In the Word With Mel Bennett

Transcript

For today’s episode, Pastor Bennett is again in chapter one of the Gospel of John, and why not? John chapter one is one of the most beautiful, and important chapters in the Bible that speaks of the Divinity of Christ. Pastor Bennett talks about that, and at the end of his message he has a timely exhortation for those of us who call Jesus “Lord.”

This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT.

Download .txt file.

[SINGING]
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,

INTRO ITWWMB 36 – 0:18
This is “In The Word With Mel Bennett”, a study of Scripture passages from the Word of God. Thank you so much for being with us today. Pastor Bennett has had a few health issues since our last episode, and I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus myself since season 12 of the Lifespring Family Audio Bible wrapped up at the end of August. For today’s episode, Pastor Bennett is again in chapter 1 of the Gospel of John. And why not? John, chapter 1 is one of the most beautiful and important chapters in the Bible that speaks of the divinity of Christ. Pastor Bennett talks about that, and at the end of his message today he has a timely exhortation for those of us who call Jesus, Lord. So if you have your Bible with you, let’s read along with our pastor. Pastor Bennett, welcome back.

MEL BENNETT – 1:04
We’re going to begin a series of Bible studies on the Gospel of John today, and trust that they will be a rich blessing to you as we bring them. We’re studying in John chapter number 1, verses 7 through 9, and ask you to get your Bible out and follow along with us as we study today.

“(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made through Him, and without Him…” – Get that. – “without him nothing was made that was made. (4) In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

“(6) There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. (7) This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.”

Now, notice again what is said there: That ALL through him might believe.

“(8) He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of the Light. (9) That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”

And so Jesus Christ came as the Light. John wrote his gospel in approximately 58 AD. At this time, John was the only one left of the… all the apostles. All the others had been killed for their preaching of the Gospel. For John the Revelator, to declare that Jesus was God, and with God, in the beginning, was blasphemy of the worst kind among Jews in his day. So John had great courage in presenting his Gospel. I can only say, “Wow, what boldness!” But John boldly proclaims that Jesus is God’s incarnate man. He not only is with God, but, in fact, is God and he is the great Creator of all things. He is the one who brought them into existence. What an act of boldness and courage this must have taken. Again, to state that Jesus was equal with God, and in fact, was God was the worst kind of blasphemy they could have been given in John’s day, blasphemy that was worthy of death. But for the believer, it was a matter of simply stating a fact. Jesus was truly alive and was God. So John makes a bold statement. Jesus was with God from the beginning, and, as such, he was God, and the creator of all things. Wow, what a powerful statement! May God give us men and women of this kind of courage, people who will stand up for Jesus, even if it means their very lives. Someone has said in America, we have become soft. May God put a backbone in us today that will stand firm and straight and uphold the principles of truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As believers, we must go back to the beginning, and be willing to state our belief that Jesus is truly God. When we have settled that issue, then we can move on in our minds. We can then move on in our hearts and move to other issues in the Word of God. But until we accept the fact that he is God, we cannot truly believe. How can we believe for anything if Jesus is not truly God. He can do nothing for us.

But John then makes another bold statement, verses 4 and 5. In Him was life, and the Light shined in darkness. “In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. And the light shined in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” I love that. I like the term “overcome” in this passage. Jesus is life, and that life is Light, not the light of the sun. In Genesis, the Bible says that God spoke light into existence on the first day, in Genesis 3:1. In Revelation 21:23 and 24. “The City of God needs no light, or sun, or moon, or stars, for the Lamb is the light.” So Jesus is our life and our light. He is our life and we accept him. He gives us life and light, revelation of truth, and that more abundantly. Praise God.

John then states, “The light shines in darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it.” John here points to the resurrection of Jesus. Think of it, they tried to put the light out, but they could not. The devil thought that he won. He had put the Son of God to death. But on the third day, Jesus arose triumphant over hell, over death, and the grave. Praise God. He was triumphant. He was victorious. And so it is today. Light will always prevail in the end. Many times we as Christians think that it is oh, so dark, and the darkness has won, and we need but look up, and we will see the light still shining. We live in a sin-darkened world, and it is very dark at times. But thanks be unto God, the truth will win in the end. Keep looking up! Praise God. If you will check it out, you will find that the light always wins. Open the door to a dark room and you will see the light penetrates the darkness and not the reverse.

In verse 6, John the Revelator, introduces the other John. This is John the Baptist. John the Revelator then tells us that God sent for him. John the Baptist was a man who was sent for a specific purpose, and his purpose was very clear and very true to the Gospel. He was not that Light. It is important that we understand that it is stated very clearly that he was not that Light. It is important that we understand that John the Baptist never claimed to be the Light, but was a way, always pointing in to look unto the Light, true Light, which was Jesus. Praise God. He said, “Look to the Light, look to the Lamb of God, and you will see the Light.”

I have attempted to follow a pattern my life and ministry of not saying anything about a ministry if that ministry was doing more than I was. Nevertheless, I do feel that it is important that I speak to the issue at hand and speak out on the issue at hand. I realize no one of any sense at all claims to be equal with Christ. But there are some who seem to promote themselves above Christ. All I’m saying is, be careful who you follow. If anyone could have laid claim to some of the praise of people it was John the Baptist. I loved the words of John the Baptist, when he said plainly, “He must increase but I must decrease.” May God help us to have the same kind of an attitude in our lives that John the Baptist had in his life. “He must increase but I must decrease.”

John the Baptist had a specific ministry to accomplish. He wanted to prepare a way for the Messiah, the Christ, and that he did. When Jesus Christ came, he declared and was willing to step aside. His was a message of repentance and God’s forgiveness of sin. He was not that Light, but was a testimony to witness of the coming Light. I believe ours is similar in message today. It is one of repentance. It is one that everyone who believes can receive that marvelous gift of God and be forgiven of their sins. If you are listening today, and will accept him, Jesus, as Lord and Savior, he is ready to forgive you in your sins, and make your life a life worth living and a testimony of his power.

There is a beautiful hymn that says it well. It was written by Isaac Watts who was born 17th of July, 1674, and died November 25, 1748, and yet, it is sung many times today. It’s called “At the Cross”. Isaac Watts was a prolific speaker of words and a popular hymn writer. He is credited with some 750 hymns. His works include “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”, “Joy to the World”, and “Our God Our Help in Ages Past,” and the hymn I want to use today, “At the Cross”. He is recognized as the godfather of English hymnody. Many of the hymns remain in use today and have been translated into numerous languages. Listen, as I quote to you some of the beautiful hymns that he wrote:

Alas! and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die!
Would He devote that sacred brow
For such a worm as I?

At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Verse two says:

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!

And then goes the chorus again:

At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

Verse three reads:

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut his glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died,
For man the creature’s sin.

And then follows the chorus. Verse four says these words so beautifully:

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt my eyes to tears.

Verse number five says, as we read:

But depths of grief can ne’er repay
The depths of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give my self to Thee
’Tis all that I can do.

At the cross, at the cross
Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!

There are a couple of questions I want to leave you with today. As a believer, it is essential that you have courage. Listen, friend, it is essential if you’re going to believe in Jesus Christ today, that you have the courage to stand up for God, irregardless of the blowing winds of time, and the change that comes in our world. We’re living in a world full of, as they call it, woke speaking, and the language is changing rapidly. And what once was meant is no longer meant. And so you have to have the courage to stand against the evil in the world.

Secondly, if you’re not trusting in Christ, for your salvation. I urge you to accept Him today, to believe on the Lord and then accept Jesus as your personal Savior and receive him right now.

CLOSING PRAYER – 14:59
Follow with me as we pray. Dear Jesus, come into my life. Come into my heart today. Humbly, oh God, help me that I might have my sins forgiven, and know the joy of my salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray, and for the glory of God. Amen and amen.

[SINGING]
Just as I am,
Thou wilt receive

OUTRO ITWWMB 36 – 15:22
If you prayed that prayer with Pastor Bennett and gave your life to the Lord, I would love to send you a copy of the New Believer’s Bible. It’s a very special edition of the New Testament with hundreds of notes written by Pastor Greg Laurie that are meant to help you get into God’s word and start growing in your faith. It’s free, and it is Lifespring Media’s gift to you. All you need to do is send me an email at st***@*************ia.com, and tell me that you prayed that prayer with Pastor Bennett and let me know where to send your copy of the New Believer’s Bible. I won’t share or sell your information to anyone. That’s a promise. I just want to help you get a firm foundation. Again, that email address is st***@*************ia.com. And in the subject line of your email, please put “I prayed with Pastor Bennett.”

And thank you Pastor Bennett for bringing us, once more, to look at scripture that encourages us to meet the real and the living Messiah.

And beloved listener, I know for a fact that Pastor Bennett would love to hear from you. You can email him at pa*****@*************ia.com. Take a moment out of your day and drop him a line. I hope you’ll join us next time. The best way to get all of Pastor Bennett’s podcasts is to subscribe. Of course, it’s free. If you have a podcast app, just search in your app for “In the Word with Mel Bennett”, or you can subscribe at subscribe.lifespringmedia.com. There’s even a way there for you to receive an email whenever a new episode is published.

Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up the his countenance upon you and give you peace. My name is Steve Webb.

[SINGING]
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Transcript

This is In the Word With Mel Bennett, a study of scripture passages from the Word of God. It is great to be back with you again, and I am so thankful that our beloved Pastor Bennett back behind the microphone. It’s been about ten months, and I am thrilled to be able to produce this episode for you.

For today’s episode, Pastor Bennett is in chapter one of the Gospel of John, verses 32-35. He’ll be discussing the Holy Spirit and the first disciples

This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT.

Download .txt file.

INTRO – 0:00
This is In The Word With Mel Bennett, a study of Scripture passages from the Word of God. This is episode number 35, and my name is Steve Webb. Thank you for being with us today. It’s great to be back with you again. I’m so thankful that our beloved Pastor Bennett is back behind the microphone. It’s been about 10 months and I’m thrilled to be able to produce this episode for you. In today’s episode, Pastor Bennett is in chapter one of the Gospel of John. He’s in verses 32 through 35. He’ll be discussing the Holy Spirit and the first disciples. If you have your Bible with you. Let’s read along with our pastor. Pastor Bennett, I’m so glad to say the floor is yours. Welcome back!

JOHN 1:32-34 – 0:58
Thank you, Steve, I so much appreciate your help.

The coming of the Spirit, and the first disciples is what we’re going to discuss. And we go to John chapter, number one, verses 32 through 35. Let’s begin reading at verse number 32.

(32) And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. (33) I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ (34) And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

Something happened at the baptism of Jesus, which convinced John the Baptist beyond all doubt that Jesus was the Son of God. At the baptism of Jesus, the Spirit of God came upon him with power. John says he saw this in the form of a dove. A dove to a Jew was a sacred bird, neither hunted nor eaten. The picture of a dove was one which the Jew both knew and loved. Remember at this time the Christian doctrine and realization of the Spirit had not yet come in to being. When John the Baptist spoke of the Spirit coming upon Jesus, he was thinking in Jewish terms of that day.

What was the Jewish idea of the spirit? The Jewish word for spirit is “ruach”, R-U-A-C-H which means “wind”. To the Jews there were always three basic ideas of the Spirit. The Spirit was power, power like a mighty rushing wind. The spirit was life, secondly. The very center and soul and essence of life, the very dynamic of the existence of man was through the Spirit of God. Thirdly, the spirit was God, the power and the life of the spirit was beyond mere human achievement and attainment, the coming of the spirit into a man’s life was the coming of God.

Above all, it was the spirit who controlled the prophets and inspired these prophets. Look at Micah’s– listen to his words in Micah three, verse number eight,

(8) But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord,
And of justice and might,
To declare to Jacob his transgression
And to Israel his sin.

Isaiah 59:21 says,

(21) As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Again, in Isaiah [61:1], Isaiah says, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek…”

And [Ezekiel] the thirty-sixth chapter and verse number 26, it says, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you…” “And I will put my spirit within you,” says verse number 27.

You see, the Spirit of God did three things for the person in whom he came. He brought to people the truth of God. Secondly, he gave people the power to recognize the truth when they saw it. And thirdly, he gave them the ability and the courage to preach the truth to people.

Now at his baptism, in a most unique way, this Spirit came upon Jesus. This coming of the Spirit upon Jesus was in a totally different way than he had ever come upon any other person. Before men had what might be called spasmodic experiences of the spirit. These were moments of dazzling illumination, of extra ordinary power, of superhuman courage . However, these times would come and go. John the Baptist goes out of his way to point out the fact that the spirit remained on him. This was no momentary inspiration. In Jesus, the spirit uniquely took up his permanent abode. This is just another way of saying that the mind and the power of God was uniquely upon Jesus.

Here we can learn a great deal about what the word “baptism” means, also. In the Greek it means “to dip” or “to emerge”. It was used of clothes being dipped in dye, or of a ship submerged beneath the waves. It can also be used of a person being so drunk that he is soaked in drink. John tells us that when Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit, he means that Jesus can bring God’s spirit to us in such a way that we are soaked in the Spirit, that life is permeated with him, that we are saturated with the Spirit of God.

What did his baptism mean for John? Well, first of all, understand John’s own baptism means two things. First of all, it meant cleansing, it meant that man was being washed from the impurities that clung to him. It meant dedication, secondly. It meant that it went out to a new, a different and a better kind of life.

Jesus’ baptism, however, was a baptism with, and of, the Spirit. This was a different kind of baptism. This was a baptism where God took control of a man’s very life. Certain things happen when the Spirit takes control of an individual. Number one, life is illuminated. There comes a knowledge of God. The will of God becomes clear. The person knows what God’s purpose is, and follows that purpose. He understands that what life means and where duty lies. Some of God’s wisdom and light has come into them. Secondly, life is strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Knowledge without power is a frustrating thing. The Spirit gives us not only knowledge, to know the right, but also the strength of the power to do the right. The Holy Spirit gives us a triumph and adequacy to cope with duties of life. Thirdly, life is purified. Christ’s baptism was to be a baptism with fire. Matthew 3:11, and Luke 3:16. The filth of evil things is cleansed and burned away, until a person is clean and pure. Too often our prayers for the spirit are a kind of formality, I’m afraid. But when we know that for which we are praying, our prayers for the spirit become a desperate cry of a hungry heart for more of God. Oh, God, I need you and long for more of you to control my life. May God grant that this becomes the way we seek God for a baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

JOHN 1:35-39 – 07:53
The second thing I want us to discuss this morning, is the first disciples. In John chapter one, verse 35 through 39, we read these words,

(35) Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. (36) And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

(37) The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (38) Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following him, said to them, “What do you seek?”

They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

(39) He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). (Or about four o’clock in the afternoon.)

This passage is full of beautiful, revealing truths and touches, I believe. It starts with John the Baptist once again, pointing to one beyond himself. He must have known that when he spoke as he did about Jesus, it would cause those who followed him to follow this new and greater teacher, yet he did it. Now no– there is no jealousy here. He had come to attract men to Jesus and not to himself.

There is no harder task than to take the second place once the first place has been known and enjoyed. Believe me, I speak from experience, here, for I pastored in two places, and I said I would never be an assistant to anyone again, but God knew better. I’d resigned to pastoring in North Dakota, and was enjoying a somewhat fruitful and evangelistic ministry, when I found myself stranded in Southern California, and my ministry shut down by unusual cancellations. It was then I was compelled to take a position as a second-place pastor. The question was, would I obey God and stay in that position or not? It was the most difficult decision to make, but God took– he always takes the divine initiative.

You see, once Jesus had emerged and come on the scene, John never had any thought, but to send men to him. So two of John the Baptist disciples left him and followed Jesus.

Then Jesus did something that was entirely typical of him. He turned and spoke to them. In other words, he met them halfway, he made things easier. And he still does, praise God. He opens the door and invites the person seeking Him in. Oh, how easy it is to have come to Jesus today. All you need to do is accept his invitation. Once you begin in your heart to long for him, he, in fact, will meet you more than halfway. This is a picture of, I believe, divine invitation, God will always take the first step toward us.

The Bible declares that he came to seek and to save that which was lost. Notice it says he came to seek. And we need to rest upon that word that God is seeking after us. When we go to God, he does not hide himself and keep us at a distance. We go to him one who stands willing and waiting for us, and who even takes the initiative by coming to meet us on the road of life.

When the prodigal son returned home, the Bible tells us the father ran to meet him. Oh, a picture of man returning to God this is, for the father ran to meet the son. The son didn’t run to meet the father, but the father ran to meet him. And what a beautiful picture it is, of our returning to God.

Secondly, there was a divine question. Jesus begins by asking these two men in the most fundamental question of life, what are you looking for? Were they nationalists looking for a political leadership and a military commander who would help them to crush the power of Rome? This was a big issue of the day, or were they humbled men of prayer seeking for God and His will? Or were they simply puzzled, bewildered men and sinners, seeking the light on the road of life and forgiveness from God?

It would be well, if everyone now and then would ask ourselves the question, What am I looking for? What am I trying to get out of life? What is my aim and goal? If I am honest, in the depths of my heart, what am I really trying to get out of life? Some people are trying to get security. These want to position which provide safety, if they can have enough money to meet the everyday needs of life, and then a little leftover for the time of retirement. Theirs is a material desire. Now this is not her wrong aim, but it is a low aim. It is an inadequate aim for which to direct all of your life. In reality, let us admit, there is no safe place. Nothing is really secure in the troubled the world in which we live.

Secondly, some people are seeking for a career. They’re searching for power, for prominence, for prestige, a place to fit the talents and abilities they believe they have in and of themselves. They are looking for an opportunity to do the work they believe themselves capable of doing. It is not a bad aim either. If it is directed by motives of personal ambition, it can be a bad aim. If it is motivated by the desire to serve our fellow man, it can be a high aim.

Dear friend, the search for God, that is the only aim Jesus Christ can meet and supply. Peace can never be found outside of Jesus. I believe we need to look at man’s answer to the question of what are you seeking? They answered him, Where are you staying? No, first they called him Rabbi. Rabbi, where are you staying? That is a Hebrew word meaning “my great one”. It was a title of respect given by seekers of knowledge to teachers and wiseman. John was writing his gospel for Greeks who would not recognize this Hebrew word. So he translated it for them. He used a Greek word which means Teacher. Why did these men ask this kind of a question? It was not mere curiosity. They meant that they, not only wished to speak to Jesus on the road, in passing words, they wished to enter in and linger long with him and talk about their problems and their troubles. The one who wants to be Jesus’ disciple can never be satisfied with a passing word with Jesus. He wants to meet Jesus, not as a mere acquaintance in passing, but as a friend in his own house. Now Jesus gave an answer. Listen to what he said, “Come and see.” Jewish rabbis had a way of using that phrase in their teaching. They would say, Do you want to know the answer to the question? Do you want to know the answer and solution to your problem. Well then come and see. We will think about it together. When Jesus said “Come and see,” he will is inviting them not only to come and talk, but to come and find the things that he alone could open to them.

Now, he closes with a comment about the time, John who wrote this gospel in his paragraph by telling us, it was about four in the afternoon. It may be that he was one of the two who followed Jesus that day. You see, he could tell you exactly what time it was, for he was there, and he knew. He could tell you the very hour he walked and talked with Jesus. I believe when a person really meets Christ, He will never forget that time any more than he can forget the day of his physical birth. It means and marks the dividing line between the time when he did not know Jesus, and the time he came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve heard many people say they were Christians all their life, and could not tell you when they were born again. I believe you can know the time and the place. I was born into a Christian home, but I knew the time when as a teenager, I accepted Jesus and was truly born again of the Spirit of God. If you cannot say that today, why not open your life to Jesus and make him Lord of your life right now? He is saying, let’s sit down and talk. You can tell me anything. And I will answer and hear you and give you an answer to your deepest questions.

Listen to the words of a beautiful hymn written by John H. Stockton who lived in 1811 through 1877. He pastored in New Jersey, wrote about 25 hymns and published two song books. It is uncertain exactly when he wrote this great song. But listen to the words, “Only Trust Him.”

Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
There’s mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His Word.

Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
For He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

Second verse says,

For Jesus shed His precious blood
Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
That washes white as snow.

Yes, Jesus is the truth, the way,
That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him without delay
And you are fully blest.

Come, then, and join this holy band,
And on to glory go,
To dwell in that celestial land
Where joys immortal flow.

Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

CLOSING PRAYER – 17:43
Let us pray. Our Father and our God, we come to you this morning or this day. And we thank you for your many blessings which you have provided us with. You’ve given us food to eat. You’ve given us shelter over our heads, clothes to wear and we’re so grateful and thankful. But we’re most thankful for the salvation that you have provided for us through Jesus Christ, if we will but accept him.

And so we pray this prayer today. Lord, come into my life. Come into my heart. Forgive me of my sins, cleanse me from all unrighteousness and make me a new creature in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Listen, if you pray that prayer with me, you have become a child of God today. God bless you, and may he make you a blessing to others.

OUTRO – 18:32
If you prayed that prayer with Pastor Bennett and gave your life to the Lord, I would love to send you a copy of the New Believer’s Bible. It’s a very special edition of the New Testament with hundreds of notes written by Pastor Greg Laurie. And it’s meant to help you get into God’s word and start growing in your faith. It’s free, and it’s Lifespring Media’s gift to you. All you need to do is send me an email at st***@*************ia.com and tell me you prayed that prayer with Pastor Bennett. Let me know where to send you a copy of the New Believer’s Bible and I promise I will not share or sell your information with anyone, ever. I just want to help you get a firm foundation. That email address again is st***@*************ia.com and in the subject line of your email put “I prayed with Pastor Bennett”.

Thank you Pastor Bennett for bringing us once more a look at scripture that encourages us to meet the real and living Messiah.

I hope you’ll join us next time. The best way to get all of Pastor Bennett’s podcast is to subscribe. Of course, it’s free. All you have to do if you have a podcast app is just search in your app for In the Word With Mel Bennett or you can subscribe at subscribe.lifespringmedia.com There’s even a way there to receive an email whenever a new episode is published.

Until next time, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Thank you for joining us. My name is Steve Webb.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Welcome back to In the Word With Mel Bennett, a study of scripture passages from the Word of God. This is episode number 34 of My name is Steve Webb, thank you for being with us today. It great to be back with you, and I am so thankful that our beloved Pastor Bennett back behind the microphone.

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

Steve Webb here.

Pastor Bennett has asked me to let you know why he hasn’t released a podcast in the past several weeks. As you know, if you’ve been listening to his shows, he and his lovely wife moved from California to West Virginia a couple months ago to be closer to two of their daughters and their families. Well, Pastor and Mrs B have been living with one of their daughters, but they’ve been visiting the other daughter for the last few weeks, where he does not have his recording gear. In addition, Pastor B needs some surgery, and he is waiting for it to be scheduled. He’s in a bit of pain, and it’s difficult for him to get a podcast episode out. We don’t know exactly how long it will be before he’s able to get back into a routine, but I will keep you posted. I’m sure he would very much appreciate your prayers.

In the mean time, I encourage you to check out the other shows that are available here at lifespringmedia.com. I’ll be finishing up my reading through the bible in a year podcast this coming Sunday, but will be resuming production on the How To Pronounce Bible Names podcast in a week or two, after taking a short break from producing a show every day for the past year. But there are other great shows here at Lifespring Media that are what we call evergreen, meaning that they’re good any time, since they’re not based on current events, but instead, the Christian faith. So go have some fun and explore!

Stay subscribed here for Pastor B’s next episode, or for updates on when he will be able to get back to the studio.

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Pastor Bennett is again in chapter six of the Gospel of John. Today he’s focusing on verses 59-65.

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Pastor Bennett is again in John chapter six. He is focusing on verses 41-50.

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Pastor Bennett’s message today begins in chapter six of the Gospel of John.

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Today, Pastor Bennett has a truly powerful message. As I was putting this episode together today, it spoke to me in a very deep way. I pray your heart will receive it, and be ministered to as I was. Our pastor speaks to us of the attention and care that Jesus has for us, from the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. 

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Yes! We’re back! It’s been just over three months since our last episode, so I thank you for hanging in there while Pastor Bennett and his wonderful wife relocated. Pastor B will tell you a little about what has been going on during that time, and then he’ll have a short lesson today from John 6.

This is Steve Webb with a special announcement for listeners of In the Word With Mel Bennett. Pastor B has asked me to let you know that he is temporarily suspending the production of this podcast because he and his wife Joann are moving from Southern California to Virginia, and they are currently in the midst of packing. He tells me that the computer on which he does the recording of his messages is already packed, and that he will let me know when they’re in their new home and ready to start the show again. 

Those of us who are here in SoCal and love the Bennetts will indeed miss them, but two of their daughters live in Virginia with their families, so they do have family there. I know they have thought about making the move for some time. Please pray for them as they travel across the country and settle in their new home.

If you would like to email Pastor Bennett to wish him well and let him know you’re praying for his safe journey, I’m sure he would love to hear from you. I don’t know if he’ll be able to respond, but you never know. His email address is pa*****@*************ia.com

In his absence, I would encourage you again to take a listen to my daily Bible reading podcast, the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. On that show, we are nearly halfway through the Bible, but of course any reading of the Bible is good for you, and the back episodes are available if you want to start from the beginning. I’m using a somewhat unique schedule for this trip through the Bible. On Sunday we read from the Epistles, Mon one of the books of the Law, Tues one of the books of History, Weds the Psalms, Thurs Poetry, Fri Prophecy, Sat one of the Gospels.

The reason for using this schedule is that some sections of the Bible can be, shall we say, a bit dry or less compelling. By using this schedule, we don’t have many days one after the other in those sections. We get a nice variety from day to day. After each day’s reading, I have a few minutes of commentary on what we’ve just read. I’m no Pastor Bennett by any means, but I hope you might enjoy, or be challenged by what I have to say, at least every so often. I would love to have you join us. To find the show, just go to bible.lifespringmedia.com. Of course, you can subscribe to the show on your podcast app. Just search for Lifespring Family Audio Bible, or search my name, Steve Webb.

So beloved, until we hear from Pastor Bennett again, may the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.