Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Daily Nugget: While on this earth, Jesus did many things we as Christians are expected to do. He was our example. If we are saved and want to live Christ-like, we should follow Jesus’ leadership. This chapter shows us that Jesus: Asked the Lord for power over the flesh (John 17:2), even though, unlike us, He was sinless. We may be saved, but we can still be tempted to sin because we are not perfect. With the Lord’s help, we can resist daily temptations to do wrong. Showed the world, by His testimony, that there was one true God (John 17:3, 6, 12). We also can be the light that shows a sin-darkened world that there is another way — God’s way. Gave God the glory for all that He did (John 17:4, 7). We, too, can show the world how good God is and how He is alive and still working in the hearts and lives of man by living and acting godly. Finished the tasks that God gave Him (John 17:4). We are saved to serve and not just to sit and soak up God’s goodness. God desires each of us to do somet...

Daily Nugget: It was very important after Jesus died that He would send (John 16:7) the omnipresent Comforter to do many marvelous things. It is this Holy Spirit, even to this day, that:  Reproves us of our sin (John 16:8, 9). It is the Comforter that often makes us feel guilty of our sin after we see that God is against our iniquity. It is this Spirit that convicts us, so we can get it right. People often blame a pastor, parent, or another person for making them feel miserable in their wrong-doing. Often it is the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent that is doing the convicting. Reproves us of true righteousness (John 16:8. 10). He shows us that in the flesh, we are certainly not righteous in God’s eyes. It is the Comforter that helps us realize that only Jesus is without sin and that we are worthy of Hell, unless we accept Christ’s righteousness to cover our iniquities. Shows our heart that no one gets away with sinning against God, not even Satan (John 16:8, 11). Shows us and helps us u...

Daily Nugget: Jesus likens our relationship to God and Him as to grapevines. The vines are planted by and watered by the Father (John 15:1, I Cor. 3:9). The vines are Jesus and cared for by Him (John 15:1). If one is spiritually born into God’s family, they are the branches on the vine. The watchful eye of the Owner of the vineyard sees what, and if, we produce anything that He feels is considered as good “fruit.” That “fruit” is what is done to bring honor and glory to God, and what helps others in coming to know God and serve Him better. John 15 tells more about what Jesus said about “fruit”: It is impossible to have any spiritual fruit unless one is saved and in the “body of Christ” (John 15:2, 4). God takes away branches that do not produce any “fruit” (John 15:2), although they do not lose their salvation. So many are professors of Christ and saved but not producers of what God requires of them. Their power and help are taken away because they refuse to do what they are commanded....

Daily Nugget: One of the most disputed and difficult teachings in the Bible is that Jesus taught that He and the Father are one. Even when Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30), many of the Jews were so angry they picked up stones to kill Him. It has angered and confused many for a long time, yet it is a principle taught in the Bible. In today’s reading (John 14), Jesus said several things about His being God. They include: Jesus is the Father, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” (John 14:7) “… he that hath seen me hath seen the Father …” (John 14:9) God is in Jesus, “… the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me …” (John 14:10) Jesus is also in God. “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me …” (John 14:1) Agreed, it is a difficult teaching to understand that Jesus and the Father are one. Other Scriptures indicate that the Father, Son, a...

Daily Nugget: “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” John 13:1 Many have gone to a doctor’s office and heard the doomful prognosis, “You only have a short time to live.” After hearing the sad news, people often try to do all they can to change the verdict. They increase healthful habits, avoid harmful hazards, and consume any medicine or seek any cure they can find to avoid the doctor’s prediction. Running the opposite away from death is the natural tendency. When Jesus heard that his days on this earth were limited (John 13:1), He did not do what is normal for us. Jesus knew how he would die, who would have an integral part in His demise, and many other details about His time on Earth. Still, He did not do anything to avoid the hard road the Father had assigned Him to walk. Knowing that His time was short, He took th...

Daily Nugget: Reading through the Gospels, one can quickly see a pattern of behavior against Jesus. One can see in most chapters that the unrighteous “religious” consistently hated Him. They were always looking for some fault to convict him of some trumped-up charge. Their hearing Jesus speak and witnessing His miracles angered them more and increased their hatred against Him. Whenever Jesus did something right, they would always be dissatisfied. It can be very discouraging to see how much negativity Jesus faced until you read verses like John 12:11-13. Yes, many opposed Him, but there were far more that loved Jesus and believed in Him. Many heard what the Scriptures said about a Messiah that one day would come. They waited and waited; when the long-awaited Saviour finally arrived, many knew who He was right away. “Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. 12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was c...

  Daily Nugget: In John 11, we read of one of the miracles Jesus did. One of Jesus’ good friends, Lazarus, was sick and died. Jesus knew that he was going to “die,” and that this “death” would be so Jesus would be glorified. By raising Lazarus from the dead, many believed God had sent Jesus. Many knew if Jesus were there, Lazarus’ death could have been prevented. Instead of running to his friend’s deathbed, Jesus purposely waited two days (John 11:6) before departing. When Jesus did arrive at Lazarus’ house, the man had already been dead for four days (John 11:39). After our Saviour was shown the tomb of His friend and the rock that covered the tomb’s entrance was rolled away, Jesus called to the dead man, “Lazarus, come forth.” The “dead” man came back to life and walked out of his tomb. What a miracle! Because of what they had seen, many believed Jesus was the Son of God from that point. However, a surprising word started John 11:46 about others that were there — “But.” Many beli...

Daily Nugget: Quite often in the Scriptures, those that are indeed children of God are referred to as “sheep.” God compares us to sheep because we also need to be closely cared for and need constant guidance. He knows us so well. Like sheep, we need leadership to the right, godly direction. We need a shepherd. However, John 10 tells us that there are two types of shepherds: good and false shepherds. A Christian’s good shepherd is Jesus! This good shepherd: Desires that His sheep have a good life (John 10:10). Loves His sheep so much He came to us. He sought us! (John 10:10) Gave His life so that we can live eternally (John 10:11, 15). Knows who are truly His sheep (John 10:14, 27). Is known by His sheep (John 10:14). Many try to fool the “sheep,” but the believers usually do not follow the false shepherds because they can discern what is of God and what is not. Will take in anyone that will accept Him (John 10:16). He loves “sheep” and wants to help them. Is loved by God, His Father. H...