1: why did he think the apostles would ” fall away”
He has been warning his disciples about persecution they will face due to their association with him, his intention is not to frighten but to reassure.
Hey Ashaba, Thanks for your comment. I agree with your conclusion that Jesus was warning the Apostles of the cost to follow him. “Falling away” could have another meaning, too. I will comment next week.
2: How can we”know” the father and jesus?
We know the father by examining the life and teachings of jesus. Jesus said in John14:9″ anyone who has seen me has seen the father” john10:30 jesus is claiming that he and God are unified as one , apartial explanation of the trinity.
Very nice answer. The follow-up question I have for you is what is meant by “know?” I believe it can have a deeper meaning than the the relationship with where I say, “I KNOW you.”
3: fear can also limit a Christian from achieving or maximising his potential but in 2tim1v7, we can see that fear is spirit . Even 2000years later Jesus still has the power to change / transform lives.
1. “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.” What did Jesus mean by this? Why did he think the Apostles would “fall away?”
If we are ignorant of our relationship with God, we flounder. “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” (Romans 1:18-23).
2. Jesus points out that people will do bad things in the “name of God” because they do not know the Father or him. How can we “know” the Father and Jesus?
We know God primarily by reading His Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
3. Jesus plainly explains the limitations of his ministry and the purpose of the Spirit. How does that impact us 2,000 years later?
Though Jesus is God, he was also human. His ministry was limited by time and space as he walked this earth. The Holy Spirit is not limited and has been the vehicle that God uses to touch each one of us, even 2,000 years later. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13). And what do we get from the Holy Spirit? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
1: why did he think the apostles would ” fall away”
He has been warning his disciples about persecution they will face due to their association with him, his intention is not to frighten but to reassure.
Hey Ashaba, Thanks for your comment. I agree with your conclusion that Jesus was warning the Apostles of the cost to follow him. “Falling away” could have another meaning, too. I will comment next week.
2: How can we”know” the father and jesus?
We know the father by examining the life and teachings of jesus. Jesus said in John14:9″ anyone who has seen me has seen the father” john10:30 jesus is claiming that he and God are unified as one , apartial explanation of the trinity.
Very nice answer. The follow-up question I have for you is what is meant by “know?” I believe it can have a deeper meaning than the the relationship with where I say, “I KNOW you.”
3: fear can also limit a Christian from achieving or maximising his potential but in 2tim1v7, we can see that fear is spirit . Even 2000years later Jesus still has the power to change / transform lives.
I agree.
Rick's thoughts:
1. “All this I have told you so that you will not fall away.” What did Jesus mean by this? Why did he think the Apostles would “fall away?”
If we are ignorant of our relationship with God, we flounder. “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” (Romans 1:18-23).
2. Jesus points out that people will do bad things in the “name of God” because they do not know the Father or him. How can we “know” the Father and Jesus?
We know God primarily by reading His Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
3. Jesus plainly explains the limitations of his ministry and the purpose of the Spirit. How does that impact us 2,000 years later?
Though Jesus is God, he was also human. His ministry was limited by time and space as he walked this earth. The Holy Spirit is not limited and has been the vehicle that God uses to touch each one of us, even 2,000 years later. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13). And what do we get from the Holy Spirit? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)