Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson

A Call to Persevere 17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. What Does This Mean? Jude the brother of James (the main leader of the church at Jerusalem) writes this short letter to those who are “loved”, “called” and “kept” in Jesus Christ. “Kept” and the imperative “keep” in v. 21 above, imply the main purpose of this short letter, which was for t

Daily Bread 2011 – 3 J ohn 1 The Elder,To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. What Does This Mean? In this third letter of John, this time it is addressed to Gaius, someone who the author, the elder, knows well. It has many

Daily Bread 2011 – 2 John 1 1 The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. 4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. What Does This Mean? The writer of this short letter of 2 John is very similar to the writing of the 1 John. Specifically it is concerned about the false teachers that were infiltrating the church, and teaching that Jesus did not come in the flesh. Meaning he was some sor

Concluding Affirmations 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life . 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. What Does This Mean? We see John’s ultimate purpose in writing His gospel and also his letters to the churches. He says that he writes these things that those who believe in the Son of God may know they have eternal life. Notice it did not say “hope they have eternal life”, but “know they have eternal life”. God does not want us to go through life wondering where we are going to spend the rest of our eternity. The bible calls this “confidence”. Some might say, “Well how can you know for sure you are going to heaven.” The appropriate answer is because of what Jesus has done for us and our faith in what He did on the cross. Christia

1 John 4 1 7 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. What Does This Mean? This is one of the most beautiful passages in all scripture. Again we see the process of transformation takes place through the power of love. We hear the most magnificent verse, “Perfect love casts out all fear.” Whenever we fear as human beings it is always a result of not understanding God’s “perfect love” for us. There is fear in perfect love, because most fear stems from a fear of failing, rejection or even bodily harm. And yet if we know the God of the universe loves us, we really have nothing to fear. If God is for us who can be against us! Fear has to do with punishment. Love can discipline, but it is always out of a perfec

1 John 3 1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. What Does This Mean? At the heart of receiving God’s love is becoming His child. Born not of natural means, but born of the Spirit. John says, “And that is what we are!” Although other Christians will have a kindred Spirit with you, just as there is a natural kindred spirit between a brother and sister; those without the Spirit will not understand or detect it. Just like a child grows up to be like his or her parents, because they have their DNA in them, so a child of God grows up to be like His Father in heaven and like His Son, Jesus. W

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers 3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” What Does This Mean? In the 2nd chapter, the apostle explains the relationship between obedience and our relationship with the Father. One of the heresies of the Gnostic movement was the “antinomian” (anti-nomian means anti-law or “nom”) heresy. They felt since they were forgiven they could do whatever they wanted. They said God’s commands didn’t apply to them anymore because they were under grace and not the Law. Basically, they were living in the flesh and trying to use the doctrine of justification by grace to rationalize their licentious lifestyle. The apostle challenges the young community and says t

The Incarnation of the Word of Life 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. What Does This Mean? We begin 1 John with a similar passage to the gospel of John 1. The apostle John, who was part of the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, proclaims what he (we=the apostles) has seen, heard and touched. This tips us off to one of the main purposes of the first epistle of John. By now (toward the end of the first century or possibly into the early 2nd century) the church is fighting the major he

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. What Does This Mean? In 2 Peter, one of the author’s main concerns is that the believers would not be ready for the return of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is spoken of throughout the Old and New Testament as a day of judgment and reckoning. In the Old Testament many associated it with the coming of the Messiah, and the new kingdom He would set up. Although Jesus’ coming was certainly a day of the Lord, it is not the final day of the Lord; when Jesus will return a final time. There were some scoffers who wer

False Teachers and Their Destruction 1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. What Does This Mean? The author gets to the heart of the issue he sees in the church. As Christianity began to grow, cults that looked like Christianity and even mentioned Jesus in their teaching, started to emerge. To be a good heresy the teaching must look like the truth. But in the end, its demise is that it denies that Jesus is Lord. While they may flourish for a while and fool some people, ultimately their destruction will be swift. Yesterday,

Confirming One’s Calling and Election 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. What Does This Mean? In the first verses of 2 Peter, the author claims to be the apostle Peter. There are not many examples of external evidence (early church fathers) who cite the apostle Peter as the author. 2 Peter struggled to gain acceptance into the New Testament canon (books that make up the final version of the New Testament), but by and large was accepted by the Church to make the final canon because of the internal evidence that Peter was the author. Many felt that the author used Peter’s name as a pseudo writer, but the style of the writing is so different from 1 Peter, than many doubt it was the

To the Elders and the Flock 1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. What Does This Mean? As Peter counsels the church, he turns to the leaders, the elders, who he also calls “shepherds”. The elders/overseers main job was to shepherd the sheep, by being an example to the flock. Just as the power in Jesus’ leadership was in his willingness to submit to the Father and serve others without regard for personal gain, so the best leaders exhibit “servant leadership”. As we say, “leadership has its privileges we get to

Suffering for Being a Christian 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. What Does This Mean? The Christians in Peter’s day were undergoing persecution and Peter writes to encourage them and similar to what James’ says in James 1 he states, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come to test you as something strange is happening to you.” But instead be joyous that you are participating in the sufferings of Christ. It is one thing to suffer for doing bad things, but quite another to suffer for doing good things in Jesus’ name. Peter makes two precious promises. One is that one day we will be thankful that we were able to perse

Wives and Husbands 1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinde

The Living Stone and a Chosen People 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. What Does This Mean? Peter uses imagery and a metaphor that would have struck a chord with the Israelites. In the Old Testament, God was described as “the Rock” on which the temple was built. The tabernacle in which God dwelt had many regulations, as the High Priest came in once a year to offer sacrifices for the people. Only the Most High Priest could come into God’s presen

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. What Does This Mean? In this short introduction to the book of 1 Peter, we see more about the apostle Peter and his being sent as an apostle to the tribes of Israel. We Peter is an apostle, one of the original 12 sent by Jesus with His full authority to bring about God’s purposes subsequent to Jesus’ resurrection. To God’s elect means to those who are called and chosen to represent God. When God calls someone He gives them everything they need to fulfill the purpose He called them to. Notice it God’s initiative in calling these folks. In this case it is to those who were scattered in the Babylonian invasion of 586 B.C. and

The Prayer of Faith 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. What Does This Mean ? James teaches us many things about living out our Christian faith, even in the midst of adversity. At the end of chapter 5, he urges the Christian church to not to forget to pray when they are going through various kinds of trials. He also reminds them to sing songs of praise when things are going well and they are happy. So often we go to God only when we need things (as we should), but forget to thank Him when things

Submit Yourselves to God 1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. What Does This Mean? As the church has been displaced because of difficult

Taming the Tongue 1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. What Does This Mean? Today, James turns his attention to the power of the tongue. He begins by reminding teachers they will be accountable

Faith and Deeds 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God,

Trials and Temptations 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. What Does This Mean? The apostle James doesn’t waste any time in getting to the point in this short epistle. James, a a servant of the Lord, and also one of the original apostles, is writing to the Jews (the twelve tribes) who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that came on the early church. Just as Stephen, one of the first martyrs had died for his faith and others too, James tells the scattered church to consider it joy that they were facing various kinds of trials. “Consider” is a mental word, meaning to “consider” is to make a mental calculation. It is not natural for us in a trial

Concluding Exhortations 1 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. What Does This Mean? In these closing verses of chapter 13, the author finishes with some exhortations as to the type o