Category: Digging Deeper Into Scripture

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Digging Deeper Into Scripture

1 John 3:1-24

PART 1

John opens this chapter with a powerful message. When it comes to God’s love, he describes it by using a word that has a ‘strong expression and meaning. One translation describes John’s expression of God’s love by using the word “extravagant.” (The Voice).

Think of it this way; extravagant means to go beyond the norm. Some people are extravagant in the way they spend their money, for example; spending way too much on material things.

Extravagant means, nothing but the best of everything! God’s love towards us, simply put is, He wants us to have nothing less than the best of His love. His love is ‘over the hill,’ ‘inexpressible,’ ‘beyond measure’, ‘beyond explanation,’ ‘beyond understanding,’ and, it never changes.

As human beings, I believe we will always struggle with accepting the fullness of God’s love that He has for us. God’s love is far too rich and far too deep for us humans to fully comprehend. One thing is for sure; try to understand all you want, question all you want, and even throw your hands up in frustration all you want (when doubting God’s love). It still won’t change a thing. God’s love for us is far beyond our human understanding. But thankfully, it is not beyond our reach of acceptance.

Whenever you struggle about whether or not God loves you, read, over and over and over again Romans 8:35-39.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PART 2

After John finishes talking about God’s amazing love that He has for us, John suddenly dives right into talking about sin in our lives. At first, I thought, why would John go from talking about something beautiful and positive as God’s love, to talking about something that is ugly and negative – ‘sin‘. Then it came to me. “Priority!”

John started off with the number one topic of importance in a believers life and that is how much God loves us!. Then he spoke about the next priority. He deals with the one thing that interferes with accepting God’s love, and that is ‘sin.’

By doing so, John’s spiritual message to all God’s creation is that there is nothing more important, more powerful and more assuring than God’s love for His creation; so much so, that even sin cannot separate us from God’s love once we receive it.

Romans 8:38-39 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PART 3

John also talks about ‘habitual sin‘; sin that is repeated over and over again, but done knowingly and willingly. This, according to John, is a dangerous situation to be in. When we think of doing something by habit we think of something that we can’t control, but want to.

When John speaks of ‘habitual sin’ he’s referring to the willingness to do something over and over because we want to. He makes it clear that one who is, and remains in this way by choice, is one who does not truly know the Lord. In the spiritual realm there is a difference between ‘sinning‘ and ‘habitual sinning‘.


Sinning is ‘stumbling.’ It is temporarily losing sight of God and focusing on ourselves. But then we realize we have strayed and therefore, we repent and turn back to God.

Habitual sinning, as John puts it, is the ‘ongoing disobedience towards God that does not include repentance.” Ongoing sinning without ongoing repentance is intentional and is a dangerous path to continue on, and if not addressed can lead to a person not entering the kingdom of God.

1 Cor 6:9-11 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

The best way of keeping sin from becoming habitual sin and taking over our lives, is to stay close to God on a daily basis. Be faithful in reading His word and be reminded of His love for us in Romans 8:35-39.

The only thing that can separate you from the love of God is your personal choice to sin willfully after you have received the knowledge of the truth.

Heb 10: 26-27; 31 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.; 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Amen

Pastor Wayne Gardner
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Digging Deeper Into Scripture

1 John 2:1-29

PART 1

John immediately shows by his words where his priorities lie. Those whom he watches over, are his children. He begins by encouraging his children as to what must be done in order to remain faithful and obedient to God. Of course, the “children” he is referring to are not his biological children, but his “children in the Lord.”

PART 2

In 1 John 2 : 12-14, it is clear that John is writing to different age groups; the mothers and the fathers, and the young. 

As we dig deeper, we notice a more meaningful purpose to his writing. When he refers to his children, he is referring to all his brothers and sisters, of all ages, who know the Father. 

He first addresses his message to the young. He writes to the young informing them, twice, that  they have the “power to defeat the evil one.” Then he writes to the mothers and fathers, twice, saying both times, “You have known Him, God, as the Creator.” This signifies that the elderly believers have known God for most all their lives, and so are witnesses to his glory and creation. John says the young are strong in spirit, because the word of God lives in them, which one must have, to stand against Satan and his evil actions.

PART 3

John starts out in the beginning of chapter 2 reminding his children to work at avoiding sin. However, he does understand that we will never avoid sin completely. His understanding is revealed, when he writes to all his spiritual children reminding them and encouraging them with words of comfort and hope, (1 John 2:1). He tells them that they have Jesus. John compares Jesus to a high powered lawyer who goes to the Father, defending us, on our behalf. (Chapter 2 verse 1-translation- The Voice).

John then closes his letter with a stern warning about the antichrist. (1 John 2:18-19). As he talks about the battle with sin, in the beginning of chapter 2, he now talks about the “chief” of all sin – the antichrist.

Amen

Pastor Wayne Gardner

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Digging Deeper Into Scripture

1 John 1:1-10

PART 1

There’s an early Christian writing that shares a charming story about the Apostle John. It goes like this: 

At a time when John was so old, that he had to be carried to church services, he would say to the people over and over, “Little children, love one another.” When asked why he repeated the same thing, he answered, “It’s the Lord’s commandment, and if you keep it, that long suffices.”

In John’s first letter he tells us three important facts; 1) that God is love, 2) that we are to love one another, and 3) that we are to show our love for God by obeying him. John’s goal was to encourage unity that comes from love. 

PART 2

In starting his first letter, John jumps right in with the bare, simple truth. He, and the other apostles, have heard, seen, and touched the truth, the eternal life and the way to God. (1 John 1:1-4)

John places a strong emphasis on “fellowship with one another, and fellowship with God.” He also focuses on another key aspect of God; God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” (1John 1:5-7)

Ending the first chapter of his first letter, John reminds us that, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

Amen!

Pastor Wayne Gardner

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Digging Deeper Into Scripture

2 Peter 3:1-18


In this chapter, Peter is winding down his second letter. He reminds his flock of his letters and how and what his intentions are, which are, “to inspire you to a sincere and pure way of thinking by reminding you of what you already know.” 

He stressed to his flock to be on guard against scoffers and mockers whose goal is to divide the church. Peter said these scoffers and mockers will use a long and old belief that Jesus and Christianity is doomed and that Christianity would never succeed because the return of Christ has been talked about for years, and still there is no sign of His coming.

But Peter knew just how to respond. He quotes the very words of God, Himself. “A day to the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day.” God delays the Lord’s coming because He wants no one to perish and He wants all to come to know Jesus, to be saved. 

No one, but the Father, knows the day or hour when Jesus will return.

But just as it was in the times when Peter wrote this letter, things today “seem” to look pretty bad to the world but remember as believers, we see things not as falling apart, but as falling into place. All things are working together according to God’s ultimate purpose and superior wisdom and according to God’s time-table.

To those who do not believe, the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

But as believers, we are warned by Peter to live holy and godly lives, as we look forward to that day. If we do this, that day will not come to “us’ like a thief in the night.

1 The 5:2-4 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 

Amen!

Pastor Wayne Gardner

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Digging Deeper Into Scripture

2 Peter 2:1-22

In this chapter, Peter again changes his topic. His focus is now on “false teachers” and Peter pulls no punches.

Although Peter mentions and warns about false prophets in reference to both Old and New Testament times, he seems to focus more on false teachers being a greater threat. This could be because false teachers were more plentiful than
false prophets at that time.  

Now, one might ask, “What is the difference between a false prophet and false teacher?”

Let’s take a closer look at the definition of a prophet and a teacher. A true prophet is one who utters divinely inspired revelations. In other words, he or she is a person who speaks for God, about the truth of what lies ahead. A false prophet is one who also claims to speak for God about things yet to come, however, the prophecy spoken from a false prophet is not from God, but are lies.

A true teacher is a person who speaks of such things as the character of God, or His divine word and doctrine. However, a false teacher is one who teaches made up information that is not inspired by God and therefore are also lies.

The difference between a prophet and a teacher is, a prophet is one through whom revelation is given while a teacher is one who explains revelation and God’s word.

Looking at Acts 13:1 we find that there were both prophets and teachers ministering at Antioch.

Acts 13:1  Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.

Now, take note of what Paul writes in 1 Cor 12:28-29 “And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?”

It is clear here that Paul is making a distinction between a prophet and a teacher and those with other kinds of gifts.

In conclusion, Peter does not hold back when explaining the truth about the two types of teachers – true teachers of God’s word and false teachers.

Amen

Pastor Wayne Gardner

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Digging Deeper Into Scripture

2 Peter 1:1-21

In his second letter, Peter’s thoughts have gone in a different direction compared to his first letter.

Letter one focused a lot on suffering for believing in Christ. His second letter is focused on our relationship with God. We are told that holding to the knowledge of God will lead us to salvation. So true!

Once we gain knowledge of God and spend time with God in prayer and in reading His Word, the closer we get to Him.

Peter then goes on to share what we need to do in order to keep on experiencing the joy of our salvation. Or has he puts it, “to receive God’s promises in order to escape the corruption of worldly desires and share in the divine nature.”

We must first and foremost have faith. And to our faith we must add virtue; to virtue we add knowledge; to knowledge we add discipline; to discipline we add endurance; to endurance we add godliness; to godliness we add mutual affection; and to mutual affection, we add love.

Peter then shares that having these qualities will ensure us that we will always be productive and effective in our relationship with Christ.

But, not possessing these qualities will weaken our judgment, and we will question our salvation and forget that our past sins have been forgiven, as well as, our future sins.

Having the knowledge that our sins have been paid for is the first step in living out the joy of our salvation.

And that, my friends, is called freedom!

Pastor Wayne Gardner

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Digging Deeper Into Scripture

1 Peter 4:1-19

In this chapter, Peter seems to focus more on words of encouragement towards those who suffer because of their faith in Christ and less on suffering itself. He wants us to know how important it is that suffering is a part of God’s divine plan.  He uses such phrases as, “Even when suffering, continue to do good and trust your future to the judgment and mercy of a faithful God; show hospitality to each other without complaining; use the gifts God has given you for the good of one another.”

Then suddenly, Peter has a change of thought. He goes from talking about “encouragement” to talking about difficult times ahead, “warning” his listeners to stand firm. He speaks about how “we are coming to the end of all times.” But he still encourages the people to pray more forcefully. And in verses 17 to 18 he refers to the time of judgment and how it begins with believers and then with the non-believers.

It seems to me that in chapter 4, Peter touches on the most important points when it comes to suffering for Christ.

Paul also wrote to the church at Rome about why we suffer.

Roman’s 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Amen.

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Digging Deeper Into Scripture

1 Peter 3:1-22

PART 1

Suddenly, Peter goes from talking about suffering and the blessings received when suffering for Christ, to talking about equality and  submission to authority. Is there a common ground between the two? A close study shows that there is.

When suffering for Christ, in order to be a testimony, one must decide to submit. Submitting, is a willing choice to show respect, and in doing so, it becomes a testimony. Just as one chooses to accept suffering for Christ by remaining faithful while suffering, willingly submitting to another is a show of honor and respect.

Suffering is usually not a choice often taken, whereas, submitting is an act of one’s free will. When Peter mentioned that women should submit to their husbands, he’s not talking about blind obedience. Not being obedient can be costly.

For example, if one is not obedient to his or her employer for example, they could lose their job. In choosing to be obedient, one does so with the understanding that he or she will avoid consequences that are not pleasant.

Choosing to submit is done knowing that you are showing respect and honor to another. When another freely receives respect and honor, that person will show respect and honor in return.

And this is what Peter meant when he referred to husbands treating their wives as equals. (1 Peter 3:7) Women, the positive results of submission to your husbands is the command that he treats you with respect and as an equal. And as an equal, he must submit to you, as well. (1 Peter 3:8-9).

When taken in proper context, submission is nothing to be afraid of. God makes it very clear when a wife submits to her husband, he must respond with love, compassion, sympathy and humility, as too so should the wife towards her husband. And as clearly stated in 1 Peter 3:7, this leads to equality for women.

PART 2

A lot of Christians, especially women, refer to Ephesians chapter 5 verses 22 to 33 and then zoom in on verses 22, 23 and 24; where it says that a woman must submit to her husband.

In a lot of cases, this passage is misinterpreted. For some people, it is difficult for them to get past those verses and move on to Ephesians 5 verses 25 and 28. What this passage is saying is: God did not tell a woman to submit to her husband, “end of story.” He wisely attached a clause stating that if submission by the wife towards the husband is to be carried out, the husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church, meaning all believers. And there is no greater love than the love that Christ has for his children. 

Submission is simply a role that women and men are called by God to carry out, in return for a love that is greater than any other. A wife has been called by God to love her husband, just as a husband has been called by God to love his wife. Both parties are given a calling to implement submission and love into the marriage, so that the marriage will be more blessed. Because both parties have been called by God to carry out a specific role in the marriage, one role will not work unless the other role is being carried out, as well. Both roles are required in order to bless the marriage therefore, both husband and wife are equal within the marriage and in submission.

Jesus came as a submitting servant. He came to serve, not to be served; to submit, in love, to and for His believing children, the church, and to act in submission and obedience to His Father.

Amen.

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1 Peter 5:1-14

PART 1

In this chapter, Peter focuses on how two specific groups of people should live their Christian lives, in times of suffering. He centers on the elders and the young – the elders, who are part of the leadership of their body of believers, and the young, who are the future of the church.

To the elders he encourages them to “shepherd the flock;” not because they have to, but because they should want to. He instructs them “not to lead as a dictator,” but to “lead by example.”

And to the young he says, “do as your elders and leaders ask.” Another way of putting it is, “submit to your elders and leaders.”

He then goes on to warn the young people to be on their guard and stay disciplined because the devil is prowling around waiting for the perfect time to attack them.

But Peter also points out to them how important it is for them to remain firm in their faith, even in the face of suffering.

1 Pet 5:10-11 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever.

Amen.

PART 2

There are three areas in a Christian’s life where the devil will attack us in an attempt to try and discourage and weaken us. They are:

  • He wants us to stop reading the Holy Bible – the inspired, written word of God.
  • He wants us to not associate or fellowship with other Christian believers.
  • He wants us to avoid praying, communicating and building a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

AND, he will stop at nothing to try and accomplish his works. Don’t let this happen to you.

Amen

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1 Peter 2:1-25

PART 1

Suffering for Christ means suffering for doing the right thing. If we do wrong and suffer for it, it is justified. But if we do right and suffer because of it, it is unjust suffering. As believers and followers of Christ, suffering for doing and saying the right thing can become a powerful tool for witnessing, if we endure the suffering.

We are told in 2 Peter 2:1-3 to get rid of hatred, jealousy, slander, deception and insincerity. When unfairly treated our choice is to hate, deceive, slander, get jealous, or be insincere, or, we can be the opposite and replace hate with love, replace deceit with truth, replace insincerity with caring, replace jealousy with acceptance, and do not slander but instead, speak kind and encouraging words. It is the Holy Spirit living in you, that enables you to make the right choice and endure the suffering.

Remember, you may be the only Bible that others will see and hear in action.

PART 2

Christ is the Cornerstone of the Christian faith. He is what holds everything together. Without Christ, Christianity is non-existent. All things are made new and held together, by Christ. With God, all things are possible; even suffering for doing right.

Amen

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