Deity of Christ in James 1:1

James 1:1 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

a) James is the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ in the same exact way he is the servant of God.  This would be blasphemy and idolatry if Jesus were not God.  Also, no man can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24), so Jesus and God are one.

b) No mention of being half-brother of Jesus.  This relationship of flesh is no longer important, II Cor. 5:16-17.

Notes partially influenced from David W. Cloud, "James (Advanced Bible Study Series)."

John chapters 10, 11, 12 Notes

John 10:16 - And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Speaking of the Church as a whole, which is largely Gentile. Important cross refs: John 11:51-52; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 2:11-22; I Peter 2:10.

John 10:22 - And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

"Feast of the dedication" = Hanukkah / Festival of Lights. Celebrates the rededication of the temple after the revolt of the Maccabees against Greek rule, 165 B.C.

Note / Quote at John 10:27-28 - "Assurance [of salvation] is only for those who are truly saved, as evidenced by their life of obedience. They follow the One Who's voice they hear. John 10:27 is evidence, John 10:28 is the blessing." - David Cloud. Cross ref Romans 8:13-14.

John 11:47 - Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

Christ's enemies NEVER denied that He actually performed miracles. They admit it in several places, but still do not believe on Him. Likewise with the Apostles, Acts 4:16.

Note at John 12:39-41 - The vision which Isaiah saw of the glory of God (Isaiah 6:1-10) is said by John to be the glory of Jesus! JESUS IS GOD!

VM

Unbelieving Disciples in John chapter 6

John 6:26 - Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

"They 'believed' on Him not as their Lord and Saviour, but as a wordly messiah to supply their needs and defeat their enemies." - D. Cloud.

These depart, John 6:66.

John 6:66 - From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

This type of disciple is explained in John 2:23-25; John 6:15; John 6:26; I Corinthians 15:2b; I John 2:19.

VM

The Woman at the Well - Notes

John 4:5 - Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

On this parcel, see note at Genesis 48:22.

John 4:18 - For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband....

Note: "Jesus faced her squarely with the immorality that had controlled her life." - David Cloud. This is the way God deals with people. When evangelizing or discipling, we cannot soft-pedal a person's sin.

John 4:20 - [The Samaritan woman at the well speaking:] Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

"This mountain" is Mt. Gerizim, where Samaritan tradition said Abraham offered Isaac. The blessings of the Law were read from Gerizim; the curses from Mt. Ebal: Deuteronomy 11:29; Joshua 8:30-35. Samaritans had built a temple on Gerizim.

John 4:24 - God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Important cross refs: Deuteronomy 4:15-19; II Corinthians 3:17.

John 4:35 - Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Don't put off your witness! The field is ready! The time is now!

VM