Friday, January 31, 2014

John the Baptist

1. John sent two disciples to find Jesus Christ, when they found him they asked, "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus sent them back to John and told them to tell him what they saw and heard, the three things I would have told John the Baptist had it been me would have been:

  1. The blind received their sight
  2. The gospel is preached to the poor
  3. The lame walked
2. John sent his two disciples to Christ not so he could know of a surety, he already knew, but he sent them so that they would know. His disciples were having a hard time letting go of John and clinging to Jesus so he sent them to him so they could see that he really was the Christ and he was the one they needed to cling to. 

3. In Matthew and Luke Christ is talking about John the Baptist and says, " Among those that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Joseph Smith then talks about why John the Baptist was one of the greatest prophet he says 
  1. He was entrusted to prepare the way for the Lord 
  2. He was entrusted to baptize the Son of Man
  3. He had the keys and all the power, he was the only one who had the proper authority in the affairs of the kingdom. 
4. John 3:30 says "He must increase, but I must decrease" John knows that his mission was to prepare the way for the Savior, he is not angry that he doesn't get the glory but instead is convincing his disciples of how much more importance Christ is than he. We could take this attitude in our lives by quitting the whole "I know best" attitude. By fully letting God's will take over, knowing that he has a plan and if we let him increase in our life and we decrease then we will be happier in the long run. If we can set aside worldly things to let him increase then our will will decrease and there will be more room for him in our life. 


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Miracle's Are Evidence of Faith and God's Power

Reference

Miracles of the Lord
Who Demonstrate Faith
Matthew 8:1-4
Christ healed a leper
The leper
Matthew 8: 5-13
Christ healed the centurions servant.
The centurion  
Matthew 8: 14-15
Christ healed Peters wifes mother who had a fever.
Peter’s wifes mother
Matthew 8: 16
Christ cast out the devils with his words and healed those that were sick.
Those that were sick and had spirits in them
Matthew 8: 23-27
Christ calmed the sea
The disciples in the boat
Matthew 8: 28-34
Christ cast evil spirits into the swine.
Two men possessed with devils.
Matthew 9: 20-22
Mark 5: 25-34
Christ healed the woman when she touched his garment
Woman with blood disease
Matthew 9: 27-31
Christ healed the blind men who could not see.
Two blind men
Mark 2: 1-12
Christ healed a man with palsy and forgave his sins.
The man with palsy

Knowing that God has this power strengthens my faith tremendously, I know that when I am sick if I have faith I can be healed. Of course, not always will God heal me like he in the Bible but through blessings I  can be healed. God will heal those who have faith and believe in him. 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

We Must Be Born Again

John 3:1-8; Mosiah 5:7


  • What is the difference between "seeing" the kingdom of God and "entering" the kingdom of God?
    • In order to see the kingdom of God you have to be born again but if you want to enter the kingdom of God you have to be born of water and of the Spirit. Seeing the kingdom of God is like being almost there, you can see it and know its there but are stuck somewhere else, but to enter the kingdom of God you have to be able to inherit it. 
  • What did Jesus Christ teach Nicodemus that he must do to enter the kingdom of God?
    • He taught Nicodemus that he needs to be born of water and of the Spirit.
  • What does it mean to be "born of water"? 
    • Being born of water is being baptized. 
  • Read Moses 6:59 and list ways that baptism is a symbol of rebirth. Read Romans 6:4 and list how baptism can be a symbol of death.
    • Baptism can be a symbol of rebirth as a symbol of being born into the kingdom of heaven, you are sanctified of all sin, like a baby you are brand new. 
    • It can be a symbol of death because we are buried with him by baptism like he was raised up after death we walk in our new life. 
  • What does it mean to be "born of the Spirit"?
    • Being born of the Spirit is to have the Spirit with you all the time. 
  • What natural element does the Lord compare with the Spirit? Why is it an effective comparison? 
    • The Lord compares the Spirit to the wind, it is a very effective comparison because it is everywhere yet you can't see it, only feel it.
Review John 3:14-17, 35-36

The Father loves all of his children, he loves the world so much that he sent his son Jesus Christ to save the world and so we could have eternal life. The father loves the son so much that he gave him power over all things, he put his trust and faith on the Son. The purpose of the Savior was to grant eternal life and that through him the world my be saved. Whosoever believes in Christ will have eternal life. 

Saturday, January 11, 2014

The Premortal and Mortal Savior

John 1:1-14; 17:1-5

  • The doctrinal connect between these two references is the work that Christ did through Heavenly Father for us. He is the light and through Christ we can receive eternal life.

  • Premortal Jesus Christ: 
    • The light and life of men
    • He is the Word of God
    • He created all things 
    • John was sent to bear witness of him
    • His light shineth in the darkness
  • Mortal Jesus Christ:
    • He came unto his own and they received him not
    • To those who believed he gave power to become sons of God
    • Full of grace and truth
    • Power over all flesh 
    • Glorified through God

  • Christ- the annointed, a sacred title, identical to Messiah, expressive of our Lord's divine origin & Godship
  • Messiah- identical to Christ
  • Jehovah- means "Self-Existent One" or "The Eternal" in ancient Jewish practice it was not to be spoken for fear of incurring divine wrath.
  • Immanuel - means God with us, a prophecy of Jesus' birth into mortality. 
  • The Word - The Father declares him "the word of my power"