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Some notes from the 2016 Bible conference
Parting Words
January 9, 2016
First study: The Lord on earth | Second study: The apostle Paul
Third study: The Lord in heaven


First Bible study: The Lord on earth |
Study 2: The apostle Paul | Study 3: The Lord in heaven      Top
John 21:15-22 Acts 1:3-9

• Shepherding and discipleship
• Evangelism

Parting words always have significance. We could think of the final words of Moses, Joshua, and others. It's not that they are more important than other scriptures, but they have a special quality of blessing and reminder. We will begin our studies with the parting words of the Lord Jesus Himself, as He speaks especially to Peter about shepherding and following and then to the disciples as a group about evangelism.

The first scene is one of feeding. The Lord always fed people with fish and bread, whether the multitudes or just these seven disciples in John 21. This meal would remind the disciples of His ability to satisfy all those who came to Him. Also, it's significant that the last time we read about Peter at a fire, it was night and he denied the Lord. Now Peter is being nourished and restored at another fire.

The underlying message of the Lord's questions is that Peter can have no confidence in himself. The Lord first asked, "Do you love Me more than these"-- that is, more than these other disciples? Peter had claimed before that even if everyone was stumbled by the Lord, he would remain faithful. But of course, he did not. Peter replied, "Lord, You know that I am fond of You," using a less intense word for love (the Greek word "phileo") than the word the Lord had used ("agapao"). Peter realized that he could not claim that he loved the Lord more than the others.

Then the Lord asked a second time, "Do you love Me?"-- not even in comparison to the other disciples, but do you love Me? Peter had to reply again, "Lord, You know that I am fond of You." He could not claim that he loved the Lord in the deeply committed way but could only claim a fond attachment to Him. Finally, the Lord asked, "Are you fond of Me?"-- using Peter's word and implying, Are you even certain of being fond of Me? It grieved Peter to realize that even this was in question! But he declared, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I am fond of You!" and this was a sign of spiritual growth. Even if Peter didn't know his own heart, he realized that the Lord did, and Peter could entrust himself to Jesus.

It's good to realize that the Lord Jesus first fed the disciples before dealing with Peter's public restoration. We sometimes jump right in to address a problem, but the Lord first nourished them with the Word of God, symbolized by the fish and bread.

Also, the process of restoration had already begun for Peter. First, the Lord Jesus had prayed for Peter and had warned him about the coming denial (Luke 22:32-34). Then there was the look of the Lord that caused Peter to repent with weeping (Luke 22:61-62). Then there was a private meeting after the resurrection, as we learn from Luke 24:34 and 1 Corinthians 15:5. Now this public restoration took place so the others would know Peter still had a role in the Lord's service. We often start with the public part; the Lord started with prayer.

Notice that Peter is called "Simon, son of Jonah" by the Lord here. It reminds us of his natural condition. At the same time, at the Lord's resurrection the angel told the women to announce the news to the other disciples "and Peter" (Mark 16:7). This shows that we don't lose our place with the Lord when we sin. See the grace shown to the Lord's people! If we have sinned, maybe not all will have to know about it; but come to the Lord and let Him deal with us in His kindness and grace.

Peter had previously been told he would be a fisher of men (Luke 5:10). But here he is told he will be a shepherd. In Acts he is more like the fisher of men, and in his writings he is certainly serving as a shepherd. There are lambs, who primarily need to be fed; and there are sheep, who in the first place need to be guided and tended, then also fed. We sometimes think the young require a strong hand of guidance, but it's often the older "sheep" who become distracted; we older ones are really those who require more shepherd care.

A lamb eventually becomes a sheep; but a sheep never becomes anything else. Therefore we realize that every believer will always need to be fed. We never graduate from being one of the Lord's sheep.

This kind of service makes it clear that Peter was to be attentive to others, not to himself. And shepherding is a humble service, often in close quarters with one or a few, not necessarily in a great crowd.

The Lord never asks us to do anything that He does not model for us Himself. He is feeding and shepherding the disciples right at this moment. The Lord always trained the disciples to feed others. He had involved them in distributing food to the multitudes, and in this chapter He adds some of their fish to the fish and bread He provided at the fire. Another model is David, who fed and led the people with skill and integrity (Psalm 78:72). Peter later wrote, "Shepherd the flock of God among you" (1 Peter 5:2), showing he had learned the Lord's lesson.

Then, Peter is told there will be a time when he becomes a martyr. Would that cause him to shrink back from this ministry of shepherding? It did not. The attraction that these were the Lord's sheep would establish him in this service. It's when we are young that we believe we can go wherever we want (John 21:18), but now Peter had a task laid upon him. And if there would ever be a time when he would be uncertain about how to serve, it could always be briefly summed up in the Lord's words, "Follow Me" (21:19).

Peter had to learn to avoid peer pressure, which comes when we wonder what other people are doing. Following involves counting the cost, and Peter must learn to do that for himself regardless of others.

Peter's devotion truly was there in his heart, but it had been mixed with rashness and self-confidence. But the Lord was going to restoe and establish him for service. It's as if the Lord Jesus was saying, "I'm going to rewind this movie, and this time you won't fail. Even in your death you will glorify God."

As we move to the book of Acts, we see that the determination for service is based upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is affirmed by many infallible proofs. The Lord emphasizes to the disciples that they must serve only when they have been empowered to do so by the Holy Spirit. Imagine if an apprentice would attempt a project without the direction of the master craftsman! They will evangelize in a wide range and even go to all nations, but only in God's power.

The Holy Spirit testifies of Christ (John 15:26), so we need that source of power in order to be witnesses for Him ourselves. Power is not reserved for doing amazing miracles or signs but for the simplest testimony. It starts at home first ("Jerusalem") and spreads out from there as the Lord opens other doors for evangelism.

Peter quotes the Scriptures frequently in the book of Acts, but he never did that once in the gospels. This shows that the Holy Spirit was indeed accomplishing this work in his service in Acts. Also, no doubt the Lord Himself explained these things during those 40 days after His resurrection. His last public testimony was in John 12, when He went into a house and left the public eye. When He and his disciples went outside in John 14, it was already night (see John 13:30). In this moral "night," we bear witness for the Lord.

The message includes the kingdom rights of the Lord Jesus (Acts 1:3). These should be displayed in every believer now.


Second Bible study: The apostle Paul |
Study 1: The Lord on earth | Study 3: The Lord in heaven      Top
2 Timothy 4

• Preaching
• Watchfulness and endurance

During the apostle Paul's first imprisonment, described at the end of the book of Acts, he wrote letters to the Ephesians, the Philippians, and the Colossians, as well as a personal letter to Philemon. But this letter, his second to Timothy, was written about five years later, after he was set free and then imprisoned again. Paul knows this imprisonment will lead to martyrdom for him. He has fought and ended well; he has finished the race course; he has trusted the Lord for deliverance.

This letter emphasizes the word of God; as with Peter, the apostle Paul is feeding the sheep. Chapter 3 of this letter shows why chapter 4 is so strongly worded. In chapter 3, perilous times were anticipated, and even believers would be enticed away from a life of faith. But Paul's personal testimony was that sound doctrine had contributed to his endurance; and Timothy was reminded that all Scripture is profitable for instruction and correction. Therefore, "Preach the Word!" declares Paul (4:1). It requires urgency.

Paul used the word "continue" (3:14), and this is the backdrop for chapter 4. Right doctrine leads to the right manner of life. Any who draw attention to themselves are wrong, because the truth will draw attention to the Lord, not the speaker.

God's word is presented "in season and out of season." When it's obviously a time for teaching and proclaiming the Scriptures, we should be prepared to do so. At other times, there is an unexpected opportunity. Paul and Barnabas were listening in a synagogue in Acts 13; they were asked, "Do you have a message for the people?" Although it was the spur of the moment and "out of season," Paul presented a lengthy and powerful gospel message. Sometimes we might even bring up a scriptural topic for others to consider; this is another way to proclaim the message, even if it is not an obvious "Bible time."

"The time will come" when listeners have itching ears and don't want to listen to the truth, says Paul. That time has indeed come! An illustration of this comes in the life of King Ahab, who had 400 prophets to tell him what he wanted to hear and hated the true prophet of the Lord, Micaiah, because that prophet told him the truth. Despite listeners who select their preachers based on good feelings and positive messages, it's essential to continue to present the truth, both for blessing and warning.

Jeremiah 5:30-31 describes an astonishingly terrible thing: The prophets speak falsely; the priests control the people; and the people themselves love it that way. "But," says the Lord, "in the end, what will you do?" The experience of this lifestyle is attractive; but the end result is devastating when it comes to spiritual failure.

For Timothy, the appeal to be faithful is because of Christ's appearing and kingdom. The Lord Jesus Christ will be acknowldedged as He truly is in power and glory.

Timothy could not prevent the falling away, but he could respond to that trend by correcting and exhorting those who were in danger of being drawn away. He would be watchful and active concerning himself and others. The word "watch" used in some translations (4:5) is usually translated "sober-minded" in other New Testament verses. The word shows the seriousness and single-minded dedication that should characterize anyone serving the Lord in similar times. It's always necessary to stay away from bad influences.

Each chapter mentions people who might draw believers away: Phygellus and Hermogenes (1:15), Hymenaeus and Philetus (2:17), Jannes and Jambres in the time of Moses (3:8), and Demas and Alexander (4:10, 14). Satan imitates the Lord Jesus by sending false teachers two by two, so we have to know the truth from the Word of God to withstand them.

It's important to highlight the exhortation to "do the work of an evangelist" (4:5). We should encourage those are gifted as evangelists; but we should all be involved with evangelism. Both individuals and assemblies should desire this work, as it is the means used by the Lord to add others to His Church. If we emphasize teaching at the expense of evangelism, soon there will be no one to teach!

Paul's life illustrates the importance of ending well. Grammatically, he uses the past perfect tense of a completed task: "I have fought a good fight" (4:7). Paul had wanted to finish his race (Acts 20:24), but it was not just a dream or wish; he actually did finish well. And notice, it is a good fight. We often may fight, but it's with each other. Yet only the good fight actually accomplishes anything for the Lord.

Discipleship of this kind takes our all. The offering he mentions in 4:6 is a drink offering, which was poured out on the ground. There was no benefit for the offerer or for the priest in this kind of offering, as the wine offered could not be gathered together after being poured on the ground. Then who would be able to enjoy such an offering? Only the Lord could; but He appreciates and fully values the life that is devoted to Him.

Paul is looking forward to his day of release (4:6), as some translations put it. It's the idea of a ship being loosed from the dock and setting sail in its true character as a sea-going vessel. Paul would be with the Lord; and yet he had already been living a life in companionship with the Lord day in and day out.

Timothy had been fearful and ashamed in chapter 1. But Paul needs him now. What will be Timothy's response? What is needed here is a service not of public preaching but of private and personal refreshment: bringing others along to encourage Paul, and carrying a coat and books for his needs.

Notice that Paul evidently had only one coat. The Lord had told His disciples not to have two coats, and figuratively we can see a meaning that shows the importance of not being "two-faced," as we say. Paul did not show one kind of personality with some people and a different attitude with other people. He was the same person through and through, in every situation.

Paul has been abandoned by others, including at his defense before the magistrates. Some had been ashamed of his chains, as the verse in 1:16 implies. Yet he knows the Lord stood by him. We can always count on this.

Demas started well but ended poorly; Mark began poorly but ended well. Luke was faithful from beginning to end. Which follower are we?

  • Third study: The Lord in heaven   See third study
        Revelation 22:10-21 ~ Rewards and judgment
    Third Bible study: The Lord in heaven |
    Study 1: The Lord on earth | Study 2: The apostle Paul      Top
    Revelation 22:10-21

    • Rewards and judgment

    Here we have the last chapter of the Bible: the parting words of all parting words! The Lord is coming for rewards and for judgment. He offers words of promise and words of warming in this chapter.

    In Daniel 12, the book of Daniel's vision was sealed "until the end." Here the book is not to be sealed, because the time is at hand (22:10).

    John's name is not mentioned in his gospel or epistles; but in Revelation his name is given twice. He had his senses exercised to hear and see God's word, and Christ is the center of it all. Just as Revelation was to remain open, John's life was open, and anyone could read who he was.

    Yet many consider Revelation to be the most tightly sealed book and one that is hard to understand. Although there is symbolism to identify, Revelation helps to reveal itself in its outline and meaning. However, it will remain a misunderstood book if we only look at it with curiosity and the desire to identify current events.

    The book of Revelation could not be understood without Daniel, and vice versa. We also connect these writings with the apostle Paul's revelations about Christ's coming glory. Further, Daniel learned from the prophet Jeremiah, and so on. The Bible is an integrated whole.

    Sin has to be judged. Those who are unholy or unclean (22:11) will not change their character on their own. It's not that grace has become limited but that sin has reached an end. Yet this statement still contains a final appeal, for those who hear these words now do not have to remain apart from Christ. Meanwhile, we who are righteous through Christ are a testimony to His work of sustaining us to the end.

    Christ is the perfect Evaluator. He also is the perfect Rewarder. It's part of the essential character of faith to believe that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), because such faith recognizes that God is present with us and is aware of all we do. Additionally, it implies that God has a path marked out for us.

    Yet we do not serve because we want to enrich ourselves with His rewards! Christ says, "My reward is with Me." When He says "I, Jesus" and reviews His eternal character and authority, the Spirit and the bride say, "Come," because the Church is attracted to Him.

    There are seven blessings in Revelation for those who read and those who keep His word. It was the wise virgins in Matthew 25 who were present to respond to the call, "Behold the Bridegroom!" Each one who is linked with Him can receive those blessings. And those who read these words in the time of the coming tribulation will be encouraged as well.

    The rewards are connected here with Christ's kingdom and His appearing. Although rewards are given to believers at the judgment seat of Christ, responsibilities and privileges are employed during His kingdom. Rewards and affections go hand in hand; one does not do away with the other.

    Notice the reference to the tree of life. It was in the center of the garden of Eden in Genesis; but at the fall of mankind, Adam and Eve were driven from access to this tree. It was a mercy of God that they would not be permitted to eat its fruit in their fallen condition. It is mentioned metaphorically in the book of Proverbs; but otherwise it does not appear again in the entire Bible until the book of Revelation (once in chapter 2 and twice in this chapter).

    To notice the teaching of this section, those who keep His commandments will have the right to eat of the tree of life. This is a kingdom scene, when the leaves of the tree of life are used to heal the nations. In chapter 21:2, the new Jerusalem, the center point of Christ's administration during His reign, has come down out of heaven (and thus is not exactly heaven itself). There will be kings of the earth who will bring their honor to the Lord, the King of kings (21:24).

    This scene of glory leads to an invitation. Are you thirsty for this kind of scene? Come to Jesus! We can enjoy the tree of life spiritually now.

    The central message and also the closing theme of this passage is the grace of God. Verse 20 says, "Surely, I come quickly. Amen." The word "surely" is the Greek affirmation, while "amen" is the Hebrew word of certainty. It is a message to all.

    Verse 21 offers the blessing of the grace of God to all the saints. Grace saves us, grace keeps us, and grace will present us spotless before His presence.

    = = = = =
    This third Bible study was followed by a time for additional Bible teaching. Notes from this message follow.
    = = = = =

    Winter conditions

    In 2 Timothy 4, Paul writes urgently to Timothy because winter is coming. He wants the books, and he wants Timothy to be diligent to arrive before winter does. It's important to be ready for winter conditions, spiritually speaking. The Word of God is our safety for these conditions.

    In John 10:19-22, it was winter. The people had rejected the Lord because they said He had a demon. Do we want tradition, or do we want the Lord? By John 12:36, the Lord hides Himself. Conditions must be pretty bad if even He has to hide Himself! There would be no more public testimony at that time. On what will we stand in the winter time?

    Another winter scene is in Jeremiah 36, when King Jehoiakim burned the scroll containing the word of the Lord. He was in his winter house (vv. 22-23) with a fire on the hearth. He thought he would remain comfortable without the words of God; but His Word cannot be destroyed (v. 28).

    In Acts 27, Paul sails with those who are searching for a good winter harbor. Paul counseled them not to depart, but their current location did not seem pleasant enough, so they left. The great winter storm caused terrible loss. However, all those who sailed with Paul were preserved. As we keep the words of the Lord, we are kept by His power, even in a time of winter.


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