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.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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?
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?
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
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.
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??
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??
Monday, October 4, 2010
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??
"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??
"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.
"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.
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