Matthew 10: 5 - 15.
Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.
Jesus is telling the disciples where they could and could not go on their first journey alone. Jesus told them not to go to the Gentiles, because they were not believer's, and would be a hard group to witness to. Jesus told them not to go to Samaria either, these people were not considered by the Jews to one of them, even though they had the same roots as them. Samaritans had intermarried, and accepted pagan beliefs along with belief in God. This made them dangerous to the disciples, the Samaritans could cause them to stumble. Remember, this was before Jesus has died, and the Holy Spirit, has not been given yet. Jesus tells them to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This is quite interesting, Jesus used the phrase "House of Israel." We don't know exactly where the disciples went on their journey, "House of Israel" could mean, stay only in the northern part of Israel, the area of the ten tribes. Or He could have meant the whole country of Israel, but only Jews in this area. Notice Jesus tells them to say the exact thing He Himself said when He started preaching, "The Kingdom of God is at Hand." Jesus commands them to do exactly what He is doing. This is the very thing He told the disciples of John (the Baptist), when they asked if Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus is making them ready to harvest the people.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
330th Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - Matthew 10: 5 - 15.
Matthew 10: 5 - 15.
Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold or silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus was about to send the disciples out on their first journey alone without Jesus being with them. They were not going out alone, but in pairs. You see groups of missionaries in pairs even today. Since this passage is long I will have to break it down and comment on each part. Continued next post.
Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold or silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus was about to send the disciples out on their first journey alone without Jesus being with them. They were not going out alone, but in pairs. You see groups of missionaries in pairs even today. Since this passage is long I will have to break it down and comment on each part. Continued next post.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
329th Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - Matthew 9: 37 & 38.
Matthew 9: 37 & 38.
The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus is showing that He is the Messiah the Old Testament talks about, by showing concern for His people. He spoke these words around the Sea of Galilee, which is very fertile farm land. The people listening to Jesus, may have thought He was talking about farming. Jesus was really talking about Spiritual Farming, harvesting people for God. Look at what Jesus sees, He sees a land that is full of people not committed to God, and He tells the disciples not to do the work of the laborers, but to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to provide laborers. The Lord of the Harvest is the Holy Spirit. It is His job to make the people's minds ready to receive the Word of God. He also calls the workers to do His work, and He equips them to do this work. When you pray in this way, you are using God's Power to help with the problem. We as Christians, sometimes use prayer as a last resort, instead of our first plan of action. If your intentions are in God's Will, He will bless it! You are called to be more than just a student of His Word; you are required to live His Words as well. How are you doing in the doing department?? Only you and God know the answer to that question. If you don't like what you see, you can change it with God's help. All you have to do is ASK!
The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus is showing that He is the Messiah the Old Testament talks about, by showing concern for His people. He spoke these words around the Sea of Galilee, which is very fertile farm land. The people listening to Jesus, may have thought He was talking about farming. Jesus was really talking about Spiritual Farming, harvesting people for God. Look at what Jesus sees, He sees a land that is full of people not committed to God, and He tells the disciples not to do the work of the laborers, but to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to provide laborers. The Lord of the Harvest is the Holy Spirit. It is His job to make the people's minds ready to receive the Word of God. He also calls the workers to do His work, and He equips them to do this work. When you pray in this way, you are using God's Power to help with the problem. We as Christians, sometimes use prayer as a last resort, instead of our first plan of action. If your intentions are in God's Will, He will bless it! You are called to be more than just a student of His Word; you are required to live His Words as well. How are you doing in the doing department?? Only you and God know the answer to that question. If you don't like what you see, you can change it with God's help. All you have to do is ASK!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
328th Post Jesus Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - New Section Charging His Disciples.
New Section Charging His Disciples.
As we have observed, by the people Jesus called to follow Him (His disciples). We have seen that Jesus has not done what was usual. Now Jesus is telling His disciples, if you want to continue to follow, you must be prepared to help continue My work. It was usual, at this time, for the students to continue the teaching of others; Jesus' Disciples also had to do this, but they were to continue healing the sick, the lame, blind and lepers. To do this, they had to be mobile; most teachers had a place where people would come to them. Jesus and His follower's would go to the people. This was new. This new group was to be able to not only know Jesus' teachings, but also be able to model the teaching as well. This was not new to God's Word, but the teachers at that time were not practicing what they taught. The same can be said about us today. For the most part, Christians are looked on as hypocrites, do as I say, not as I do! This is not the teaching of Jesus. Many Christians go to Church, give money to Missions, and then overlook the mission field in their own Church, and community. To reverse this trend, we must think globally and work locally. If you don't know where to start, start within your own Church. You know people who have needs, part of being a Christian family is filling those needs, not just identifying them and praying about them. Praying is a start, but doing is what is required. Is Jesus calling you to become a doer instead of a listener only?? Only you can answer His call!!
As we have observed, by the people Jesus called to follow Him (His disciples). We have seen that Jesus has not done what was usual. Now Jesus is telling His disciples, if you want to continue to follow, you must be prepared to help continue My work. It was usual, at this time, for the students to continue the teaching of others; Jesus' Disciples also had to do this, but they were to continue healing the sick, the lame, blind and lepers. To do this, they had to be mobile; most teachers had a place where people would come to them. Jesus and His follower's would go to the people. This was new. This new group was to be able to not only know Jesus' teachings, but also be able to model the teaching as well. This was not new to God's Word, but the teachers at that time were not practicing what they taught. The same can be said about us today. For the most part, Christians are looked on as hypocrites, do as I say, not as I do! This is not the teaching of Jesus. Many Christians go to Church, give money to Missions, and then overlook the mission field in their own Church, and community. To reverse this trend, we must think globally and work locally. If you don't know where to start, start within your own Church. You know people who have needs, part of being a Christian family is filling those needs, not just identifying them and praying about them. Praying is a start, but doing is what is required. Is Jesus calling you to become a doer instead of a listener only?? Only you can answer His call!!
327th Post Jesus Said On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - John 6: 70.
John 6: 70
Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. This passage shows that Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray Him. Many ask why would Jesus knowingly include the one who was to betray Him in the future. Jesus foresaw this happening, and could have not allowed Judas to become one of His Disciples, there by saving His life. The answer might be found in asking yourself, why did Jesus allow Himself to be made man and come to live on the earth in the first place? Jesus had to become human in order to become our perfect sacrifice, and to take sin out of the world. Jesus had to be betrayed, for it was foretold by the prophets. Not only did the prophets say He would be betrayed, but that He would be betrayed by a close friend. Jesus was sinless, because He did everything God asked Him to do, even die, die on a cross! Think how hard it must have been for Jesus, to know that Judas would betray Him, and yet treat Him with gentleness and respect, and not expose him to the others. Think upon this the next time you say, Jesus can not possibly know my problem, or be able to understand it. I hope that this study, is helping you to gain a deeper understanding of that "Amazing Love" you sing about on Sundays in Church. Maybe you are gaining some understanding to the huge price that was paid, and how much it cost.
Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. This passage shows that Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray Him. Many ask why would Jesus knowingly include the one who was to betray Him in the future. Jesus foresaw this happening, and could have not allowed Judas to become one of His Disciples, there by saving His life. The answer might be found in asking yourself, why did Jesus allow Himself to be made man and come to live on the earth in the first place? Jesus had to become human in order to become our perfect sacrifice, and to take sin out of the world. Jesus had to be betrayed, for it was foretold by the prophets. Not only did the prophets say He would be betrayed, but that He would be betrayed by a close friend. Jesus was sinless, because He did everything God asked Him to do, even die, die on a cross! Think how hard it must have been for Jesus, to know that Judas would betray Him, and yet treat Him with gentleness and respect, and not expose him to the others. Think upon this the next time you say, Jesus can not possibly know my problem, or be able to understand it. I hope that this study, is helping you to gain a deeper understanding of that "Amazing Love" you sing about on Sundays in Church. Maybe you are gaining some understanding to the huge price that was paid, and how much it cost.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
326th Post Jesus Said Concerning Amonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Luke 9: 62.
Luke 9: 62.
No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
This passage was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. When Jesus spoke these words, the people listening were very familiar with all types of farming. To understand this passage, you also need to know something about plowing. Have you ever gone by a farm and seen the straight plow lines cut into the field, and wonder how they did that. They have to focus on something ahead of them that does not move, and they drive the animal, or tractor toward that object. This is how a straight plow line is made. But what does this have to do with Jesus' ministry? We will try to answer that now. When a farmer makes the first plow cut, the field before he uses the plow is clean and smooth. This is the way the world is before Jesus or His disciples start to witness there. They become successful, because they keep their mind on the task at hand. Jesus was making the point, that just like a man plowing a field, the missionary must keep his mind on the task at hand, otherwise he will waver, the mission must be straight and continuous. It is a full time job to follow Jesus. You can not do it once a week, or only when you feel like it. Once you start, you can not stop. Are you ready to make this commitment?
No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
This passage was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. When Jesus spoke these words, the people listening were very familiar with all types of farming. To understand this passage, you also need to know something about plowing. Have you ever gone by a farm and seen the straight plow lines cut into the field, and wonder how they did that. They have to focus on something ahead of them that does not move, and they drive the animal, or tractor toward that object. This is how a straight plow line is made. But what does this have to do with Jesus' ministry? We will try to answer that now. When a farmer makes the first plow cut, the field before he uses the plow is clean and smooth. This is the way the world is before Jesus or His disciples start to witness there. They become successful, because they keep their mind on the task at hand. Jesus was making the point, that just like a man plowing a field, the missionary must keep his mind on the task at hand, otherwise he will waver, the mission must be straight and continuous. It is a full time job to follow Jesus. You can not do it once a week, or only when you feel like it. Once you start, you can not stop. Are you ready to make this commitment?
Monday, June 20, 2011
325th Post Jesus Said Concerning Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Luke 9:60
Luke 9:60
Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into his earthly ministry. Jesus spoke these words just before He sent out the 72 disciples to try to minister on their own. This was right after he told the scribe that foxes have holes... Jesus asked another person to follow Him and he said, he must first bury his father. The passage mentioned above is an answer to that statement. Jesus was telling His follower's what the cost of discipleship was. The first Commandment is "To have no other Gods before Me." When God calls you, He demands your 100% attention. On the surface it looks like Jesus is not very understanding concerning the man's dead father. This was not the case. The man was responsible for his father until he died. At this time the father was very much alive. This man could not give God 100% of his time, because he still had to care for his father. This is the point Jesus was trying to make. If you follow God sometimes and the world the rest of the time, you are a hypocrite. You can not give your best if you are living this way. You have to make a decision, to either live completely for God or the world, you can not serve both. The question is the same today as it was at the time Jesus spoke these words. Where do you weigh in?? If you don't like the answer there is still time to make a change.
Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into his earthly ministry. Jesus spoke these words just before He sent out the 72 disciples to try to minister on their own. This was right after he told the scribe that foxes have holes... Jesus asked another person to follow Him and he said, he must first bury his father. The passage mentioned above is an answer to that statement. Jesus was telling His follower's what the cost of discipleship was. The first Commandment is "To have no other Gods before Me." When God calls you, He demands your 100% attention. On the surface it looks like Jesus is not very understanding concerning the man's dead father. This was not the case. The man was responsible for his father until he died. At this time the father was very much alive. This man could not give God 100% of his time, because he still had to care for his father. This is the point Jesus was trying to make. If you follow God sometimes and the world the rest of the time, you are a hypocrite. You can not give your best if you are living this way. You have to make a decision, to either live completely for God or the world, you can not serve both. The question is the same today as it was at the time Jesus spoke these words. Where do you weigh in?? If you don't like the answer there is still time to make a change.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
324th Post Jesus Said on Admonitions and Exhortations Con't. Matthew 8: 20.
Matthew 8: 20
Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
Jesus spoke these words about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus spoke these right after healing a lot of people. A scribe came to Jesus and told Him he would follow Him. The word scribe tells you something about this man. He could read and write and knew Jewish Law, this is his occupation. It does not however, tell you if he was a believer in God or not; or if he was a believer in God what sort of believer he was. Pharisee and Sadducee, would cover the believer's, and it could be quite possible, this man could be a scribe and not believe in God at all. This explains the man, now Jesus' answer; it seems a strange remark for Jesus to say to this man, that said he would follow him. What did Jesus mean by His remarks? Jesus was telling the scribe, that the animals have a home but the Son of Man does not. Why would Jesus tell this stranger this? When a holy man calls you to follow, he usually has a place where he can teach you, and has accommodations to put you up while you are his student. At this time in history, who you studied under, could help or hinder your climb up the social ladder. Jesus told this scribe all He could offer was Himself. This is the same offer He makes to you, you can either follow Him based on His Teachings or walk away. The choice is yours.
Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
Jesus spoke these words about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus spoke these right after healing a lot of people. A scribe came to Jesus and told Him he would follow Him. The word scribe tells you something about this man. He could read and write and knew Jewish Law, this is his occupation. It does not however, tell you if he was a believer in God or not; or if he was a believer in God what sort of believer he was. Pharisee and Sadducee, would cover the believer's, and it could be quite possible, this man could be a scribe and not believe in God at all. This explains the man, now Jesus' answer; it seems a strange remark for Jesus to say to this man, that said he would follow him. What did Jesus mean by His remarks? Jesus was telling the scribe, that the animals have a home but the Son of Man does not. Why would Jesus tell this stranger this? When a holy man calls you to follow, he usually has a place where he can teach you, and has accommodations to put you up while you are his student. At this time in history, who you studied under, could help or hinder your climb up the social ladder. Jesus told this scribe all He could offer was Himself. This is the same offer He makes to you, you can either follow Him based on His Teachings or walk away. The choice is yours.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
323rd Post Jesus Said on Admonitios And Exhortations Con't. - Matthew 4: 19 Con't.
When Jesus came by and said to Peter "Follow Me". This was a second chance for Peter to be a religious follower. Rabbi's would gather students in this way. Remember this was early in Jesus ministry, and he already had two followers. These two were given Him by John the Baptist, when John the Baptist told John and Andrew, his followers to follow Jesus. Andrew is the brother of Peter. Now the final part of this passage, "I will make you fishers of men." I am sure when Jesus spoke those words to Peter, he had no idea what was going to happen next. Peter just left his boat and his nets, and started to follow Jesus. Put yourself, in Peter's position, you have a job, a house a wife, responsibility. This guy comes up to you, that you have never seen before and asks you to follow Him. What would you do?? Would you freely give up all you know to follow something you don't know?? This is exactly what Peter did. Do you have enough faith to do the same?? Granted, we were not there, and we have not seen Jesus. Maybe Jesus' presence was enough for you to believe anything He told you. Maybe the Holy Spirit was already at work within Peter, making Jesus' words find fertile soil in his heart, helping him to make that decision. All of these factors are still around today. Are you brave enough to follow Jesus?? All it takes is asking the Holy Spirit to come into your life and make you better, by turning from your sinful ways. If you have done that, go to Church and tell the pastor you want Jesus to run your life. It is up to you!!
322nd Post Jesus Teachings Admonitions And Exhortations Con't. - Matthew 4:19.
Matthew 4: 19.
"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
This was spoken by Jesus at the Beginning of His earthly ministry, He spoke these words to Peter and the crowd that was there. To understand this passage completely, you need and understanding of Jewish social life. Matthew has told you a lot of information in this short passage.
Jesus said "Follow Me". Why would Peter and the crowd that was there want to do that? The Jewish boys started going to school at the age of 5 to learn to read and write Hebrew, so that they could read and discuss the Torah in the Synagogue, when they became men. When the boys had reached the age of 13 years, they were to be Bar Mizvahed. This is a Jewish ceremony marking a milestone the boy had left being a child as was now considered a man. The Rabi teaching the boy, would know by age 13 if he had the heart for God needed to become a religious leader. If this was the case the Rabi, would instruct him further in school. If the boy did not seem to have this gift, he was given back to the father and was instructed to teach him a trade. The fact that Jesus was calling Peter by the Sea of Galilee, and mentioned "fish", you could guess that Peter was a fisherman. Giving you the background for this passage has taken up all of this post, so I will continue next post.
"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
This was spoken by Jesus at the Beginning of His earthly ministry, He spoke these words to Peter and the crowd that was there. To understand this passage completely, you need and understanding of Jewish social life. Matthew has told you a lot of information in this short passage.
Jesus said "Follow Me". Why would Peter and the crowd that was there want to do that? The Jewish boys started going to school at the age of 5 to learn to read and write Hebrew, so that they could read and discuss the Torah in the Synagogue, when they became men. When the boys had reached the age of 13 years, they were to be Bar Mizvahed. This is a Jewish ceremony marking a milestone the boy had left being a child as was now considered a man. The Rabi teaching the boy, would know by age 13 if he had the heart for God needed to become a religious leader. If this was the case the Rabi, would instruct him further in school. If the boy did not seem to have this gift, he was given back to the father and was instructed to teach him a trade. The fact that Jesus was calling Peter by the Sea of Galilee, and mentioned "fish", you could guess that Peter was a fisherman. Giving you the background for this passage has taken up all of this post, so I will continue next post.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
321st Post Jesus Said to His Followers - New Section Admontitions & Exhortations.
This is a new section that we will be looking into in greater detail in the following posts. Admonitions and Exhortations, if you look these words up in the dictionary, admonish means to correct strongly. Exhortation means to correct stronger than admonish. Not sure I will keep this title when I re-print. Part of Jesus' reason for coming to earth was to correct the things we as humans had gotten wrong from the original words given by Moses. Pharisees and the Sadducees, had started teaching according to their own understanding of the Scriptures, instead of God's. This has been a problem all through out our history. For what ever reason, we want to interpret what God says, instead of following it. When ever this is done, we get off track from what God really says, and we go off believing something entirely different. A classic example is how end times are interpreted. We had a guy say the world would end, on a particular date, without any fear, that Jesus Himself said, "No one knows the Hour or the Day I will return. Only the Father in Heaven knows." The date came and went, nothing happened, and now this guy has set a new date. Why are you still listening to him? To speak for God, you have to be 100% accurate!! That is the truth! We are still struggling with this, because it is human nature to interpret God's Word according to our own understanding, instead of God's. Will you be fooled??
320th Post Jesus Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Prayers of Jesus Con't. - John 17: 25 - 26.
John 17: 25 - 26.
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room the night He was to be betrayed. This is the closing thought of this prayer. It is interesting to see, just how much darker the world is now compared with when Jesus spoke these words to His disciples. There are more people on the earth, that is true, but there are more professing Christians now than at that time. So why the greater darkness? The answer will not be easy to hear, but it needs to be said. We have become complacent, in our belief. We are afraid to let "Our Light" shine before others, and we have stopped being "Salt". We are more afraid of how the world views us, than we are of how Jesus will view us. This is the problem. We have to stand up for the truth of Christ, and be fearless against the world. We need to be consistent, in our actions. Our walk, must match our talk! The world is full of hypocrites, we don't need to be part of that group. We have to remember that Christian means Christ-Like, and we have to start showing enough evidence that the world could convict us of being "Christian". Are you one? Or are you a poser? Only you and God know for sure.
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room the night He was to be betrayed. This is the closing thought of this prayer. It is interesting to see, just how much darker the world is now compared with when Jesus spoke these words to His disciples. There are more people on the earth, that is true, but there are more professing Christians now than at that time. So why the greater darkness? The answer will not be easy to hear, but it needs to be said. We have become complacent, in our belief. We are afraid to let "Our Light" shine before others, and we have stopped being "Salt". We are more afraid of how the world views us, than we are of how Jesus will view us. This is the problem. We have to stand up for the truth of Christ, and be fearless against the world. We need to be consistent, in our actions. Our walk, must match our talk! The world is full of hypocrites, we don't need to be part of that group. We have to remember that Christian means Christ-Like, and we have to start showing enough evidence that the world could convict us of being "Christian". Are you one? Or are you a poser? Only you and God know for sure.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
319th Post Jesus Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Jesus Prayer Con't. - John 17: 20 - 24- Con't.
John 17: 20 - 24.
Jesus is binding all believer's from the time began, until He comes again in this passage. Jesus starts out with the ones, who believed but died before the promise could be realized. Those are the remnant of the Old Testament. There has been a lot of bad teaching concerning this, through the years. There is going to be one place that all believer's go, to be with Christ. The believing Old Testament Jews and proselytites will be part of this group, along with those who know only Jesus. One group is not favored over another, we are all together at the same time. Jesus said that this has been the plan from before the foundation of the world. Notice the word "may", contrary to popular belief, there is never a point in time where free choice goes away. If there is such a verse in the Bible I have not found it. Being one of God's chosen, requires that you continue to improve your relationship with Jesus everyday. As your relationship improves so does your walk, you become more Christ-like everyday. If you have lived your life correctly, at the point of death, you will be the most Christ-like, you can be, until God finishes the work He started in you. The world should start to persecute you because of your walk, if you have no persecution, maybe you need to look at your walk. Change what needs changing. There is still time!
Jesus is binding all believer's from the time began, until He comes again in this passage. Jesus starts out with the ones, who believed but died before the promise could be realized. Those are the remnant of the Old Testament. There has been a lot of bad teaching concerning this, through the years. There is going to be one place that all believer's go, to be with Christ. The believing Old Testament Jews and proselytites will be part of this group, along with those who know only Jesus. One group is not favored over another, we are all together at the same time. Jesus said that this has been the plan from before the foundation of the world. Notice the word "may", contrary to popular belief, there is never a point in time where free choice goes away. If there is such a verse in the Bible I have not found it. Being one of God's chosen, requires that you continue to improve your relationship with Jesus everyday. As your relationship improves so does your walk, you become more Christ-like everyday. If you have lived your life correctly, at the point of death, you will be the most Christ-like, you can be, until God finishes the work He started in you. The world should start to persecute you because of your walk, if you have no persecution, maybe you need to look at your walk. Change what needs changing. There is still time!
318th Post Jesus Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Jesus Prayer Con't. - John 17: 20 - 24.
John 17: 20 - 24.
"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room on the night He was to be betrayed. This passage is quite lengthy, but it encompasses a complete thought, and this is why I posted it fully. Those in my class, are quite familiar with this, because I tell them that if you ever need a hug from Jesus, read this passage, and you can almost feel His arms coming out from this book and hugging you. Knowing the context of this passage also makes it that more special. With all Jesus was dealing with on that night, He still could look ahead in time and bless us. "What a Savior!!" I will get into the meat of this passage in the next post.
"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room on the night He was to be betrayed. This passage is quite lengthy, but it encompasses a complete thought, and this is why I posted it fully. Those in my class, are quite familiar with this, because I tell them that if you ever need a hug from Jesus, read this passage, and you can almost feel His arms coming out from this book and hugging you. Knowing the context of this passage also makes it that more special. With all Jesus was dealing with on that night, He still could look ahead in time and bless us. "What a Savior!!" I will get into the meat of this passage in the next post.
Friday, June 3, 2011
317th Post Jesus Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Jesus on Prayer Con't. - John 17: 16 - 19.
John 17: 16 - 19.
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
This was spoken by Jesus to His disciples in the upper room the night He was to be betrayed. Notice Jesus uses the word sanctify, two times in these verses. Jesus is telling the disciples and the Father, that they are no longer part of the world, because they have been shown how to walk with God, and keep His words. The word sanctify means to be set apart. The first time they were set a part by the Father, because He chose them and exposed them to the truth. Now Jesus uses the sanctify again after He uses another word consecrate. Jesus being perfect, had no need to consecrate Himself, but Jesus is elevating Himself to a new position, that he has not held, or would be able to hold until He died on the cross for our sins. When Jesus accomplished this, He satisfied the requirements to become our "High Priest". Jesus had to consecrate Himself before He could represent us. This is shown in the Old Testament, when the High Priest had to sacrifice a bull for his sins before he could listen and sacrifice the people's animals. Jesus is perfect, the High Priests of the Old Testament were not. Do you feel Sanctified?? If you believe, you are!!
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
This was spoken by Jesus to His disciples in the upper room the night He was to be betrayed. Notice Jesus uses the word sanctify, two times in these verses. Jesus is telling the disciples and the Father, that they are no longer part of the world, because they have been shown how to walk with God, and keep His words. The word sanctify means to be set apart. The first time they were set a part by the Father, because He chose them and exposed them to the truth. Now Jesus uses the sanctify again after He uses another word consecrate. Jesus being perfect, had no need to consecrate Himself, but Jesus is elevating Himself to a new position, that he has not held, or would be able to hold until He died on the cross for our sins. When Jesus accomplished this, He satisfied the requirements to become our "High Priest". Jesus had to consecrate Himself before He could represent us. This is shown in the Old Testament, when the High Priest had to sacrifice a bull for his sins before he could listen and sacrifice the people's animals. Jesus is perfect, the High Priests of the Old Testament were not. Do you feel Sanctified?? If you believe, you are!!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
316th Post Jesus Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Prayers of Jesus Con't. - John 17: 14-15 Con't.
John 17: 14 - 15 Continued.
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room the night He was to be betrayed. We were looking at why the world hated Jesus, and now His disciples. People think that being a Christian is easy. We are not required to do anything, all we have to do is believe, right? Believing is more than just saying you believe. There has to be proof that you believe. The proof is the difference in your life from what the world says. As a believer, you will start to treat people differently, with respect, for you know that they have worth as for being part of God's creation. Your language will change, because you know that some words are offensive and may hurt others. You will stop taking the Lord's name in vain. You will stop going and doing things you used to do, because God may tell you this is offensive. These are just some of the ways, your life will show change. If your life has no change, maybe you need to look into this further. The last part of the passage we are looking at in these two posts, deal with Jesus not asking the Father to take us out of the world, but to protect us from the evil one. Jesus wants us to be in the world, because if we were taken out, how could we convict the world?? Jesus asked the Father to keep us from the evil one. This is to protect us from moral corruption. We have free choice, and it is this free choice that gets us into trouble. It makes us become compliant, and lazy, when we are in this state, we are easy prey for evil to come in and corrupt us. We can not fall from without, but we sure can from within! Are you walking? Or are you parked?? You have the power to change what needs changing.
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room the night He was to be betrayed. We were looking at why the world hated Jesus, and now His disciples. People think that being a Christian is easy. We are not required to do anything, all we have to do is believe, right? Believing is more than just saying you believe. There has to be proof that you believe. The proof is the difference in your life from what the world says. As a believer, you will start to treat people differently, with respect, for you know that they have worth as for being part of God's creation. Your language will change, because you know that some words are offensive and may hurt others. You will stop taking the Lord's name in vain. You will stop going and doing things you used to do, because God may tell you this is offensive. These are just some of the ways, your life will show change. If your life has no change, maybe you need to look into this further. The last part of the passage we are looking at in these two posts, deal with Jesus not asking the Father to take us out of the world, but to protect us from the evil one. Jesus wants us to be in the world, because if we were taken out, how could we convict the world?? Jesus asked the Father to keep us from the evil one. This is to protect us from moral corruption. We have free choice, and it is this free choice that gets us into trouble. It makes us become compliant, and lazy, when we are in this state, we are easy prey for evil to come in and corrupt us. We can not fall from without, but we sure can from within! Are you walking? Or are you parked?? You have the power to change what needs changing.
315th Post Jesus Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Prayers of Jesus Con't. - John 17: 14 - 15.
John 17: 14 - 15.
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room on the night He was to be betrayed. Jesus is praying for His disciples and for future believers that the disciples will lead to Jesus in the future. Jesus is reminding His Father that He (Jesus), has instructed them in everything the Father wanted, and the disciples are starting to show fruits of their belief, by acting differently than the world acts. This will cause conflict, because by their actions they will condemn the world. This is why the world will hate them. It is the same with us, think back when you became a Christian, does your life now look different than it did before you accepted Christ?? If not, why not?? If you are a true believer, your life will change, because you are starting to live more and more like Christ. If your life shows no difference, then maybe you should look into why not. As you read your Bible, God reveals more and more of His attributes to you, you are then to try to add them to your own life. I am running out of space and still have the last part of the passage to talk about. Will continue next post.
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
This was spoken by Jesus in the upper room on the night He was to be betrayed. Jesus is praying for His disciples and for future believers that the disciples will lead to Jesus in the future. Jesus is reminding His Father that He (Jesus), has instructed them in everything the Father wanted, and the disciples are starting to show fruits of their belief, by acting differently than the world acts. This will cause conflict, because by their actions they will condemn the world. This is why the world will hate them. It is the same with us, think back when you became a Christian, does your life now look different than it did before you accepted Christ?? If not, why not?? If you are a true believer, your life will change, because you are starting to live more and more like Christ. If your life shows no difference, then maybe you should look into why not. As you read your Bible, God reveals more and more of His attributes to you, you are then to try to add them to your own life. I am running out of space and still have the last part of the passage to talk about. Will continue next post.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
314th Post Jesus Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - John 17: 12-13
John 17: 12-13
While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Jesus spoke this prayer in the upper room the night He was to be betrayed. Jesus is continuing His blessing of the disciples, that are with Him. Notice that Jesus says He kept all safe but one. Jesus is referring to Judas here. Jesus calls him the son of destruction, this is a reference to a type of anti-christ. Jesus went on to say that Judas was necessary, in order to fulfill the Scriptures, there are many prophecies saying that one of his group would betray Him. There is a lot of talk concerning Judas' fate. I believe that the Bible is clear on this, and Jesus Himself is confirming it, by saying destruction. Judas lost his salvation. Whether he had it once or never had it, I don't know. Only God can see his heart. Then Jesus returns His attention back to the eleven, by asking that His joy be fulfilled in them. We as Christians are supposed to have an inner joy, and peace that others can see and this is what is to draw non-believers to us. It seems we have either lost it, or never had it. This joy and peace comes with a real understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for you in your life. If you are walking with Jesus, He is very active in your life. Knowing and feeling this, gives you that joy.
While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
Jesus spoke this prayer in the upper room the night He was to be betrayed. Jesus is continuing His blessing of the disciples, that are with Him. Notice that Jesus says He kept all safe but one. Jesus is referring to Judas here. Jesus calls him the son of destruction, this is a reference to a type of anti-christ. Jesus went on to say that Judas was necessary, in order to fulfill the Scriptures, there are many prophecies saying that one of his group would betray Him. There is a lot of talk concerning Judas' fate. I believe that the Bible is clear on this, and Jesus Himself is confirming it, by saying destruction. Judas lost his salvation. Whether he had it once or never had it, I don't know. Only God can see his heart. Then Jesus returns His attention back to the eleven, by asking that His joy be fulfilled in them. We as Christians are supposed to have an inner joy, and peace that others can see and this is what is to draw non-believers to us. It seems we have either lost it, or never had it. This joy and peace comes with a real understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for you in your life. If you are walking with Jesus, He is very active in your life. Knowing and feeling this, gives you that joy.
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