The service began with the Psalm 84, and the hymn of praise was "O Worship the King." We had words of joy and testimony and special music by Nancy Schneider on the piano.
The theme for today's sermon was rightly dividing the word of truth.
Joh 12:1
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
Joh 12:2
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Joh 12:3
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
Joh 12:4
Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
Joh 12:5
Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Joh 12:6
This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Joh 12:7
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
Joh 12:8
For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.
Joh 12:9
Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
Pastor Robbie was inspired by a seminary lecture to present us with some intriguing possibilities to consider. Although the "beloved disciple" referred to in John's Gospel is usually assumed to be John, this assumption cannot be absolutely verified in the scriptures. One theory is that Mary, Martha and Lazarus were brother and sisters. Their father was Simon the Leper. The theory holds that Lazarus may be the beloved disciple of John's Gospel.
Joh 13:23
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
Pastor Robbie said Bethany was only about two miles from Jerusalem.
Joh 18:10
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
Did the writer of John's Gospel know the servant's name because he lived in the area?
Joh 19:26
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Joh 20:2
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Joh 20:3
Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
Joh 20:4
So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
Did the beloved disciple outrun Peter because he was familiar with the area?
Joh 21:19
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Joh 21:20
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
Joh 21:21
Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
Joh 21:22
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
Joh 21:23
Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
John was concerned about his own death, and asked why the beloved one was spared from such a death.
Joh 11:3
Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
Here Lazarus is called "the beloved" of Jesus.
Pastor Robbie said some scripture interpretations may go too far, but God did admonish us to study the scriptures and to gain wisdom and use our minds to try to understand them.
Mt 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
2Ti 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The closing hymn was "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
