Dr. Ronnie Wolfe
The Samaritans
worshiped God in their own way, but they did not know whom they
worshiped. They were worshiping as only Gentiles would worship. The
Samaritans were mixed-blooded, partly Jew and partly Gentile; but they
did not worship as did the Jews in the Jewish way, keeping the
ordinances that were types of the coming of the Messiah, though they
knew of the Messiah's coming.
As a matter of fact, even the Jews
did not know what they worshiped. Many recognized Jesus as the Messiah,
but most of them rejected Jesus as the coming Messiah, hated him, and
eventually crucified him.
When Jesus said here "We know what we
worship," he was speaking of those who worshiped God Jehovah and knew
Jesus as the coming Messiah, followed him and were his disciples.
God
has chosen the Jewish nation to bring light to the Gentiles, so
salvation was of the Jews. Jesus came as a result of the promise and
covenant given to and through the Jewish people. Jesus was a Jew, and his
message was a Jewish message; but Jesus' purpose was to eventually put
out the Gospel to all people in the world.
Remember that, when Jesus sent out his disciples the first time for a witness, he said in Matt. 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Again in Matt. 15:24 he said, But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Later Jesus said in Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Monday, December 14, 2015
Monday, December 7, 2015
John 4:5-21
Dr. Ronnie Wolfe
SEVEN IMPORTANT EXPRESSIONS IN THE
STORY OF OF THE WOMAN AT THE WELL
To
preach through this story would take many hours of study and preaching,
but now I would like to bring out some expressions that caught my
attention as I was reading this today. They tell much about the story.1. Then cometh he to the city, Verse 5
Notice that the woman did not come seeking Christ, but Jesus came to the city seeking the woman at the well. It was not by chance that he came at the time of day when women come to the well. God's providence is amazing!
2. There cometh a woman, Verse 7
The woman did not arbitrarily come to the well, but she was drawn there by circumstances, and Jesus took advantage of the opportunity to speak to her about spiritual things, as he "must needs go through Samaria" (See verse 4).
3. How is it that thou . . . askest drink of me? Verse 9
Why would Jesus choose to bring the Gospel to anyone, but especially to a woman with which the Jews had no dealings? This is the heart of Jesus. The Gospel message is to all people, and that is why he asked water from the woman at the well.
4. If thou knewest, Verse 10
She did not that Jesus was the Son of God and the Savior who would save his people from their sins. If she had known that, she would have asked him for spiritual water, which could give her eternal life, but she did not know; therefore, she did not ask.
People do not know, so they do not ask. The Gospel must introduce and describe the Savior to the world; he can be known no other way.
5. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, Verse 14
The water is not in the well but in Jesus himself. Only he can give the water that is a fountain springing up into everlasting life, and whosoever drinks of the water of Christ shall live forever.
6. I perceive that thou art a prophet, Verse 19
Nicodemas knew that Jesus was a man come from God, and now that Jesus had spoken to this woman, she conceived, or understood, that he was a prophet. He spoke as a prophet.
7. Woman, believe me, Verse 21
The final thrust of the discussion with this woman was the essence of salvation through the Gospel--believe me. Hebrews 11:6 says, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
John 4:1-6
Dr. Ronnie Wolfe
Jesus, while in Judea, had heard that the Pharisees rumored that Jesus was baptizing more people than John, no doubt trying to discourage John from his work of baptizing, which job was given to him by God. So Jesus then removed to Galilee, leaving John to do his work in Judea.
On his way to Galilee Jesus "must needs" go through Samaria, a city with no good relationships with the Jews. There are varying views as to why Jesus "must needs" go through Samaria, but I believe we all understand that it was so that he could "work the works" of his Father, for the day will come when he cannot work, and he fulfilled all the Father's will while he was here on earth (John 9:4; 4:34). One meaning of the Greek word translated "must needs" is "to do that which is right." If for no other reason, Jesus went through Samaria, because it was the right thing to do.
When Jesus came to the city of Sychar, he came to the place where Jacob's well was. This well becomes very important in the story of Jesus' conversation with a woman who came to this well.
But before we consider that conversation, let us think of the humanity of Jesus as we see his weariness from the journey to Samaria. He was wearied because of his flesh, having been made in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom 8:3), with all of the fleshly susceptibilities of the human body. He was not "sinful flesh," but he was made like unto sinful flesh.
As we go through this story later, we will find that Jesus was made, no only in the likeness of sinful flesh, but was "made sin" for us, who knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21) that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Both human and divine, both sin and sinless. This is the great mystery of the incarnation! He must be divine to obey God's law perfectly; he must be human to be made sin for us, dying on a cursed tree that we might by grace through faith in him have eternal life.
Jesus, while in Judea, had heard that the Pharisees rumored that Jesus was baptizing more people than John, no doubt trying to discourage John from his work of baptizing, which job was given to him by God. So Jesus then removed to Galilee, leaving John to do his work in Judea.
On his way to Galilee Jesus "must needs" go through Samaria, a city with no good relationships with the Jews. There are varying views as to why Jesus "must needs" go through Samaria, but I believe we all understand that it was so that he could "work the works" of his Father, for the day will come when he cannot work, and he fulfilled all the Father's will while he was here on earth (John 9:4; 4:34). One meaning of the Greek word translated "must needs" is "to do that which is right." If for no other reason, Jesus went through Samaria, because it was the right thing to do.
When Jesus came to the city of Sychar, he came to the place where Jacob's well was. This well becomes very important in the story of Jesus' conversation with a woman who came to this well.
But before we consider that conversation, let us think of the humanity of Jesus as we see his weariness from the journey to Samaria. He was wearied because of his flesh, having been made in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom 8:3), with all of the fleshly susceptibilities of the human body. He was not "sinful flesh," but he was made like unto sinful flesh.
As we go through this story later, we will find that Jesus was made, no only in the likeness of sinful flesh, but was "made sin" for us, who knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21) that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Both human and divine, both sin and sinless. This is the great mystery of the incarnation! He must be divine to obey God's law perfectly; he must be human to be made sin for us, dying on a cursed tree that we might by grace through faith in him have eternal life.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
John 3:36
Dr. Ronnie Wolfe
This is one of the greatest verses in the Bible, if there is such a thing--they are all God's word. The statements made in this verse are in negative correlation, which means that one statement is positive and one is negative, together making a full statement of the condition of man whether saved or lost.
The First Statement - Positive
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. This statement is simple and straightforward. The person who is believing (believeth) on the Son (believing, a gift from God, Eph. 2:8-9) hath (has) everlasting life.
By the grace of God a person must believe on the Son, Jesus Christ, as the object of his faith. He must have a complete surrender to and a commitment to the Son, depending upon His character and His work done in his righteous life and his ignominious death as our substitute, suffering in our place, the just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18), that he might bring us to God. This is eternal life, and every true believer in Jesus Christ has everlasting life (Rom. 8:1). This life, then, never ends but is eternal in its nature, because it is dependent upon the eternal life of its object, Jesus Christ, who said, "before Abraham was I am" (John 8:58), and he was "before all things" (Col. 1:17).
The Second Statement - Negative
. . . and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. The man who is lost in his sins, and never comes to know that he has broken God's law, does not believe on the Son, so he shall not see life, for Christ is the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me. (John 14:6).
A lost person cannot see life, because he is in darkness (See Matt. 4:16). Not only so, but he is blinded (John 12:40; 2 Cor. 4:4; 1 John 2:11).
Through God's grace, faith opens the minds of the spiritually blind and allows them to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3) and to enter into the straight gate (Matt. 7:13) to serve the living God (Heb. 9:14). This is what believing is all about.
This is one of the greatest verses in the Bible, if there is such a thing--they are all God's word. The statements made in this verse are in negative correlation, which means that one statement is positive and one is negative, together making a full statement of the condition of man whether saved or lost.
The First Statement - Positive
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. This statement is simple and straightforward. The person who is believing (believeth) on the Son (believing, a gift from God, Eph. 2:8-9) hath (has) everlasting life.
By the grace of God a person must believe on the Son, Jesus Christ, as the object of his faith. He must have a complete surrender to and a commitment to the Son, depending upon His character and His work done in his righteous life and his ignominious death as our substitute, suffering in our place, the just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18), that he might bring us to God. This is eternal life, and every true believer in Jesus Christ has everlasting life (Rom. 8:1). This life, then, never ends but is eternal in its nature, because it is dependent upon the eternal life of its object, Jesus Christ, who said, "before Abraham was I am" (John 8:58), and he was "before all things" (Col. 1:17).
The Second Statement - Negative
. . . and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. The man who is lost in his sins, and never comes to know that he has broken God's law, does not believe on the Son, so he shall not see life, for Christ is the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me. (John 14:6).
A lost person cannot see life, because he is in darkness (See Matt. 4:16). Not only so, but he is blinded (John 12:40; 2 Cor. 4:4; 1 John 2:11).
Through God's grace, faith opens the minds of the spiritually blind and allows them to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3) and to enter into the straight gate (Matt. 7:13) to serve the living God (Heb. 9:14). This is what believing is all about.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
John 3:35
Dr. Ronnie Wolfe
The Father Loveth The Son
Evidently we need to know this, because the Holy Spirit inspired it to be written in our Bibles. If God loved His Son, then why did God allow Jesus to experience so much temptation, pain, sorrow, etc.? That is a question that only God can answer, but it is one that we can know in part, since we know that without his suffering we could never have eternal life. God shows His love to His son in giving him some things.
And Hath Given All Things Into His Hand
God gave "all things" into the hand of Jesus so that Jesus could execute God's perfect will in earth. That is both a challenging and a blessed thought.
He gave to Jesus wisdom: Matt. 6:2 . . . and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
He gave to Jesus those who would believe: John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
He gave to Jesus all authority: Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
He gave to Jesus the disposing of the lot: Prov. 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
When Jesus was about to die to carry out God's perfect will, then, he cried in Matt. 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Jesus executes God's will perfectly on earth as it is in Heaven. That is done, because the Father loves the Son: John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
The Father Loveth The Son
Evidently we need to know this, because the Holy Spirit inspired it to be written in our Bibles. If God loved His Son, then why did God allow Jesus to experience so much temptation, pain, sorrow, etc.? That is a question that only God can answer, but it is one that we can know in part, since we know that without his suffering we could never have eternal life. God shows His love to His son in giving him some things.
And Hath Given All Things Into His Hand
God gave "all things" into the hand of Jesus so that Jesus could execute God's perfect will in earth. That is both a challenging and a blessed thought.
He gave to Jesus wisdom: Matt. 6:2 . . . and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?
He gave to Jesus those who would believe: John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
He gave to Jesus all authority: Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
He gave to Jesus the disposing of the lot: Prov. 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
When Jesus was about to die to carry out God's perfect will, then, he cried in Matt. 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Jesus executes God's will perfectly on earth as it is in Heaven. That is done, because the Father loves the Son: John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
John 3:31-34
Dr. Ronnie Wolfe
These verses give us a good description of Jesus Christ and his origin (if you can call eternity an origin). Verse 31 tells us that he "cometh from above." That means he was not born the normal human way but was sent here from God's spiritual realm (Heaven) where he dwelt as the eternal Son of God until the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4) when God sent his Son to earth to redeem His people.
As though necessary, the Holy Spirit mentions that he "cometh from heaven." This is a precious redundancy, which declares something of the worth of Jesus Christ, which deserves our eternal praise.
Verse 32 tells us that Jesus testifies of that which he had seen from heaven. These are eternal truths are the basis of "the faith," which the Bible encourages us to believe and follow; but no one receives these eternal things, that is, on their own, which is explained in the next verse.
Verse 33 mentions those who HAVE received his testimony. It is not customary that man receive these eternal truths, but they are given to men by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, which we learn from many other scriptures. Those who receive his testimony have "set to his seal" (or attested to the fact) that God is true. Salvation comes from God, salvation is beneficial in allowing us to receive Jesus' testimony, and salvation, then, is a seal of the truth of God. Jesus is that truth (John 14:6).
Verse 34 tells us that Jesus speaks the "words of God," because Jesus completely understands and can properly teach and disseminate the truth of God, for Jesus is the only man who has the mind of God without measure, thus the phrase "the Spirit without measure unto him."
People of the earth can and do receive this eternal and truthful testimony of Jesus, since it is from God, and the dissemination of it is from God. God has opened the hearts of many, as he did in Lydia long ago, to receive these truths, trust in Jesus, and receive eternal life.
These verses give us a good description of Jesus Christ and his origin (if you can call eternity an origin). Verse 31 tells us that he "cometh from above." That means he was not born the normal human way but was sent here from God's spiritual realm (Heaven) where he dwelt as the eternal Son of God until the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4) when God sent his Son to earth to redeem His people.
As though necessary, the Holy Spirit mentions that he "cometh from heaven." This is a precious redundancy, which declares something of the worth of Jesus Christ, which deserves our eternal praise.
Verse 32 tells us that Jesus testifies of that which he had seen from heaven. These are eternal truths are the basis of "the faith," which the Bible encourages us to believe and follow; but no one receives these eternal things, that is, on their own, which is explained in the next verse.
Verse 33 mentions those who HAVE received his testimony. It is not customary that man receive these eternal truths, but they are given to men by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, which we learn from many other scriptures. Those who receive his testimony have "set to his seal" (or attested to the fact) that God is true. Salvation comes from God, salvation is beneficial in allowing us to receive Jesus' testimony, and salvation, then, is a seal of the truth of God. Jesus is that truth (John 14:6).
Verse 34 tells us that Jesus speaks the "words of God," because Jesus completely understands and can properly teach and disseminate the truth of God, for Jesus is the only man who has the mind of God without measure, thus the phrase "the Spirit without measure unto him."
People of the earth can and do receive this eternal and truthful testimony of Jesus, since it is from God, and the dissemination of it is from God. God has opened the hearts of many, as he did in Lydia long ago, to receive these truths, trust in Jesus, and receive eternal life.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
John 3:30
Dr. Ronnie Wolfe
This text is only one small verse, but it is so powerful and applicable to us as well as to John the Baptist, who uttered it.
John loved the Lord and served Him. He obeyed his call to baptize, though that was a new thing to the Jewish community, especially the way John was doing it. His ministry was powerful and successful, but he knew it would be brief and passing; because he knew that Jesus would soon take over the prominent scene in the history of redemption. Therefore, he said, "He must increase."
Jesus was born a helpless baby, a human being, a kinsman redeemer. He grew daily in favor with God and man: Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. He grew to be a man at twelve years old and discussed technical theology with the superiors in the temple, knowing he must be about His Father's business (Luke 2:49).
He grew to maturity in the flesh and remained in His spirit the same God that He was before the foundation of the world, the Great I Am, the image of the invisible God, the creator of heaven and earth (Col.1:15-16).
But John said, "I must decrease." To know that Jesus is the Great Shepherd is not a hard thing, but to know that man must decrease in order for Jesus to increase is quite another thing. Man is basically a selfish being, and he in general does not want to be ordered by others; but, if Jesus is to act as Lord in our lives, we must first humble ourselves before Him and summit ourselves to him as John did.
John was soon arrested and killed, but Jesus began to increase in popularity and at the same time in persecution and eventually died the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8), being humbled and obedient to His work of Redeemer. He increased by being victorious over the cross, over death, over hell, and over our sins. Then He sat down at the right hand of His Father, being worthy of that position (Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22;).
We also must decrease and be humbled in order that we may be exalted in His service: Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
This text is only one small verse, but it is so powerful and applicable to us as well as to John the Baptist, who uttered it.
John loved the Lord and served Him. He obeyed his call to baptize, though that was a new thing to the Jewish community, especially the way John was doing it. His ministry was powerful and successful, but he knew it would be brief and passing; because he knew that Jesus would soon take over the prominent scene in the history of redemption. Therefore, he said, "He must increase."
Jesus was born a helpless baby, a human being, a kinsman redeemer. He grew daily in favor with God and man: Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. He grew to be a man at twelve years old and discussed technical theology with the superiors in the temple, knowing he must be about His Father's business (Luke 2:49).
He grew to maturity in the flesh and remained in His spirit the same God that He was before the foundation of the world, the Great I Am, the image of the invisible God, the creator of heaven and earth (Col.1:15-16).
But John said, "I must decrease." To know that Jesus is the Great Shepherd is not a hard thing, but to know that man must decrease in order for Jesus to increase is quite another thing. Man is basically a selfish being, and he in general does not want to be ordered by others; but, if Jesus is to act as Lord in our lives, we must first humble ourselves before Him and summit ourselves to him as John did.
John was soon arrested and killed, but Jesus began to increase in popularity and at the same time in persecution and eventually died the death of the cross (Phil. 2:8), being humbled and obedient to His work of Redeemer. He increased by being victorious over the cross, over death, over hell, and over our sins. Then He sat down at the right hand of His Father, being worthy of that position (Mark 16:19; Acts 7:55-56; Rom. 8:34; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22;).
We also must decrease and be humbled in order that we may be exalted in His service: Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
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