173rd Post Jesus Said on Submission Con't - Matthew 5: 38 - 42

Matthew 5: 38 - 42; Luke 6: 29 - 30 Continued If a person sues...
Remember Jesus is talking about dealing with an evil person. If they want to sue you to take away your tunic, let them have your cloak also. In Jewish law, you could take a person's cloak as a pledge, but you were to return it to him before dark, so that he could sleep in it. In the morning he would return it to you as a pledge. If you did not do this, the person would call out to the Lord and He would hear, because He is a compassionate God. Remember, Jesus is talking about an evil person, here. They do not care for you or your welfare, and do not fear God. This person is only interested in what they can get. Jesus was saying that if someone sues you for your tunic, you are to give them your cloak also. That person has wiped you out, you have nothing more to give, this is the teaching here. When you study God's Word, you have to remember that God does not lie, and does not contradict Himself. Jesus said these things to make a point. You can not expect ungodly people to act the way a godly person acts. Jesus told you to turn the other cheek, but He did not say that you were to give up your dignity and become a floor mat either. There is a difference between being meek, and weak! As God's creation, you are worth a lot. Ungodly people do not agree with God on this point. At some point, they will have to bow before Jesus and declare Jesus Is Lord!!

172nd Post Jesus Said on Submission Con't - Matthew 5: 38 - 42

Matthew 5: 38 - 42; Luke 6: 29 - 30; Continued "Eye for an Eye"
If you do not resist, they may take what they want from you, but may spare your life. Today, this idea seems to work sometimes. People that rob you take what they want and then kill you, this seems to happen more and more. This shows the break down of society, and why this world needs a Savior. The next teaching is turning the other cheek. The idea is that when a person strikes you, the world expects you to respond in kind. When you offer them your other cheek, you are responding the way Jesus would like you to, and not the way the world wants. This might cause your attacker to, stop and think about what he is doing, and the attack will stop. Sometimes, this works, and sometimes the attacker, will look at your gesture as being weak, and really attack you.
You have to remember that Jesus tells you that you are facing an evil person; again, this person will not care about the law. These people do not care about the law until they are caught. Then they will try to use the law to its fullest extent to try to go free. When these people attack you, they are in control; they hold the power to kill you or not. If you do not resist them, you may get out of this with your life. Jesus was asking us to teach "His ways" at all times. This is part of walking with God. Continued next post.

171st Post Jesus Said on Submission - Matthew 5:38 - 42

Matthew 5: 38 - 42; Luke 6: 29 - 30
You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
This passage was spoken by Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. This passage contains a lot of hard teachings, so it may take several postings to explain it.
First, an eye for an eye, this comes from the Old Testament from Moses, when he told the people about this, there was no limit of how far a person could go for retribution. If someone put out a person's eye, the wounded person could kill the other person without fear from the law. God, through Moses used this idea of the punishment must fit the crime. This was the start of civilized law. All people adopted similar laws based on this idea. Now Jesus takes this further by saying do not resist an evil person. An evil person does not live according to the laws of society, so the teaching of an eye for an eye, would not apply to him. Who has the most force is what this type of person understands. Jesus teaches us not to resist them. Continued next post.

170th Post Jesus Said on Submission - New Chapter Comment

Like commitment that we have just studied, submission is also just as important. These are the attributes (when applied to Jesus), that will set you apart from the rest of the world. Just like you learned in the last section about commitment, submission is also a 24 hour, 7 day a week obligation. This is how Jesus knows you are sincere, willing and able to follow. These are the two areas, New Testament teachers, do not stress enough. They will tell you that once you become a follower of Christ, everything will be perfect and your life will become a bowl of cherries, you will be rich and famous, and have tons of friends. Jesus on the other hand said "If anyone comes after Me, he must first deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23). Where in that passage does it say, you will be rich and famous, or popular? Jesus said "If you follow Me, you will have life and live it more abundantly". What Jesus promised is not the same thing that the New Testament teachers are telling you in their statements mentioned above. Riches, fame, popularity these are what the world offers. Jesus said "Be in the world, but not of it." As you live your life for Jesus, He may choose to reward you with riches, fame popularity, etc. You will possess them, not they possessing you. The difference is you know, you are blessed with or without the riches, fame and popularity. These things do not define you, so if you lost them, you would still stay committed and submitted to Jesus Christ your Lord!! Once you have Jesus, you will forsake everything, before you will forsake Him. This is what the Book of Job, was trying to teach us. Where do you weigh in on this??

169th Post Jesus Said on Commitment Con't - Matthew 5: 13 Con't.

Matthew 5: 13, 10: 37 - 38; Mark 9:50; Luke 14: 26 - 35 Continued.
Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Jesus gives still another example of how important your commitment is. His last example deals with a king about to go to war against a stronger foe. The king must first weigh the amount of men he has in the army, the strength of his defenses and if he can withstand a long siege. Depending on his calculations, he either prepares for war, or contemplates how much it will cost him to have the conditions of peace. Whichever cost is better, that is the one the king will choose. Sometimes being a vassal is better than being totally destroyed. Unlike the king, our choice is between good and evil. If we choose evil, that means total separation from God. That is the choice, choose wisely.

168th Post Jesus Said on Commitment Con't - Matthew 5: 13 Con't.

Matthew 5: 13, 10: 37 - 38; Mark 9:50; Luke 14: 26 - 35 Continued.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish."
This is a continuation of Jesus comment in previous post about becoming a disciple. Jesus knows what He is asking is tough, and few will make the commitment. Like this man building a tower, if you are going to follow Christ, you must first consider the cost. When you decide to follow Christ, you have to be all in, part or limited commitment is not what He is looking for. Just like the builder of the tower, if we decide part way through that the price of following Christ is too high and quit, we too will be mocked concerning our failure. To put this in prospective, James wrote in his Epistle, that our lives on earth are like a vapor. We are not here for very long, but eternity is eternal. Where do you want to spend it? With God, or without God?? That is the question. Where do you want to spend it, becomes the bottom line. The cost of following, becomes more appealing when you consider the cost of not following. If you turn your back on God now, He will turn His back on you later, and later is an awful long time. On our own we win hell, but with God's help we win eternity! It is up to you, which choice you make. If you choose wrongly, you can not blame God for your decision.

167th Post Jesus Said on Commitment Con't - Matthew 5: 13 ; 10: 37 - 38

Matthew 5: 13; 10: 37 -38; Mark 9: 50
If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
This passage comes about 1.1/2 years into Jesus earthly ministry from the Sermon on the Mount.
This is a hard passage because it states just how serious God is about you following Him. First when reading the Bible, you have to remember that this is God's Word, and God does not contradict Himself. He tells you in Exodus to Honor your Father and Mother, in Genesis He tells us to Love our Spouse. On the surface, this looks like a contradiction, it is not. Jesus was making a point, as to how your commitments should be arranged. God is a jealous God, and will not share top billing with anything. If you are to follow Him, He must be the most important thing in your life! If He is not, then you are splitting your attention between Him and something, or someone else. God wants your whole attention first, then you can take care of your family, and others, work etc. When Jesus talks about bearing your cross and following, it means everyday, without question. Christ worked for His Father 7 days a week, 24 hours a day; to be called a Christian means "Christ Like", also a 7 day 24 hour commitment. This is the walk, your talk is supposed to model, if it does not, then you know where to make changes. Some of you might say "If I witness at work I could get fired." There is witnessing and there is witnessing. St. Augustine was said to have said when they gave him his position as Cardinal and Professorship at Hippo; "I can teach, and talk too!" We seem to forget that our actions are the truest Sermon, we can preach. I don't think anyone can be fired for acting like a Christian, and this can be accomplished without talking, can you believe it. This should not be an Epiphany, but something you are already doing. If not, its a place to start. How is your walk??

166th Post Jesus Said on Commitment Con't. - Matthew 5: 13 - 16 Con't.

Matthew 5: 13 -16; Mark 4: 21; 9: 50; Luke 8: 16; 11: 33 Continued.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Jesus is using another picture to give us the same message. If you are a Christian, you are not of the world but in it. This means that you conform your life to the things of God instead of the world.
You will be noticed by the world because you stick out. If your life and that of unbeliever's look the same, than something is wrong with your commitment with God. If your life seems like the one I just described, then you are hiding your light under a basket where no one can see its light To be a city on a hill, or a lamp on a lamp stand, you need to be bold in your living the Christian life. Your light is what people see, not the sermons you preach. It is your works, and you do it for the glory of God! Not yourself! This is what the Pharisees did, before they did anything good, they would ring a bell to call attention to themselves, and when an audience had come large enough to suit them, then they would do something good for humanity. People of this world hate the United States, but they are very happy to receive any aid, we provide them. The next world disaster, look and which country sends aid first, and how much. It is because of this, that we still look like a Christian country, unfortunately we do not act Christian in any other ways. But we can change this one Christian at a time. If you are convicted, will you make the change??

165th Post Jesus Said on Commitment Con't. -Matthew 5: 13 - 16.

Matthew 5: 13 -16; Mark 4: 21, 9: 50; Luke 8: 16; 11: 33.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be trampled under the foot by men.
This passage comes from Jesus Sermon on the Mount, and takes place about 1.1/2 years into Jesus earthly ministry. Jesus tells us we are the salt of the earth, meaning like salt it does not take many of us to make a difference in the world. We, are to be the world's conscience. The Church now seems more afraid of being politically correct, then standing up for Jesus and what is right. This is what we were commanded by Jesus to do. I think St. Augustine got it right when he said when he was given his teaching position at Hippo; "I can teach, and talk too". We as Christians seem to forget how important our walk is. How important, that it has to match our talk. St. Augustine was saying that our actions should be our best sermon on living the Christian lifestyle. Jesus warns that we should never stop being salt. If we stop, our influence as the world's conscience will stop, and we will be worthless. Jesus demands that we are walking with him 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, not just a hour or two on Sunday, and maybe one or two hours during the week. The Church does not need to see you be a Christian, you need to show the world fearlessly and continuously, not intermittently.

164th Post Jesus Said on Commitment - New Area of Study on Comment

We have finally finished our study on what Jesus said about hell. I hope that this study has given you some new things to think about, and maybe cleared up some things concerning hell.

The study will now focus on what Jesus said about commitment. When studying the Words of Jesus, you need to remember that Jesus is not teaching anything new, that was not revealed through Moses and the prophets. The reason it seems new, is because the Old Testament teachers were studying and teaching in their own understanding instead of what God had intended. This is why Proverbs 3: 5 -6, are very important for us to remember. We are to lean not unto our own understanding but God's. If we teach with this in mind, we will stay close to God's Will for us. This is the intent of this study, to try to keep focused on God. The Sadducees, and Pharisees both thought that since they taught the Law, they were not able to sin. Paul reminds us that all have sinned and fallen short of the Kingdom of God (Romans 3: 23). They needed a Savior just as much as the rest of the people did. Jesus was telling the people, that even if you are blessed, you still sin and need someone to save you from your sin. That is why Jesus came into the world. God wants a personal relationship with you. He wants your whole life, and soul, not just part. How is this possible, you ask? The following posts on this subject should give you an idea.

163rd Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Revelation 1:17 - 18.

Revelation 1: 17 & 18.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Revelation was written by John, the same John who wrote the Gospel, and three Epistles. This was John the beloved disciple of Jesus, whom he said of himself, was the disciple that Jesus loved. John wrote this book around 90 A.D. Clearly, long after Jesus had walked the earth and ascended into Heaven. Notice Jesus is right there in his vision, he placed his right hand on me and spoke. Jesus is clearly still alive here. Jesus goes on to Say "I am the First and the Last etc." He says that He is alive forever. Can Budha say that? Mohammad? Any of the other Gods? No! By saying that He holds the keys to death and Hades, Jesus is saying He is Lord over both. If Jesus holds these two keys, what Keys is Peter holding? Peter's keys are to Heaven. When Jesus says He holds the Keys to Death and Hades, he means He has the Supreme Power. Jesus did not have to wrestle with Satan, in order to get these Keys, like some people teach. Satan never had this control. Jesus was given these Keys by the Father upon completion of His work of redemption. Jesus is the only God interested in the salvation of all people. Contrary to popular belief not all roads lead to Heaven. They all lead to the cross; and it is there you have to make the decision. Do you believe?? Or not?? Only you can answer that question.

162nd Post Jesus Said on Hell - Comment on Jude.

We have spent a lot of time looking at what Jesus said about hell, and sometimes questions come up about different parts of the Bible and what they say on the subject. The Epistle of Jude came up, and I made the comment that some of the sources that Jude used in his Epistle were not part of the canon as we know it. This led to a discussion I was not prepared to continue, so I told them I would put this on the blog, for them to look at at their convenience. The sources that Jude quoted
are part of the Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, and the actual sources are 1 Enoch, and the Assumption of Moses. These sources were written between 50 - 100 B.C., the writer of the source is unknown and there is no way to prove that what is said in these sources can be tied to the people who are the titles of these sources. Enoch lived before the flood, Genesis Chapter 5 tells us all we know about Enoch. Genesis does not say anything about him being a prophet, or what he may or may not have written. Some part of these sources quoted by Jude still exist, however, the actual parts that Jude quoted from are not there. This has been a source of discussion to whether or not Jude should be part of the canon at all. Jude was the half brother of Jesus Christ, along with James. Jude should remain part of the canon, because it does not say anything that would cause someone reading Jude not to believe the Bible. Jude is telling the truth and should stay in the Bible as the Word of God, because it helps us understand God's Truth. I hope this makes things clear.

161st Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. Luke 16: 29 - 31

uke 16: 29 - 31 The Parable of the Rich man and Lazarus Continued.
"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' 'No, father Abraham,' he said 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' "He said to him, 'if they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Abraham is very stern in his rebuke of the rich man here, if they don't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they won't listen to someone else. This is exactly correct, Moses and the Prophets give you hope in the resurrection of the dead. It is here that you receive hope concerning this, not from the world. The world does not believe, and tries to destroy your belief. If someone does not believe Moses or the Prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone comes to them who is dead. Jesus is using this parable to prophecy about His own up coming death. Jesus will die! And Rise, and people do not believe that He did, nor will they listen to His Words!! Jesus rose from the dead is a fact, we used to mark it as a fact, those of you who are over 50 years old should remember these B.C and A.D. B.C. meant before Christ's Birth, and A.D. meant in the year of or Lord, meaning after Jesus birth. Today books will use this terminology B.C.E and C.E. meaning Before Common Era, and Common Era. This is supposed to be politically correct. The fact remains that Jesus was a real Man and was God, that is why He could allow Himself to Die and then Raise Himself from the Dead. This is the truth, people will try to deny it, but it will always Be The Truth!!

160th Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Luke 16: 27 - 28

Luke 16: 27 - 28 Parable of Rich man and Lazarus Continued.
"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
The rich man pleads with Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead to plead for a change in their life, so that they will not also come to this place of torment. Isn't that interesting, in life the rich man never gave one thought about anybody else, but himself. Now in death, he starts thinking about others and their welfare. The rich man says that his brothers will believe someone back from the dead. If that was true, we would have more Christians in this world than we do now. They did not believe Jesus! He is God!! If they did not believe Him, what makes you think they would believe a poor beggar brought back to life to tell them? Jesus was using this parable to give us an idea of what heaven and hell are like. You have to remember that Jesus is not of this world, so when He was living here as a man He had seen Heaven and because He was God, He also knew about hell and Sheol because He made it. There is a lot of teaching out there, that says that the living can change the position of people who have died. Jesus here seems to say otherwise. Being that Jesus is the Son of God, I would put more weight into what He said, than some other person. Jesus was unique because he was alive and had seen Heaven. Jesus gave us a true picture, I would listen to Him. How about you??

159th Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Luke 16: 25 & 26

Luke 16: 25 & 26 Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus Continued.
"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us'.
Abraham reminded the rich man that all through his life he had received good things, while Lazarus had received bad things. The rich man could have shown Lazarus compassion, and relieved his suffering. The rich man chose not to do so. Now the rich man is paying for his lack of compassion, and he does not like it. Abraham reminds the rich man that even if Lazarus wanted to show him the compassion that the rich man didn't show him. Lazarus could not do so, because of the great chasm that separates the two places. Notice that how much time the rich man spent at the Temple is not an issue here. Jesus was trying to tell us that there is more to living for God than just spending a few hours a week in the Temple or the Church. We are to be compassionate to all people. We are commanded to be living sacrifices, and as the sacrifice does not die, so our commitment to serve should not cease, or become hardly at all.

158th Post Jesus on Hell Con't. - Luke 16: 22 - 24.

Luke 16: 22 - 24 Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus Continued.
"The time came when the beggar dies and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire."
Lazarus dies and the angels come and carry him to Abraham's side. This is in Sheol (Hades) of the Old Testament, the place of the dead. Hades is the Greek form, and is interesting that in the Septuigint Hades meant place for both good and bad, but in the New Testament it means hell only.
The reason the word changed is because when Jesus was on the cross and He said to the thief "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." Jesus meant Heaven, with God, not Sheol with Abraham.
Back to the rich man, notice that when he sees Father Abraham and Lazarus, he asks Father Abraham to send Lazarus to him to cool his tongue. An act of Kindness, that the rich man did not show Lazarus when he was alive. Send Lazarus to minister unto me. Isn't that interesting. In Sheol the good and bad were separated by a large crevasse, they could not reach each other. The parable will continue next post.

157th Post Jesus on Hell Con't. - Luke 16: 19 - 21.

Luke 16: 19 - 21. The Parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus
"There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores. and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores."
This was spoken by Jesus toward the middle of his earthly ministry. Jesus is telling the story to show people the difference between heaven and hell in Sheol (Hades). I will explain this later in this parable. The rich man lived in luxury but did not share it with anyone. He believed his wealth was his to spend as he wanted to. His ability to make money was given by God, his brain etc. But the rich man did not share his wealth as God would have liked. The beggar is given a name "Lazarus" (not to be confused with the Lazarus that lived in Bethany, Jesus' friend), he was poor, and could not afford food nor medical attention. The Bible names certain people, based on their character, some are good and some are bad. Most of the people named in the Bible are good, though. Lazarus had no chair to sit on so he had to lay by the gate. Only the dogs seemed to care for Lazarus. When dogs are mentioned in the Bible, they are usually bad. Jesus did not say, but it could be that these dogs were owned by the rich man, and that is why they were around and not driven off as if they were in a pack of wild dogs. Isn't it interesting, that the dogs could see Lazarus' condition and had compassion on him. The rich man could have helped Lazarus, but refused. He was only interested in his own comfort and well being.

156th Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Luke 12: 4 -5

Luke 12: 4 -5
"I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after killing the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him."
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. The people of Jesus time lived in a dangerous world, the Romans were in charge and they had the power to kill, thieves and robbers also had the power to kill, and Satan also had this power. You probably looked at the previous sentence and agreed with all but Satan, right! The devil is more subtle than just killing you outright. Paul says the "Wages of sin is death". Satan causes you to sin. You say, but not all the time, that is true also. If you showed a drunk at the time of his first drink, that he would end his life on a dirty street all alone; he probably would not continue to drink. But that is not the picture Satan shows you. He tells you you will be popular, women will go crazy over you, you will be successful. In truth, you will lose all these things if you had them, or you would never be able to attain them. By getting you more involved with the world, this is how Satan works. The deeper you are in the world, the less time you have for God, and the next thing you know, you are dead. If you have not received Jesus Christ before you have died, then it too late! Are you ready to have a personal relationship with Jesus yet? If you are reading this, it is not too late! Tell your Pastor you are ready to make the commitment, or find a Church and ask them.

155th Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't - Luke 10: 16

Luke 10: 16
"He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects the one who sent Me."
This passage was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. He spoke these words when He sent out the disciples two by two, to try their hand at spreading the Gospel. Notice carefully the order of succession, if they reject you, they reject Me, and if they reject Me they reject the One Who sent Me. This is very serious, if the messenger is bringing the Gospel as Jesus taught it and they reject them; they are rejecting Jesus Himself. If the reject Jesus, then they are rejecting God Himself. This is a very strong rebuke, and should be taken seriously. Not only for the hearers, but also the ones bringing the Gospel! They too have to be very sure they are bringing the whole truth, and are speaking the whole truth. We have a lot of different groups saying they are speaking for Jesus, but are they really? Would Jesus say to them on the Last Day "Well Done Good and Faithful Servant"! Or will He say "Go Away I Never Knew You!" Jesus is telling both the speaker and the hearer, you have to be very sure, you are bring My words, and not yours, based on your own understanding. If we are speaking for Jesus, we have to be very sure we really are speaking for Jesus. Jesus had one, who was never a part of Him; like Jesus we too have the same problem. The only way to make sure is by reading and studying your Bible and through prayer. If you seek the truth, you will find it. If you hear the truth, you will know it.

154th Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Luke 10: 13 -15

Luke 10: 13 - 15
Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.
This passage was spoken about 1.1/2 years into Jesus earthly ministry. On the surface, it would look like Jesus was rebuking these cities for no reason. This is not the case, these cities were the ones Jesus and His disciples spent the most time in, and performed the most miracles in, in the Galilee area. This is why Jesus was so strong in His rebuke. The Pharisees, felt that since they studied the Scriptures, and were faithful at the Temple, this would earn them eternal life. Jesus says No! It is how you conduct yourself with God and others between the times you are at the Temple, or in modern day Church. Tyre and Sidon, have a long history of being against God and the people of Israel. No prophet ever went to these places and declared the Word of God to them. Jesus said if they had, the people of Tyre and Sidon would have recognized their sin and repented, like Nineveh did at the time of Jonah. This can apply today, if you attend Church and Bible studies, but your life looks like you don't do either. It is real easy to do something for an hour or two a week; and something else to do it 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. How is your walk?

153rd Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Luke 10: 8 - 12

Luke 10: 8 - 12
When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.' But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into the streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The Kingdom of God is near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
This passage was about 1.1/2 years into Jesus earthly ministry; Jesus was telling the disciples what to do when He sent them out by two's to try to witness to the people on their own. Notice He tells them to eat was was set before them. Jesus told them to go only to the Jews in Israel, not the pagan parts of Samaria or Decapolis. When you are a guest in someone's house and they took the trouble to cook or prepare food for you, it is bad manners to complain about what has been served.
You must eat it even if you don't like it. This falls under the teaching of Paul, that you being the stronger must humble yourself to the weaker so that you don't cause them to stumble. Notice Jesus said that after they fed you, you are to heal their sick that are there, before you give your message. And then you proclaim the Kingdom of God is near you. And you bless the town, before you leave. The opposite is true if you enter a town that does not accept you, you are to wipe or shake the dust from your feet after leaving. Notice Jesus said it would be better for Sodom on the day of Judgment than for that town. That is to tell them that as His disciples, they have the same power as Christ Himself, and even though this town had not done this to Him directly, they had done it to His representatives, and it is like they did it unto Christ.

152nd Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Mark 9: 43 - 47

Mark 9:43 - 47
If your hand causes you to sin, cut if off. It is better for you to enter life maimed then with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye than have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where " 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'
This passage was spoken by Jesus around 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. The message is very clear. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are not to sin. It is over the question of sin, that separates the believer from the non believer. If you are a follower of the world, you have no concept of sin. Except for the 10 Commandments which are written in the hearts of all people. Any group of humans that live together have some form of rules, this goes from the most sophisticated down to the most backward. They have some kind of supreme being that is greater than they are; and they respect other people. These are two things they have in common. If you look at what Jesus said when asked about which commandment was greater, He replied "Love God with all your heart, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself." You will see these are very similar to the rules the unbeliever follows. If you try to follow Jesus you try not to do anything that he does not like. If you continue to sin the same sin over and over you may have to take drastic measures to stop the sin. Stopping the sin, is what is intended here. You can chose a less drastic way to stop sinning. The more you study God's Word, and pray, the louder your conscience gets inside you. This helps you not to sin. When you are living contrary to God, your conscience becomes very soft, and easy to disregard. Are you a follower of Jesus yet??

151th Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Matthew 23: 33

Matthew 23: 33
"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?"
This passage comes toward the end of Jesus earthly ministry. This was quite strong language used by Jesus here. To understand how the Jews would feel about being called snakes; you need to go back in Genesis to the fall. Since God cursed the snake, Jews have hated snakes ever since. Jesus does not just call them snakes, but vipers, these are poisonous. These snakes are worse. Jesus in the previous verses has shown them their hypocrisy and how they were causing their students to stray. This is a very strong warning that even we as teachers today must be careful of. We must always declare the truth, and make sure that we teach with God's understanding and not our own.
This is the first time where God makes it clear, that teachers are to be held to a higher standard than the rest of people. This is not the first time God gave this message, He gave it through Moses in the wilderness. The Pharisees had not worried about this, and continued to teach in their own understanding, instead of God's. Jesus rebukes them with the authority of God, because He is God. They would put Jesus to death, not long after this, because they did not believe that He was the Son of God. If Jesus asks you "Who do you think that I am?" How would you answer??

150th Post Jesus Said on Hell Con't. - Matthew 23: 29 - 32

Matthew 23: 29 - 32.
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' So you testify against yourselves that you are descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!"
This passage comes from the end of Jesus earthly ministry. This is a short time before Jesus was to be killed. Look at the passage, they think they are better than their forefathers and have learned from their mistakes. As their forefathers failed to see that God raised up the prophets to bring them back to God. They (Prophets) were killed because the people did not believe. Now the younger generation is about to commit the same crime, for the same reason. Only in this case it is much worse, because God's Own Son is the one they are going to kill. Before you start to go off on the Jews, it was their unbelief that Jesus was Who He Said He was, that caused them to kill Jesus. Paul in Romans tells us that while we were still in our sins, Jesus died for us. Jesus died for all the sins of Adam's race, meaning all men everywhere. Who do you think Jesus is? Are you still in unbelief??

149th Post Jesus on Hell Con't - Matthew 23: 27 - 28.

Matthew 23: 27 - 28
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
This passage comes toward the end of Jesus earthly ministry. This passage was spoken by Jesus while He was at the Temple in Jerusalem. When I was in Israel in 1999, we walked on the Temple Mount, all that is left of the Temple after the Romans tore it down in 70 A.D. You can see the Jewish bone boxes on the Mount of Olives from the Temple Mount. When you take in this scene, you can almost hear Jesus' uttering those words 3,00 years ago. The white boxes almost glow in the sunlight. Part of walking with God is purging your self of worldly things, and concentrating on Godly things. The religious leaders of Jesus' day, talked of being pure, but their lifestyle did not reflect these words. If they were brought to trial for being Godly, would there be enough evidence to convict? NO! Jesus is asking you same question. Could they find enough evidence to convict?? If not, than you are in same boat as the Pharisees. How is your walk with Jesus? Only you can fix it.

148th Post Jesus on Hell Con't. - Matthew 23: 25 - 26

Matthew 23: 25 - 26
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."
This passage comes toward the end of Jesus earthly ministry. Again, Jesus is taking the religious leaders of His day to task. They were telling the people they had to live one way, and the leaders themselves were not living the way they were asking the people. When you follow the Triune, Most High God, there is only one way, one path, and both teacher and student better be on it. This is what Jesus meant, when He said "By your fruits, you will be known." If you look at the passage, Jesus was telling them, that what is inside is more important than what is outside. If you take care to make sure your inside or heart is clean, than your actions, or outsides will match your insides.
This passage talks to us today, just as strongly as it did to the people of Jesus' day. God is more interested in us personally, than He is in what we do for Him. To be a Christian, means to walk with God. When you walk with someone, you are moving; the same is true when you walk with God, you should always be improving. This is why it is important to read the Bible everyday and to pray. These are the times you are closest to God, and it is an everyday commitment, not just for one hour once a week. Are you walking? Or standing still? Only you can answer those questions. God knows your heart, and loves you anyway. Praise God!

147th Post Jesus on Hell Con't. - Matthew 23: 23 - 24

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
This passage was during the last part of Jesus' earthly ministry. Jesus is attacking the religious leaders of His day. They were supposed to be teaching the people the right way to live and honor God. But they had been teaching the people based on their own understanding, instead of what God was teaching them. If you look at the passage, Jesus uses their tithe of ten percent of their spices to show what they concentrated on, but they forgot to focus on justice, mercy and faithfulness. We think that Christianity was the first religion to focus on those things. This is wrong, the Jews in the Old Testament were to focus on those things as well. We can be guilty of this today as well. We can get so wrapped up in our daily things that we don't see, or refuse to see people in our own Churches that are having a rough time, and we could help them. Like the religious leaders in Jesus' day, we can choose not to see, and there by not have to do anything to relieve their suffering. We can get so tied up in our personal walk, that we are oblivious to the sufferings of members of our own Churches. We seem more interested in Missions abroad, than taking care of our own flock. This is what Jesus meant by you strain out a gnat, but swallow a camel. As Christians, we are to think globally, but work locally first, before we concentrate fully on missions abroad.