| Start of Matt buffer: Thu Nov 20 06:20:26 2003
Matt: good morning
Dave: hola
Matt: how r u?
Dave: great
Matt: k
Dave: how r u?
Matt: still waking up
Dave: :)
Dave: did you get a chance to go through the study? #1. “Is There Anything Left You Can Trust?"
Matt: ya
Dave: any questions from the study?
Matt: Q9, what evidence for Bible inspiration emerges when we compare Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah with New Testament happenings in the life of Jesus
Matt: and the thing at the end of that was pretty cool
Dave: probability of the Messiah's coming?
Matt: ya
Dave: that is a pretty amazing number!
Matt: yep
Dave: what does that reaffirm for you about Jesus?
Matt: like it sez, it couldn't just happen
Dave: true!
Dave: it is amazing how clear God made it (through the prophets) who the Messiah would be and what He would do.
Matt: ya
Dave: why do you think so many people in His day (especially the religious leaders) didn't recognise Him?
Matt: because they didn’t want wot was prophesied to come about
Dave: interesting. What do you mean?
Matt: well, He spoke against them and He was supposed to be a King
Dave: so, you reckon they knew Jesus was the Messiah, but they didn't want Him to be recognised because it would undermine them? Or are you thinking something else?
Matt: ummm
Matt: yes some of them probably did
Dave: I think you are right. Do you have a Bible there?
Matt: yes
Dave: have a look at John 3
Dave: just read the first two verses and tell me how that supports your proposition.
Matt: well
Matt: Nicodemus straight out states that they know Jesus is a teacher from God
Dave: yup. Good work! You’re doing some pretty clear thinking.
Dave: not bad for 6:30 in the morning!
Matt: yep
Dave: it’s interesting that the most loved text in the Bible (John 3:16) is actually during Jesus' talk with a Pharisee trying to understand Him.
Matt: hey, it is too
Dave: what do you think that says about the nature of humankind? Are we (in general) more like the poor people Jesus healed or the Pharisees?
Matt: umm
Dave: read John 3:1-21 and then tell me your thoughts . . .
Matt: more like the Pharisees
Matt: we remember texts like John 3:16 that may offer us an advantage yet do many people know 3:20?
Dave: hmmm
Dave: what do you think?
Matt: no
Matt: i’ve never heard it mentioned before
Dave: it is certainly a clear wakeup call!
Dave: Have you heard the idea that there will be a judgment when all of our unconfessed sins will be examined?
Matt: ya
Dave: that’s what Jesus is talking about
Matt: o
Dave: He paints a very clear picture that without Him you’re in trouble because all your sins will be unconfessed and on your own head.
Dave: He came to die for the very reason that he states in 3:16 and is trying to get Nic to understand that.
Matt: ok
Dave: have a look at 3:17,18 to see the nature of why Jesus came!
Dave: what is it that frees us from condemnation (guilt for our sins)?
Matt: to save the world and save those who believe
Dave: spot on. And what happens if we believe?
Matt: we aren’t condemned
Dave: which means?
Matt: we are saved
Dave: Good stuff. That was a good thread we developed out of Q9 . . . [online prayer shared]
Dave: Have a great day!
Matt: yep
Matt: u 2
Dave has left chat
Matt has left chat
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Dave Edgren has joined our editorial team and is now looking after Signs of the Times magazine.