Day 19 of 21 Days

We’re hours away from reaching the finish line. This corporate time of fasting and prayer will then unleash a spiritual revival among God’s people. This will not be the end but only the beginning of something supernatural for your faith, your finances, your family, and your future. I know that physically you’re looking forward to the end of the fast but I beg of our be just as enthusiastic about what God is going to began to do in your life. I can’t say it enough but thank you fasting family and friends. Yesterday we ended chapter 18:38-40 as Pilate goes back outside to the Jews and told them, I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? They cried out again, Not this man, but Barabbas! Now Barabbas was a robber.

Jesus at the age of 33, as He hung on a cross, having paid the price for the world’s sins, He declared in verse 20 It is finished! Note, however, that He did not say, "I am finished!" This was not a cry of defeat, but a shout of victory. This is not a cry of pain, but a cry of power. In the original Greek text, this phrase is one word of ten letters – “Tetelestai” - which literally means: “It is finished, it stands finished, and it always will be finished.”

The word, “Tetelestai,” was a word with which the people of Jesus’ day were very familiar. Today, I want us to think of some common ways in which the word was used as we consider the significance of this cry from the cross.

The word, “Tetelestai,” ”- it is finished was used by Artists.

When a painter had completed his work, he would step back and say, “Tetelestai”- it is finished!" Jesus came to give us a full portrayal of what God is like. He was God in the flesh, come to make Himself known to us (John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.)

The word, “Tetelestai,” ”- it is finished was used by Servants.

A master would tell his servant to go and do something, and when the servant had completed the task, he would come back and say, “Tetelestai”- I have finished the work that you gave me to do."

The word, “Tetelestai,” ”- it is finished was used by Priests.

The Jewish people had to bring their sacrifices to the priest to be examined before it was offered on the altar, because it was against the law to offer an imperfect sacrifice. After the priest had examined the sacrifice, he would used the Hebrew or Aramaic equivalent of the word Jesus spoke from the cross, “Tetelestai”- It is perfect." Jesus Christ, dying on the cross, was God’s perfect, faultless sacrifice: the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

The word, “Tetelestai,” ”- it is finished was used by Merchants.

To merchants, “Tetelestai,” referred to the paying of a debt. If you purchased something, the merchant would take your money and then would give you a receipt of payment. The receipt would say, “Tetelestai”- paid in full."

As sinners we were in debt to God for an amount we could never pay, we were in need of someone to pay the debt for us. In Christ, God took it upon Himself to pay for us what we owed to Him, making it possible for us, through acceptance of the payment He has made on our behalf to receive a full pardon! No wonder the Bible refers to eternal life as a gift (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9)! Because it is a gift, it is free. But also because it is a gift, it must be received.

This would be a fantastic to pray the prayer of salvation, whether for the first time or the 1,000^th time. Just simple repeat these word in your heart, “Dear God, I admit that you’ve not been first place in my life and I’ve made a mess of my life. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and we buried and rose from the grave Sunday more for my sins. I invite Jesus into my life to be personal Lord and Savior. And I pledge the rest of my life to learning with it means to be your child. In Jesus’ Name Amen!

If you prayed that prayer congratulations your are NOW apart of God family. Now you should find a bible teaching church. We would be glad to help you… just visit our website at www.MyGreaterBethel.tv and email us or simply join us this Sunday.

Here’s an outline that will give you a deeper view of the 19^th Chapter of John’s Gospel.

• The Trial Before Pilate: 18:28-19:15 (Mat. 27:11-25; Mk. 15:1-15; Lk. 23:1-5, 13-25)
• The Crucifixion: 19:16-37 (Mat. 27:26-56; Mk. 15:16-41; Lk. 23:26-49)
• The Burial: 19:38-42 (Mat. 27:57-66; Mk. 15:42-47; Lk. 23:50-56)

Day 18 of 21 Days

In our study of John’s gospel we come to John chapter 18 to the story of Jesus’ arrest. Here we see Jesus. We see him fully in control of his destiny. We see him full of majesty and authority even while being arrested as a common criminal. John does not want us to get the wrong idea about Jesus’ arrest. This arrest was like no other arrest you have ever heard about. In this situation the person being arrested is in charge. That’s right Jesus is in FULL CONTROL, even now! The mob that arrests Jesus think they are in charge but John lets us know in no uncertain terms that Jesus as the Lamb of God is voluntarily laying down his life in our behalf. I want you to see the power in this. Jesus isn’t sinking into to the hands of man to be handled any kind of way but Jesus surrendering His life for ours, his life in no way is being taking. Here are five point I want to hand you today and give you an helpful outline of all the thing I would give you if I had the time and space…(Big Smile)

1. We See Jesus’ Control In His Decision to go into Gethsemane (Verse 1-2).

Immediately after his prayer in John 17 Jesus leads his disciples across the Kidron valley into the Garden of Gethsemane. This is particularly significant because this is where Judas would expect to find him. Jesus knows that his hour has come. He is positioning himself to be arrested. John 18:1-2 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.

2. We See Jesus’ Control In His Demeanor toward the hostile crowd (Verses 3-4).

He is not a nervous, scared criminal who has finally gotten caught. He is not a helpless victim of a lynch mob. He is still the Lord of Glory and King of Kings even in this most humbling of circumstances. John 18:3-4 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, when there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him came forward and said to them, Whom do you seek?

3. We See Jesus’ Control In His Demonstration of Power (Verses 5-6)

Look with me at John 18:5-6 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said to them, I am he. Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, I am he, they drew back and fell to the ground. “When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” There is no question in my mind as to what happened in that verse. When Jesus spoke the words, “I am he,” the crowd was knocked down by the power of the Spirit. I’m not certain whether the whole crowd went down or if it was just the front people who were speaking to Jesus. But clearly this is a demonstration of Jesus’ control over the situation.

If Jesus had that kind of authority and power—the ability to speak the word and knock them to the ground, he clearly did not have to surrender to them. John tells us about this so that we will know beyond any doubt that Jesus was in control. No man took his life. He willingly laid it down as a sacrifice in your behalf and in my behalf.

4. We See Jesus’ Control In His Desire for the disciples to be release (Verses 7-8).

Look at his focus during this exchange in verses 4 thru 8. Think about all the questions Jesus might have asked. Think about all the arguments he might have brought in his own defense. He does not defend himself. But he does defend his disciples.

What is the design of his question to the mob? “Who do you want?” Isn’t it obvious that they want Jesus? It is. But Jesus is getting at something that is paramount in his mind at the time. He is forcing them to focus on him rather than his disciples. He is leading the conversation to this conclusion in verse 8, Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.”

John adds this comment in verse 9, This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Usually when we read that kind of terminology we expect to find the quote somewhere in the Old Testament. But that is not the case here. Jesus is referring to Jesus’ words in John 17:12 where Jesus prayed, “None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

5. We See Jesus’ Control In His Dramatic of Healing to Malchus (verses 9-11).

There is Jesus face to face with the mob. Malchus is not just a servant of the high priest but he is “the” servant of the high priest. Behind Judas he is probably leading the crowd. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” Peter slings his blade toward Malchus and misses his head but cuts off his right ear. No one aims at an ear in that kind of situation. You want to make that first blow count. But Peter is no swordsman and does a sloppy job of trying to kill Malchus.

Have you ever tried to help Jesus in the wrong way? Peter is trying to help Jesus. But he is not moving in the spirit but in the flesh. And even though his intentions are right, he is actually doing more harm than good. He is going about a good thing in the wrong way and the result is that some sinner’s ear gets cut off.

Have you ever cut a sinner’s ear off? Have you ever approached him in some way that actually made it harder for him to hear the gospel than before he encountered you? I am embarrassed to say that I may have done that a few times in my ministry. Jesus always has to come behind us correct the mistake.

I could go on but I will at a later time revisit this idea because Malchus’ represents those unsaved people God has put in our lives that need to hear who Jesus is and what He has done for them. But we have to be careful not to be careless like Peter and cut off their ear. We cut of their ear when we suffer from 1. A lack of spiritual preparation. 2. Relying on carnal weapon to win a spiritual battle. 3. Looking at secondary causes rather than seeing the situation as Jesus saw it.

The healing of Malchus’ ear is actually recorded in Luke 22:51 where we are told that Jesus touched his ear and healed him. It’s very interesting to me that this is Jesus’ last miracle before his crucifixion.

Be blessed by the outline and I’ve enjoy sharing the Word with you throughout chapter 18 we’re just a few day about from chapter 21. See you in chapter 19 tomorrow.

• Jesus went forth—devotionally (v.1-3).
• Jesus went forth—willingly—confessing who He was (v.4-6).
• Jesus went forth—vicariously (v.7-9).
• Jesus went forth—to die—to drink the cup (v.10-11).
• Jesus was arrested, taken and bound (v.12-14).
• Peter's unnecessary denial: the denial of association (v.15-18).
• The world's unjust denial of Jesus (v.19-24).
• Peter's cowardly denial: the denial of separation (v.25).
• Peter's shattering denial: the denial of discipleship (v.26).
• Conclusion: Jesus' Word was fulfilled (v.27).
• Jesus led into the judgment hall (v.28-40).

Day 16 of 21 Days

Can you believe that it’s been 16 days? We’re just a few days away from day 21. Congratulation Fasting family and friends for hanging in there with us. Today, I want to just share a few words about chapter 16 of John’s Gospel. Jesus is teaching his disciples because they are about to endure something unlike they had in there life. There happiness is about to be challenged but He promises joy that will come with the Spirit of God. Now in order to really understand what Jesus is saying we have to deal with the difference between “happiness” and “joy.” So let’s jump right in…

We tend to equate “happiness” with joy but they are two totally different ideas because they each spring from a different source. One comes from the world around me. The other originates directly from the Spirit of the Living God. Happiness is conditioned by and often dependent upon what is “happening” to me. If people treat me good, if things are going well in my life, then I’m happy. If my circumstances aren’t favorable, then I’m unhappy.

Joy, on the other hand, throbs throughout Scripture as a profound, compelling quality of life that transcends the events and disasters, which may dog God’s people. Joy is a divine dimension of living that is not shackled by circumstances. The Hebrew word means, “to leap or spin around with pleasure.” In the New Testament the word refers to “gladness, bliss and celebration.”

Jesus continues teaching and preparing His disciple for crucifixion. Chapter 16:1 & 4 “I have said all these things to you to keep you form falling away.” “But I have sad these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.”

This outline should allow you to see a very difficult situation in a very different light. How God wants to give us joy over happiness in spite of persecution.

• Jesus warned that religionists would persecute and kill believers (v.1-2)
• The reason for the persecution religionists do not know God nor His Son (v.3)
• The preparation for persecution (v.4-6)
• The Holy Spirit helps believers (v.7)
• The Holy Spirit convicts and convinces the world (v.8-11)
• The Holy Spirit convicts: Of sin, righteousness, and judgment (v.8)
• The Holy Spirit guides believers (v.12-13)
• The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus (v.14-15)
• The Resurrection perplexes people (v.16-19)
• The Resurrection brings joy—irrepressible joy (v.20-22)
• The Resurrection gives open access into God's presence (v.23-24)
• The Resurrection reveals all about the Father (v.25-27)
• The Resurrection validates the Messiahship of Jesus (v.28)
• The Resurrection exposes weak faith (v.29-32)
• The Resurrection makes available true peace (v.33)

Day 10 of 21 Days

This is day 10 we’re half way there! Do you find yourself wanting to cheat on your fast? I mean you are over half way through and foods you would have never even thought of before now seem irresistible. As I continue with my fast I find myself anticipating the end. It’s like you begin counting down the days left until you can sink your teeth into that juicy steak or eat that big piece of cake. You begin planning the first meal you’ll have after the fast and it makes you want to go ahead and “cheat.” BUT DON’T! Don’t give up. Don’t give in. However, if you have found yourself “cheating,” just get back on board with your fast and keep faithful until the end. You can do it even if you feel like giving up.

Our devotional reading to day in John 10 deals primarily with Jesus’ claim to be the good shepherd and how his sheep know his voice. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me. I am convinced that we are too easily distracted in the rush of this modern world we live in. There are so many choices and so many distractions all demanding our time and our attention.

Sadly though it seems that we hear only what we want to hear and we often tune out Jesus. We do not take time to hear his voice.

Maybe part of our problem is we do not have as trusting a relationship with Christ as we may think we have.

How much one on one time do you set aside for him? How often do you spend time with the one you call Lord?

Let me share a quick story right here and I’ll share an outline of John chapter 10. Two men were walking along a crowded city sidewalk. Suddenly, one of the men remarked, "Listen to the lovely sound of that cricket," But the other man could not hear the sound.

He asked his friend how he could hear the sound of a cricket amid the roar of the traffic and the sound of the people. The first man, who was a zoologist, had trained himself to hear the sounds of nature.

He did not explain to his friend in words how he could hear the sound of the cricket, but instead, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a half-dollar coin, dropped it onto the sidewalk, and watched intently as a dozen people began to look for the coin as they heard it clanking around amid the sounds of the traffic and the sounds of the city. He turned to his friend and said, "We hear what we listen for."

Let’s jump into our outline for day 10.

The Shepherd and His Sheep: False vs. True Teachers, 10:1-6

The sheepfold (v.1a)

The true shepherd (v.2-3)

The sheep (v.4-5)

The parable not understood (v.6)

The Door of the Sheep: The Only Way to God, 10:7-10

Jesus is the only door of the sheep (v.7-8)

Jesus is the only door that leads to salvation (v.9)

Jesus is the only door that leads to abundant life (v.10)

The Good Shepherd: Jesus, the True Savior of the World, 10:11-21

The meaning of "Good Shepherd" (v.11-13)

The proof that Jesus is the "Good Shepherd" (v.14-16)

The final proof is the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus (v.17-18)

The reaction to Jesus' claim (v.19-21)

Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication (v.22-24)

Claim 1: He is the Messiah (v.25-29)

Claim 2: He is one with God, that is, He is God Himself (v.30-33)

Claim 3: He is the Son of God (v.34-36)

Claim 4: God is in Him and He is in God—absolutely (v.37-39)

Conclusion: Jesus retired (v.40-42)

See you tomorrow thank for hanging with me.

7 Reasons People Disappear From Church

7 reasons people disappear from church:

Burn out - These people came out of the gate too strong in the church. They showed up, got excited, and signed up for everything. They got so busy doing church they failed to enjoy being the church.

Injury - People inside the church can be cruel. These people experienced some of those people and they couldn't get over it.

Distractions - These people got distracted by seemingly good things. Over time, their lifestyle of attending becomes the habit of not attending.

Life change - These people had a lifestyle change, such as divorce or re-marriage, or they move to a new community and never connect with a church.

Mistakes - These people messed up?they made a mistake and the place that should dispense grace appears to refuse it. Many times this is more perception than reality and based on the way a person feels about themselves, but sadly sometimes it is reality.

Power struggle - These people had an agenda and when it wasn't met and when they couldn't overpower the system, they left.

Immaturity - These people never grew spiritually; there was never any depth to their faith, so church soon became a chore rather than a joy.