Category: Essential Bible Studies Podcast

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The Word was made Flesh

In conjunction with last week’s podcast from John 1:1, Jay and Tim consider the context and the importance of verse 14, “the Word was made flesh”. What is it about Jesus being flesh that is so crucial to his sacrifice? Does it contradict the doctrine of the Trinity? How are we to understand this glory that was seen? The scriptures lead us to the wonderful conclusion that we will all eventually share in the divine nature, Jesus being the first among many.

Key Verse:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Show Notes:

 The Importance of Jesus Being Flesh

  • Flesh and blood  the same as our nature (Hebrews 2:14) the key to the sacrifice of Christ.
  • Had to be tempted like us (Hebrews 4:14-15). God cannot be tempted (James 1:13).
  • Flesh is sinful! This is why his obedience is such a wonder. He had to overcome the temptations of flesh like no other man.

Made Flesh: What it Doesn’t Mean

  • Revisiting the definition of the Trinity and the nature of Jesus and God
  • Was Jesus the God-man? Is he just a man? Neither is true.
  • Jesus was a special creation made strong by his Father (John 3:34; 2 Cor. 5:19)

We Have Seen His Glory

  • What is glory? Both moral and physical.
  • The moral glory (Exodus 34:6 cp. John 1:14). The wider purpose of God to fill the earth with this glory (Numbers 14:21; Isaiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14).
  • His physical glory – the example and meaning of the transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16-18). Jesus the first to be transformed (Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Peter 1:4).
  • The Apostle saw both of these glories (1 John 1:1-3)
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In the Beginning was the Word

John starts off his gospel by saying “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. This is a key verse for what many refer to as the Trinity. Jay and Tim discuss an attempt at a simple definition of the Trinity and whether this verse supports it. They then get into looking at what John is truly saying about the Word and Jesus by his use of the principle of personification found in other scriptures and the New Testament concept of a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Key Verse:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Show Notes:

The Trinity in a Nutshell (https://credohouse.org/blog/the-doctrineof-the-trinity-in-a-nutshell)

The Word was God

  • The Word is the expression of the thoughts and wisdom of God
  • The Word is Who He is, Love is Who He is, Light is Who He is
  • God is light (1 John 1:5) – intelligence, understanding, purity, truth, righteousness, life
  • God is love (1 John 4:8,16) – reconciling, slow to anger, tender care, rebuke and correction
  • It all starts with God. We come to know Him – His love, His light – through the Word.
  • Everything that Word is – love and light, grace and truth – was revealed in flesh and blood – when the Word was made flesh.

The Word in the Beginning of Creation

  • The Greek word for “Word” is Logos
  • The Word is the expression of the thoughts and wisdom of God (Psa. 33:6)
  • An appeal to consider Genesis
  • “Light” is the first spoken word that the Bible attributes to God! (Genesis 1:1-3)

The Word was with God in the Beginning

  • Personification of the word (Isaiah 55:10-11)
  • More personification (Psalm 107:20; 147:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:1)
  • Personification of the wisdom of God (a woman!), that was WITH God (Proverbs 8:1-2; 22-31)

Christ and the New Creation

  • The new creation (Colossians 1:13-20; 2 Corinthians 4:5-7)
  • The new beginning (Mark 1:1; Luke 1:2; John 1:12-13)
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The Virgin Shall Conceive

Knowing Jesus better starts with his miraculous birth, born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesse rejoins Tim to expand on studies from Genesis 3:15 to see how this prophecy/promise sets the stage. We delve into some wonderful verses in Isaiah predicted that Jesus would be born of a virgin. The Scriptures then lead us to the fulfillment in the Lord Jesus Christ and what it ultimately means that he was both the Son of God but also the Son of Man.

Key Verse:

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14   

Show Notes:

  • Revisiting Genesis 3:15 and the prophecy of Jesus that sets the compass for the dual aspect of Christ being both the Son of God and Son of Man.
  • Isaiah’s Prophecies of the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:13-15; 9:6-7; 49:1-2)
  • The Prophecies Fulfilled in the New Testament (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:26-33)
  • Why the Virgin Birth is important and why Jesus is both Son of God and Son of Man (John 5:24-29)
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Overcoming Temptation

With all this talk about sin on the podcast lately, it’s about time we discuss some practical matters on how to overcome temptation. Stephen joins Tim to discuss the Biblical definition of temptation and provide examples and stories to help us in our fight against sin. Find out what it means to “not pack a snack for the flesh”.

Key Verse:

“Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” James 1:13-14

Show Notes:

Temptation Defined

  • Temptation a major topic of the Bible from Genesis
  • James 1:12-14 defines temptation and our need for God
  • Desires are not bad in themselves (Luke 22:15)
  • The worlds overwhelming temptations. Lusts that war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11)

Recognize Temptation

  • Where temptation originates (James 1:13)
  • The example of Samson (Judges 13&14)
  • The categories of lusts in the world (1 John 2:15-16)

Overcoming Temptation and Sin

  • Jesus’ instruction in the Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:13)
  • Taking God’s escape route, fleeing temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12-14)
  • Practical points: David (Proverbs 28:13), Paul (Romans 7:18-23)
  • Do not make provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14)

Practical Points for Discipleship

  • The need for prayer (Philippians 4:6-7)
  • Guards – why you have them, how to implement
  • Jesus’ example in the wilderness temptation using the word of God (Matthew 4)
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The Curse of the Serpent

After the fall of man, God pronounces a curse upon the serpent which includes an enigmatic statement concerning a future enmity. Jesse joins Tim for the first time to discuss this earliest of prophecies about the Lord Jesus Christ and how he would crush the head of the serpent. Listen in as we break down each of the characters and what the allegory all means.

Key Verse: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Gen 3:15

Show Notes:

Introduction

  • The Edenic covenant in Genesis 3:15 is the first prophecy and promise of the Bible. It is an allegory using events to represent another spiritual meaning.
  • Quick overview of what is represented by the serpent, woman and the two seeds.

The Serpent

  • More subtle than any beast of the field that God had made (3:1)
  • Spoke based on animal instincts to speak a lie therefore represents the mind of the flesh at enmity with God (Rom. 8:7)

The Woman

  • She proclaimed the truth of God’s revelation even though she was beguiled.
  • The woman represents the mind of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5)

The Seed of the Serpent

  • The wicked are described as a generation of vipers (Psalm 58:4; 140:3; Matt 23:33; John 8:44)
  • The seed of the Serpent are therefore those ruled by the mind of the flesh.

The Seed of the Woman

  • Represents those who have the mind of the Spirit.
  • First of all, this is Jesus (Gal. 3:16; 4:4)
  • Second, it is all those who seek to be like Jesus, transforming their minds (Rom 6:11-13; Gal 3:26-29; Eph 4:22-24)

The Defeat of Sin

  • “Bruise” = crush. The difference between a wound to the heel and head.
  • How that relates to Christ’s death and resurrection (Heb. 2:14)

Conclusion

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Sin Entered the World

In this episode, Rob and Tim read through and discuss the Bible’s record of the very first sin in Genesis 2 and 3. Why was there a tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Why did God command Adam not to eat of it? What is up with the serpent? What lessons can we learn about temptation and sin? It’s all here in this episode.

Key Verse: “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” Romans 5:12

Show Notes:

Introduction

  • Sin is the cause of death (Rom. 6:23)
  • Sin and therefore death came by one man (Rom. 5:12)

The First Sin – Reading through Genesis 2 and 3

  • Genesis 2:16-17 – God’s law and its consequence
  • Genesis 3:1,4 – The serpent and the lie
  • Genesis 3:6-7 – Temptation (1 John 2:16; James 1:14) and the fall of man

Final conclusion

  • The seriousness of sin and its effects on the whole world
  • Hope and forgiveness in Jesus (1 John 3:5)
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Sin in Five Verses

From Genesis to Revelation, sin is a major topic. One could even say it is a subject of life and death. Rob joins Tim to get a grasp on five verses that define sin. They are all very similar, yet each has its own nuance. The more we get into this study the more we get a sense of the seriousness of sin and letting God define it for us.

Key Verse:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 6:23 

The Five Verses:

#1 – Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4)

#2 – All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17)

#3 – What is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23)

#4 – Failing to do right is sin (James 4:17)

#5 – Coming short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)

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The Greatest of these is Love

Could there be any more beautifully expressed words then Paul’s exposition on love in 1 Corinthians 13? Join Brian and Tim and as they talk about the Greek words for love to get a better understanding of how to love like Christ. They then go on to explore each phrase and consider what it means for us in our life of discipleship.

Key Verse:

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Handouts:

1 Corinthians 13 Version Comparison Spreadsheet

1 Corinthians 13 Comparison with Exodus 34

1 Corinthians 13 Comparison with Galatians 5

Show Notes:

Definitions of the Greek words for love

  • Agape (Strong G25, G25 and G27) – to love (in a social or moral sense)
  • Phileo (Strongs G5368) to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while agape is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as G2309 and G1014, or as G2372 and G3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head)
    • Root G5384 philos – properly dear, ie. a friend
    • Used as a root of several other words. G5386 philosophos – philosopher, fond of wise things

Quotes about love

  • Agape is “the love that flows from a person’s association with God’s purpose in Christ, a principled love that is not free from passion, but is not driven by passion.” – Michael Ashton, The Christadelphian Magazine, 2002.
  • “the Greek agape takes on a special meaning: it is used to designate a volitional (or relating to one’s will) love as opposed to the purely emotional kind. It is a self-sacrificial love, a kind naturally expressed by God.” – Stephen Whitehouse, The Christadelphian Magazine, 2009.

Special verses that define agape love as self sacrificing (John 15:13; Rom. 5:8; John 3:16).

The beautiful definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13

  • Appreciating the context and comparing different versions.
  • Similarities between 1 Cor. 13 and the character of God in Ex. 34:6-7 and the fruits of the spirit in Gal. 5:22-23.

Breaking down 1 Corinthians 13

  • “Love is patient and kind” compare Eph. 4:1-3. “Kindness is love communicating” Dennis Gillet, Genius of Discipleship
  • “love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant”. KJV “not puffed up”. This was a problem with the Corinthians (4:6, 18, 19; 5:2; 8:1)
  • “love is not rude”
  • “It does not insist on its own way”, not self-centered
  • “it is not irritable”, that is, not easily provoked to anger.
  • “or resentful” literally mean to not keep a record of wrongs. Doesn’t hold grudges.
  • “it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
  • Two ways of interpreting this – love does not gloat over the wickedness of others (Ezek. 33:11) and love does not overlook error but speaks the truth (2 Tim. 2:17; Eph. 4:15)
  • “Love bears all things”. Literally means to cover over like a roof. Compare Prov. 10:12; 17:9
  • “believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
  • Love includes faith (belief) and hope

In the Kingdom there will be no need for faith (Heb. 11:1) or hope (Rom. 8:24) but love will endure.

J.B. Phillips translation of 1 Cor. 13:7-8 “Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.”

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In the Image and Likeness of God (Part 2)

The discussion on man being in the image of God continues in this episode where it focuses on Jesus Christ. How is he described as being in God’s image and what is the implication for us? The conclusion to this study is a beautiful realization that our hope is to made into the image of the heavenly after the pattern of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Key verse:

2 Cor. 3:18  “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Show notes:

  • Intro and Recap
  • Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3 NLT). The image is about having the characteristics of God.
  • When Paul quotes Gen. 1:26 he says “image and glory” (1 Cor. 11:7). How is glory related to likeness?
  • We are living a process of being made into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18; 4:4-6; Col. 3:9-10; Rom. 8:29)
  • We were born with the image and likeness of Adam (Gen. 5:1-3) the image of the earthly (1 Cor. 15:49) but being born again into Christ hope to in the image of the heavenly (1 Cor. 15:49)
  • Final conclusion
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In the Image and Likeness of God (Part 1)

What does it mean for man to be created in the image and likeness of God? Is it a physical image or something else? Frank and Tim start a discussion on this topic taken from Genesis 1:26. It turns into a really interesting study taking the show to unexpected passages in Scripture looking for answers.

Key Verse:

Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

Show Notes:

  • Introduction
  • Gen. 1:26 – Why does the grammar change to “us” at this point? Our hope is to be make like the angels (Luke 20:36) therefore the angels are involved at this point rather than begin directed as the case with the animals.
  • The image and likeness of God
    1. What makes us like God compared to the beasts? “after his kind” (1:24-25) -> “after our likeness” (1:26-27), Psa. 49:20
    2. Is there a difference between image and likeness?
    3. God commands nothing to be made in his image (Deut. 4:12,15-19; Rom. 1:23 “corruptible man”)
  • The future aspect of being made into the God’s image (Psa. 17:15; 1 John 3:2; Phil. 3:21)