Peter and the other apostles had been boldly preaching Jesus.  They were arrested and thrown in jail for it.  Then the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and told them to preach in the temple.  Which they promptly did.  They are then brought before the council.

ACTS 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

ACTS 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

ACTS 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Peter's response to the rulers was we ought to obey God rather than men.  This truth is very applicable to us today. 

We are to obey the rulers that are over us until what they say is contrary to what God has told us to do.  In the past that has not been too huge a problem in the United States.  But you can see things changing. 

We are told in the Bible to pray in Jesus' name.  People who pray in public meetings are told that they cannot pray in Jesus' name.  Now the person praying has to make a choice.  Is he going to obey men or God.

The hate speech laws are coming.  Any thing said against Sodomy could be considered as illegal.  God says that Sodomy is an abomination.  Preachers as well as Christians in general are going to have to decide are they going to obey men or God. 

Many nations around the world have anti witnessing laws.  If America continues her rapid slide away from God, we could see those kind of laws here. 

If America does not have a revival, then there will be more and more issues where we will have to make a choice between obeying man or obeying God. 

Obeying God and not man does come with a price.

ACTS 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

They were beaten by men for obeying God.  But notice there reaction to it. 

ACTS 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus' name.  When men go thru suffering for His name, He will provide the grace to handle it. 

Each one of us will have to decide what we are going to do.   Peter had personal experience denying the name of Jesus.  And he went out and wept bitterly.  He learned the hard way.  Denial and disobedience to Jesus will Never bring rejoicing. Here we see the same man standing up and obeying Jesus and even thou he was beaten, he is rejoicing.  Even when there is suffering, obeying God will bring rejoicing.

How is this possible?  It is possible thru His enabling Grace. 

ACTS 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Some people believe that all the different religions lead to heaven.  They think that as long as you are sincere that it will count.  But that is a lie straight from hell.  There is no salvation in any other.  Salvation can only be thru Jesus.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

It does not matter how long or hard you look, you will never find any other way to be saved.  You are not going to be saved thru doing good deeds.  You are not going to be saved thru baptism.  You are not going to be saved by joining an organization.  Mohammad cannot save you, and his false god cannot save you.  In fact no one, no thing, and no act can do it.  Only one has been given to save you and that is Jesus.  Have you trusted in Jesus and Him alone to save you?

Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

 Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

ACTS 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

ACTS 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

ACTS 3:4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

ACTS 3:5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

ACTS 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

ACTS 3:7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

ACTS 3:8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

ACTS 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

Often in the Bible the physical is used to show a spiritual truth.  There are practical lessons that we can learn from them.  This man was born lame from his mother's womb.  He was physically lame from his mother's womb.  We were all spiritually lame from our mother's womb.  We were all born sinners separated from God. 

The man had no power to heal himself.  We had no power to save ourselves.  It is impossible for a spiritual lame man to work his way to heaven. 

By the power of Jesus this man was healed.  Only by His power are we saved.  He has lifted us up out of our hopeless sinful condition and placed us upon a rock.  We are saved not by what we do, but by His power. 

After the lame man was healed he received strength.  After we are saved we receive strength to serve from Him.  We are to serve in His strength and in His power and not thru our flesh. 

After the man was healed we see him using what he was given for the Lord.  He was walking, and leaping, and praising God.

ACTS 3:9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

He was using the change that was made in him to witness to others.   He was showing others what had happened to him and he was giving the praise for it to God.  He was not saying look at what I did (works).  He was saying look at what God has done for me (grace).  He was excited about what God had done for him.  He was not ashamed of it.  He was loudly proclaiming it.  We should do likewise.  We should be excited about our salvation and what God has freely done for us.  We should use the change that He made in us as a witness to others.  We should proudly proclaim our salvation to a lost world.  And we need to give Him all the praise and glory for it.  For without Him we would be nothing and still spiritually lame.

A few short months before this Peter really blew it.  He denied Christ 3 times.  The third time with cursing. He then gave up the work of God and went back to the profession of fishing.  Peter quit but Jesus was not done with Peter. 

ACTS 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

At the feast of Pentecost Peter stands up and preaches in power and God uses him greatly. 

ACTS 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

3000 people were saved and then baptized.  God used Peter's preaching that day and He will continue to use Peter.  Many more will be saved after listening to Peter's preaching.  Peter will also write some of the New Testament.

Peter is a great example of the grace of God in the life of a man who messed up.  We all stumble now and then.  It does not mean that God will put you on a shelf and never use you for His work again. 

Peter might have denied Christ and warmed himself at the enemies fire, but Peter had a repentant heart for what he did.  He went out and wept bitterly.  We never again find Peter denying Christ.  In fact Peter was martyred for his faith.  Peter truly had a repentant heart and was still greatly used by God.

If you have stumbled in some area, you can still be used by God.  Maybe it will be in a different area of work, but God still wants to use you.  What is required is a truly repentant heart.  Turn from what you have done, confess it to God, seek forgiveness and then get busy again for the Lord.

1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

ACTS 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

ACTS 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

ACTS 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Too often we forget that Jesus did not rise from the dead and then quickly go back to heaven.  He shewed Himself alive for 40 days.  And verse 3 tells us that during this 40 days Jesus was speaking to them about the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  Jesus was busy training these men.  He had worked with them and trained them for about 3 1/2 years before the crucifixion.  And now after the resurrection He spends another 40 days.  You should be seeing the precident that Jesus set of how  His workers need to be trained.  There needs to be a period of time where a man gets prepared for the ministry.  He needs to spend time learning and time walking with Jesus first.  But good training is not enough to do the work of God.  Even after all the training Jesus still tells them to wait.  There is still something that they lack.  Jesus tells them to wait until the Holy Ghost comes.   

ACTS 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Knowledge is not enough.  We need the power of the Holy Ghost to do the work of God.  Too many try to serve God in the flesh and not in the leadership of the Holy Ghost.  Now notice what this power is for.  In verse 8 you shall receive power, and ye shall be witnesses unto Jesus.  The power of the Holy Ghost is for witnessing and not for the crazy stuff you see on T.V. (flopping on the floor, jabbering, ect).   It is the Holy Ghost that brings the necessary conviction to the hearts of men.  We need to be witnesses for Jesus and we need the power of the Holy Ghost to be effective.  Knowledge is important but knowledge alone will not cut it. 

JN 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

JN 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.

JN 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

JN 21:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Jesus had already risen from the dead.  Peter and John had been to the tomb and seen the linen clothes.  And now the disciples go fishing.  This was not a pleasure trip.  Fishing was the  occupation for many of them before they met Christ.  Jesus had told them to leave their jobs as fishermen and follow Him, and He would make them fishers of men.  They now decide to go back to fishing.  Going back to their old occupation was clearly against the will of God for them.  Their endeavor was met with total failure.  They fished all night and caught nothing.  Now I can go out with a fishing pole and accomplish that no problem.  But they were fishing with nets.  It is pretty hard to fish all night in an inland lake with nets and not get at least one fish.  This was not an accident.  God was at work.  He was using fishing as an object lesson.  He is teaching them that He has a job for them to do.  They still need to be fishers of men.  They were called men of God.  If they chose to go back to their old occupation, God was not going to bless their endeavor.  Then Jesus talks to them and commands them to cast the net on the right side.  They do it and catch more fish than they can draw in.  Hopefully you see the difference.  They were fishing in disobedience to God and caught absolutely nothing.  This is contrasted by fishing in obedience to God and they caught a great many fishes.  What a powerful object lesson to men who had been told to leave fishing for fishes and become fishers of men.  They got the point and never went back to their old trade.  Instead they turned the world upside down for Christ. They fished for men and brought in a great harvest.

We see here that God wanted them to stay faithful to the work that they were called to do.  The same is true for us.  God has a job for every born again believer, and how ever big or small that job is, we need to stick with it.

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JN 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

JN 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

JN 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

There was something special about the linen clothes that caused a disciple to believe that Christ had risen (vs 8).  The linen was not made of anything special.  The linen had no special powers or anything crazy like that.  They were simply strips of cloth that were used to wrap the body for burial, as was the custom of that day. 

What was so amazing about the linen was as the Bible says, "the linen clothes lie."  They were just lying there without the body.  They were not wadded up in a corner.  They were not in disarray like they would be if someone unwrapped the body.  They were simply lying there where they were put.  However, the body of Jesus was gone.  Now what is so amazing about that you say.  Well the body of Jesus was a mess.  He was beaten and had wounds all over His body.  After 3 days the body fluids and blood would have dried attaching the linen to the body.  It would have been very difficult to remove the linen from the body.  The disciple I believe to be John who stood by the cross.  He saw the state of the body.  He knew that those grave clothes could not be taken off and still be lying like they were, unless Jesus rose from the dead and in the power of God came up out of the grave clothes.  The testimony of the linen clothes lying the way they were was startling enough to make the disciple believe.  Remember at this point they do not yet understand the resurrection.    

JN 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Christ had plainly told them that he would rise again, but they did not understand it.  It was an idea that was foreign to their thinking.  Jesus will explain the scriptures to them over the next 40 days before He ascends.  But at the tomb John did not understand yet and still he believed when He saw the grave clothes.  They were a strong undeniable testimony of the resurrection of Jesus.  They were left in the tomb by Jesus as proof of His resurrection. 

JN 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

JN 19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!

Pilate had already questioned Jesus and found no fault in Him.  Pilate wanted to release Jesus but the Jews were in an uproar and clamoring for His death.  Pilate then had Jesus scourged.  Jesus took the beating and ridicule different than other men.  Jesus bore it with patience and meekness.  Pilate then brings Jesus out to plainly declare that Jesus is innocent.  I think that maybe Pilate was hoping that when they seen how severely Jesus had been punished that they would be satisfied and that Pilate could let Jesus go.  But they were not satisfied with a severe beating.  They would accept nothing but murder. 

JN 19:7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

JN 19:8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

Pilate is worried now, and goes and ask Jesus about His origin. 

JN 19:9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

JN 19:10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

JN 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

Jesus now plainly tells Pilate that what he is doing is a sin.  He says that those that delivered Him to Pilate hath the greater sin.  Pilate was still committing sin by treating Jesus this way and sending Him to die, but those who were clamoring for His death were committing a greater sin.

Pilate now has enough evidence to know who Jesus is.  Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent.  He knows that Jesus has claimed to be the Son of God (a term claiming deity).  Pilate has witnessed Jesus handle a beating like no other man.  He has been told that what he is doing is a sin.  We can tell that this greatly affected Pilate by his reaction.   

JN 19:12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

Pilate wanted to stand for Jesus, but he decided not to.  He would have a revolt on his hands if he released Jesus.  That would cause him all kinds of problems. Instead of standing for Jesus, he sent Him to be crucified.  In the end Pilate felt the price was too high.

What about you?  If you are really going to stand for Jesus, you will have to pay a price.  There are people who will think less of you.  There are others who will throw rocks your way or even worse.  Is bearing some reproach a price you are willing to pay? 

JN 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

JN 18:2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

Judas knew where to find Jesus because Jesus often went to this garden.  He took His disciples there many times.  It was a place to get away from the bustle and confusion that was going on all around Him.  A place that was good for private communion with God the Father.  Jesus was teaching His disciples the need to have time alone with God.  Many times in the Bible do we read about Jesus retiring from the multitude so that He could be alone in prayer. 

We need to follow the example that Jesus gave us.  We all need to have a time and a place where we regularly get alone with God.  No T.V. no radio, no visitors, no cell phone going off.  In short we need a time without interruptions; a time that we set aside for quiet devotion with God.  We need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the world for reading the Bible, meditating upon it, and  for prayer.

This is an extremely important area of the Christian life that we can easily let slip.  A missed day here and another there.  And before you know it you have scheduled your alone time for God for a variety of other things.  Things that in themselves might not be bad, but they still steal the time that you need to spend alone with God.   

JN 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

In Chapter 15 Jesus says that we are clean thru the Word of God. And in this chapter Jesus teaches that we are Sanctified thru the Word of God. 

To sanctify is to set apart unto God.  Being set apart to something requires being set apart from something.  The sanctify to in verse 17 is God.  The setting apart from is the world. You see this in the context of the surrounding verses. Not the world physically (verse 15), but this evil world system. 

After we are saved we are to grow in the Lord.  We are to become more and more set apart unto Him.  The Word of God is necessary to this process.  We need the Word of God to grow. 

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Do you want to grow in the Lord more?

Do you want to be more set apart unto God?

Do you want to have a closer walk with the Lord?

Then you need to be studying the Bible more. 

Sadly to say many churches today do not understand this principal.  They might understand it intellectually but not practically.  Instead of the studying of the Word of God being the main thing, entertainment has become the main thing.  Other churches it is rituals, and some are more social clubs than anything else.  A good church will have a solid Sunday school program for all ages.  The preaching and the teaching of God's Word will have a prominent place in all services.  I hope that you have a good Bible teaching church to go to.  But even that is not enough.  You also need to be in the Word for yourself every day. 

There are many groups that claim that the Holy Spirit does all kinds of strange things like making people flop around on the floor like a fish out of water.  But what does the Word of God say that the Holy Spirit does?  That is what we need to be concerned with.  What does God say on the matter.  The Bible is our final authority in all matters of faith and practice.  In this Chapter Jesus tells us what one of the main jobs of the Holy Spirit is.  

JN 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

JN 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

JN 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

JN 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

JN 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

One of the main jobs of the Holy Spirit is to bring conviction to the hearts of men.  The Holy Spirit reproves men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.  The Holy Spirit testifies not of Himself.  He testifies of Christ. 

Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

The Holy Spirit brings conviction so that men might be saved.  The Holy Spirit does not want the attention focused on Himself.  He testifies of Jesus.  You will never find in the Bible anywhere what they call being slayed in the spirit. 

Verses 1 thru 6 is talking about how He is the vine and we are the branches.  We can do nothing without Jesus.  And in the middle of this Jesus says,

JN 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

In verse 4 Jesus continues on talking about the vine and the branches with an emphasis on how we need to abide in Him. 

JN 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

JN 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

JN 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

JN 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

At first glance verse 3 seems to be out of place.  Read verse 3 again.  JN 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

There are no verses out of place in the Bible.  Every one is exactly were God wants it.  So what is a verse that tells us that the Word of God has a cleansing effect doing surrounded by verses that are talking about abiding in Christ? 

You cannot be abiding in Christ and be walking in sin.  In Him is no darkness at all and He will not fellowship with sin.  Abiding in Christ is not talking about getting saved.  It is talking about walking in close fellowship with Christ after you are saved.  To walk close to Christ we need to confess our sins daily.  The word of God is like a mirror.  It shows us where we are messed up.  The word of God brings conviction.  It helps us to clean our lives up and bring them into conformity to the will of God.  The Bible has a cleansing effect. 

1) We are to abide in Christ and can do nothing without Him.

 2) To abide in Christ we need to confess our sins and receive forgiveness.  (1 John 1:5-10)  

3) The Bible helps us grow in Christ.  The Bible has a cleansing affect upon us.  The Word of God has a big part in us being able to abide in Christ. 

The application should be obvious.  Since the Word of God helps us abide in Christ, then we need to be in the Word of God every day. 

JN 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Here we see a connection between biblical love and action.  Real biblical love results in obedience.  If you truly love Christ, then the natural result will be that you keep His commandments.  The motivation behind obey Jesus is not works, it is not what I can get out of it, it is not status.  The motivation to obey Jesus is love. 

JN 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

JN 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The result of loving Jesus and thus obeying Him is sweet fellowship with God.  You cannot loose your salvation.  However, you can choose to be disobedient.  You can choose to love the things of this world more than Jesus.  Many say that they don't and might even believe it.  But remember love and obedience are tied together.  

JN 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Verse 24 is a very strong statement made by Jesus.  Again we see love and obeying tied together.  They go hand in hand.  Jesus says that those who do not love Him will not keep His sayings. 

If you really want to know how much you love Jesus, then stop and take a look at how obedient you are to Him.  

JN 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

There are many reasons that we are to love the brethren.  One of them is listed for us in verse 35.  By our love for each other all men will know that we are truly Christ's disciples.  All men certainly includes the lost.  Our love for each other testifies to a lost and dying world.  In a good local church you will see people of all ages, cultures, backgrounds, and races loving each other.  People who would other wise have nothing in common find that they have a lot in common once they get saved.  Time and time again I have seen people sacrifice for others with no thought of what they can get out of it.  They simply do it out of godly love.  God in our hearts gives us the capacity to love in a way that the lost world cannot. 

Our love for the brethren is an important witness to the lost.  That is one reason (there are many others) why God hates it when instead of loving the brethren we cause discord.    Pay attention to the 7th thing in this list in Proverbs.

Pro 6:16 These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him:

Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Pro 6:19 A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

JN 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

JN 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

JN 12:11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

The chief priests not only wanted to kill Jesus but they also wanted to kill Lazarus.  The reason that they wanted to put Lazarus to death was because many people were believing on Jesus because of Lazarus.  Verse 11 tells us that they went away from the dead religion of the chief priests and turned to Jesus.  There is always a turning from when you turn to Jesus.  The chief priests were angry about loosing their followers.  Angry enough to kill.  It hurt their pride that the people would leave them and follow another.  They were also angry over the loss of power that they had over the people.  Giving would also be down.  No doubt there was some envy going on also.  Instead of considering that they were wrong, they set out on a course of evil.  This is what pride, envy, lust of power and money can bring you to. 

The sins of pride, envy, and lust of power and money are terrible sins.  If we follow after them, we will end up doing things that we never would have dreamed that we would have done.  Instead we need to guard against them and the best way to do that is to keep our eyes upon Jesus.  Continually walk with Him.

JN 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

JN 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

Jesus delayed to go see Lazarus so He could raise him from the dead.  This is another example of Jesus' deity.  The book of John brings this out more than any other book.  And verse 15 tells us the reason why Jesus was going to do this miracle, "to the intent ye may believe."  That is the main purpose behind all the miracles.  The miracles were not done for show.  However, many people followed Jesus around just hopping to see a miracle.  Herod is an example of a man who only wanted to see a show.  That was not the intent of the miracles.  The purpose is so that people would believe who Jesus was.  They gave validation to who Jesus was so that people would put their trust in Him.  We do not need to see new miracles today because the miracles that Jesus did are faithfully recorded for us in the Holy Bible. 

JN 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

The Messiah was predicted under the image of a shepherd in Eze. 34:23, Eze 37:24, and Zec 13:7.  When Jesus is saying that He is the good shepherd, it is a declaration that He is the Messiah that was promised. 

JN 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

JN 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

In verses 17 and 18 Jesus says that He has the power to lay down His life and take it up again.  No human has this power.  This is another claim of deity. 

JN 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

JN 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Jesus then says that He gives His sheep eternal life.  And that He has the power to keep those that He gives eternal life to.  This again is a power that only belongs to God. 

JN 10:30 I and my Father are one.

You cannot be one with God the Father unless you are also God. 

JN 10:31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

JN 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

JN 10:33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Over and over in this chapter Jesus is declaring His deity.  Jesus is clearly God manifested in the flesh.  The reaction of the Jews shows that they understood what Jesus was declaring.  They tried to stone Him and gave the reason in verse 33. "thou, being a man, makest thyself God."  They understood what Jesus was declaring, but they refused to believe it.

Praise God that not everyone refuses to believe.  Jesus then leaves and goes beyond Jordan and many believed on him there (vs. 42). 

JN 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

JN 9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?

JN 9:20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

JN 9:21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.

JN 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

JN 9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

Jesus had healed a man who was born blind.  The Pharisees question the former blind man on how he was healed.  They did not like the answer.  So trying to disprove the healing, the Pharisees bring in the former blind mans parents.  His parents testified that it was their son that was healed and that he was born blind.  But they would not testify that Jesus did it.  The son they loved and raised was now healed.  Their son who had to beg for money, and had to bear the reproach of people who thought he was blind because he was a sinner.  The son they loved is now healed by Jesus and will no longer have to suffer being blind.  This was a big deal for this family.  You would think that these parents would be spreading the news about this great healing.  You would think that they would be telling others about the healing power of Jesus.  But they did not.  Why?  The answer is found in verse 22. 

JN 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

The parents did not tell others about Jesus because of what others might do to them.  They knew that if they witnessed for Christ that they were going to be put out of the synagogue.  They would loose their social status and their business contacts and many of their friends.  They could not go to the synagogue anymore, which was a center of their society.  They felt that the cost of witnessing for Jesus was too high.  Now before you are too hard on these parents, realize that many of us today do the same thing.  We will not speak out and witness for Jesus because we are afraid of the consequences.  We are afraid of loosing friends or social status.  Many are worried what others might think.  None of these are valid reasons for not witnessing for Jesus. 

JN 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Jesus is the only one that ever was or ever will be that could say "I do always those things that please him."  Face it, we all do things that do not please the Father.  Most likely you have done something in the last week that did not please Him.  It could have been a little lie you told or an impure thought or you did not love your neighbor the way you should or a thousand other things.  We are all sinners with a sin nature.  We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners.  It is our nature.  However, Jesus was not a sinner.  He did not have a sin nature.  He proved it by being able to always please God.  Not once did Jesus ever let God the Father down.  Not once.  Not one slip up in His entire life.  Jesus had no sin and proved it with His life.  And because He was without sin, He could go to the cross and pay for our sin.  He was the just dieing for the unjust. 

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.  

JN 7:7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

The world hates Jesus.  When verses like this or John 3:16 speaks of the world it is not speaking of this planet.  For God so loved the world is speaking about the world of men.  God became man and went to the cross because He loves all men (the world).  This love is often met with hatred.  All over the world people are whipped, put in prison or even killed for repeating the words of Jesus. 

Why?  Verse 7 gives us one of the reasons.  "because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil."  Jesus tells people that they are sinners.  That the works they do are evil.  Jesus tells men that they are going to hell; that they need a Saviour.  Jesus says that I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Man likes to think highly of himself.  Man's pride likes to think that he can work his way to heaven.  Man likes to indulge in sin.  Man's sinful nature hates the light and loves the darkness.  The result of man's sin is an eternity in hell.  Man loves his sin and does not want to hear the truth. 

Out of love Jesus left the glories of heaven and came to earth to pay for our sin.  Jesus testifies of our evil ways out of love so that we might turn from our sin.  Jesus testifies so that we will realize that we are sinners and call upon Him to save us.  Out of love Jesus tells man the truth so that he might repent and be saved. 

Most people respond to His love with hatred.  What about you?