Dawson/Buchanan Class

Really good to be with you today in class. So if light is understanding, what is darkness? Good reading also is one of two other books written in the Bible by John and that's First John. You'll notice some similarities.

Next week we will continue picking up at verse 6 and following. Sorry about the pager comment Floyd, what is that pager number? I'm randomly going to page you all week.

Last thought of the class. First words of Jesus in John chapter one are, "What do you want?" to which the disciples of John the Baptist responded, "Where do you live?" Start your day with the question, "Where do you live Lord?" Then open your eyes to see Him in operation in your world.

One other thing. Have you ever noticed that occasionally LORD is all "caps" and sometimes it is written in scripture with a cap "L" and then lower case "ord". LORD is the name Jehovah and Lord is the name Adonai. Simply "LORD", all caps, is God, "Lord" refers to Jesus. Just data for thought. It is a bit deeper than that, I'm sure, so study it for yourself and see what you learn. Have a great week.

Maury

That's My King

By Dr. S.M. Lockridge

The Bible says my King is a seven-way king....He's the King of the Jews; that's a racial king....He's the King of Israel; that's a national King....He's the King of Righteousness....He's the King of the Ages.....He's the King of Heaven....He's the King of Glory....He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King. Well....I wonder, do you know Him?.... David said, "The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He's enduringly strong....He's entirely sincere....He's eternally steadfast....He's immortally graceful....He's imperially powerful....He's impartially merciful....... Do you know Him?

He's the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son....He's a sinner's Saviour....He's the centerpiece of civilization....He stands in the solitude of Himself....He's august....He's unique....He's unparalleled....He's unprecedented....He's the loftiest idea in literature....He's the highest personality in philosophy....He's the supreme problem in higher criticism....He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology....He's the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion....He's the miracle of the age.... He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him....He's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Saviour...... I wonder if you know Him today?

He supplies strength for the weak....He's available for the tempted and the tried....He sympathizes and He saves....He strengthens and sustains....He guards and He guides....He heals the sick....He cleanses lepers....He forgives sinners....He discharges debtors....He delivers captives....He defends the feeble....He blesses the young....He serves the unfortunate....He regards the aged....He rewards the diligent....and He beautifies the meek....... I wonder if you know Him?

Well, my King....is the King....He's the key to knowledge....He's the wellspring to wisdom....He's the doorway of deliverance....He's the pathway of peace....He's the roadway of righteousness ....He's the highway of holiness....He's the gateway of glory....... Do you know Him?

Well....His office is manifold....His promise is sure....His light is matchless....His goodness is limitless....His mercy is everlasting....His love never changes....His word is enough....His grace is sufficient....His reign is righteous....and His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable....He's incomprehensible....He's invincible....He's irresistible.

Well, you can't get Him out of your mind....You can't get Him off of your hand....You can't out live Him, and you can't live without Him....The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him....Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him....The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree....Herod couldn't kill Him....Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. Yea!!!, that's my King, that's my King.

Father..."Thine is the Kingdom....and the Power....and the Glory....Forever"....and ever, and ever, and ever, and ever. How long is that? And ever...and ever...and when you get through with all the forevers, then.... AMEN!....AMEN!

What An Incredible Summer

I just weeks ago returned from a great summer of work in Mexico at Reynosa with visits to the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas and right here in Tennessee and of course the Gulf coast of Mississippi. Mission Discovery teams accomplished large tasks at all of these project locations. God brought us over 3400 participants this year and they are still coming.

Ann was off to a Beth Moore conference tonight in downtown Nashville, I spent the evening preparing for a Sunday school class I am helping teach with my frined Floyd Dawson. We are looking into the book of John. I spent 3 hours tonight studying, listening to comentaries and just loved it. Can't wait to see what our class has to offer this Sunday.

The whole book of John was written with the intention of helping us understand who Jesus was/is. Have you read the classic, In His Steps? The question is posed in the book right away, "What would Jesus do?" The questions shapes an entire community, including the church where the pastor asked the question. I think about that question often, and often repeat to myself, "Who knows what Jesus would do, He is so unpredictable?" I look forward to studying John and learning about the person of Jesus.

Right away John brings together thoughts and words that provoke questions for me. He personalizes Himself, He personalizes "light", he personalizes "darkness", and thought not right here, He does personalize "life". In other words He is light, someone is darkness, He is "life". So if following His is life, what is the opposit of following Him? What would following life be like? How would one talk to "life"? These are the kinds of wacky questions that rolled around in my mind tonight.

If you are reading this and are in the class at Community Church be sure to post your visit, leave a comment or insights on our study. Until next time. Blessings.