Playlist: John (Bible study series)
John W. Ritenbaugh
John (Part One)
Distinctions Between John and the Other GospelsJohn presents Jesus, not as a phantom emanation, but as the reality, transcending the shadows represented by the temporal physical life.
John (Part Two)
Jesus Christ as the Reality and the Manifestation of God in the FleshJohn emphasizes the reality of Jesus as the Logos (a word revealing hidden thought), the manifestation of God in the flesh, emphasizing His preexistence and divinity.
John (Part Three)
Biblical and Secular Testimonies to Jesus Christ's DivinityEven many extra-biblical sources such as Tacitus, Seconius, Justin Martyr, Pliny, and Josephus corroborate and validate the biblical accounts of Jesus.
John (Part Four)
Fulfilled Prophecies Establishing Christ's MessiahshipThe apostle John has provided at least eight separate forms of witness, establishing the veracity of Jesus Christ's identity as God in the flesh.
John (Part Five)
Choosing Disciples; Beginning Signs; Expelling MoneychangersJohn and James were related, but still had to have the Messiah revealed to them. God is involved in the details of our lives as well as the great events in history.
John (Part Eight)
Jesus Christ's Encounter with the Woman of SamariaThe woman of Samaria is like each of us, initially hardened, self-willed and skeptical when called, but afterwards zealous when enlightened by the truth.
John (Part Nine)
God the Father and Jesus Christ Work Ceaselessly to Relieve BurdensJesus teaches the difference between works that cause burdens (work that profanes the Sabbath) and works that relieve burdens. The Father and Son never stop working.
John (Part Ten)
Identity with God Requires Unconditional Submission to His WillWhen God removes an infirmity or gives a blessing, He also gives a responsibility to follow through, using the blessing to overcome and glorify God.
John (Part Eleven)
The Impossibility of Satisfying a Spiritual Need with a Physical SolutionThe storm on the Sea of Galilee instructs us that when we are in a trial and getting nowhere, if we invite Christ into the situation, we will have peace.
John (Part Twelve)
What We Believe Determines What We DoWhat we believe automatically determines what we do; it is impossible to separate faith and works. If Jesus is not our source of belief, our works will suffer.
John (Part Thirteen)
The Need for Removing the Blinders of TraditionThe myriad opinions of the crowd concerning Jesus were all conditioned from their perspectives and traditions, but hardly ever from God's perspective.
John (Part Fourteen)
God's Approach to Judgment/ Jesus as the Light of the WorldThe overriding motivation for the individuals bringing to Jesus the woman caught in adultery was to trap Him, impaling Him on the horns of a dilemma.
John (Part Fifteen)
John 8:30-9:7 Liberation from Bondage to Sin through God's SpiritAs long as we are slaves of sin and following the dictates of our lusts, we have no free moral agency. God liberates us from sin so we are free to obey Him.
John (Part Sixteen)
John 9:8-10:14 Spiritual Blindness / Hearing the Master's VoiceThe closer we get to God, the more likely we will have persecution, but also the greater and more real He becomes and the more likely we will serve Him correctly.
John (Part Seventeen)
Love Produces Unity / Self-centeredness Produces AnarchyThe shepherd and door analogies in John 10 depict the close relationship of Jesus with His flock as the security and stability provided by His protection.
John (Part Eighteen)
John 11:1-57 Conquering the Debilitating Fear of DeathTrust in God's ability to resurrect can neutralize the most basic debilitating fear—the fear of death. Christ assures us that death is not the end.
John (Part Nineteen)
John 12:1-36 A Sublime Sacrifice of Love and DevotionThe key to the real abundant life is to follow Christ's example of forcing His will into submission to the Father's will, even to the point of death.
John (Part Twenty)
John 12:24 - 13:1-17 The Essence of Love Is SacrificeJust as a seed must die to itself in order to bear fruit, we also must sacrifice our lives, submitting unconditionally to God's to bear abundant fruit.
John (Part Twenty-One)
John 13:15 - 14:6 Jesus' New Commandment: Love Others More Than SelfThe humble attitude exemplified by Jesus in footwashing shows the mind of God. God expects us to follow Christ's example of loving others, flaws and all.
John (Part Twenty-Two)
John 14:7 - 15:6 Promise of the Holy Spirit to Lead Us to TruthJesus encouraged His disciples by promising to send the Holy Spirit to empower them for the challenges of the Christian life, making us sensitive to God.
John (Part Twenty-Three)
John 15:7-25 Our Organic Connection with the True VineIn Christ's vine and branch analogy, Jesus presents Himself as the true or genuine Vine, as contrasted to the unfaithful vine (ancient Israel).
John (Part Twenty-Four)
Christ's Departing Instructions to His DisciplesThough Christ knows that we will inevitably fail, as all of the disciples stumbled, He knows He can pull us through as long as we yield to Him.
John (Part Twenty-Five)
John 17:6-21 Eternal Life is Knowing God: Living Life as God DoesEternal life is to know God, seeking Him to imitate Him, living as He does, and developing an intimate relationship with Him. This brings an abundant life.
John (Part Twenty-Six)
John 17:22 - 18:28 Jesus Christ's Purposeful and Voluntary SacrificeWhile the other accounts of Jesus' trial and crucifixion seem to show passivity, John shows Jesus totally in charge, purposefully and courageously moving.
John (Part Twenty-Seven)
John 18:29 - 19:24 Pilate's Futile Attempts to Acquit an Innocent ManJesus Christ remained totally in control of the events of His trial, including His own prediction that He would be crucified under Roman law.
John (Part Twenty-Eight)
John 20:24 - end: The Dramatic Conclusion to the Book of JohnThe book of John provides a plethora of signs corroborating Christ's authenticity and also shows how to live as God would live if He were a man.