Mark 16: 15 - 16.
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
These words were spoken by Jesus in the upper room right after He (Jesus) had appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. This is a similar passage to the previous two posts, but is not at the same time. Jesus was admonishing the disciples for their unbelief, about Jesus rising from the dead. These words seemed to be a prophecy of what would happen in the early Church as they spread the Gospel. The Apostles cast out demons, spoke in tongues, Paul was bitten by a serpent but did not die. The only one of these prophecies we don't have confirmation is the drinking of anything deadly, and it will by no means hurt them. I don't believe that Jesus intended these words to become a sign of faith used by some today. They handle serpents, and drink their venom. Paul's encounter with the serpent was while gathering wood for a fire, and everyday task in the world at that time.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
337th Post Jesus on Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. -Matthew 28: 18 -20.
Matthew 28: 18 -20 Con't. 2nd Post.
Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Christians believe in a Triune God, this is the cornerstone of our belief. There are people who call themselves "Christian", that don't believe this, if you don't believe this You Are Not Christian!! Triune - Three Persons One God! This is not open for debate. The next part of this passage is to teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you. This part of the passage goes along with the passage Matthew 10:27. Jesus taught the disciples, the whole time they lived with Him. Not just when He was addressing the crowds. This is important. Churches have forgotten, that their teachers need to be fed, just as much as their flocks do. I mean with solid food, like the Apostle Paul talked about, not milk, like you give the congregation. Being a disciple is not easy, you are asking people to put God's Word into action, and to really live the life. This is what it means to be a disciple. The last part of this passage is as follows. Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Why would Jesus say this? Paul said to "Live is Christ, to Die is gain." Once we die, we will be with Christ, what is this age Jesus is talking about? We will be discussing this point in up coming posts. So I won't go into it further here. But I would like you to think about this part of the passage, "even to the end of the age." I believe Jesus was telling the disciples that He would never leave or foresake them.
Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Christians believe in a Triune God, this is the cornerstone of our belief. There are people who call themselves "Christian", that don't believe this, if you don't believe this You Are Not Christian!! Triune - Three Persons One God! This is not open for debate. The next part of this passage is to teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you. This part of the passage goes along with the passage Matthew 10:27. Jesus taught the disciples, the whole time they lived with Him. Not just when He was addressing the crowds. This is important. Churches have forgotten, that their teachers need to be fed, just as much as their flocks do. I mean with solid food, like the Apostle Paul talked about, not milk, like you give the congregation. Being a disciple is not easy, you are asking people to put God's Word into action, and to really live the life. This is what it means to be a disciple. The last part of this passage is as follows. Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Why would Jesus say this? Paul said to "Live is Christ, to Die is gain." Once we die, we will be with Christ, what is this age Jesus is talking about? We will be discussing this point in up coming posts. So I won't go into it further here. But I would like you to think about this part of the passage, "even to the end of the age." I believe Jesus was telling the disciples that He would never leave or foresake them.
336th Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - Matthew 28: 18 - 20.
Matthew 28: 18 - 20.
All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
This was spoken by Jesus just before He was to ascend into Heaven. Jesus is charging His Disciples to go and spread the Gospel (Good News), that they have learned during Jesus 3.1/2 years of earthly ministry. The charge is clear, make disciples of them, baptizing them. I want to look at this part of the passage first. It seems our churches got this backward. Jesus calls His disciples to make disciples first, and then to baptize them. Jesus spent three and a half years living, and teaching, healing, and performing miracles with His disciples, before He told them to go out and do the same. I believe the Church is too quick to baptize now days. People are allowed to be baptized before they have any kind of instruction. Before you take offense at what I just said, look at the context of this passage. Jesus talked to them for 3.1/2 years, before He commanded them to go out and do. Maybe this is why burn out of new believer's is so wide spread. Witnessing is a hard job, and you must be well equipt. Just praying over them and having one or two lessons before sending them out is not good enough. I am running out of space again, continued next post.
All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
This was spoken by Jesus just before He was to ascend into Heaven. Jesus is charging His Disciples to go and spread the Gospel (Good News), that they have learned during Jesus 3.1/2 years of earthly ministry. The charge is clear, make disciples of them, baptizing them. I want to look at this part of the passage first. It seems our churches got this backward. Jesus calls His disciples to make disciples first, and then to baptize them. Jesus spent three and a half years living, and teaching, healing, and performing miracles with His disciples, before He told them to go out and do the same. I believe the Church is too quick to baptize now days. People are allowed to be baptized before they have any kind of instruction. Before you take offense at what I just said, look at the context of this passage. Jesus talked to them for 3.1/2 years, before He commanded them to go out and do. Maybe this is why burn out of new believer's is so wide spread. Witnessing is a hard job, and you must be well equipt. Just praying over them and having one or two lessons before sending them out is not good enough. I am running out of space again, continued next post.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
335th Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - Matthew 10:27
Matthew 10: 27
Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
This was spoken by Jesus to His disciples 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus is reminding His disciples that when they go out on their journey, they are to proclaim the same truths that Jesus had taught them in the dark, meaning when Jesus and the disciples were alone and were talking freely. If you are teaching, you need to be sure that you are teaching these same truths. These truths are three in nature. First, have fear and reverence for God. This means to understand that God and His laws are what you are to respect, not Satan. God has the power to give you life and take it away; and decide where you will spend eternity. If you want eternal life, you must believe in God, and do as God wants, not what the world wants. This will vindicate believer's and deal with unbeliever's (this will take place at the final judgment). Second, Follow the teachings of the Lord, even when they go against what the world says. God's ways are truth. Third, God created you, he knows the number of hairs on your head, and He desires a personal relationship with you. No other God cares this much for you. These are the things we need to be proclaiming to the world as we witness. If you know Christ, you know these to be true. How is your walk??
Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.
This was spoken by Jesus to His disciples 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus is reminding His disciples that when they go out on their journey, they are to proclaim the same truths that Jesus had taught them in the dark, meaning when Jesus and the disciples were alone and were talking freely. If you are teaching, you need to be sure that you are teaching these same truths. These truths are three in nature. First, have fear and reverence for God. This means to understand that God and His laws are what you are to respect, not Satan. God has the power to give you life and take it away; and decide where you will spend eternity. If you want eternal life, you must believe in God, and do as God wants, not what the world wants. This will vindicate believer's and deal with unbeliever's (this will take place at the final judgment). Second, Follow the teachings of the Lord, even when they go against what the world says. God's ways are truth. Third, God created you, he knows the number of hairs on your head, and He desires a personal relationship with you. No other God cares this much for you. These are the things we need to be proclaiming to the world as we witness. If you know Christ, you know these to be true. How is your walk??
Saturday, July 9, 2011
334th Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - Matthew 10: 5 - 15 Con't. 4th Post.
Matthew 10: 5 - 15 Continued.
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 spoke these words before He sent His disciples out two by two, on their first ministry journey, by themselves. This is the last part of this passage, and says something about the power the disciples now have in representing Jesus themselves. This passage starts out with the people not accepting the message. Jesus tells them (disciples) that when they are to go out of the house or the city, they are to shake the dust from their feet. This is a form of judgment, they would not listen to the good news, so they were to shake all remnants of that visit from their bodies. "They rejected Me, I will reject Them!" is what Jesus is saying to His disciples, they are acting as His agents. People say that Jesus did not mention the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, and therefore did not charge those cities for their unbelief. This is not what this passage is saying. Look at the words of the text, clearly it says the judgment will be worse for this city than Sodom and Gomorrah, not the Sodom and Gomorrah will go unjudged. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is in Genesis Chapter 19. The reason judgment will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah, is because God destroyed those cities for their sins without sending a prophet there to warn the people before the destruction took place. In this case the disciples had come in that capacity, but were rejected. This can happen to people also. Has God sent someone to minister to you? How did you treat them?? Only you and God know the answer to that question. There is still time to change. Talk to God and confess your sin, and then go to a Church and tell the Pastor, they will help you from there.
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 spoke these words before He sent His disciples out two by two, on their first ministry journey, by themselves. This is the last part of this passage, and says something about the power the disciples now have in representing Jesus themselves. This passage starts out with the people not accepting the message. Jesus tells them (disciples) that when they are to go out of the house or the city, they are to shake the dust from their feet. This is a form of judgment, they would not listen to the good news, so they were to shake all remnants of that visit from their bodies. "They rejected Me, I will reject Them!" is what Jesus is saying to His disciples, they are acting as His agents. People say that Jesus did not mention the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, and therefore did not charge those cities for their unbelief. This is not what this passage is saying. Look at the words of the text, clearly it says the judgment will be worse for this city than Sodom and Gomorrah, not the Sodom and Gomorrah will go unjudged. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is in Genesis Chapter 19. The reason judgment will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah, is because God destroyed those cities for their sins without sending a prophet there to warn the people before the destruction took place. In this case the disciples had come in that capacity, but were rejected. This can happen to people also. Has God sent someone to minister to you? How did you treat them?? Only you and God know the answer to that question. There is still time to change. Talk to God and confess your sin, and then go to a Church and tell the Pastor, they will help you from there.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
333rd Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't- Charging His Disciples Con't. - Matthew 10: 5 - 15 Con't. 4th Post
Matthew 10: 5 - 15 Continued 4th Post.
Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who 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.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus is about to send His disciples out on their own for the first time, and is giving them instructions, of how to act in the field. Jesus tells them that when you enter a city, the first thing you do is to inquire as to who is the strongest believer in the city. This is before Jesus died on the cross, so Jesus is spreading news about the Kingdom of God. The Rabbi's would be the logical person to contact, however, Jesus had been critical of their unbelief, so the most worthy person, would be a true believer. Jesus told them that once they found a household they were to stay there until they left. This means until they left the city. The disciples were to give their peace to the household. This means to give it their blessing. If the disciples found out that they had arrived at the wrong house, they were to take back their blessing. This goes along with Old Testament teaching concerning the passing of blessing, in the O.T. it was given usually to the first born, symbolizing first fruit. This house would act as the disciples base of operations while they were there, so the blessing was given there first (first fruit), and spread among the believer's in the town as they came in contact with them.
Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who 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.
This was spoken by Jesus about 1.1/2 years into His earthly ministry. Jesus is about to send His disciples out on their own for the first time, and is giving them instructions, of how to act in the field. Jesus tells them that when you enter a city, the first thing you do is to inquire as to who is the strongest believer in the city. This is before Jesus died on the cross, so Jesus is spreading news about the Kingdom of God. The Rabbi's would be the logical person to contact, however, Jesus had been critical of their unbelief, so the most worthy person, would be a true believer. Jesus told them that once they found a household they were to stay there until they left. This means until they left the city. The disciples were to give their peace to the household. This means to give it their blessing. If the disciples found out that they had arrived at the wrong house, they were to take back their blessing. This goes along with Old Testament teaching concerning the passing of blessing, in the O.T. it was given usually to the first born, symbolizing first fruit. This house would act as the disciples base of operations while they were there, so the blessing was given there first (first fruit), and spread among the believer's in the town as they came in contact with them.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
332nd Post Jesus On Admonitions & Exhortations Con't. - Charging His Disciples Con't. - Matthew 10: 5 - 15 Con't. 3rd post.
Matthew 10: 5 - 15 Continued 3rd post.
Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor 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.
Jesus is asking His disciples to preach, teach and heal charging no fee. He reminds them that they have received without payment, so they are to do the same. This is very different from other people of that time. They would charge for healing, or preaching and teaching. Jesus tells the disciples to go out on this journey without provisions, no money, no change of clothes, and no staffs. Why? The disciples are spreading the news that God is good and supplies all things, how can they then bring provisions for themselves. It is like saying God will provide for you, but not for us. God is GOD, He will provide if you ask Him. Why no staffs?? Staffs represent some kind of authority, the person with the staff directs the workers, but is not one. Jesus clearly tells the disciples that they are to be workers, for without working you can not expect to be fed. How many of us forget this part of being a Christian? Part of being a Christian is filling needs that you see, that you can fill. This is work, and should go on unnoticed.
Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor 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.
Jesus is asking His disciples to preach, teach and heal charging no fee. He reminds them that they have received without payment, so they are to do the same. This is very different from other people of that time. They would charge for healing, or preaching and teaching. Jesus tells the disciples to go out on this journey without provisions, no money, no change of clothes, and no staffs. Why? The disciples are spreading the news that God is good and supplies all things, how can they then bring provisions for themselves. It is like saying God will provide for you, but not for us. God is GOD, He will provide if you ask Him. Why no staffs?? Staffs represent some kind of authority, the person with the staff directs the workers, but is not one. Jesus clearly tells the disciples that they are to be workers, for without working you can not expect to be fed. How many of us forget this part of being a Christian? Part of being a Christian is filling needs that you see, that you can fill. This is work, and should go on unnoticed.
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