129th Post Jesus Said on Hell - Comment

We are starting a new topic in this Bible Study. Jesus said more about hell, than He did about Heaven. We will be looking at all the tools Jesus used to describe hell. Hell is the place that Jesus did not want us to go. If you find yourself there, you can not blame God for your position. You put yourself there. Hell means a place absent from God, if you lived your life like God did not exist, you will get your wish; you will spend eternity without God. Jesus said " I am the resurrection and the Life, No One comes to Father, except through Me"! People have a hard time with this, saying it is pretty narrow minded. Maybe it is, but you show me another God that Created the World, and then came down to earth and lived among us, and then died for our sins so that we could have eternal life. Jesus paid the price we were to pay because of Adam's sin. This gives Him bragging rights, and He alone can make this claim. When Jesus put his hands on Peter's head and said "Upon this rock I will build My Church, and even the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Most people think this was fulfilled when the early church was struggling against Rome. I believe that the biggest struggle will come when evil has its most power, during the tribulation period. This will be the time that the church will be tested almost to its breaking point. The Church will prevail, because each time the Church has come under fire, it gets stronger, not weaker. God is stronger than Satan or hell.

128th Post Jesus on Taxes & Tribute Con't. - Matthew 22: 21

Matthew 22: 21; Mark 12: 15 - 17; Luke 20: 24 - 25.
Render therefore to Caesar the thingst are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
From the location of this passage in Matthew 22, you know this is at the end of Jesus earthly ministry. Jesus' enemies were starting to become larger in numbers and included more than the just the Temple leaders and teachers. If you look back to verse 15, you will notice the Pharisees, but now the Herodians had also joined as Jesus enemies. The Herodians are the political side of Jewish Government, so Jesus had alienated both the religious and political arms of Israel. It is interesting that the Sadduceeses, and the Pharisees could not agree on much of anything. And both these groups did not trust the Herodians, but yet all three could unite in their hatred of Jesus. The Sadduceeses and the Pharisees tried to catch Jesus on religous grounds, now the Herodians added political grounds to their snare to entrap Jesus. They asked Jesus if they as Jews needed to pay Roman taxes. Jesus' enemies knew that the Jewish people hated paying taxes to Rome, and grumbled everytime they had to pay. If Jesus told them they did not need to pay taxes, this would make Jesus an enemy of Rome. They thought they had Jesus this time, He could not answer safely. Jesus being God, saw the trap and got away cleanly. Look at Jesus answer "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and give unto God the things that are God's. " Jesus was able to escape their trap again.

127th Post Jesus on Taxes & Tribute Con't- Matthew 17: 25 - 27.

This post is a continuation of post 126. Matthew Chapter 17, opens with Jesus showing His closest disciples that He (Jesus) is God, then Jesus heals a demon possessed man. Then we come to this situation in the Synagogue. Peter was present at all of places Jesus was in Matthew chapter 17. Peter saw, but he did not see. How many of us, suffer from this same affliction? Our relationship with Jesus is so comfortable and easy, that we sometimes forget He is the creator of Heaven and Earth, and all that dwells in it. How many of you know someone important in your city? How easy is it to have access to them? Is it possible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? We can have this kind of relationship with Jesus. It was the same with Peter, Jesus was always there when he needed him. Peter looked on Jesus as a good friend, and knew he could depend on Jesus. But I don't think it dawned on him, exactly who Jesus was. Jesus knew that He and Peter were exempt from paying the tax; but He also knew that the men of the Synagogue would not understand the relationship, Jesus has with God the Father. Peter saw the Transfiguration, these men did not. Jesus knew that if they made a scene, it would not turn out well. Jesus asks Peter to go to the Sea of Galilee, and put a hook in the water and the first fish he gets look in its mouth and it will have money due for the tax for both. Peter went and did as he was told. Probably did not even think about how this would happen. He trusted Jesus! Do you have this same trust in Jesus?? You can!

126th Post Jesus On Taxes & Tributes Con't. - Matthew 17: 25 - 27.

Matthew 17: 25 - 27
What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers? [Peter answered "from strangers."] Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.
This passage comes from Matthew 17, and is about 1.1/2 years into Jesus earthly ministry. This passage needs some explanation in order to understand it. On the surface,we see Peter and Jesus entering the Synagogue at Capernaum and Peter is stopped by the rabbi's and asked if Peter and Jesus pay the Temple Tax, Peter replies that they do, then he asks Jesus about it. Jesus tells Peter they are exempt from the tax; then Jesus tells Peter to go to the sea, and put a hook in the water, the first fish that comes up will have a coin to pay for both of us. Matthew chapter 17 opens with the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, Jesus let his closest disciples witness His Godness. This passage takes place toward the end of the chapter. Seems Peter forgot, who Jesus is, or where Jesus came from. I will have to continue this on next post.

125th Post Jesus on Taxes and Tributes - Comment

Taxes and Tributes are costs required by the governments that God has allowed to be in control where you live. If you live in an area where the government is not God fearing, you may have trouble believing that God has allowed these governments to exist. God created all things, and all things are in His control. The United States is in the process of turning away from God. The Government is trying to dismiss the faith in God that our forefathers had. As we turn further and further away from God, He will withdraw His hedge of protection, we have enjoyed up til now. When September 11th 2,001 came, our Churches were packed to overflowing right after that attack. Since that time our Churches have seen the multitudes drop off. God is a God of Justice and Mercy. Most New Testament people would only concentrate on God as Love. He is, but He also is the God of Justice. Taxes and Tributes are governments way of raising the money to take care of its citizens. We as Christians are asked to comply with what government asks until it starts to go against God. When this happens we are called by God to Stand for Him. As our government continues to turn further away we as Christians have the responsibility to Stand for God. We will be held accountable for our actions or non-actions. God is Still on the Throne!!

124th Post Jesus on Bearing Fruit Con't - John 15: 1-8

This post is continuing discussion started from post 122. We have looked at what is needed for us to be walking or growing in Jesus Christ. These same verses can unlock the secrets to a fruitful prayer life. Jesus says if you remain in Me and My words remain in you ask whatever you want and it will be given you. Look at what Jesus has said here. If I remain in you, you keep My words, then ask whatever you want and it will be given you. In order for your prayers to be answered they must be in line with what God wants. This means that you have to be connected to God and ask for things that God wants. How many times have you taken your
petitions to the Lord based on your own understanding, and then been disappointed because they were not answered? The longer you walk with God the stronger your prayer life becomes. The more time you spend talking to God the stronger the relationship with God becomes. You will ask for things that God wants for you. People will ask you to pray for them, usually it is for healing when they have an incurable disease. This is tricky, because God controls life and death, a lot of times we blame God for not answering our prayer requests. The Bible tells us God knows how long you will live even before you are born. God heals who He will heal, and He lets them die those He wills. This is God's will not ours! One of the hardest lessons we as Christians learn is the God's ways are not our ways, and that He is in charge.

123rd Post Jesus on Bearing Fruit Con't - John 15: 1 - 8

John 15: 1 -8
This post continues from 122 that precedes it. The passage opens with God the Father as the vinedresser. The vinedresser, is responsible for the health of the vine. The Father cares for the vine by tending the branches. It is the dresser's job to make sure the vine is fed, irrigated, and pruned. Jesus tells the disciples that He is the vine, the true vine. They will always be part of Him, and can never be more important than Him. The branches grow out of the vine, and get all of their knowledge and food from the vine. In order for the branches to remain healthy, they have to be connected to the vine at all times. This is not possible for Sunday Morning Christians only. To be connected to the vine at all times, means you are connected 7 days a week 24 hours a day. Branches that are withered, or partially broken, will be cut off by the vinedresser. It is necessary for the vinedresser to prune healthy branches in order for the branches to bear even more fruit. Pruning can be painful, it hurts for a time, but because of the pruning, the branch becomes even more healthful. When you are facing difficult times in your life, it could be at these times the Father is pruning you. The vinedresser cuts off branches that produce no fruit, it is the branches job to produce fruit. Everything a branch needs to bear fruit is supplied by the vinedresser and the vine. The branches job is to remain connected to the vine.

122nd Post Jesus on Bearing Fruit con't - John 15: 1-8

John 15: 1 - 8.
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
This passage comes from John chapter 15, this was spoken by Jesus the night He was to betrayed in the upper room where He had eaten the Last Supper with His disciples. These eight verses are jammed packed with information. These verses hold the secret of living the Christian Life, and the fundmentals of a fruitful prayer life. Yet how many times do we read these words, with out really understanding the scope of their meaning. This passage has taken up most of my teaching space, so I will have to continue next post.

121st Post Jesus on Bearing Fruit Con't. - Matthew 12: 33 - 35.

Matthew 12: 33 - 35; Luke 6: 45.
Either make a tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
This passage is taken from chapter 12 of Matthew, and is two years into His earthly ministry. This goes along with Jesus parable of the seeds, in that parable Jesus said that the sower threw the seeds and fell on all sorts of different kinds of soil. The teaching of that parable was to show you which type of soil you are and if you did not like your type, you could go about changing it for the better. This is what Jesus meant when He said "Either make the tree good, or make it evil," but you have to make a decision; a tree can not produce good and bad fruit. Jesus called the Pharisees, the brood of vipers. Jesus did this, because they had the teachings of Moses handed down from God; but they have interpreted them according to their own understanding, and not God's. Moses and Jesus taught the exact same thing; if the Temple leaders were teaching these words the way God intended, they would have recognized Jesus as the Son of God and their Messiah. The lessons are the same today as they were then. You must make the decision, is Jesus really Who He said He was?? Only you can answer that for yourself.

120th Post Jesus on Bearing Fruit Con't. - Matthew 7: 15 - 20

Matthew 7: 15 - 20; Luke 6: 43 - 44.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
This passage comes from Jesus Sermon on the Mount, about a year and a half into His earthly ministry. Jesus tells us that false teachers and prophets will come to us, and they will be trying to disguise their true motives. Jesus says that you will uncover the truth of their intent, not by listening to what they say, but how they live their lives. This is something we, as Christians should be doing anyway. The best way to discern someone's true belief, is to look at the way they live their life. Anyone can say the right thing or do it for a while, but they are exposed over the long term. Over time the real truth comes out. If you have not yet started to look at peoples actions along with what they say; you should start today. Jesus warned us that false teachers and prophets will be rampant in the last days, and you will need this skill, to keep from falling for their false teachings. Remember, the Bible is your resource to expose them.

119th Post Jesus Said About Bearing Fruit..- Comment

This is the start of a new area of discussion, concerning bearing fruit. Jesus tells us that we will be able to discern the difference between good and bad people, much like you discern between good and bad fruit at the market. This is a valuable lesson for us, and one we need to learn very well. Jesus warns about false teachers and prophets that will come, their message will fool a lot of people, including the elect, if that were possible. The Bible is our resource to uncover these false teachers and prophets. God's word will expose them. This is one aspect of bearing fruit. Jesus tells us that we also should be bearing fruit. How do we do this?? Jesus will meet a sinner, anyplace, anytime and in any situation; if you make a decision to follow Jesus, He does not want you to remain in that place. Jesus wants you to be the best you can be, so as you listen to His Words and start to put on His Attributes, you will change both your position, and your life. This process is called "walking with God", and the signs of your change become your fruits of proof of this change. All of the disciples showed their fruits as they went from being disciples to apostles. You can not be a believer in talk only, without works to back up your words. If your life has no fruit, you have no faith. If you find yourself in this position, it can be fixed. Don't stop talking, but start doing also. That is the key. Part of being a Christian is bearing fruit. You can start today!

118th Post Jesus Said on Riches Con't. - Luke 12: 14- 15.

Luke 12: 14 - 15.
Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you? Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
This passage takes place about halfway through Jesus' earthly ministry, Jesus starts chapter 12 of Luke warning about the leaven of the Pharisees, which was hypocrisy. A man in the crowd asks Jesus to settle his dispute over inheritance. Deuteronomy 21:17 but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn are his. This man in asking Jesus, was not interested in a just decision, but one that favored him. He asked Jesus, because these types of disputes would be handled by the Rabbis. If the man was interested in a just decision, he would have gone to the Rabi of their synagogoue and would have asked him to make the decision. The Rabi would be in a better position to make a fair decision, because he would know the family and the assets that needed to be divided. The fact that this man asked Jesus, a rabi he just happened to meet, he thought maybe Jesus would rule in his favor. Jesus being God, knew the situation and knew this man's heart. That was why Jesus told him to beware of covetousness. What is covetouness? Wanting what is not ours. Jesus saw the truth and exposed it. We need to take a lesson from this, be very careful when we ask Jesus to judge us. He will on the Last Day, and when you ask him to judge, he will judge fairly and, will not be moved to give you a break. Just like in this story, the man thought he had Jesus at a disadvantage, but Jesus pointed out the truth correctly.

117th Post Jesus Said on Riches Con't. - Matthew 19: 23-24,26

Matthew 19:23 - 24, 26; Mark 10: 24-27; Luke 18: 24 - 27.
Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
This passage comes from the nineteenth chapter of Matthew, so we know this is quite far into Jesus' earthly ministry. Quite simply, if you are rich and don't have a relationship with God you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This sounds a bit harsh. Rich men love their money, and will not part with it. God wants you, not what you possess. This is where rich people get it wrong. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you, not with the money you can throw at missions, visitation, etc. God wants you to actually go and do. Don't get me wrong, money helps also. In addition to money should be offered, but not with out getting personally involved. I believe this is why the churches in the United States, are having trouble. They are so busy looking at the world's problems and don't see the problems in their own neighborhoods and in their own churches.