Matthew 18:10 Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face on My Father who is in heaven.
This passage is the opening verse of the parable of the Lost Sheep. I will go into this parable later when we will discuss all of the parables. We are just looking at the verse mentioned above. If you have ever wondered if we have guardian angels that watch us from heaven, this passage gives weight to that idea. Notice that Jesus says the little ones angels always see My Father's face. They have easy access to the Father. This may help to explain why children seem to be able to make stupid decisions or actions that would hurt us, and they seem to come out of it with not even a scratch. We as adults also have guardian angels, we may not test them physically like the children do, but still we can show lack of judgment in other areas of our lives. Jesus tells the crowd not to despise one of these little ones, for God the Father will hear of it, and judge you accordingly. We can become complacent about our relationship with God. God is in control of the sun, moon, stars, wind, waves and tides, even earthquakes and volcanoes. We can not see His Hand actually making these things move or happen; so it can be easy to forget God is around. God will never leave us or forsake us. We must never forget God is Still on the Throne, no matter what happens in the world.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
102nd Post Jesus Said on Children - Matthew 18: 5 - 6
Matthew 18: 5 - 6; Mark 9:37, 42; Luke 9:48, 17:2
Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
From where this passage is found in Matthew (and the other Gospels), you know this happened toward the end of Jesus earthly ministry. If you look at the beginning of chapter 18, the disciples are arguing about which one of them is the greatest. They bring their argument to Jesus to have Him settle it. Jesus calls a child from the group, put this child in center of them (the disciples) and says whoever receives one little child in My name receives Me. On the surface, it looks like Jesus is changing the subject and not answering their question. But, if you look deeper, Jesus was saying it is not about who is greater, it is about doing the work of My Father. Who is the greatest? That is pride talking. When you are full of yourself, you can not be full of God also! Jesus told them "If anyone would come after Me, he must first deny (humble) opposite of pride, himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. (Luke 9:23). Keep focusing on God, Jesus also told us that we are not to make one who believes in Him to sin. This is easy for us to do, because they watch our every move and try to model after us, instead of Jesus. Jesus is always the model to follow, He will never let you down.
Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
From where this passage is found in Matthew (and the other Gospels), you know this happened toward the end of Jesus earthly ministry. If you look at the beginning of chapter 18, the disciples are arguing about which one of them is the greatest. They bring their argument to Jesus to have Him settle it. Jesus calls a child from the group, put this child in center of them (the disciples) and says whoever receives one little child in My name receives Me. On the surface, it looks like Jesus is changing the subject and not answering their question. But, if you look deeper, Jesus was saying it is not about who is greater, it is about doing the work of My Father. Who is the greatest? That is pride talking. When you are full of yourself, you can not be full of God also! Jesus told them "If anyone would come after Me, he must first deny (humble) opposite of pride, himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. (Luke 9:23). Keep focusing on God, Jesus also told us that we are not to make one who believes in Him to sin. This is easy for us to do, because they watch our every move and try to model after us, instead of Jesus. Jesus is always the model to follow, He will never let you down.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
101st Post Jesus on The Importance of Guarding One's Speech Con't - Matthew 15: 17 - 20.
Matthew 15: 17 - 20; Mark 7: 18 - 23. Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.
The last line of this passage gives a clue to whom Jesus was talking to. The group most vocal about washing and being clean were the pharisees, they tried to keep every letter of the law, and make everyone else keep it also. Jesus went to great lengths here to explain how the heart and not the food defiles a man. In the middle of this passage Jesus provides a list of sins. We will look at them here: evil thoughts, they start in the heart, because it is there where our feelings reside. When we are hurt or feel misjudged, we tend to want to strike out at whoever hurt us. Evil thoughts are the first stage of our decent into sin. Since we feel no one knows our thoughts, we are very comfortable in our planning and feel safe from reprisal. The rest of the list Jesus gave are all actions based on putting the evil, we thought into action. Murders, is pretty self explanitory so I won't go into detail. Adulteries, and fornications, on the other hand may require some explaination. Both of these deal with sexual sin, adulteries deal with sins between married folk; fornications deal with single folk. Thefts and false witness are self explanitory, but blasphemies may not be as well known. Blasphemy is false witness directed at God. You commit it by taking credit away from God, the sun comes up by itself no one put it there. That is an example of taking credit away from God. We can also commit this sin by trying to take credit for something only God can do. Such as healing, or raising people from the dead.
The last line of this passage gives a clue to whom Jesus was talking to. The group most vocal about washing and being clean were the pharisees, they tried to keep every letter of the law, and make everyone else keep it also. Jesus went to great lengths here to explain how the heart and not the food defiles a man. In the middle of this passage Jesus provides a list of sins. We will look at them here: evil thoughts, they start in the heart, because it is there where our feelings reside. When we are hurt or feel misjudged, we tend to want to strike out at whoever hurt us. Evil thoughts are the first stage of our decent into sin. Since we feel no one knows our thoughts, we are very comfortable in our planning and feel safe from reprisal. The rest of the list Jesus gave are all actions based on putting the evil, we thought into action. Murders, is pretty self explanitory so I won't go into detail. Adulteries, and fornications, on the other hand may require some explaination. Both of these deal with sexual sin, adulteries deal with sins between married folk; fornications deal with single folk. Thefts and false witness are self explanitory, but blasphemies may not be as well known. Blasphemy is false witness directed at God. You commit it by taking credit away from God, the sun comes up by itself no one put it there. That is an example of taking credit away from God. We can also commit this sin by trying to take credit for something only God can do. Such as healing, or raising people from the dead.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
100th Post Jesus Said Concerning the Importance of Guarding One's Speech - Matthew 15: 11
Matthew 15: 11; Mark 7: 15 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.
This passage was aimed at a Jewish audience, in the Old Testament Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy the Jews were told what they could and could not eat because they were unclean. The Scriptures taught that if you ate something unclean it would defile you. Jesus corrected the Scriptures of the Old Testament to include Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews). This is part of the reason Jesus came into the world, to save all men from their sins. The Jewish diet was to separate the Jews from their neighbors. Jesus came into the world to draw all men to Him. Jesus came to the world to include all men. Jesus taught that it is not what you eat that makes you unclean, but what you say defiles a man because what comes out comes from the man's heart. If your heart is unclean, you will say things that hurt other people. Jesus taught us to build up each other, not tear them down. Sometimes we think that we can say bad things about another group or person; feeling they are justified because they don't like them. This also deals with what we say in anger. All of these examples, show how we can defile ourselves. When we are running our mouths, we don't think that what we say will come back to haunt us. Jesus said this to remind us. When we do what Jesus says, we are turning our world into a small Kingdom of Heaven. The world can change, but it takes the work of His people putting into practice what He taught.
This passage was aimed at a Jewish audience, in the Old Testament Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy the Jews were told what they could and could not eat because they were unclean. The Scriptures taught that if you ate something unclean it would defile you. Jesus corrected the Scriptures of the Old Testament to include Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews). This is part of the reason Jesus came into the world, to save all men from their sins. The Jewish diet was to separate the Jews from their neighbors. Jesus came into the world to draw all men to Him. Jesus came to the world to include all men. Jesus taught that it is not what you eat that makes you unclean, but what you say defiles a man because what comes out comes from the man's heart. If your heart is unclean, you will say things that hurt other people. Jesus taught us to build up each other, not tear them down. Sometimes we think that we can say bad things about another group or person; feeling they are justified because they don't like them. This also deals with what we say in anger. All of these examples, show how we can defile ourselves. When we are running our mouths, we don't think that what we say will come back to haunt us. Jesus said this to remind us. When we do what Jesus says, we are turning our world into a small Kingdom of Heaven. The world can change, but it takes the work of His people putting into practice what He taught.
99th Post Jesus Said On The Importance of Guarding One's Speech - Matthew 12: 36 - 37
Matthew 12: 36 - 37 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
There will be three Bible passages under this description of guarding one's speech. They all speak of the same thing. Jesus wanted us to understand how powerful and hurtful words can be, and how much power they carry. Looking at where in Matthew this text is taken, you know it is about 1.1/2 years into Jesus ministry. Notice the word "men" is used by Jesus, this means all men; not just the ones who have made a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. This is interesting, because it means that all men will be held accountable for their speech. Only a Supreme God could make a claim like this; even if you believe in God or not, you will still be held accountable for your words spoken. This is of particular interest to believer's; the word "idle" means even unimportant words, will be held for review. We as believer's sometimes are not careful of what we say in informal circles. This passage speaks to us that we always should remember that we are accountable for all our speech. Speech, is something we tend to take for granted, because there is no hard copy of conversations, and because of that we sometimes feel they are never checked, so we will never be held accountable. This is a wake up call for all believers, to be aware of every word you speak, you will be held accountable for it.
There will be three Bible passages under this description of guarding one's speech. They all speak of the same thing. Jesus wanted us to understand how powerful and hurtful words can be, and how much power they carry. Looking at where in Matthew this text is taken, you know it is about 1.1/2 years into Jesus ministry. Notice the word "men" is used by Jesus, this means all men; not just the ones who have made a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. This is interesting, because it means that all men will be held accountable for their speech. Only a Supreme God could make a claim like this; even if you believe in God or not, you will still be held accountable for your words spoken. This is of particular interest to believer's; the word "idle" means even unimportant words, will be held for review. We as believer's sometimes are not careful of what we say in informal circles. This passage speaks to us that we always should remember that we are accountable for all our speech. Speech, is something we tend to take for granted, because there is no hard copy of conversations, and because of that we sometimes feel they are never checked, so we will never be held accountable. This is a wake up call for all believers, to be aware of every word you speak, you will be held accountable for it.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
98th Post Jesus Said On Deeds Rewarded Con't. - Luke 14:12 - 14
Resurrection of the just. This opens the door for a separate resurrection, for the just, and one for the unjust. There is a lot of misunderstanding on this passage. I believe that this goes along with what happened with the thief on the cross. Jesus told the thief,"today you will be with Me in Paradise." Christians believe that when they die, they will go to be present with the Lord, in spirit, because their earthly bodies are what remain, when they die. They will be reunited with their resurrected eternal body at the second coming of Christ. Jesus will have more to say on this as we get further into Jesus' words in red. The believing departed dead spirits will be present with the Lord until He comes in the clouds, then we will be part of the Heavenly host coming back with Jesus and His Angels. The resurrected earthly bodies of the heavenly host who were human will be reunited with their spirits in the air, and will be joined by human believers who are not dead next. The people still alive will receive their resurrected bodies at this time. They will be caught up in the air and will come back down with Jesus as He sets foot on the Mount of Olives. We have not looked at other theories concerning this at this time. We will look at that that has Biblical support, not the ones that seem to be popular with no Bible Basis. We will discuss pre-trib rapture when we get to discussing the Olivet Discourse later in this study.
97th Post Jesus Said onDeeds Rewarded Con't. - Luke 14: 12 - 14
Luke 14: 12 - 14 When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
This passage is a challenge for all Christians, when we have a dinner or supper party, you are to invite the sick, forgotten, less fortunate, to your party. Jesus asks us to do this to all who are not able to pay us back. This is to get us to set the precedence of paying it forward. When you are kind to those who cannot pay you back, you show them kindness, and when they see someone else they could touch in this way, they will remember the kindness and pass it along. When this is done, you are sharing the Kingdom of Heaven with people on earth. As we continue to study the words of Jesus, you will start to see Jesus teach on the Kingdom of Heaven. Part of the problem we have in understanding Jesus words is that when He used the phrase Kingdom of Heaven, He could be talking about Heaven, or here on earth or in our hearts. We need to pay attention to which Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus was talking about. The end of this passage has a promise, when you do this you will be rewarded at the resurrection of the just. This only mentions one group resurrection. I see I am at the end of this post so I will continue next post.
This passage is a challenge for all Christians, when we have a dinner or supper party, you are to invite the sick, forgotten, less fortunate, to your party. Jesus asks us to do this to all who are not able to pay us back. This is to get us to set the precedence of paying it forward. When you are kind to those who cannot pay you back, you show them kindness, and when they see someone else they could touch in this way, they will remember the kindness and pass it along. When this is done, you are sharing the Kingdom of Heaven with people on earth. As we continue to study the words of Jesus, you will start to see Jesus teach on the Kingdom of Heaven. Part of the problem we have in understanding Jesus words is that when He used the phrase Kingdom of Heaven, He could be talking about Heaven, or here on earth or in our hearts. We need to pay attention to which Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus was talking about. The end of this passage has a promise, when you do this you will be rewarded at the resurrection of the just. This only mentions one group resurrection. I see I am at the end of this post so I will continue next post.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
96th Post Jesus Said on Deeds Rewarded Con't - Matthew 25: 31- 46
The separation of sheep and goats, when will this happen? This corresponds with the White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20: 11 - 15. According to Revelation this will occur after the Millennium (1,000 year earthly reign of Christ), and the defeat of Satan. This is what the Bible says, there are many people that will tell you, the Millennium is just a figure of speech, and don't take it seriously. We are studying the words of Jesus as such, I take very seriously what Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount Speech "I did not come to do away with the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill, every dot of the (i) and every cross of the (t) will be fulfilled." (Matthew 5: 17 - 19) To me that is very strong language, and to discount whole books of the Old Testament, just because you can not fit it into your agenda is wrong. God Says "My Ways are not Ways" (Isaiah 55: 8). This is God' s Word His Plan and it should go His Way. It will Go God's Way whether you like it or Not!!
I think it is very dangerous, to say the the New Testament will be fulfilled figuratively. The Old Testament and New Testaments up to the end of the Gospels, were fulfilled literally. Jesus said "I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA" (Revelation 1: 8) The beginning and the End. God has been consistent so far, why would He change in the end? Especially when He said "I am the same yesterday, today and tomorrow".
I think it is very dangerous, to say the the New Testament will be fulfilled figuratively. The Old Testament and New Testaments up to the end of the Gospels, were fulfilled literally. Jesus said "I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA" (Revelation 1: 8) The beginning and the End. God has been consistent so far, why would He change in the end? Especially when He said "I am the same yesterday, today and tomorrow".
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
95th Post Jesus Said on Deeds Rewarded Con't - Matthew 25: 31 - 46 2nd post of explanation.
As with all Prophecy, when exactly these things will happen and in what order are up for debate until they actually come to pass. Only after they actually happen, do we know exactly when and how. There are a lot of people out there ready to tell you they know exactly. What we know is that Jesus will come on the clouds of Heaven and arrive from the Eastern skies; He will be accompanied by His Angels, and the host of heaven. Notice all the questions Jesus asked the righteous, He never asked How was their attendance in Church, or how much money did you tithe to the Church. Look at the questions He asked. These are all acts of compassion, this is what Christianity is supposed to be all about. Jesus told His disciples over and over again, they will know you are My disciples because you love one another. Love is what Jesus taught us. Jesus taught that when you do for the least on earth, you do it unto Me. This is contrary from what the world teaches. The world teaches to cheat your neighbor first, before they have a chance to cheat you. How many people ask you for a ride somewhere? When they ask? How do you respond? Usually, when it is from God, it always costs you something. When people need help it is never convenient. This is how you know God has a hand in it. Look at the people, Jesus chose as examples, all of these people could not possibly pay you back, this was on purpose also. When we have a dinner party, who do we usually invite, people who can help you advance in your career, or will ask you over to their house for dinner.
94th Post Jesus On Deeds Rewarded Con't - Matthew 25: 31 - 46
This is the first discussion on the post Matthew 25: 31 - 46. From the location in the book of Matthew,you know that this is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, this is a long speech of Jesus delivered very close to the end of His ministry from the Mount of Olives (this is where the name Olivet comes from). The Olivet Discourse explains the End Times according to Jesus. I think it is interesting that most books written on this subject do not take into account Jesus Words. I believe that since Jesus is the one coming again and is the Son of God, we should pay attention to what He said on the subject. Jesus opens this passage with Matthew 25: 31, Jesus is coming in glory with His angels, then He will sit on a throne of His glory and the nations will be gathered before Him and He will separate them one from another as a shepherd divides His flock between sheep and goats. The sheep He will set on His right side and the goats on His left. The sheep are His believers and the goats are the nonbelievers. Then the King (Jesus) will say to those on right hand, "Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. They will go and inherit the kingdom Jesus has shown them. Jesus continues by saying "for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me."
93rd Post Jesus Said on Deeds Rewarded Con't - Matthew 25: 31 - 46
Matthew 25: 31 - 46 When the Son of Man comes is His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." Then the righteous will answer Him saying, "Lord when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison and come to You?" And the King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." Then He will say to those on the left hand, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me." Then they also will answer Him, saying "Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not minister to you?" Then He will answer them saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to the least of these, you did not do it to Me." And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Monday, June 14, 2010
92nd Post Jesus Said On Deeds Rewarded - Matthew 10: 40 - 42
Matthew 10: 40 - 42; Mark 9: 41; Luke 10: 16 He who receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.
There was a question raised last night, as to what the prophet's reward was. I told them I would look into this and include what I found in this blog. If you look at the passage written above, you will notice that Jesus starts off with Jesus Himself, then He went to the prophets, and then to the disciples. There is a progression of importance, and a progression of importance in the rewards also. Jesus represents God the Father directly. The Prophet represents God directly, but his being sent from God is not always clear at the time he is being used by God. Sometimes, the prophet was not taken seriously until after they had killed him and his words started to come true.
The disciples were going out before they were really known to be followers of Jesus. All of them were to spread God's Word. The reward given to the believer that listens to them is based on their importance and influence in spreading God's Word. Those who received Jesus would reap a larger reward, those who listened to the prophets a lesser reward, and disciples those who listened to the disciples would not lose their reward. These rewards would be given in this world and the next.
There was a question raised last night, as to what the prophet's reward was. I told them I would look into this and include what I found in this blog. If you look at the passage written above, you will notice that Jesus starts off with Jesus Himself, then He went to the prophets, and then to the disciples. There is a progression of importance, and a progression of importance in the rewards also. Jesus represents God the Father directly. The Prophet represents God directly, but his being sent from God is not always clear at the time he is being used by God. Sometimes, the prophet was not taken seriously until after they had killed him and his words started to come true.
The disciples were going out before they were really known to be followers of Jesus. All of them were to spread God's Word. The reward given to the believer that listens to them is based on their importance and influence in spreading God's Word. Those who received Jesus would reap a larger reward, those who listened to the prophets a lesser reward, and disciples those who listened to the disciples would not lose their reward. These rewards would be given in this world and the next.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
91st Post Jesus on Pre-Eminence of God Con't. - John 19:11
John 19:11 You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.
Jesus spoke these words to Pilate after Jesus was betrayed by Judas. Imagine you are Pilate, the most powerful Roman in Palestine, and a man brought to you bound utters the words written John 19:11. Pretty tough talk from someone in such a vulnerable position. This passage is included in the pre-eminence section because Jesus would not have been put into Pilate's hands without God's help. God allowed Satan to enter Judas and allow him to betray Jesus. Pilate being a Roman would not believe in any of this. The fact remains that God was and still is in control of the world. Then Jesus says that the ones who delivered Me to you has the greater sin. Jesus was talking about the religious leaders who had done this. Pilate is a difficult case. From the Bible accounts, he seems quite skiddish, unable to make up his mind. Historical accounts paint a completely different picture of him. Pilate was a highly ambitious and quite capable of great bloodshed in order to achieve his goals. This man ruled with a iron fist. How come the Bible shows him almost meek as a lamb. Pilate brought the statues of the Roman Gods and emperors and put them in the Temple Courtyard under the cover of darkness. This almost caused a riot, and news of this uprising reached all the way to Rome. Agustus told Pilate one more problem, and you will lose your position in Palestine. This may explain Pilate's reserved nature.
Jesus spoke these words to Pilate after Jesus was betrayed by Judas. Imagine you are Pilate, the most powerful Roman in Palestine, and a man brought to you bound utters the words written John 19:11. Pretty tough talk from someone in such a vulnerable position. This passage is included in the pre-eminence section because Jesus would not have been put into Pilate's hands without God's help. God allowed Satan to enter Judas and allow him to betray Jesus. Pilate being a Roman would not believe in any of this. The fact remains that God was and still is in control of the world. Then Jesus says that the ones who delivered Me to you has the greater sin. Jesus was talking about the religious leaders who had done this. Pilate is a difficult case. From the Bible accounts, he seems quite skiddish, unable to make up his mind. Historical accounts paint a completely different picture of him. Pilate was a highly ambitious and quite capable of great bloodshed in order to achieve his goals. This man ruled with a iron fist. How come the Bible shows him almost meek as a lamb. Pilate brought the statues of the Roman Gods and emperors and put them in the Temple Courtyard under the cover of darkness. This almost caused a riot, and news of this uprising reached all the way to Rome. Agustus told Pilate one more problem, and you will lose your position in Palestine. This may explain Pilate's reserved nature.
90th Post Jesus On Pre-Eminence of God Con't. -Luke 10: 41 - 42
Luke 10: 41 - 42 Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.
This passage comes toward the end of Jesus ministry. Mary and Martha are the sisters of Lazarus, not the Lazarus of the rich man and Lazarus. This Lazarus and his sisters lived in Bethany a little town on the slope of the Mount of Olives, about 5 - 7 miles from Jerusalem. Jesus was teaching near by and Martha invited Jesus to come to share a meal with them. Of course Jesus came, Martha was busy working in the kitchen getting all things ready for the meal. Martha noticed that Mary was in listening to Jesus instead of helping Martha with the chores involved in preparing the meal. Martha comes in and confronts Jesus and asks Him to make Mary help her. I am sure Martha was surprised by Jesus answer. I believe Martha fully believed that Jesus would tell Mary to go and help Martha. Imagine what she felt, when Jesus told her that Mary had chosen correctly.
Jesus knew that his time on earth was running short, and for this reason believed that all of the words people like Mary heard now was more important than getting the meal served on time.
This passage was discussed last Sunday Night, and provided a number on insights. I told my class to comment on this blog if they have a mind to. We will see if they still feel as strongly as they did on Sunday Night.
This passage comes toward the end of Jesus ministry. Mary and Martha are the sisters of Lazarus, not the Lazarus of the rich man and Lazarus. This Lazarus and his sisters lived in Bethany a little town on the slope of the Mount of Olives, about 5 - 7 miles from Jerusalem. Jesus was teaching near by and Martha invited Jesus to come to share a meal with them. Of course Jesus came, Martha was busy working in the kitchen getting all things ready for the meal. Martha noticed that Mary was in listening to Jesus instead of helping Martha with the chores involved in preparing the meal. Martha comes in and confronts Jesus and asks Him to make Mary help her. I am sure Martha was surprised by Jesus answer. I believe Martha fully believed that Jesus would tell Mary to go and help Martha. Imagine what she felt, when Jesus told her that Mary had chosen correctly.
Jesus knew that his time on earth was running short, and for this reason believed that all of the words people like Mary heard now was more important than getting the meal served on time.
This passage was discussed last Sunday Night, and provided a number on insights. I told my class to comment on this blog if they have a mind to. We will see if they still feel as strongly as they did on Sunday Night.
89th Post Jesus on Pre-Eminence of God Con't - Matthew 4: 10; Luke 4: 8
Matthew 4:10; Luke 4: 8 For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord you God, and Him only you shall serve." This passage goes along with the two previous postings. Jesus is still in the wilderness when Satan comes to Him a third time. Satan took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Satan said to Jesus, "All these things I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." If Jesus would have fallen down and worshiped Satan, Jesus would have fallen just like Adam. Satan was trying to give all the wealth of the fallen world, by God's word Jesus had to buy back these things, this was accomplished on the cross when Jesus said "IT IS FINISHED". Jesus tells Satan "You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve." Deuteronomy 6:13. Again Jesus quotes The Old Testament to defeat Satan. If Jesus would have caved here, he would have gone down the road of the first Adam. Jesus would not let this happen, because if he failed, He would be telling Satan that He was on the same level with God. It is hard to say that Satan does not exist, when Jesus spent so much time dealing with and defeating him. One of Satan's best lies is the fact people don't believe he exists. This is where he gets his strength from. God is God, and God will not be mocked, no matter how hard Satan tries to do it.
88th Post Jesus On Pre-Eminence of God Con't - Matthew 4:7; Luke 4:12
Matthew 4: 7; Luke 4: 12 It is written again, "you should not temp the Lord your God."
This passage is from the time Jesus is in the wilderness continued. This time Satan came to Jesus and took him to the holy city (Jerusalem) and set him on the pinnacle of the temple. The pinnacle was the highest point on the Temple roof. Satan said to Jesus : if you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you', and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Satan was trying to quote Psalm 91:11,12. This is how the verse actually reads : "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 "On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone." You see Satan knows the Scriptures, but he does not quote it exactly. This is why you have to know the word of God yourself. God can not lie, and Satan is the father of lies; you can use this truth to help unmask Satan. Again Jesus uses God's Word to turn Satan away. This is our model, learn God's Word so that Satan can not misquote it to lead you astray. This is very important.
This passage is from the time Jesus is in the wilderness continued. This time Satan came to Jesus and took him to the holy city (Jerusalem) and set him on the pinnacle of the temple. The pinnacle was the highest point on the Temple roof. Satan said to Jesus : if you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "He will command his angels concerning you', and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Satan was trying to quote Psalm 91:11,12. This is how the verse actually reads : "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 "On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone." You see Satan knows the Scriptures, but he does not quote it exactly. This is why you have to know the word of God yourself. God can not lie, and Satan is the father of lies; you can use this truth to help unmask Satan. Again Jesus uses God's Word to turn Satan away. This is our model, learn God's Word so that Satan can not misquote it to lead you astray. This is very important.
87th Post Jesus said on Per-Eminence of God Con't - Matthew 4: 4 ; Luke 4: 4
Matthew 4:4 It is written "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." By the location of this passage, you know that it is before Jesus actually started his earthly ministry. Jesus had been in the wilderness for forty days and nights, without food or water. Satan comes to Him and says "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." Jesus answer is Mathew 4:4 listed above. Jesus was quoting the Old Testament Deuteronomy 8: 3. If you look Deuteronomy chapter 8, you will see that Moses was reprimanding the Children of Israel in the wilderness because of their grumbling concerning lack of food. This is how Satan works, he never comes to you when you are fresh, but when you are tired and hungry. Satan tempts Jesus human part with food, knowing He had not eaten for 40 days and nights. Unlike Adam, that gave into the temptation Jesus was strong enough to resist the devil and his offer. Jesus gave us a model to follow, when confronted by Satan, fight him with God's word. This is why the sword in our spiritual armor is the Word of God. Jesus used it and so should we.
86th Post Comment on Pre-Eminence of God
Pre-Eminence of God means that God is pre-eminent in every way. God is set apart from every living thing, because He created them. The created can never achieve the same level as the creator. This is the major difference between what Christians and Mormons believe. God proves everyday that He is the Creator of the world and the heavens. The sun, moon, stars and the planets all witness God's presence. God is Lord over time and space, matter, etc.. God does not share rulership of everything with anybody else. There is only One God. Only God can sacrifice His Only Son in order to bring man back into communion with Him. This is why Jesus is the only one who can say "Nobody comes to the Father except through Me." This proves that God is who He says He Is. There is Only One True God, God does not rule through other forms of God. All paths do not Lead to Heaven. All paths lead to the Cross; it comes down to where you stand in relation to Jesus Christ.
We will be looking into what Jesus said on the subject of Pre-Eminence. If you have been following this blog from the first post; you will have been watching Jesus explaining who He is and where He came from. This is important to understand Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit are all part of God. This is known as the Triune God. We will go into this concept further into this study.
We will be looking into what Jesus said on the subject of Pre-Eminence. If you have been following this blog from the first post; you will have been watching Jesus explaining who He is and where He came from. This is important to understand Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit are all part of God. This is known as the Triune God. We will go into this concept further into this study.
Friday, June 11, 2010
85th Post Jesus Said on Eternal Life Con't. - John 8: 51
John 8:51 Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.
All of these Bible verses in this section titled Eternal Life all say the same thing. Jesus tells the people if they believe and keep His words they will never see death, but have eternal life. Death - which death was Jesus talking about? Before Jesus came and started His earthly ministry, believers in God would die and go to a place called Sheol. This is where both believers and non-believers would go, to await the Last Day. We know this from the teaching of Jesus, concerning the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. (Luke 16: 19 - 31). This teaching also agrees with what the Old Testament taught. In Sheol, God was not present, this is brought out in Jesus' parable because the rich man appeals to father Abraham and not God, for righteous ruling; and Abraham gives it. God is the judge, this teaching is consistent in both Old and New Testament teaching. Sheol is the Hebrew word for place of the dead, in Greek, the word is Hades. Hades in the Old Testament was a place for both good and bad to go; but in the New Testament only refers to where the bad dead go. I will go into this more in detail when I teach on Jesus Words from the cross. This is where the change in definition of Hades changes. This closes this section on Jesus Said concerning Eternal Life. The next section is entitled The Pre-eminence of God. Stay tuned.
All of these Bible verses in this section titled Eternal Life all say the same thing. Jesus tells the people if they believe and keep His words they will never see death, but have eternal life. Death - which death was Jesus talking about? Before Jesus came and started His earthly ministry, believers in God would die and go to a place called Sheol. This is where both believers and non-believers would go, to await the Last Day. We know this from the teaching of Jesus, concerning the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. (Luke 16: 19 - 31). This teaching also agrees with what the Old Testament taught. In Sheol, God was not present, this is brought out in Jesus' parable because the rich man appeals to father Abraham and not God, for righteous ruling; and Abraham gives it. God is the judge, this teaching is consistent in both Old and New Testament teaching. Sheol is the Hebrew word for place of the dead, in Greek, the word is Hades. Hades in the Old Testament was a place for both good and bad to go; but in the New Testament only refers to where the bad dead go. I will go into this more in detail when I teach on Jesus Words from the cross. This is where the change in definition of Hades changes. This closes this section on Jesus Said concerning Eternal Life. The next section is entitled The Pre-eminence of God. Stay tuned.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
84th Post Jesus Said on Eternal Life Con't. - John 6: 54
John 6: 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
From the location of this passage, we know Jesus has been teaching approximately a little over a year at the time this took place. Jesus has fed the 5,000 and walked on water. Jesus had gathered a large following by this time. Then Jesus says they have to eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to have eternal life. Deuteronomy chapter 28 lists the promises and curses that God would lay on the Children of Israel depending on whether or not they followed God or fell away. Part of the curses is that Israel would resort to cannibalism if they fell away from God. Jewish history says that this happened to both North and South Kingdoms because of their unbelief. Notice Deuteronomy deals with the physical and Jesus was talking about the Spiritual, the Jews misunderstood just like Nicodemus did in chapter 3. Jesus was setting up the idea of Communion, the people could not get their heads around this concept. This concept will come again in Chapter 15 of John. Jesus is giving you the tools to have eternal life. 1. Was to believe 2. Was to do 3. is to eat His Body and Drink His Blood. Jesus is laying out what is required to walk with Jesus. How is your walk? Have you made a decision yet? Still need more information and time?
From the location of this passage, we know Jesus has been teaching approximately a little over a year at the time this took place. Jesus has fed the 5,000 and walked on water. Jesus had gathered a large following by this time. Then Jesus says they have to eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to have eternal life. Deuteronomy chapter 28 lists the promises and curses that God would lay on the Children of Israel depending on whether or not they followed God or fell away. Part of the curses is that Israel would resort to cannibalism if they fell away from God. Jewish history says that this happened to both North and South Kingdoms because of their unbelief. Notice Deuteronomy deals with the physical and Jesus was talking about the Spiritual, the Jews misunderstood just like Nicodemus did in chapter 3. Jesus was setting up the idea of Communion, the people could not get their heads around this concept. This concept will come again in Chapter 15 of John. Jesus is giving you the tools to have eternal life. 1. Was to believe 2. Was to do 3. is to eat His Body and Drink His Blood. Jesus is laying out what is required to walk with Jesus. How is your walk? Have you made a decision yet? Still need more information and time?
83rd Post Jesus Said on Eternal Life Con't. - John 6: 47
John 6: 47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
This passage goes along with the previous post John 6: 40. Belief, is only possible if the Holy Spirit has decided to turn on the switch God has placed in each and every one of us before birth. It happens this way so that we as humans can not take responsibility for our coming to Christ. We have no grounds on which to boast. Belief is required first, then we are to start to walk according to God's Word. When we do this, our life starts to change. Your friends that you had before you accepted God will start to fall away, unless they also are walking according to God's Word. They may not go away quietly, but they will go away just the same. As your walk gets stronger in God's Word, you will find you have less and less in common with them; and maybe even feel uncomfortable, or even fight when you are with them. They have not changed, you have. Your priorities will change and your idea of what is fun or important will also change. It is at this time that you are liable to backslide. You start to become afraid of how you are changing. This is normal and you need to stay focused on God. You do this by attending Bible Study, and Church regularly. If you keep your eyes on the prize and persevere until the end you will have everlasting life. It is up to you.
This passage goes along with the previous post John 6: 40. Belief, is only possible if the Holy Spirit has decided to turn on the switch God has placed in each and every one of us before birth. It happens this way so that we as humans can not take responsibility for our coming to Christ. We have no grounds on which to boast. Belief is required first, then we are to start to walk according to God's Word. When we do this, our life starts to change. Your friends that you had before you accepted God will start to fall away, unless they also are walking according to God's Word. They may not go away quietly, but they will go away just the same. As your walk gets stronger in God's Word, you will find you have less and less in common with them; and maybe even feel uncomfortable, or even fight when you are with them. They have not changed, you have. Your priorities will change and your idea of what is fun or important will also change. It is at this time that you are liable to backslide. You start to become afraid of how you are changing. This is normal and you need to stay focused on God. You do this by attending Bible Study, and Church regularly. If you keep your eyes on the prize and persevere until the end you will have everlasting life. It is up to you.
82nd Post Jesus Said Eternal Life Con't. - John 6: 40
John 6:40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
This passage is in line with what the Old Testament teaches. Jesus Said in His Sermon on the Mount "I did not come to do away with the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill." The teaching is pretty clear, see and believe in the Son (Jesus) and you will have everlasting life. What about us? We were not born at the time of Jesus, are we left out of this promise? Certainly Not! Jesus made this plain when He met Thomas in the upper room after His ressurection from the dead. Jesus told Thomas "have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed." (John 20:29). The evidence is strong and true. If you have been following this blog from the first post; you have seen Jesus' words and deeds. I am trying to use this blog as a way of explaining these passages further than what was discussed on Sunday Night. The choice is yours. Only you can decide if the evidence is strong enough for you to believe. This study is still at the beginning of what Jesus taught, we will be looking deeper as time goes by. The parables are the last of Jesus teachings we will look at and we will look at most of them at that time. I hope this study has been a help to you so far, and has strengthened your walk with Jesus. God Bless You.
This passage is in line with what the Old Testament teaches. Jesus Said in His Sermon on the Mount "I did not come to do away with the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill." The teaching is pretty clear, see and believe in the Son (Jesus) and you will have everlasting life. What about us? We were not born at the time of Jesus, are we left out of this promise? Certainly Not! Jesus made this plain when He met Thomas in the upper room after His ressurection from the dead. Jesus told Thomas "have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed." (John 20:29). The evidence is strong and true. If you have been following this blog from the first post; you have seen Jesus' words and deeds. I am trying to use this blog as a way of explaining these passages further than what was discussed on Sunday Night. The choice is yours. Only you can decide if the evidence is strong enough for you to believe. This study is still at the beginning of what Jesus taught, we will be looking deeper as time goes by. The parables are the last of Jesus teachings we will look at and we will look at most of them at that time. I hope this study has been a help to you so far, and has strengthened your walk with Jesus. God Bless You.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
81st Post Jesus Said On Eternal Life Con't - John 6:27
John 6: 27 "Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." This passage takes place not to far into Jesus earthly ministry. Jesus' message is new considering the person is required to labor for the food that leads to eternal life. The Old Testament teaches, that you need to go to the Temple 5 times a year and bring sacrifices to the Temple. Jesus adds to this saying that you also need to pay attention to Jesus and do these things instead as part of the new covenant in His Blood. Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, "I did not come to do away with but to fulfill, the Law and the prophets". Jesus was speaking with authority and asks that you do what He says because He represents God the Father. In the Old Testament you were required to go to the Temple. Jesus says come to Me and receive Spiritual Food. It is the Spiritual Food that I give that will lead to eternal life. This is a new teaching, starting here in the Gospels. Jesus is telling the people they are required to walk with Jesus (God) daily to get their fill of this Spiritual food. This is a new teaching. Jesus during His ministry is going to tell them about the importance of talking to God daily. This is something we are supposed to be doing if we are Christians. We need to spend time with God everyday. How is your walk?
80th Post Jesus on Eternal Life Con't - John 5: 39 - 40
John 5: 39 - 40 This passage is further rebuttal to the previous post and passage John 5: 24. The Jewish leaders were looking for ways they could have eternal life in the Scriptures, the way they were going about it was all wrong. They were looking for ways they could earn eternal life. They did not understand, what is required is a personal relationship with God by submitting your whole life to Him. The Jewish leaders were doing it all on their own understanding, not on understanding God. Before you start calling those people dumb, look at your relationship with God. We are the same as them, we tend to make the same mistakes. Why don't we help others who are in need? We say we don't want to get involved. God is jealous, He wants you, and all of you. Not just what of yourself you are ready to share. The Jewish leaders thought they were sinless. Since they were sinless, why did they need a Messiah? So they never looked for the Messiah to save them. This is why they did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. They instead searched the Scriptures and found all of the apocalyptic verses and studied only those, because they thought the Messiah was to come to throw the Romans out of Israel. Their own understanding again, not God's. Are you suffering from the same thing, trying to find God through your own understanding? Ask God to come into your heart and give you His understanding. He will ,if you will!
Monday, June 7, 2010
79th Post Jesus Said about Eternal Life Con't - John 5: 24
John 5:24 This passage comes from the beginning of John toward the beginning of Jesus ministry.
Chapter 5 begins with the healing of the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda healed on the Sabbath. The Jews plot to kill Jesus, Jesus tells them He gets His Authority from God the Father. Jesus is consistent in His defense of Himself whenever attacked. If anything His defense of Himself is getting stronger. This is the passage mentioned above: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." John 5:24. Jesus is speaking of the same things, He told Nicodemus in chapter 3 concerning rebirth. The message is not that difficult to understand, if you believe My words are true by the signs (miracles) I perform, then you know that I come from the Father (God); and you will have eternal life. This is the first step in rebirth of the Spirit. Just like natural birth is the start or our human life, Spitirual birth is the start of our eternal life. To understand this concept you would have to know Jesus parable of the seeds (Sower). Matthew 13:18-23; Mark 4:13-20; Luke 8: 11 - 15. In this parable the Sower throws his seed and it falls on all sorts of soil. The hearers heart is the soil, what kind of soil the hearer has depends on what he does with the seed. The second part of Spiritual rebirth is doing what you have heard. If you are doing this then your faith in Jesus is alive and depending on how you hear and how you are implementing what you hear, is how healthy your eternal life is. Only you and God know how you are doing. Look at your life, if you need to make some changes, there is still time to get right with God. He loves you and is waiting for you to come back.
Chapter 5 begins with the healing of the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda healed on the Sabbath. The Jews plot to kill Jesus, Jesus tells them He gets His Authority from God the Father. Jesus is consistent in His defense of Himself whenever attacked. If anything His defense of Himself is getting stronger. This is the passage mentioned above: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." John 5:24. Jesus is speaking of the same things, He told Nicodemus in chapter 3 concerning rebirth. The message is not that difficult to understand, if you believe My words are true by the signs (miracles) I perform, then you know that I come from the Father (God); and you will have eternal life. This is the first step in rebirth of the Spirit. Just like natural birth is the start or our human life, Spitirual birth is the start of our eternal life. To understand this concept you would have to know Jesus parable of the seeds (Sower). Matthew 13:18-23; Mark 4:13-20; Luke 8: 11 - 15. In this parable the Sower throws his seed and it falls on all sorts of soil. The hearers heart is the soil, what kind of soil the hearer has depends on what he does with the seed. The second part of Spiritual rebirth is doing what you have heard. If you are doing this then your faith in Jesus is alive and depending on how you hear and how you are implementing what you hear, is how healthy your eternal life is. Only you and God know how you are doing. Look at your life, if you need to make some changes, there is still time to get right with God. He loves you and is waiting for you to come back.
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