Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 122:1-2 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let’s go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet were standing within your gates, Jerusalem
Read the Entire Psalm
Praise God for the chance to be a part of His family and to gather with His church to worship. Being together as His people is His idea and it is a wonderful gift. Give thanks to Him for calling us and gathering us as His people.
Scripture Reading
John 10:22-42 – New International Version
Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods”’? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside— 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. 38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, 41 and many people came to him. They said, “Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true.” 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanks to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for Sarah. Pray for God’s guidance and encouragement in her life.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
For John there are two great human tragedies. One is the false security of the unbeliever, and the other is false insecurity of the believer. Those who are confident of their relationship with God but have not believed in the Lord Jesus are in dire danger, and yet they believe they are okay. Those who have believed in the Lord Jesus but lack the security of that relationship are okay but can live without assurance and peace. Recently I have spoken with men in both situations. One is a man who has confidence in himself and doesn’t believe he needs the Lord. The other is a man who has trusted Christ but for various reasons lacks the confidence that is his birthright in Christ. The enemy loves to deceive. Jesus says that when Satan lies, he is speaking his native language. If he can’t keep people from faith in Christ, then at least he can take their confidence away and keep them from being productive in their faith. Are you trusting Christ alone for your salvation? Then live with the productive confidence in your salvation that Christ has promised.