Ever found yourself vacillating over the purchase of fancy workout gear, like a high-tech rowing machine, wondering if it's a stroke of genius or a soon-to-be dusty relic in the corner? That's exactly where our episode takes off, with a hearty laugh over the conundrums we all face when trying to mesh fitness into our daily grind. My co-host Steve and I go back and forth on the allure of gadgets like Peloton and Aviron, but don't be fooled by the light-hearted banter; this episode dives deeper as we segue into how these everyday choices can ripple into our spiritual lives, even touching on the unexpected, like property taxes.
Midway through, we shift gears and delve into the profound, examining the teachings of Jesus in John 14 and the transformative power of prayer. This isn't your average Bible study chat – oh no. We wrestle with big questions: Was Jesus' message exclusive to his disciples, or does it echo through the ages to all of us? And what about that promise of the Holy Spirit? We navigate these waters with the curiosity of explorers and the candor of friends, providing insights that might just bridge gaps across different denominations.
Wrapping up, we bare our souls a bit, sharing personal anecdotes about discerning God's will amidst the cacophony of life's desires. It's a candid confession from regular guys discussing the tug-of-war between divine guidance and our own stubborn wills. Join us for a conversation that's as much about finding humor in our spiritual journey as it is about the earnest quest for faith and identity. So, pull up a chair and lend an ear; this is one episode where laughter and profundity sail in the same boat.
Ever found yourself vacillating over the purchase of fancy workout gear, like a high-tech rowing machine, wondering if it's a stroke of genius or a soon-to-be dusty relic in the corner? That's exactly where our episode takes off, with a hearty laugh over the conundrums we all face when trying to mesh fitness into our daily grind. My co-host Steve and I go back and forth on the allure of gadgets like Peloton and Aviron, but don't be fooled by the light-hearted banter; this episode dives deeper as we segue into how these everyday choices can ripple into our spiritual lives, even touching on the unexpected, like property taxes.
Midway through, we shift gears and delve into the profound, examining the teachings of Jesus in John 14 and the transformative power of prayer. This isn't your average Bible study chat – oh no. We wrestle with big questions: Was Jesus' message exclusive to his disciples, or does it echo through the ages to all of us? And what about that promise of the Holy Spirit? We navigate these waters with the curiosity of explorers and the candor of friends, providing insights that might just bridge gaps across different denominations.
Wrapping up, we bare our souls a bit, sharing personal anecdotes about discerning God's will amidst the cacophony of life's desires. It's a candid confession from regular guys discussing the tug-of-war between divine guidance and our own stubborn wills. Join us for a conversation that's as much about finding humor in our spiritual journey as it is about the earnest quest for faith and identity. So, pull up a chair and lend an ear; this is one episode where laughter and profundity sail in the same boat.
Music. You are listening to the Regular Guys Bible Study Podcast, the Bible Study for Regular Guys by Regular Guys. We are your host, ken and Steve, and we are just regular guys studying the Bible today.
Speaker 2:Not theologians. Oh, the crowd is going crazy. All right, Steve, how you doing? We've got a live studio audience today. Huh. No we just have toys. Yeah, you did get a new toy for Christmas.
Speaker 1:I got a new toy for Christmas and it's kind of cool. I guess, All right, quit doing that, Steve Gosh, I'm definitely not going to put that near you.
Speaker 2:Next time it's near me, all right, so I bet you want to get started, because it's the National Championship game tonight.
Speaker 1:You know what, I don't yet, because I had this weird situation at home and I want to talk to you about it. That's not really weird, okay, my wife. So you know this is safe, because my wife is never going to listen to my podcast, all right. So my wife wanted a rolling machine for Christmas. I didn't get her a rolling machine because I just wasn't sure what to get and wasn't sure it's expensive for one thing or very cheap.
Speaker 1:You know, I can spend. You can spend anywhere from $100 for a piece of crap up to like $2,500.
Speaker 2:Is that including like Peloton brand?
Speaker 1:Peloton, I think is 29.
Speaker 2:I was going to say I'm surprised 3,000. You're right 3,000.
Speaker 1:I could go to 3,000. Pelotons is fairly new to rolling, but I did look at that. So I hate rolling. Steve, when I go to the gym and when I try the rower, I do it for like five minutes and I'm going okay. First of all, I'm really tired. Second of all, this is boring, and so I was really worried because I don't want to use a rower. And I looked up. You know what's the most common backup.
Speaker 2:Yeah, this is a gift for your wife, so why do you care? Okay, that's true.
Speaker 1:Because I kind of think there's a good chance. It's not going to be used. It's going to be used for six months.
Speaker 2:Well, you've got to have something to hang your clothes on. A rolling machine is not very good for that Exactly.
Speaker 1:It doesn't have a good place to hang stuff on. So, anyway, I had a choice and a conundrum Do I buy something that maybe I will use, Because you know I would like some cardio and it's actually a good cardio and full body? Rolling is like one of the best I know full body exercises. So I thought okay, and if I get something cheap, then neither one of us is going to use it because it's garbage, right.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:I've used those kinds of things before and it's like, okay, this is, this is stupid. So I made the big decision yesterday and I got a very good rolling machine. I did not buy the Peloton.
Speaker 2:See, I could have given you a discount.
Speaker 1:Would it have been 30% at least?
Speaker 2:At Christmas they had like 600 off.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it needs to be like a thousand or more off, but I did end up spending. I'm not going to say but a lot of money for this thing? The Averon, have you heard of that?
Speaker 2:Never heard of it.
Speaker 1:It's an interactive gaming system. It also has streaming and page like that idea, so she could watch Netflix or whatever.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Peloton does that too, but I cannot watch a movie and ride a bike at the same time. It just doesn't work for me.
Speaker 1:Oh, I guarantee you page can She'll like read a book and and and row, or no, not row. You cannot row and read, that's true, she would do that on the elliptical. Yes, she'd read a book and do elliptical, but she really likes to row and she really liked the idea of of you know, being able to watch a movie. She doesn't like the idea of playing games or guided workouts.
Speaker 2:But you do.
Speaker 1:But I thought, okay, if anything's going to keep me interested, it might be some kind of game where I'm competitive.
Speaker 2:See, for me it's the guided workouts.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm going to. So I am going to try them all and we'll see.
Speaker 2:You know the, the, the games at least Peloton cycling games are pretty lame.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah. So we'll see it actually comes in on Thursday, so why is?
Speaker 2:this a problem at home?
Speaker 1:It's a problem because I it was a big problem. What are you talking about when your wife says she wants something and you know she's not going to use it, and then you end up subending a lot?
Speaker 2:on it. You said that you have a weird situation.
Speaker 1:I'm still all my normal situation.
Speaker 2:All I hear that's wrong here is that you're about three weeks late. Okay, that's true.
Speaker 1:One problem is I had to wait until I knew how much we had to pay on taxes. You already know, no, no property taxes.
Speaker 2:They were so late.
Speaker 1:Do you know when I got my property tax bill?
Speaker 2:No, what does this have to do with John 14?
Speaker 1:It doesn't have anything to do with John 14. It has to do with who I am and my state of mind today. I see you have no state of mind, so anyway, property taxes you're supposed to get in October, december 28. No, yes, wow. Why so late? Because some proposition changes and they had to redo everything and I don't know Something with Hayes County. All right, well, steve, why don't we go ahead and get started? That's a good intro, I think, to John 14.
Speaker 2:A seven minute intro about a growing mission.
Speaker 1:That was a good intro Really, I think, hammers. It's a good starting point to how Jesus is the rowing machine of our lives. Okay, okay, I sort of like using the name of the Lord's name in vain, I think, because that was just stupid.
Speaker 2:That was stupid.
Speaker 1:I'll give you that, okay. All right, why don't you go ahead and read the first section? Let's do that, okay.
Speaker 2:But first, our previous chapter ended with Jesus commanding them to love one another, and then foretold of Peter denying him three times.
Speaker 1:That's right. Thank you for the quick summary.
Speaker 2:You're welcome, john 14. But everyone that's listening has already read this, so I really don't have to, but I'm going to anyway. Yeah, just a quick reminder. Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.
Speaker 2:In my father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, and that, that, where I am, you may be also, and you know the way to where I am going. Thomas said to him Lord, we do not know where you were going. How can we know the way? Jesus said to him I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my father also. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.
Speaker 2:Philip said to him Lord, show us the father, and it is enough for us. Jesus said to him have I been with you so long and you still do not know me? Philip, whoever has seen me has seen the father. How can you say show us the father? Do you not believe that I am in the father and the father is in me. The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own authority, but the father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the father and the father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the father. Whoever you ask in my name this, I will do that the father may be glorified in the sun. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. Sorry for the pause there.
Speaker 1:It's all right. It was a dramatic pause that really needed to be there All right?
Speaker 2:I don't know really, but it's funny. We talked about that verse just the other day and it was just a couple of chapters below.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, yeah, I don't know, since it is hilarious, which just shows that we're not reading ahead. I know I don't want to cheat.
Speaker 1:That's cheating, okay, so Right after he tells Peter about that, he's gonna deny him three times before the cock crows he goes into this thing about. You know, don't be troubled. He's got pepe's preparing a place for us. And in this section, you know, there are people who deny that Jesus ever claims equality with God or to be God. Yeah, and, and Equality with God is not actually what he claims. He, because that would be me and God. We're just as good as each other. That's not what he says. He says me and the father are one. If you have seen the father, no, I'm sorry. If you have seen me, you've seen, you've seen the father.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I had a note about this too, wondering how the various cults out there Reconcile this like. Take the Mormons, for instance. They don't believe in the Trinity, so how do they get around these verses?
Speaker 1:I Don't know. I don't know really enough about what the Mormons believe.
Speaker 2:I Looked it up and read their version of the Bible and it was all there. It was just full of these and vows and sayeths.
Speaker 1:Well they I know the Mormons Still have our, the same Bible we have. I thought they had they also have another book right by Joseph Joseph Smith or John Smith.
Speaker 2:I thought their Bible was modified.
Speaker 1:It could be.
Speaker 2:I don't know. I don't know, I thought it's not important.
Speaker 1:No, it is not important, unless you're Mormon. And if you're Mormon, what? Reading that thing? And read the real Bible and go to a real church. Yes, that too.
Speaker 2:We're not very Empathetic yeah, not that we're also Intolerant intolerant.
Speaker 1:It's not about intolerance. I can tolerate you, being a Mormon. I would just prefer that you learn the truth, because the truth will set you free. Lies will hold you in bondage. Did you just come up with that? Yeah, I just made it up myself.
Speaker 2:So I thought it was funny that Philip said Just show us God. No, we're all good. Oh, were you not listening, philip? Because I just told you that you've already seen him through me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, do you think? I Know that I Would be so frustrated. Talking to the disciples, thomas is saying where are you going?
Speaker 2:I Just told you I'm gonna die. Peter knows I'm gonna die.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I, I kind of have a feeling he's not frustrated because he understands that they don't understand, because and and he does actually acknowledge later in this chapter that the helpers coming and all will be explained.
Speaker 2:Explain everything, oh, will be revealed is that this a good time to segue into that?
Speaker 1:I don't think so. It's not in this section. We haven't read it yet, have we?
Speaker 2:No, but you need to read the next section, or were we done with the first section?
Speaker 1:Well, we didn't really ask some questions. Do you have any questions?
Speaker 2:I didn't, I didn't take a lot of notes here for some reason.
Speaker 1:All right. Well, I did take some notes. I wish I had brought my iPad where I wrote those notes, but I didn't. I'm sure I can. Okay, there's, I Know. One of my notes is who is Jesus talking to? Is Jesus talking to His disciples? Yes is Jesus talking to all believers?
Speaker 2:Mmm. Well, we haven't seen Jesus In person like the disciples have and what does that mean?
Speaker 1:Oh, if you've seen, okay, so in this case he's talking with Jesus. I mean, he's talking to himself, he's talking to himself, he's talking to his disciples. There is some stuff you read at the end that is considered kind of controversial. Truly, truly, I say to you whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and and greater and greater works than these will he do?
Speaker 1:because I am going to the father. Whatever you ask in my name, this, I will do that. The father may be glorified in the son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
Speaker 2:Controversial, because we can pray in Jesus name and it doesn't happen.
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:Hmm, I can see where people might think that so what?
Speaker 1:but what does this mean?
Speaker 2:So I've reconciled that in my mind, as as long as my will is in line with Jesus's will and I'm asking in his name, then it's gonna happen.
Speaker 1:I would argue, though, that if your will is aligned with Jesus's will, then you don't even need to ask. I feel like I'm not taking part, then, Okay, I struggle with this personally. I don't know what completely to take of this. And you know, this is when you know we say we're not theologians. This is when, sometimes, I really wish I was a theologian.
Speaker 2:Or we had one we could call.
Speaker 1:That's true. Or maybe I told you about the section I want to add called check with Chick-fil-A? No, I think it'd be hilarious. We have a question.
Speaker 2:We call Chick-fil-A, we call.
Speaker 1:Chick-fil-A.
Speaker 2:Now we ask for the manager.
Speaker 1:We ask for the manager, we talk and say tell the verse, and ask him what it means.
Speaker 2:I think that might be funny once, but I don't think you're going to get quite the response you're hoping for.
Speaker 1:All right, I actually know some people that are operators of Chick-fil-A's so we could call them directly. So it's still check with Chick-fil-A, but it's not a random.
Speaker 2:I see Not a random. So I met our new men's pastor at the Southwest campus this weekend.
Speaker 1:And does this have something to do with Chick-fil-A?
Speaker 2:No, but he lives between you and me off of 290. I shouldn't say where he lives.
Speaker 1:He sleeps in the middle of our bed.
Speaker 2:He lives. Maybe we could convince him to be open for Monday night phone calls.
Speaker 1:Ask a friend, or maybe let's see Talk to a theologian.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:It's got to have an alliteration to it or poke a preacher. That's better, all right, well, so yeah, we went off the rails again, but I would like to understand this better. We need to talk to somebody. Whatever you ask him my name, this I will do. Now, if he's talking to the disciples only, which he was, because they've seen him, then you could argue that this does. He's not really talking to us here.
Speaker 2:Sorry, bumped a cord, that's all right. Yeah, I'm trying to read through the my Bible's notes here on the side to see if it has any answers for you.
Speaker 1:So well, I know that I'm not going to come up with any answers unless the Holy Spirit just gives it to me right now, but I think it's possible that that Jesus is talking to his disciples. I mean, we already know that he's talking directly to them because he says you have seen me. Since you have seen me, you have seen the Father. So maybe that doesn't directly apply to us.
Speaker 2:You know, it's like telling your buddy yeah, would you like to hear what the Bible's? Notes say yeah. Praying in Jesus's name means praying in a way consistent with his character and his will. A person's name in the ancient world represented what the person was like. It also means coming to God in the authority of Jesus. Probably both senses are intended here. Adding in Jesus's name at the end of every prayer is neither required nor wrong. Effective prayer must ask for and desire what Jesus delights in. See also note on 1st John 515.
Speaker 2:Okay, All right so so close to what I said, close to what you said. But the other thing you didn't touch on here is greater works than these he will, he do. I don't feel like I've done greater works than Jesus by any stretch of any imagination.
Speaker 1:You'll get no argument from me about that, steve.
Speaker 2:Now maybe Peter and John, maybe they did greater works. I mean, we only hear about a few places where they do miracles, like they in Acts. We just did it this weekend. They talk about Peter and John having the lame guy. Yeah.
Speaker 1:They I mean I would say speaking immediately when the helper comes and they speak in different languages that they can hear. That's a huge deal, right. And 3000 people come to believe in Christ. That from that one sermon.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:That's pretty big, that's a pretty great thing yeah.
Speaker 2:And yeah, I don't know, but that would be another argument for him talking directly to them rather than us.
Speaker 1:Right. So I don't know, Maybe we should talk to that dude. Why don't you talk to that dude on Sunday? Maybe we can come back and reference it.
Speaker 2:Try to remember.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I bet, you don't.
Speaker 2:I bet you, I don't either.
Speaker 1:All right, let's move on to the next section, then Verse 15. And this goes to the end. If you love me, you will keep my commandments and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, in the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you, yes, a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me because I live. Because I live, you also will live. In that day, you will know that I am in my father and you and me and I in you.
Speaker 1:Whoever has my commandments and keeps him, he, he it is who loves me, and he who loves me will be loved by my father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. Judas not a scary, it said to him Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and and not to the world? Jesus answered him. Anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my father will love him and he will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me, does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine, but the fathers who sent me these things.
Speaker 1:I have spoken to you while I am still with you, but the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid your heart. No, you heard me say to you I am going away and I will come to you. If you love me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the father, for the father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the father. Rise, let us go from here.
Speaker 2:I have a little bit of disagreement with where you put your emphasis on that last sentence. What did I say? Well, you said he has no claim on me, but I do as the father has commanded me.
Speaker 1:Okay, you're right. It says he has no claim on me, but I do as the father has commanded me. Thank you, so that the world may know that I love the father. Rise, let us go from here. So it's not. I'm just not a very good reader, is all.
Speaker 2:It's okay. So I found it interesting that he will give you another helper. Is Jesus the first helper? Where is this Straight at the top there, verse 16.?
Speaker 1:I'm just finding he will give you another helper to be with you forever. Maybe he's saying replacing himself? Yeah, maybe. So that's a good point. I hadn't thought of the word another.
Speaker 2:Well, you know, going back to the Mormon thing, that's not really applicable. At the top of their section on chapter 14, it talked about how they didn't call him helpers but said something about second. No, I'll just say helper, second helper. So when I read this I was like hold it.
Speaker 1:You read this in the Mormon Bible. When did you do that?
Speaker 2:Either Saturday or this morning you did that on purpose.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you have the Mormon Bible. It's called. Google, I might actually still have it open, and you did that just because you were curious. That is so strange.
Speaker 2:I do still have it open.
Speaker 1:That is so strange, Steve.
Speaker 2:I don't do that kind of stuff. Oh, it says he promises the first and second comforters.
Speaker 1:First and second comforters.
Speaker 2:So then, when I saw another, I was like, well, where's the other?
Speaker 1:Oh, that's like their little subtitle of this section, I see. Okay, so comforter. So you know. I have a note that says that word for helper can be advocate or counselor. It doesn't say comforter. But you know what, if all those are in these and those, they've learned a lot about translation since then.
Speaker 2:This is true, and we're not really fluent in old English.
Speaker 1:That's true. Well, that's not old English, technically. Well, it's older than us, it's a lot older than us, but it's not old English. Old English is much different than that. What do you call that then?
Speaker 2:There is a word for that Anglican English.
Speaker 1:That's such I don't remember I would. If I cared enough, I would look it up, but it's not old English. If you've ever read Beowulf and the original old English, then you could. It's almost another language.
Speaker 2:Have you done this?
Speaker 1:Yes, in high school, Not like this morning. Have you heard of Google? Yeah, at any rate you should actually look that up so you can see old English. It is very hard.
Speaker 2:No, I'm aware of what you're talking about, but I don't know what else to call it. Yeah, so he talks about this another helper who would be with you forever, and then goes into even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. Isn't the helper, the spirit of truth? That, even there, makes no sense to me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's a confusing thing. Let me what does. I'm going to look up another translation here, all right. So I'm going to the NIV, which is a not word for word translation but is supposed to be a very reliable word for word plus intent translation. So it's a lot of it is word for word, but they try to focus on intent and that says and I will ask the father and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. Dash, dash the spirit of truth that makes more sense.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so I think even the spirit of truth is kind of like. That's kind of like he's even called the spirit of truth or something like that. You know, I actually read the SV because that's what our church uses. It's actually not my favorite translation, but it is a good word for word translation.
Speaker 1:You prefer the message no paraphrase no, I prefer the amplified Bible. Wrong book, stop it. So my wife and I, when we were there's a long time ago we were young, married, no kids. We were walked in. They used to have Christian bookstores around, you know, and they're always full of self-help books.
Speaker 1:Well, they're quiet and people are in there just kind of whispering and looking at stuff and pages, looking at a new Bible. And I pick up the amplified Bible and I start reading out of it, like I just did, really loud, and I said what is this? Oh, it's the amplified Bible. And surprisingly it's hard to believe this. But my wife laughed.
Speaker 2:That's because she still liked you back then.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's before. Yeah, before all the changes took place.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Back when she thought your humor was funny.
Speaker 1:Yeah, now I'd have to do it 20 times, with her telling me the whole time 19 times that it's annoying. And then 20th time, finally, it would cause a laughter. I don't think that's how it works. 25 times, eventually it gets funny.
Speaker 2:Hmm.
Speaker 1:All right, let's continue. Steve, Okay, All right. Do you have any else? Any any other notes that you would like to talk about?
Speaker 2:So non believers are blind to the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1:Yep.
Speaker 2:Yep, what do you think about that?
Speaker 1:I think so you're talking about even the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive.
Speaker 2:Because it neither sees him nor knows him.
Speaker 1:Right. So um are you asking, because how do people receive Christ in the first place?
Speaker 2:Oh no, I guess I just never thought about it and I mean certainly you have to receive the spirit, but I mean we can't really see the spirit either, but we know he's there.
Speaker 1:Right. So I think, you know, I do think, first of all, we talked about this when we in our Ephesians Bible study, because he talks about predestination some in there, I do think or, or it talks about those who God calls. I do think that when someone calls is called by God. That that's when they're able to hear the spirit, and that's what the spirit of God, that's what knocks on their heart, so to speak. I say so to speak because it's not a physical heart thing, but it feels like it's there, and that's how they reconcile that they need Christ.
Speaker 2:You know, as we were talking about this, the light blinked.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that was kind of weird.
Speaker 2:Maybe we just saw the spirit.
Speaker 1:No, I don't think so. Yeah, does that light ever blink like that?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, okay.
Speaker 2:I see the spirit all the time. Quit messing with me, man. Okay, what else, steve? So let's see. Where was it Judas? A scary, not a scary, it said to him Lord, how is it that we will manifest? You will manifest yourself to us and not to the world. Do you feel like Jesus actually answers this question?
Speaker 1:Well, I think he does. Yes. He answers it by saying if anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him. That's how he manifests himself to us by making his home with us, so basically saying that it will come and live in our being. We like to say in our heart, but I think it's more than that. So I do. You know, I like to share my pet peeves on here, but you have so many.
Speaker 1:I know I do, but when people say Jesus lives in my heart, it kind of bothers me, because that's what they say about dead grandma. You know, she's still with us in her hearts, you know, and that's not the case here it is much different and I just bothers me, because that's not. Jesus didn't die and we remember him in our heart.
Speaker 2:But when people say that, do you feel like that's what they mean?
Speaker 1:I believe that some people can be confused by what it means. Huh, because do people really? Okay, so I believe that Jesus came and died on the cross and physically rose from the dead. Okay, yeah, I've heard statistics that Christians. It's appalling the number, the percentage of. Christians that believe Jesus really rose from the dead, and if he didn't rise from the dead, what's the point? Good coffin there, steve. I turned away. Yeah, you turned away the everybody on that.
Speaker 2:But yeah, I agree. In fact, the Bible even says if he didn't do that, then where does it? Paul says. Paul says it we're the biggest fools.
Speaker 1:Yeah, or the should be pitted the most, yep.
Speaker 2:Because we're fools. Which makes you wonder the Christians that answer those surveys in the negative, Do they? How do they reconcile with those verses?
Speaker 1:Of course, I don't think they do.
Speaker 2:They pick and choose what they believe out of it, so I guess it doesn't matter to them.
Speaker 1:Right, I think that's right. It doesn't matter to them while they're here.
Speaker 2:It might matter later, but maybe they're just infant Christians and eventually they'll come to believe.
Speaker 1:I don't think so, Steve.
Speaker 2:That's back to the predestination. That's a basic.
Speaker 1:It's a basic, fundamental thing. It's not like yeah, but I don't think it's not like somebody, a new Christian, who's struggling getting over their alcohol addiction or something this is but it could be. That's a different thing, though, but they might still call themselves a Christian. Yes, they can. They can be Christians and struggle with that, but to say they're a Christian and say, yeah, but I don't think Jesus rose from the dead.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but my point is so you got the guy that goes to 12 steps or AA or AAA, whatever it is.
Speaker 1:AAA automotive.
Speaker 2:They help you with alcoholism, okay, and they introduce you to the higher power or whatever, right, and you accept that and you start going to church. And then you get this survey and you say, well, I go to a Christian church, I must be a Christian, but I don't know that. I believe that he rose from the dead.
Speaker 1:Yeah, those aren't. That person's not a Christian, but he says he's a Christian. Yeah, that's true, but he does, he's not, so he's an.
Speaker 2:He could be an infant Christian that will mature into believing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I don't believe so I believe he has potential to become a Christian.
Speaker 2:Maybe God is calling, Okay you're getting stuck on the semantics of what it means to be a Christian which I agree with you.
Speaker 1:I think if he were to die he'd go to hell still. Yeah sorry, Steve, you look frustrated with me at this moment.
Speaker 2:Wow, I must look like this a lot.
Speaker 1:That classic look of yours. Okay, yeah, I'm sorry, am I just? Am I just? No, I understand what you're saying.
Speaker 2:And it's just one of those topics that is hard to agree, hard to come to grips.
Speaker 1:Yes with I and you know, I don't know anything really right, I don't. We agree, we agree finally, but God knows what will happen with that person, right?
Speaker 2:And it's not my place to judge who goes and who doesn't go. All I can go on is what it tells me right, and you have to believe and love God.
Speaker 1:All right. So he talks quite a bit at the end of this section about loving the father. I mean how we are supposed to, what we are supposed to do. What are we supposed to do? What does he say?
Speaker 2:You're talking about. If you loved me, would have rejoiced, because I'm going to the father, for the father is greater than I.
Speaker 1:That part Well that's one that we need to love him. But no, that's that's really talking about there. They're fretting over him going, going away, instead of rejoicing. But he says and now I've told you before it takes place. Well, okay, blah, blah, oh, it must not be at that end yeah, it's not there.
Speaker 2:No, if anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my father will love him.
Speaker 1:Yes, okay, that's up further.
Speaker 2:Yes, that's 23 now?
Speaker 1:You know, I learned when I was in Vacation Bible school that God loves us all. But what he says here, whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine, oh no, I'm sorry. And well, he's saying that. The words he's saying are the father told him to say if anyone loves me, he will keep my word and my father will love him and he will come to him and make our home with him. So that kind of implies the father's love for us is conditional, does it not?
Speaker 2:Mmm, I think there's a word for this, where you're trying to turn the logic around To say who God loves, and I don't think this rules out God loving everyone.
Speaker 1:You're right, it was a trick question. He doesn't say it, but you can infer that you could make an inference that he's saying if that, if you don't love me, then my father won't love you.
Speaker 2:but he doesn't say that he doesn't say that.
Speaker 1:So that's a little. I do remember I made that note on my iPad that you could infer from that sentence that that he's saying that God doesn't, the father doesn't love you if you don't love Jesus. But that is not what he says.
Speaker 2:Well, not just don't love Jesus, but you could. Well, you can't love him and not keep his word, so I guess I'll leave that out.
Speaker 1:If anyone loves me, he will keep my word right, not if anyone loves me and keeps my word right. Yeah, which sort of goes to the the book of James. People say, oh, james says that it's all about works. But it's obvious that James is saying if you really do love God, then you will do those works. It's not, you will do them right. And that's kind of what Jesus is saying right there.
Speaker 2:It's a good connection.
Speaker 1:Thanks, you know what I'm gonna say? The Holy Spirit did that because cool.
Speaker 2:It just just clicked at that moment and, fyi, the light did not blink that time.
Speaker 1:What does that mean? I Don't know if that's good or bad.
Speaker 2:I think it means the light has nothing to do with the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1:Okay, good, anyway, alright. Is there anything else in here you'd like to talk about, steve?
Speaker 2:Well, he goes on with his peace out speech. Peace, I leave with you my peace. I give to you, not as the world gives to you, but I give to you.
Speaker 1:Peace out, and then he drops the mic. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Actually no, he talks for a while after that.
Speaker 1:But he, but he's just saying. What he says after that is hey, I'm not gonna be here, I'm not gonna talk to you much longer, and and he's letting them know also, look, just because I'm going to allow myself to die Does not mean that Satan has any claim on me. Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2:The ruler of this world is coming.
Speaker 1:Yes, who is Satan? And then he says he has no claim on me, but I do as the father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the father.
Speaker 2:And then he says let's get out of here, yeah, he's Gonna be in so much torment that he Sweats blood as he's struggling over going to the cross.
Speaker 1:Yeah, just mental, mental stress, mental stress and torment and intense prayer.
Speaker 2:But he does it because he's doing the will of the father.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and you know what, Steve, I'm glad you brought that up, because this morning, so in my quiet time this morning, you didn't start sweating blood, I hope no.
Speaker 2:I didn't over. A rowing machine really can.
Speaker 1:But okay, I'm talking serious stuff now, steve, not a rowing machine. This is. I Asked God. I said God, I want to do whatever you want me to do. And I Was an instantly filled with guilt. Oh, because, not guilt? Guilt is not the right word.
Speaker 2:Trepidation because you were afraid I'm afraid like is that right?
Speaker 1:Will I really do whatever God wants me to do? What if God Asked me to? Oh, my yard.
Speaker 2:No why don't you give a more realistic example, like go to a foreign country and be a missionary?
Speaker 1:Yeah, would I do that Would. I your brother did what? I quit my job, would I? Oh actually, you know. I thought well, I thought, okay, I just spent X dollars on a rowing machine. Does you know what if God said, now take that same amount and give to Person down the road?
Speaker 2:So that they can road to.
Speaker 1:So no maybe, I don't know do whatever they want to with it. Am I really willing to do whatever God wants me to do and I want to say yes, but I Mean, I know, I know where you're struggling.
Speaker 2:I mean, I've been there, oh oh.
Speaker 1:I'm not there anymore, docus, I don't know what I've got. I do still struggle with it.
Speaker 2:The. The problem I have is will God make it so clear to me that it's his will and not some whim that I made up?
Speaker 1:Sure, that's another thing. What is my head saying versus God? Right and, but I have to make myself open to hear God and I but?
Speaker 2:but you do. You study his word every day and you pray.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but you still got a. I don't think that's enough, you. You still got to be open to hearing there. There has to be an attitude in your brain and In I mean just I don't know how to describe it, but an attitude that you're available.
Speaker 2:Hmm, and you don't feel available?
Speaker 1:I've just worried. I'm not. I Know I have things that pull me In a direction I want to go, and how hard do those things pull me? How hard do they drive me inside? Do they drive me so that I will not be available when God says no, I want you to do this and that's, that's tough. I don't know All right well, do you have anything else you'd like to talk about, steve I. Guess not sounds like we're ending it. I think we got it in now, huh yeah.
Speaker 2:All right, we'll see y'all in John 15.
Speaker 1:Yeah, 15. Next the regular guys. Bible study is a chasm LLC production. All rights reserved.