believer. God bless! Jen Romans 15:13

Q6. (John 13:35) In what sense is love for one another an indicator to all of our status (or lack of status) as Jesus’ disciples? Why do we sometimes avoid living in an intimate Christian community in favor of only a large-meeting expression of our faith? Why is it so difficult to love people in an intimate Christian community? How does your church or group measure up by the indicator of love for one another? How do you measure up? God is love and if the Holy Spirit resides in us and if not squelched we will have love for one another. On our own it can be difficult to love people in an intimate christian community. There is always someone to rub us the wrong way and we probably rub people the wrong way. I know I have been the subject of much talk in this little town. I never ever ever heard gossip in my house when I grew up. I leave as soon as it starts up. it destroys lives. Why do people talk and criticize others? Probably to feel important and to feed that deep dark sense in us to know something about others so we can feel better about ourselves. So I pray that where I go the gospel goes. It is hard to find believers here. And if you are one you are probably going to suffer dearly because you are a threat to those who aren't. I believe God put me here and so much has gone wrong however I believe I am where He wants me to be. If you love the Lord in this world you are probably going to suffer for it. What an awesome privilege He gives us. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q5. (John 13:34) Why is love exalted to the level of a command? How does love characterize Jesus’ life? In what way does love fulfill the law and the prophets? Without love we are no different than the world. More than our selfish love we are to have God's love which comes from the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). If we have not love we are as an empty gong (1 Corinthians 13:1). God is love and if we are to be His children we must have love. If we truly love Him we will love our neighbors. If we truly love Him we will be a light, a beacon in a selfish unloving greedy world. We will be like Him. As in the words of Susannah Wesley (I have been told) "if I am peevish and morose it is not because of religion but my lack of it". God Bless! Jen Romans 5:5

Q4. (John 13:27-30) Judas gave into his temptation to greed by stealing from the mission’s money bag. How does habitual sin tend to open us to greater influence from Satan in our lives? How did Judas eating Jesus’ bread illustrate the magnitude of his betrayal? There comes a point where we are so hardened from our sinful actions that we cannot turn back. We knew at the beginning with the nagging doubts and ignored those warning messages. This should be scary to all of us that we are capable of ignoring our knowledge that something is wrong and keep going because we can. Judas could have repented at the table to the Lord, and even after Jesus told Him to do what he was going to do, he was so set on this path that he went ahead. By this point Judas was hardened and cold to what he was going to do. So completely taken by the alluring and subtle voice of the tempter that he ate bread with the Lord who he had been with for a number of years and knew who He was and still went ahead. So completely used to the practice of thieving and deceit that it was now easy for him. None of us should think ourselves above this. We must read the Word, confess our sins and pray everyday. Our tempter wants the Lords people most, to discredit God. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (Luke 22:25-27) In the world, Great Men have others serve them and exalt them with great titles. How is the Kingdom of God to be different than that? How has Roman Catholic Pope Francis I set an example of humility before his flock? The Kingdom of God is to be one where all serve and love one another in perfect harmony. It will be considered an honor to serve and not to be served. Pope Francis has chosen not to live in the indulgence of the Vatican and has asked the people to pray for him. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26