Wednesday, August 25, 2010
129th Post Jesus Said on Hell - Comment
We are starting a new topic in this Bible Study. Jesus said more about hell, than He did about Heaven. We will be looking at all the tools Jesus used to describe hell. Hell is the place that Jesus did not want us to go. If you find yourself there, you can not blame God for your position. You put yourself there. Hell means a place absent from God, if you lived your life like God did not exist, you will get your wish; you will spend eternity without God. Jesus said " I am the resurrection and the Life, No One comes to Father, except through Me"! People have a hard time with this, saying it is pretty narrow minded. Maybe it is, but you show me another God that Created the World, and then came down to earth and lived among us, and then died for our sins so that we could have eternal life. Jesus paid the price we were to pay because of Adam's sin. This gives Him bragging rights, and He alone can make this claim. When Jesus put his hands on Peter's head and said "Upon this rock I will build My Church, and even the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Most people think this was fulfilled when the early church was struggling against Rome. I believe that the biggest struggle will come when evil has its most power, during the tribulation period. This will be the time that the church will be tested almost to its breaking point. The Church will prevail, because each time the Church has come under fire, it gets stronger, not weaker. God is stronger than Satan or hell.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
128th Post Jesus on Taxes & Tribute Con't. - Matthew 22: 21
Matthew 22: 21; Mark 12: 15 - 17; Luke 20: 24 - 25.
Render therefore to Caesar the thingst are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
From the location of this passage in Matthew 22, you know this is at the end of Jesus earthly ministry. Jesus' enemies were starting to become larger in numbers and included more than the just the Temple leaders and teachers. If you look back to verse 15, you will notice the Pharisees, but now the Herodians had also joined as Jesus enemies. The Herodians are the political side of Jewish Government, so Jesus had alienated both the religious and political arms of Israel. It is interesting that the Sadduceeses, and the Pharisees could not agree on much of anything. And both these groups did not trust the Herodians, but yet all three could unite in their hatred of Jesus. The Sadduceeses and the Pharisees tried to catch Jesus on religous grounds, now the Herodians added political grounds to their snare to entrap Jesus. They asked Jesus if they as Jews needed to pay Roman taxes. Jesus' enemies knew that the Jewish people hated paying taxes to Rome, and grumbled everytime they had to pay. If Jesus told them they did not need to pay taxes, this would make Jesus an enemy of Rome. They thought they had Jesus this time, He could not answer safely. Jesus being God, saw the trap and got away cleanly. Look at Jesus answer "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and give unto God the things that are God's. " Jesus was able to escape their trap again.
Render therefore to Caesar the thingst are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
From the location of this passage in Matthew 22, you know this is at the end of Jesus earthly ministry. Jesus' enemies were starting to become larger in numbers and included more than the just the Temple leaders and teachers. If you look back to verse 15, you will notice the Pharisees, but now the Herodians had also joined as Jesus enemies. The Herodians are the political side of Jewish Government, so Jesus had alienated both the religious and political arms of Israel. It is interesting that the Sadduceeses, and the Pharisees could not agree on much of anything. And both these groups did not trust the Herodians, but yet all three could unite in their hatred of Jesus. The Sadduceeses and the Pharisees tried to catch Jesus on religous grounds, now the Herodians added political grounds to their snare to entrap Jesus. They asked Jesus if they as Jews needed to pay Roman taxes. Jesus' enemies knew that the Jewish people hated paying taxes to Rome, and grumbled everytime they had to pay. If Jesus told them they did not need to pay taxes, this would make Jesus an enemy of Rome. They thought they had Jesus this time, He could not answer safely. Jesus being God, saw the trap and got away cleanly. Look at Jesus answer "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and give unto God the things that are God's. " Jesus was able to escape their trap again.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
127th Post Jesus on Taxes & Tribute Con't- Matthew 17: 25 - 27.
This post is a continuation of post 126. Matthew Chapter 17, opens with Jesus showing His closest disciples that He (Jesus) is God, then Jesus heals a demon possessed man. Then we come to this situation in the Synagogue. Peter was present at all of places Jesus was in Matthew chapter 17. Peter saw, but he did not see. How many of us, suffer from this same affliction? Our relationship with Jesus is so comfortable and easy, that we sometimes forget He is the creator of Heaven and Earth, and all that dwells in it. How many of you know someone important in your city? How easy is it to have access to them? Is it possible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? We can have this kind of relationship with Jesus. It was the same with Peter, Jesus was always there when he needed him. Peter looked on Jesus as a good friend, and knew he could depend on Jesus. But I don't think it dawned on him, exactly who Jesus was. Jesus knew that He and Peter were exempt from paying the tax; but He also knew that the men of the Synagogue would not understand the relationship, Jesus has with God the Father. Peter saw the Transfiguration, these men did not. Jesus knew that if they made a scene, it would not turn out well. Jesus asks Peter to go to the Sea of Galilee, and put a hook in the water and the first fish he gets look in its mouth and it will have money due for the tax for both. Peter went and did as he was told. Probably did not even think about how this would happen. He trusted Jesus! Do you have this same trust in Jesus?? You can!
126th Post Jesus On Taxes & Tributes Con't. - Matthew 17: 25 - 27.
Matthew 17: 25 - 27
What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers? [Peter answered "from strangers."] Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.
This passage comes from Matthew 17, and is about 1.1/2 years into Jesus earthly ministry. This passage needs some explanation in order to understand it. On the surface,we see Peter and Jesus entering the Synagogue at Capernaum and Peter is stopped by the rabbi's and asked if Peter and Jesus pay the Temple Tax, Peter replies that they do, then he asks Jesus about it. Jesus tells Peter they are exempt from the tax; then Jesus tells Peter to go to the sea, and put a hook in the water, the first fish that comes up will have a coin to pay for both of us. Matthew chapter 17 opens with the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, Jesus let his closest disciples witness His Godness. This passage takes place toward the end of the chapter. Seems Peter forgot, who Jesus is, or where Jesus came from. I will have to continue this on next post.
What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers? [Peter answered "from strangers."] Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.
This passage comes from Matthew 17, and is about 1.1/2 years into Jesus earthly ministry. This passage needs some explanation in order to understand it. On the surface,we see Peter and Jesus entering the Synagogue at Capernaum and Peter is stopped by the rabbi's and asked if Peter and Jesus pay the Temple Tax, Peter replies that they do, then he asks Jesus about it. Jesus tells Peter they are exempt from the tax; then Jesus tells Peter to go to the sea, and put a hook in the water, the first fish that comes up will have a coin to pay for both of us. Matthew chapter 17 opens with the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, Jesus let his closest disciples witness His Godness. This passage takes place toward the end of the chapter. Seems Peter forgot, who Jesus is, or where Jesus came from. I will have to continue this on next post.
Monday, August 16, 2010
125th Post Jesus on Taxes and Tributes - Comment
Taxes and Tributes are costs required by the governments that God has allowed to be in control where you live. If you live in an area where the government is not God fearing, you may have trouble believing that God has allowed these governments to exist. God created all things, and all things are in His control. The United States is in the process of turning away from God. The Government is trying to dismiss the faith in God that our forefathers had. As we turn further and further away from God, He will withdraw His hedge of protection, we have enjoyed up til now. When September 11th 2,001 came, our Churches were packed to overflowing right after that attack. Since that time our Churches have seen the multitudes drop off. God is a God of Justice and Mercy. Most New Testament people would only concentrate on God as Love. He is, but He also is the God of Justice. Taxes and Tributes are governments way of raising the money to take care of its citizens. We as Christians are asked to comply with what government asks until it starts to go against God. When this happens we are called by God to Stand for Him. As our government continues to turn further away we as Christians have the responsibility to Stand for God. We will be held accountable for our actions or non-actions. God is Still on the Throne!!
124th Post Jesus on Bearing Fruit Con't - John 15: 1-8
This post is continuing discussion started from post 122. We have looked at what is needed for us to be walking or growing in Jesus Christ. These same verses can unlock the secrets to a fruitful prayer life. Jesus says if you remain in Me and My words remain in you ask whatever you want and it will be given you. Look at what Jesus has said here. If I remain in you, you keep My words, then ask whatever you want and it will be given you. In order for your prayers to be answered they must be in line with what God wants. This means that you have to be connected to God and ask for things that God wants. How many times have you taken your
petitions to the Lord based on your own understanding, and then been disappointed because they were not answered? The longer you walk with God the stronger your prayer life becomes. The more time you spend talking to God the stronger the relationship with God becomes. You will ask for things that God wants for you. People will ask you to pray for them, usually it is for healing when they have an incurable disease. This is tricky, because God controls life and death, a lot of times we blame God for not answering our prayer requests. The Bible tells us God knows how long you will live even before you are born. God heals who He will heal, and He lets them die those He wills. This is God's will not ours! One of the hardest lessons we as Christians learn is the God's ways are not our ways, and that He is in charge.
petitions to the Lord based on your own understanding, and then been disappointed because they were not answered? The longer you walk with God the stronger your prayer life becomes. The more time you spend talking to God the stronger the relationship with God becomes. You will ask for things that God wants for you. People will ask you to pray for them, usually it is for healing when they have an incurable disease. This is tricky, because God controls life and death, a lot of times we blame God for not answering our prayer requests. The Bible tells us God knows how long you will live even before you are born. God heals who He will heal, and He lets them die those He wills. This is God's will not ours! One of the hardest lessons we as Christians learn is the God's ways are not our ways, and that He is in charge.
123rd Post Jesus on Bearing Fruit Con't - John 15: 1 - 8
John 15: 1 -8
This post continues from 122 that precedes it. The passage opens with God the Father as the vinedresser. The vinedresser, is responsible for the health of the vine. The Father cares for the vine by tending the branches. It is the dresser's job to make sure the vine is fed, irrigated, and pruned. Jesus tells the disciples that He is the vine, the true vine. They will always be part of Him, and can never be more important than Him. The branches grow out of the vine, and get all of their knowledge and food from the vine. In order for the branches to remain healthy, they have to be connected to the vine at all times. This is not possible for Sunday Morning Christians only. To be connected to the vine at all times, means you are connected 7 days a week 24 hours a day. Branches that are withered, or partially broken, will be cut off by the vinedresser. It is necessary for the vinedresser to prune healthy branches in order for the branches to bear even more fruit. Pruning can be painful, it hurts for a time, but because of the pruning, the branch becomes even more healthful. When you are facing difficult times in your life, it could be at these times the Father is pruning you. The vinedresser cuts off branches that produce no fruit, it is the branches job to produce fruit. Everything a branch needs to bear fruit is supplied by the vinedresser and the vine. The branches job is to remain connected to the vine.
This post continues from 122 that precedes it. The passage opens with God the Father as the vinedresser. The vinedresser, is responsible for the health of the vine. The Father cares for the vine by tending the branches. It is the dresser's job to make sure the vine is fed, irrigated, and pruned. Jesus tells the disciples that He is the vine, the true vine. They will always be part of Him, and can never be more important than Him. The branches grow out of the vine, and get all of their knowledge and food from the vine. In order for the branches to remain healthy, they have to be connected to the vine at all times. This is not possible for Sunday Morning Christians only. To be connected to the vine at all times, means you are connected 7 days a week 24 hours a day. Branches that are withered, or partially broken, will be cut off by the vinedresser. It is necessary for the vinedresser to prune healthy branches in order for the branches to bear even more fruit. Pruning can be painful, it hurts for a time, but because of the pruning, the branch becomes even more healthful. When you are facing difficult times in your life, it could be at these times the Father is pruning you. The vinedresser cuts off branches that produce no fruit, it is the branches job to produce fruit. Everything a branch needs to bear fruit is supplied by the vinedresser and the vine. The branches job is to remain connected to the vine.
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