Matthew 11:11 What Jesus said about John the Baptist.
Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
This was spoken by Jesus 1.1/2 to two years into His earthly ministry. Jesus is telling the people how important John the Baptist was and is. The people were a little confused as to who they should follow. By this time Jesus was showing a different side of this movement, then what John had showed. John the Baptist himself was starting to doubt, he sent two of his disciples to Jesus, to ask Him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" This was asked by John the Baptist himself through his disciples. If you remember John the Baptist, talked about the Messiah and used apocalyptic language. Remember John said "I baptize with water, but the one who comes after me will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with Fire!" This is very strong language, all of it spoken of in the prophets. Jesus in turn speaks the passage for today, and then speaks to John's disciples privately "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by Me." The disciples were probably expecting a yes or no answer, and Jesus said this. I see I am running out of space again, so I will have to finish in next post.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
272nd Post Jesus Said On The Kingdom of God Con't. - John 18: 36-37
John 18: 36 - 37. Jesus before Pilate.
My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.
This was spoken by Jesus on Good Friday morning during the time Jesus was being tried by Pilate.
Notice Jesus admits that His kingdom is not of this world, and this account seems to include the Romans and the Jews who would be responsible for His death. However, this is not exactly true, Jesus is the propitiatory sacrifice, because of our sins as humans have committed. To add to that, we have to remember that God Himself was also a responsible party. How is that possible? In the Garden of Eden, whose law did Adam break, that brought sin into the world? Since Adam was not strong enough on his own to say no to the devil, a stronger Adam had to fill the bill. This was accomplished through Jesus. Jesus could not be totally human, because Satan would be able to defeat him like he did Adam. Jesus could not be totally God either, because He would not fit the bill as our intercessor, unless He was also human. This is why the Virgin birth. The Messiah had to be both God and Man! With Passion Week coming up in the coming weeks, we have to understand the price Jesus paid, and why He can sit at the right Hand of the Father.
I will go into that in more detail, when we actually study what happened Good Friday through Easter.
My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.
This was spoken by Jesus on Good Friday morning during the time Jesus was being tried by Pilate.
Notice Jesus admits that His kingdom is not of this world, and this account seems to include the Romans and the Jews who would be responsible for His death. However, this is not exactly true, Jesus is the propitiatory sacrifice, because of our sins as humans have committed. To add to that, we have to remember that God Himself was also a responsible party. How is that possible? In the Garden of Eden, whose law did Adam break, that brought sin into the world? Since Adam was not strong enough on his own to say no to the devil, a stronger Adam had to fill the bill. This was accomplished through Jesus. Jesus could not be totally human, because Satan would be able to defeat him like he did Adam. Jesus could not be totally God either, because He would not fit the bill as our intercessor, unless He was also human. This is why the Virgin birth. The Messiah had to be both God and Man! With Passion Week coming up in the coming weeks, we have to understand the price Jesus paid, and why He can sit at the right Hand of the Father.
I will go into that in more detail, when we actually study what happened Good Friday through Easter.
271st Post Jesus Said on The Kingdom of God Con't. - John 8: 34 - 36
John 8: 34 - 36
Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.
These words were spoken by Jesus about two years into His earthly ministry. The key to unlocking this passage is understanding what Jesus meant by slave and son. If you are a slave to sin, you are living in the world, and not doing the work of the kingdom. We are all in this position, until we have met Jesus and decided to follow Him. If you have met Jesus, but have not made the commitment to follow Him, you are still a slave to sin.
If on the other hand you have met Jesus, and decided to follow Him, Jesus changes your position from slave to son. What does this mean? When you have been elevated in position, then responsibilities become yours. Just like in a household with your earthly family, responsibilities are placed on you in the form of chores. You are required to fulfill those as part of your being a member of that family. The same thing here. When we join God's Family, we are required to try to live according to God's rules and not the world's rules. Just like our earthly families, when we mess up we are not disowned, the same with God's Family. You can choose to leave, because you have free choice, but you won't be thrown out! This is what is meant by free indeed!! You ready to make the commitment yet?? Only you can make this decision. The sooner the better.
Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.
These words were spoken by Jesus about two years into His earthly ministry. The key to unlocking this passage is understanding what Jesus meant by slave and son. If you are a slave to sin, you are living in the world, and not doing the work of the kingdom. We are all in this position, until we have met Jesus and decided to follow Him. If you have met Jesus, but have not made the commitment to follow Him, you are still a slave to sin.
If on the other hand you have met Jesus, and decided to follow Him, Jesus changes your position from slave to son. What does this mean? When you have been elevated in position, then responsibilities become yours. Just like in a household with your earthly family, responsibilities are placed on you in the form of chores. You are required to fulfill those as part of your being a member of that family. The same thing here. When we join God's Family, we are required to try to live according to God's rules and not the world's rules. Just like our earthly families, when we mess up we are not disowned, the same with God's Family. You can choose to leave, because you have free choice, but you won't be thrown out! This is what is meant by free indeed!! You ready to make the commitment yet?? Only you can make this decision. The sooner the better.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
270th Post Jesus Said on Kingdom of God Con't. - John 8: 31 - 32.
John 8: 30 - 31.
If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
This was spoken by Jesus during His third year of earthly ministry. What does Jesus mean here by using the word disciples? Jesus is calling them His followers, but He is calling them something else also. By following Jesus' example they are learning what it is to live for God, and not the world. They are making a break from what the world does and thinks, to what God wants done and thinks. This is a totally new concept, and is what separates the Jews from the Christians. The Jews started to believe in God according to their own understanding of the Word of God, instead of God's way of understanding. Jesus came to re-establish this understanding. People are still having trouble with this. This is why we have so many different views of who Jesus Christ really is. There is only one, and you must make sure you are following the right one. If you are truly seeking God, He will lead you to the right Church teaching the right message. This is what Jesus meant by you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free. When you know the truth, you will be able to judge between sin and God. This is the beginning of truth, and the truth will set you free. Do you know who you are following??
If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
This was spoken by Jesus during His third year of earthly ministry. What does Jesus mean here by using the word disciples? Jesus is calling them His followers, but He is calling them something else also. By following Jesus' example they are learning what it is to live for God, and not the world. They are making a break from what the world does and thinks, to what God wants done and thinks. This is a totally new concept, and is what separates the Jews from the Christians. The Jews started to believe in God according to their own understanding of the Word of God, instead of God's way of understanding. Jesus came to re-establish this understanding. People are still having trouble with this. This is why we have so many different views of who Jesus Christ really is. There is only one, and you must make sure you are following the right one. If you are truly seeking God, He will lead you to the right Church teaching the right message. This is what Jesus meant by you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free. When you know the truth, you will be able to judge between sin and God. This is the beginning of truth, and the truth will set you free. Do you know who you are following??
269th Post Jesus Said on The Kingdom of God Con't- John 6: 65
John 6:65
Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.
This passage was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry, just after the feeding of the 5,000 and His walking on water. Jesus was affirming to them that before a person can come to Christ, they have to be allowed by the Father. This is quite interesting for those people who are notching their guns, telling you how many people they led to Christ. Clearly here, Christ says no one can approach Me unless the Father allows it. If the Father is responsible, how can we take credit for it?? If God does all the work, why did Jesus tell the disciples to go out and preach the Gospel and Baptize them? Look at the command Jesus gave, we must preach the Gospel. How is that done, by speaking the Word of God, people hear it and then the Father allows them to be Baptized. I ask again, how can we take credit for this? When we teach or preach, we are speaking God's Words and truth, these are not our words but God's. By being part of the process, we are allowed to reap what the Father has sown and gathered. We need to remember it is God that does all of this and the credit should go to Him. Praise God!!
Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.
This passage was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry, just after the feeding of the 5,000 and His walking on water. Jesus was affirming to them that before a person can come to Christ, they have to be allowed by the Father. This is quite interesting for those people who are notching their guns, telling you how many people they led to Christ. Clearly here, Christ says no one can approach Me unless the Father allows it. If the Father is responsible, how can we take credit for it?? If God does all the work, why did Jesus tell the disciples to go out and preach the Gospel and Baptize them? Look at the command Jesus gave, we must preach the Gospel. How is that done, by speaking the Word of God, people hear it and then the Father allows them to be Baptized. I ask again, how can we take credit for this? When we teach or preach, we are speaking God's Words and truth, these are not our words but God's. By being part of the process, we are allowed to reap what the Father has sown and gathered. We need to remember it is God that does all of this and the credit should go to Him. Praise God!!
Friday, April 1, 2011
268th Post Jesus Said on Kingdom of God Con't. - My Comments on 2 previous blogs.
In the last several posts we have been discussing the Broad and Narrow way and the differences between the two groups of people. One finds, and the other gets left out. How does this happen?
A way to understand this is by looking at the Conversion of Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus. There are two ways of looking at the conversion of Paul. Paul as Saul (before his conversion), he was guilty of persecuting Christians as heretics. This is true, and Paul could have done the work for Christ in one of two ways. Paul could have done it out of guilt, understanding his sin and his inability to repay the debt he owed. Or, he could have done it out of Gratitude for God erasing this sin from his mind. Paul chose the latter. If he has chosen the former, he would have been plagued with doubt and unbelief. We have Christians who are in this camp. They are never sure they are good enough, or if they have done enough to erase the guilt they carry for their past life. Thankfully, Paul used the path of Gratitude. He never forgot, his old life, or where that lifestyle would have led him. He taught and continued to praise Christ for rescuing him from that past life. Do you see the difference? When you serve out of guilt, you serve in your own understanding, this is not of God and will not save you. If you do the work of God out of gratitude, your attitude is different and you are doing it for God instead of because of God. I hope this makes these concepts easier to understand. Do you believe out of guilt, or gratitude? Only you and God know your heart. There is still time to change if you need to.
A way to understand this is by looking at the Conversion of Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus. There are two ways of looking at the conversion of Paul. Paul as Saul (before his conversion), he was guilty of persecuting Christians as heretics. This is true, and Paul could have done the work for Christ in one of two ways. Paul could have done it out of guilt, understanding his sin and his inability to repay the debt he owed. Or, he could have done it out of Gratitude for God erasing this sin from his mind. Paul chose the latter. If he has chosen the former, he would have been plagued with doubt and unbelief. We have Christians who are in this camp. They are never sure they are good enough, or if they have done enough to erase the guilt they carry for their past life. Thankfully, Paul used the path of Gratitude. He never forgot, his old life, or where that lifestyle would have led him. He taught and continued to praise Christ for rescuing him from that past life. Do you see the difference? When you serve out of guilt, you serve in your own understanding, this is not of God and will not save you. If you do the work of God out of gratitude, your attitude is different and you are doing it for God instead of because of God. I hope this makes these concepts easier to understand. Do you believe out of guilt, or gratitude? Only you and God know your heart. There is still time to change if you need to.
267th Post Jesus Said on The Kingdom of God Con't. - Luke 17: 20 - 21.
Luke 17: 20 - 21.
The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.
This was spoken by Jesus toward the end of His earthly Ministry. This passage fits nicely with the previous post. Jesus says the Kingdom does not come with observation. This means, you can not see or comprehend it merely by hearing or seeing. You must be doing also, this is the only way to prove that it is indeed inside you. Many are doing, but not with God inside of them. These are the people spoken about in my blog yesterday. They have never actually made the commitment to follow Jesus. These are doing, because it looks good on my resume', or I have seen others doing likewise. Or I think this is expected of me. When you have the Kingdom of God within you, you do because you are doing for Jesus. This is totally different. When you do something for God it costs you something, maybe time, money, and always comes at a time that is not convenient. This is how you will know it is of God. If your work for God is not costing you anything, maybe you should take another look at the reasons you are doing what you are doing.
Where is the Kingdom of God for you? It should be in your heart! Only you can put it there!
The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.
This was spoken by Jesus toward the end of His earthly Ministry. This passage fits nicely with the previous post. Jesus says the Kingdom does not come with observation. This means, you can not see or comprehend it merely by hearing or seeing. You must be doing also, this is the only way to prove that it is indeed inside you. Many are doing, but not with God inside of them. These are the people spoken about in my blog yesterday. They have never actually made the commitment to follow Jesus. These are doing, because it looks good on my resume', or I have seen others doing likewise. Or I think this is expected of me. When you have the Kingdom of God within you, you do because you are doing for Jesus. This is totally different. When you do something for God it costs you something, maybe time, money, and always comes at a time that is not convenient. This is how you will know it is of God. If your work for God is not costing you anything, maybe you should take another look at the reasons you are doing what you are doing.
Where is the Kingdom of God for you? It should be in your heart! Only you can put it there!
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