From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Fri, Mar 24, 2023 at 6:04 AM
Subject: 3-24-23 THOUGHTS
3-24-23 THOUGHTS
In the reading below, we find three groups of people. These groups, described as “some of the people”, “Others” and “Still Others”, exist in all social groups. There were truth seekers here who were looking for Messiah. Others were on the fence, and had mixed feelings, making it a mental exercise. Still others (priests and Pharisees) had a vested interest in a truth that promoted their own interest. The issue contemplated is ETERNAL LIFE, represented by Jesus’ offer of LIVING WATER. The crowd was divided! This is a common scenario in life. They solved their disagreement (temporarily) by “going home”! God’s intention for His Church is much different.
Php 1:27 Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Rom 15:6, 2Cor 13:11, Php 2:2, 1Pet 3:8
John 7:37-53 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’" 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 40 Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, "This certainly is the Prophet." 41 Others were saying, "This is the Christ." Still others were saying, "Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He? 42 "Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?" 43 So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him. 44 Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him. 45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, "Why did you not bring Him?" 46 The officers answered, "Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks." 47 The Pharisees then answered them, "You have not also been led astray, have you? 48 "No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? 49 "But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed." 50 Nicodemus (he who came to Him before, being one of them) said to them, 51 "Our Law does not judge a man unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?" 52 They answered him, "You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee." 53 [[Everyone went to his home.
My Prayer:
Father, make us each a genuine truth seeker with all diligence. Bring our minds together in the unity of your word. May we have the mind of Christ. May we abide in You and Your Spirit in us. Excite us to the joy of serving in love, and help us to see that it is better to give than to receive. Keep us from petty thinking that produces division and argument. Help us to keep the self in the right place. May we humble ourselves in God’s sight. May we learn to value each soul that enters our presence. Help us to share the good news that saves us. In the name of the one who saves us, Amen.