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.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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??
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??
Monday, October 18, 2010
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??
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
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.
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.
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