Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
authenticity: children of God
1 John 3:4-24. John agrees with James that confession of faith is not proof of faith. True children of God are going to stop habitually sinning, and start habitually loving each other. If we say that the blood of Christ … Continue reading
authenticity: abiding in Him
1 John 2:18-3:3. Some time in the first century, there was apparently an exodus from the Church. A number of people who were thought to be Christians left, and started their own groups. Then they sought to convince those who … Continue reading
authenticity: mutual appreciation
1 John 2:7-17. Real Christians rejoice in the differences they have with others. There is no competition among the children, the young men, and the fathers. There is mutual appreciation and love among the brothers and sisters. LORD, help us … Continue reading
authenticity: obedience and confession
1 John 1:1-2:6. John had lived and served Jesus for a good long time. His concern for the churches under his charge was that they had been infiltrated by people whose faith was pretense. He wanted to remind his readers … Continue reading
Posted in church, confession, discipleship, faith, genuineness
Tagged 1 John 1, 1 John 2
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Jesus restores
John 21. Rather than end his gospel account with the story of the public ascension of Christ, John chooses to conclude with a discourse between Jesus and Peter. This disciple – who had denied Jesus three times, is asked if … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, forgiveness, Jesus Christ, ministry, obedience
Tagged John 21
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Jesus is alive!
John 20. Jesus was raised from the dead and lives today. The Scripture predicted it, but even those who experienced his resurrection did not understand it (9). We cannot see him today, because he has gone back to his Father … Continue reading
Posted in eternal life, evangelism, faith, forgiveness, gospel, Jesus Christ, repentance
Tagged John 20
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memories of Jesus’ death
John 19:17-42. The elements of John’s depiction of the crucifixion show us memories of the event that John could never forget. He saw a sign that embarrassed his people – written in three languages for all to read and ponder … Continue reading
Jesus: both the king and the Son
John 18:28-19:16. The stated reason for Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion was that he had made himself a king, and thus was opposing Caesar (19:12). But the real reason the Jews were offended at him is that he claimed to … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, discipleship, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, the cross
Tagged John 18, John 19
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Jesus’ provocative questions
John 18:1-27. As the record of Jesus’ long ordeal (called his passion) begins, he challenges us all by the questions that he asks those who arrest and try him: “Whom do you seek?” (4,7). Finding Jesus is only part of … Continue reading
how Jesus prayed
John 17. Jesus prayed for himself, that he would glorify his Father as much when he returned to heaven as he had while on earth. Jesus prayed for his disciples, that they would be sanctified – set apart for and … Continue reading
