This week we’re talking about the second most common reason people don’t read the Bible. If you’re brand new to Jesus and don’t know where to start, open up the Gospel of John, which is all about how much Jesus loves you, and the forgiveness He offers us.
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Transcription:
Last week on the Bible for Busy People, we talked about the number one reason why you and I don’t read the Bible. Because we don’t have enough time – And we discovered that actually we do have time to study God’s word. So, if you are still here with me this week, congratulations, you’re not giving up. I love that. I’m Erica by the way, and this week we’re going to cover the number two reason why we don’t crack open the Bible, and that is because so many of us don’t know where to start.
I was 16 years old when I became a Christian, when my uncle Joey told me the good news that Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose again defeating death, hell, and the grave, and everything I was afraid of as a girl. And I accepted that good news. I accepted the love and forgiveness of Jesus and he saved my heart and my life. It meant that I could have peace now and eternal life forever, and it means the same thing for you. That’s why it’s called good news. I said to my uncle when he gave me a Bible, I looked at it and I was like, okay, where do I start? And he looked at me with one of his trademark smiles. I loved him so much, he’s now with the Lord. And he said in the Gospel of John, in the book of John, and maybe you’ve heard John’s name before. He was one of the fishermen who Jesus called to follow him and he said, Hey John, come with me. I’m going to make you a fisher of men. I love that so much. And John wrote down all the stories of Jesus in his life, and I want to read the first few verses of the book of John because this is honestly the best place to start. My uncle was right all of those years ago, because John’s gospel helps you and I understand who Jesus was, and is today. So, join me now in John’s Gospel chapter one beginning in verse one.
In the beginning, the word already existed.
The word we’re reading right now, by the way.
The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it
Because this is the Bible for Busy People, we’re going to jump down to verse 10 now. This is speaking of Jesus of course.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Again, for the sake of time, we’re going to skip down to verse 16.
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
This is who Jesus was and is. He came to tell us who God was, to show us who God was. God is love, and everything Jesus did and said was out of that love that he’s made of. He is love. Perhaps you grew up with a different perception of God. Perhaps you feel God is vengeful, or you grew up thinking that he was always angry at you. God looks at you with heart shaped eyes, like that emoji. He sees the person he knit you to be in your mama’s womb. He made you special and he loves you very much. I want you to know that today.
There were many stories that John wrote down that you can read and experience. As you go through the Gospel of John on your own study time, open it up to any chapter and you are going to get to know Jesus better by reading the stories that John wrote down about him. You’ll read about how Jesus turned the water into wine, how he fed 5,000 people with a boy sack lunch. He had five loaves of bread and two fish. You’ll be amazed when you read about how Jesus walked on water and how he raised Lazarus from the dead. That’s all in the gospel of John. So, like I said, open up the Gospel of John to any page and you’re going to learn something new about Jesus. You’ll be sitting in the carpool line, in the coffee drive-through line and just Google John chapter seven, see what you get. You’re going to learn more about your savior. Okay, I want to conclude our time today with the last two verses in the gospel of John. John chapter 21, beginning in verse 24.
This disciple,
He’s referring to himself now.
…is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate. 25 Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
That always just gives me the good chills. Alright, until next time, you are so loved.
Thank you for making time for the Bible, for Busy People today. If being part of this community is a blessing to you, it’s super easy to share this podcast with someone you love. We’re all about spreading the hope of Jesus like butter. So, if you’ve got a moment to write a review, boy, we’d really appreciate that. Maybe you need a little prayer today, or you are ready to take that next step with God. I invite you to check out our show notes. You’re going to find lots of encouragement there. This podcast is one branch on a tree called Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and thrive in God’s purpose for your life. If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose.
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