Make His Word Our Home

Introduction

which house do u prefer to stay? beautiful house without a roof or a ordinary house with a strong roof?

our spiritual life is like that when we dont study BIble. Faith and grace leads us to salvation, as what Brother Paul preached to us last week. But, what is next? do we stop there at grace? What makes us truly his disciples? The true disciple receives and continues in the word of his Master. Discipleship clearly is not identical with the new birth. Born-again people need to do something else—“abide in [Jesus’] word”—to be His “disciples indeed.” One cannot be a follower of Christ without knowing and applying His word.

The true disciple receives and continues in the word of his Master.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. John (Vol. 1, p. 360). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Hold to my teaching = stay or abide at my teaching, like living in a home. it is not legalism, saying that we will remain in salvation when we do this and that.

Wilkin, R. N. (2010). The Gospel according to John. In R. N. Wilkin (Ed.), The Grace New Testament Commentary (p. 408). Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society.

Jesus says, If you hold to my teaching, u are really my disciples/If you abide in my word, then you are truly my disciples. This is spoken to those who have already believed in Christ. The expression expands and illustrates the difference between believing Christ to speak the truth, and believing in him.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. John (Vol. 1, p. 360). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.Hold to my teaching = stay or abide at my teaching, like living in a home. it is not legalism, saying that we will remain in salvation when we do this and that.

Hold to my teaching = stay or abide at my teaching, like living in a home. it is not legalism, saying that we will remain in salvation when we do this and that.

Jesus says, If you hold to my teaching, u are really my disciples/If you abide in my word, then you are truly my disciples. The expression expands and illustrates the difference between believing Christ to speak the truth, and believing in him

Hold to my teaching = stay or abide at my teaching, like living in a home. it is not legalism, saying that we will remain in salvation when we do this and that.

Jerusalem Bible version - make my word as ur home

The meaning of Home:

not a hotel, always come back

is a comfortable place, give us comfort and rest

give us comfort

it protects us from harm

How do we make His word our Home?

Μείνητε signifies a settled determination to live in the word of Christ and by it, and so entails a perpetual listening to it, reflection on it, holding fast to it, carrying out its bidding. The verb rendered ‘hold’ is menō, to abide, to remain—a theme of critical importance that returns in a concentrated way in ch. 15. In short, perseverance is the mark of true faith, of real disciples. A genuine believer remains in Jesus’ ‘word’ (logos), his teaching (cf. notes on 1:1): i.e. such a person obeys it, seeks to understand it better, and finds it more precious, more controlling, precisely when other forces flatly oppose it.

Discipleship begins with belief. Its beginning is the moment when we accept what Jesus says as true—all that he says about the love of God, all that he says about the terror of sin, all that he says about the real meaning of life. Discipleship means constantly remaining in the word of Jesus, and that involves four things.

(2) Discipleship means constantly remaining in the word of Jesus, and that involves four things.

(a) It involves constant listening to the word of Jesus. It was said of the eighteenth-century cleric John Brown of Haddington that when he preached he paused every now and then as if listening for a voice. Christians are people who all their lives listen for the voice of Jesus and will take no decision until they have first heard what he has to say.

(b) It involves constant learning from Jesus. The disciple (mathētēs) is literally the learner, for that is what the Greek word means. Throughout their lives, Christians should be learning more and more about Jesus. The shut mind is the end of discipleship.

(c) It involves constant penetrating into the truth which the words of Jesus bear. None of us can hear or read the words of Jesus once and then say that we understand their full meaning. The difference between a great book and one which is fashionable and of the moment lies in the fact that we read the latter once and never wish to go back to it; whereas we read a great book many times. To remain in the word of Jesus means constantly to study and think about what he said until more and more of its meaning becomes ours.

(d) It involves constant obeying of the word of Jesus. We study it not simply for academic satisfaction or for intellectual appreciation, but in order to find out what God wishes us to do. The disciple is the learner who learns in order to do. The truth which Jesus brought is designed for action.

Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of John (Vol. 2, pp. 23–24). Louisville, KY: Edinburgh.

making his word the resting place for both heart and intellect

Why do we make His word our home?

to be His disciples

It was one thing to believe in Jesus, quite another to be disciples, learners. The one could be a momentary impulse; the other required constant study and obedience?] In the earlier part of his ministry Jesus probably had a great many disciples. At all events this might be suspected. He taught a great deal, and the testimony is that he spoke “with authority, and not as the scribes.” We may be sure he was always ready to speak concerning the things of the kingdom of heaven. In synagogue, in temple, in the homes of the people, out in the open air, he lost no opportunity. He that soweth sparingly, reapeth sparingly. Thus a large company of nominal disciples would be gathered. But Jesus did not care for mere quantity as such. He was quite prepared for desertions and backslidings. Only a hundred and twenty were gathered in the upper room to wait for the Day of Pentecost.

to know the truth

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. John (Vol. 1, pp. 399–400). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Lange, J. P., & Schaff, P. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John (p. 287). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Jesus has known earlier that many could not sustain and would not be his disciples at the end of the day. That’s why he said, “you are really my disciples, if...”. That means some who follow Jesus were not “REALLY” his disciples. They were not genuinely seeking to learn His word and teaching, but for something else like miraculous signs.

disciples are those who follow Jesus faithfully without a fickle mind. does not easily changed by the surrounding.

What does the disciples mean? in terms of both intellectually and morally. What changes in our thoughts and ways there must be, so that our thoughts may become as the thoughts of Jesus, our ways as the ways of Jesus! We are not to be known by distinctions in outward appearance, but by deep distinctions in character and purpose. He who wants an easy, smooth, level life will not indeed find it anywhere; least of all will he find it with Christ. It is not mere attendance at school that makes the scholar—it is learning; and in the school of Christ learning by practice.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. John (Vol. 1, p. 400). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

what kind of disciples? Radical disciple, not just nominal disciple.

The primary duty of a believer is indicated in the exhortation of Jesus, “Remain in my word.” That is the mark of a real disciple

to know the truth

what is the truth?

what is the truth? Gospel , the truth that has been revealed in and by Jesus. The truth is not merely something thought; it has taken flesh and blood in Christ, who says, I am the truth. By a deeper and deeper knowing of Christ they would know also the truth

Lange, J. P., & Schaff, P. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John (p. 287). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

We come to know the truth, not simply by intellectual assessment, but by moral commitment. we get to understand Christ better and deeper.

what is the truth?

First, Even those who are true believers, and disciples indeed, yet may be, and are, much in the dark concerning many things which they should know. God’s children are but children, and understand and speak as children. Did we not need to be taught, we should not need to be disciples. Secondly, It is a very great privilege to know the truth, to know the particular truths which we are to believe, in their mutual dependences and connections, and the grounds and reasons of our belief,—to know what is truth and what proves it to be so. Thirdly, It is a gracious promise of Christ, to all who continue in his word, that they shall know the truth as far as is needful and profitable for them. Christ’s scholars are sure to be well taught.

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1969). Peabody: Hendrickson.

to set us free

How? at that time, people were looking for the political freedom, but Jesus showed that the spiritual freedom from the slavery of sin. We have wrong understanding on our sin.

Jesus is talking to believers (vv 30, 31). It is believers who are set free from the bondage of sin when they abide in Jesus’ words. Only an abiding believer experiences freedom from sin’s bondage. help us to remain in our faith, by how? continue to assure our freedom in Christ. freedom from condemnation (5:24), darkness (8:12), the power of the evil one (17:15; cf. ) and death (5:24; 8:51).

Wilkin, R. N. (2010). The Gospel according to John. In R. N. Wilkin (Ed.), The Grace New Testament Commentary (p. 408). Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society.help us to remain in our faith, by how? continue to assure our freedom in Christ. freedom from condemnation (5:24), darkness (8:12), the power of the evil one (17:15; cf. ) and death (5:24; 8:51).

help us to remain in our faith, by how? continue to assure our freedom in Christ. freedom from condemnation (5:24), darkness (8:12), the power of the evil one (17:15; cf. ) and death (5:24; 8:51).

Truth only can set the mind free from its bondage under ignorance and prejudice and evil habit. If the Light of the world shines into the dark places of the heart, the chains erewhile misunderstood will not only become visible, but will be broken. Godet beautifully says that “the empire of sin in a human heart is based upon an illusion, a fascination. Let truth shine, and the spell is broken, the will is disgusted with that which seduced it—‘the bird escapes from the net of the fowler.’ ”

First, The truth which Christ teaches tends to make men free, . Justification makes us free from the guilt of sin, by which we were bound over to the judgment of God, and bound under amazing fears; sanctification makes us free from the bondage of corruption, by which we were restrained from that service which is perfect freedom, and constrained to that which is perfect slavery. Gospel truth frees us from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and the more grievous burdens of the traditions of the elders. It makes us free from our spiritual enemies, free in the service of God, free to the privileges of sons, and free of the Jerusalem which is from above, which is free. Secondly, The knowing, entertaining, and believing, of this truth does actually make us free, free from prejudices, mistakes, and false notions, than which nothing more enslaves and entangles the soul, free from the dominion of lust and passion; and restores the soul to the government of itself, by reducing it into obedience to its Creator. The mind, by admitting the truth of Christ in the light and power, is vastly enlarged, and has scope and compass given it, is greatly elevated and raised above things of sense, and never acts with so true a liberty as when it acts under a divine command, . The enemies of Christianity pretend to free thinking, whereas really those are the freest reasonings that are guided by faith, and those are men of free thought whose thoughts are captivated and brought into obedience to Christ.

Jesus explained that the difference between spiritual freedom and bondage is a matter of whether one is a son or a servant. The servant may live in the house, but he is not a part of the family; and he cannot be guaranteed a future. (Jesus may have had Isaac and Ishmael in mind here; see .) “Whosoever keeps on practicing sin [literal translation] is the servant of sin.” These religious leaders would not only die in their sins (, ), but they were right then living in bondage to sin! How can slaves of sin be set free? Only by the Son. How does He do it? Through the power of His Word. Note the emphasis on the Word in , and He had already told them, “The truth shall make you free” (). They would not “make room” for His Word in their hearts.

Jesus explained that the difference between spiritual freedom and bondage is a matter of whether one is a son or a servant. The servant may live in the house, but he is not a part of the family; and he cannot be guaranteed a future. (Jesus may have had Isaac and Ishmael in mind here; see .) “Whosoever keeps on practicing sin [literal translation] is the servant of sin.” These religious leaders would not only die in their sins (, ), but they were right then living in bondage to sin!

How can slaves of sin be set free? Only by the Son. How does He do it? Through the power of His Word. Note the emphasis on the Word in , and He had already told them, “The truth shall make you free” (). They would not “make room” for His Word in their hearts.

Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1969). Peabody: Hendrickson.

(a) It brings us freedom from fear. Those who are disciples never again have to walk alone. They walk forever in the company of Jesus, and in that company fear is gone. (b) It brings freedom from self. Many of us fully recognize that our greatest handicap is our own self. And we may in despair cry out: ‘I cannot change myself. I have tried, but it is impossible.’ But the power and presence of Jesus can re-create us until we are altogether new. (c) It brings freedom from other people. There are many whose lives are dominated by the fear of what other people may think and say. H. G. Wells once said that the voice of our neighbours sounds louder in our ears than the voice of God. Disciples are people who have ceased to care what people say, because they think only of what God says. (d) It brings freedom from sin. Many people have come to the stage when they sin, not because they want to, but because they cannot help it. Their sins have so taken over their lives that, try as they will, they cannot break away from them. Discipleship breaks the chains which bind us to them and enables us to be the persons we know we ought to be. The prayer that the old self may be put aside and that as disciples of Christ we may become new people will indeed be answered.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 322). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Barclay, W. (2001). The Gospel of John (Vol. 2, p. 25). Louisville, KY: Edinburgh.

Truth brings us into the liberty of doing God’s will. Christ’s own liberty was not that of doing as he liked. He went by the likings of his Father in heaven. He did nothing without liking to do it; yet he also did nothing just because he liked to do it. To desire what God desires, that is liberty, without a check, a jar, or a fret. Sowing just what we like, we shall certainly reap what we do not like. Christ wants to liberate us from the thraldom of our own strong, foolish desires. The psalmist exactly expresses the Christian’s privilege and attainment, when he says so cheerfully, “I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.”

III. Truth brings us into the liberty of seeing things with our own eyes. The reputed wise in Jerusalem would only have led Jesus into a bondage of falsehoods and delusions. What a Pharisee they would have tried to make him! Really freethinking is the only right thinking, and our Teacher was the freest thinker that ever lived. It is our duty as much as our right to judge everything in connection with Christ for ourselves. By that rule we shall be judged at last. Others may help us in the way when chosen, but they are not to choose it for us.

Truth brings us into the liberty of seeing things with our own eyes. The reputed wise in Jerusalem would only have led Jesus into a bondage of falsehoods and delusions. What a Pharisee they would have tried to make him! Really freethinking is the only right thinking, and our Teacher was the freest thinker that ever lived. It is our duty as much as our right to judge everything in connection with Christ for ourselves. By that rule we shall be judged at last. Others may help us in the way when chosen, but they are not to choose it for us.

Truth brings us into the liberty of a loving heart. The heart of Jesus could not be kept within rules and precedents and prejudices. It was a Divine love, shed abroad in his heart, that kept him safe, pure, and unspotted, in a world abounding with things to pollute.

IV. Truth brings us into the liberty of a loving heart. The heart of Jesus could not be kept within rules and precedents and prejudices. It was a Divine love, shed abroad in his heart, that kept him safe, pure, and unspotted, in a world abounding with things to pollute.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. John (Vol. 1, p. 360). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

V. Truth brings us into the liberty of a gracious life. That is, the liberty of Jesus never interfered with the true liberty of others, but increased and established it. He never broke away from the beaten track for the mere sake of doing it.—Y.

Truth brings us into the liberty of a gracious life. That is, the liberty of Jesus never interfered with the true liberty of others, but increased and established it. He never broke away from the beaten track for the mere sake of doing it.—Y.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). St. John (Vol. 1, pp. 400–401). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Practical ways/Application:

Μείνητε signifies a settled determination to live in the word of Christ and by it, and so entails a perpetual listening to it, reflection on it, holding fast to it, carrying out its bidding. The verb rendered ‘hold’ is menō, to abide, to remain—a theme of critical importance that returns in a concentrated way in ch. 15. In short, perseverance is the mark of true faith, of real disciples. A genuine believer remains in Jesus’ ‘word’ (logos), his teaching (cf. notes on 1:1): i.e. such a person obeys it, seeks to understand it better, and finds it more precious, more controlling, precisely when other forces flatly oppose it.

Beasley-Murray, G. R. (1999). John (Vol. 36, p. 133). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

Carson, D. A. (1991). The Gospel according to John (p. 348). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans.

WTTB

Daily devotion

Small groups

Conclusion

what will u do when u feel tired? when we cannot be home, we feel quite bad.

my own experience of couldnt be home on CNY.

continuance in the Word—discipleship—was proof of true salvation. When we obey His Word, we grow in spiritual knowledge; and as we grow in spiritual knowledge, we grow in freedom from sin. Life leads to learning, and learning leads to liberty.