If you are here for the first time, I say "Welcome!" At the top of this page is a link that will direct you to Day One. But first, let's get acquainted.
My name is Tim McKeown and over the last 20 years or so I have examined and written and rewritten the daily devotionals on John's gospel. It never grows old. The goal is to help new (and not so new) believers to truly understand this beloved gospel. Each day, you can watch segments of the movie Gospel of John dramatically depicted word-for-word, using the Good News Translation, narrated by Christopher Plumber (Captain von Trapp in the Sound of Music).
My goal is to help new believers grow, but if you have been long in the faith, I also hope you can grow from this rich and enlightening gospel. Like John said of his purpose in writing, my aim is that you would first believe in Jesus Christ, that is, place your trust for eternal life in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Secondly, I hope that believing, you would have life in His name. Jesus said one of His purposes in coming is to give us a full and abundant life.
For more than 27 years I served in full-time church ministry. And while it is important to go to church, it is even more important to go to heaven.
The Bible says we can know for certain and for sure how we can have eternal life and be assured we are going to heaven. God wants us all to spend eternity with Him and made it as easy as A, B, C.
First of all the Bible says we must A Admit that we are not perfect and are not good enough to go to heaven. Romans 3:23 says we have all sinned and fall short of His glory. Admitting that we are going in the wrong direction is the first step to turning around going in the right direction. That's what the Bible calls repentance, and that was the first message Jesus proclaimed. Will you Admit you have sinned and need to turn to God?
Second, the Bible teaches we must B Believe or put our trust in Jesus Christ John 3:16 says whoever believes in Jesus Christ will never perish but have everlasting life. Believe is not merely head knowledge but rather putting our faith in Jesus Christ. It's like trying to swim to Hawaii and seeing a Hawaii-bound boat going by. You may believe that the boat exists but unless you actually get on the boat, you will not be able to get to your destination on your own.
Third, the Bible proclaims you must C Call upon the name of the Lord. Romans 10:13 says quite simply whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Saved from what? Saved from our sins and death and an eternity of separation from God (see also 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
The Bible teaches us that God calls us to salvation, that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, but like a man proposing marriage, Christ awaits for you to respond with a call back, saying YES. Don't leave this proposal hanging, for the Bible says today is the day for salvation and today if you hear his voice, you need to respond. Every day you delay, you harden your heart to God's call. He still calls, but we must respond.
How do you say yes? Pray a prayer like this as your first response, "Dear Lord, I admit I am not perfect and I need to turn away from my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross to take away my sins. I call on You today to come into my life to live forever in my heart so that when my life is over, I can live forever with you. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen."
Now, I don't believe a prayer or a person or a blog saves you. Only the Lord Jesus does that. The Bible calls your new life in Christ many things: salvation, being saved, redemption, having eternal life, being born again. Just as you were physically born, being spiritually born again is not the end but the beginning. You were saved FROM sin, not saved TO sin. You are raised to walk in newness of life. This changes everything.
Now what? Now you grow. There is another A, B, C for believers:
A Assurance. 1 John 5:13 says we can know we have eternal life. Jesus said in John 6:47, "Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me has eternal life." No one can snatch you from the Father's hand (John 10:28-29).
B Baptism. you need to follow the Lord on Believer's baptism. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in water, and He commands us to do the same. It symbolizes being cleansed from sin, our new life and the Spirit's immersion in us.
C Church membership. The Bible says the church is Christ's body and we are members of one another. Just as you are members of a physical family, you are also to be a member of a local family of believers called a church.
There is even a D for Deeper Discipleship. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works, and by having assurance of our salvation, being baptized into a church membership, we are can be ready to grow deeper as a disciple.
CLICK HERE FOR DAY 1
First of all the Bible says we must A Admit that we are not perfect and are not good enough to go to heaven. Romans 3:23 says we have all sinned and fall short of His glory. Admitting that we are going in the wrong direction is the first step to turning around going in the right direction. That's what the Bible calls repentance, and that was the first message Jesus proclaimed. Will you Admit you have sinned and need to turn to God?
Second, the Bible teaches we must B Believe or put our trust in Jesus Christ John 3:16 says whoever believes in Jesus Christ will never perish but have everlasting life. Believe is not merely head knowledge but rather putting our faith in Jesus Christ. It's like trying to swim to Hawaii and seeing a Hawaii-bound boat going by. You may believe that the boat exists but unless you actually get on the boat, you will not be able to get to your destination on your own.
Third, the Bible proclaims you must C Call upon the name of the Lord. Romans 10:13 says quite simply whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Saved from what? Saved from our sins and death and an eternity of separation from God (see also 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
The Bible teaches us that God calls us to salvation, that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, but like a man proposing marriage, Christ awaits for you to respond with a call back, saying YES. Don't leave this proposal hanging, for the Bible says today is the day for salvation and today if you hear his voice, you need to respond. Every day you delay, you harden your heart to God's call. He still calls, but we must respond.
How do you say yes? Pray a prayer like this as your first response, "Dear Lord, I admit I am not perfect and I need to turn away from my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross to take away my sins. I call on You today to come into my life to live forever in my heart so that when my life is over, I can live forever with you. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen."
Now, I don't believe a prayer or a person or a blog saves you. Only the Lord Jesus does that. The Bible calls your new life in Christ many things: salvation, being saved, redemption, having eternal life, being born again. Just as you were physically born, being spiritually born again is not the end but the beginning. You were saved FROM sin, not saved TO sin. You are raised to walk in newness of life. This changes everything.
Now what? Now you grow. There is another A, B, C for believers:
A Assurance. 1 John 5:13 says we can know we have eternal life. Jesus said in John 6:47, "Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me has eternal life." No one can snatch you from the Father's hand (John 10:28-29).
B Baptism. you need to follow the Lord on Believer's baptism. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in water, and He commands us to do the same. It symbolizes being cleansed from sin, our new life and the Spirit's immersion in us.
C Church membership. The Bible says the church is Christ's body and we are members of one another. Just as you are members of a physical family, you are also to be a member of a local family of believers called a church.
There is even a D for Deeper Discipleship. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works, and by having assurance of our salvation, being baptized into a church membership, we are can be ready to grow deeper as a disciple.
CLICK HERE FOR DAY 1
What study should be after John?
ReplyDeleteSorry I am only replying now. I would suggest going to Mark (for another study of Jesus) or Philippians.
DeleteMeeting with you today after you walked my family to our car was a blessing and showed me you practice what you preach. I would love to connect with you for our outreach ministry to inner city lost souls.
ReplyDelete