The Parable Of The Sower

Posted on July 21, 2020 by bibleteacherorg
Photo by Beth J on Unsplash

Matthew 13:1-3 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables …

As we learned at Jesus’ feet in Red Letters #32, those who are Christ’s “mother and brothers”, His Family, are those who are born into the Kingdom of God. This is a supernatural event that occurs when one receives Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior. Jesus has just finished teaching that those who willingly and lovingly follow Him are of His Family.

What Limits The Growth Of The Gospel Seed?

1. The Gospel Seed Must Be Spread To All,
Regardless As To Who Or What They Are

Is it because Jesus only presented Himself to a select few, an “elect” or chosen? In our text we can see this is not true. Jesus did not limit where His message went. We read:

great multitudes were gathered together unto him

There were so many people following Jesus at this point that He could not speak without being mobbed. Now, all of these people were not believers. Many were curiosity seekers. Many came to see if Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Messiah. Others came to be healed of Jesus. They wanted a temporary blessing, a sickness or disease removed, a life made physically whole. Others came to Jesus to watch Him, much like buzzards watch carrion, waiting to jump on Him to disprove His ministry.

Jesus never limited those who received Him. When you are studying the Gospels, it is helpful to study parallel accounts of the same message, as each writer gives a different perspective. In Luke chapter 8, our parallel to Matthew 13, the blessed physician Luke is more detailed about those who were following Jesus. We read:

Luke 8:1-4 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. 4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city …

Jesus limited no one.
He spread the same Gospel seed on every ground.

We see that Jesus went throughout EVERY city and village. The cities are large, the villages small. Jesus visited everywhere, regardless as to their size, their economic outlook, or their race. Jesus preached the same message: preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. Who was with Jesus?

The twelve were with Jesus.

Though all twelve of Jesus first disciples were Jewish, they were from very different backgrounds. Some were common fishermen. One was a hated tax collector. There was a religious zealot, who sought the overthrow of Rome. Some of these men were unmarried, and others, like Peter, were married. James and John were brothers. Judas was greedy, and Thomas doubtful. It was a diverse group of men.

Then there were the women. We are told “certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene” were following Jesus. Mary was probably a social outcast because of her demonic affliction now past. Then we read of “Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance”. Mary was Jewish, but Joanna was a wealthy and powerful Roman woman. Her husband was Herod’s business manager. We know nothing of Susanna other than she was generous with helping Jesus – so I suspect she was wealthy according to the standard of that day.

What Limits The Growth Of The Gospel Seed?

2. The Holy Spirit Must Work The Ground
Where The Seed Is Cast

I heard a preacher once say that “Jesus spoke in parables to make things more understandable”. That is not Biblical. We read:

Matthew 13:10-16 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of {Isaiah}, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

This is a very clear text to understand, if you understood the Kingdom Principles (Red Letters #32) that Jesus previously taught in Matthew 12. Jesus said that He spoke in parables:

Because it is given unto YOU to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to THEM it is not given.

Who is the YOU that can understand the parables?

It is those who are born again into the Kingdom of God.
It is those who have intimate access to Jesus, His followers.
It is those where the Spirit has worked and is working.

The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible states that the parables of Jesus were both works of art as well as weapons of warfare . A person can only understand Biblical Truth if God opens our eyes to it.

Those who are lost and apart from Christ cannot understand Biblical truths. They have hardened their hearts to Christ. Their understanding is darkened by sin and spiritual death. God has clearly presented Himself in nature, and man created a Darwinistic Fantasy to avoid glory to God. The Scripture says …

Romans 1:21 … when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

God has revealed Himself in nature’s design, and yet, rejecting the proof of God all around, they invent alternate truths and realities which are no more than fairy tales. God must open the eyes of the lost to their lostness. People love sin, and want to stay in darkness. Jesus told Nicodemus in

John 3:16-21 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

People love sin and want to stay in the darkness. They do not want Christ. God must open the heart to the truth that a soul without Jesus is both dead and damned. God must intervene, He must convict us of our need of the Savior. Jesus said “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34). It is the work of God the Spirit, the Comforter, to awaken a person to their need of Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus said:

John 16:7-11 … if I depart, I will send {the Holy Spirit} unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Unless the lost person’s eyes are opened, they cannot be saved. God must anoint them (1 John 2:20, 27). God must reveal Biblical truths to us (1 Corinthians 2:10). Jesus spoke in parables so that the SAVED could understand the deeper truths of Scripture. If you are saved, you are indwelt of God (Romans 8:9). If you are NOT saved, you need to REPENT and come to Jesus. If you refuse to repent and turn, you have no need of deeper truths … salvation must come first.

Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 … And {God} said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Salvation is not something you can “work your way into”. It is something you can only receive as a gift of Grace. Pastor Allan Descheneau put it best:

“For those who want to know God better, who the Spirit is working in them, who are asking, seeking, knocking … they will receive and find and will have the door opened unto them. But those who don’t want to hear it, who love their own sin, their self, who feel justified in their actions, who don’t want to be lorded over by anyone else – the parables will only harden their hearts further.”

The lost do not need the deeper truths of the Kingdom. They first need Jesus, just as we all need Jesus.

The lost desperately need Jesus. And yet, in their blindness and ignorance, they consider the preaching of the Cross to be foolish, unnecessary, the words of superstitious and uninformed people. But to the Child of God, to those who are “Christ’s mother and brothers”, to us the Cross is the very power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).

What Limits The Growth Of The Gospel Seed?


3. The Genuine Gospel Seed Must Be Deliberately
But Without Prejudice Cast On All Grounds

Jesus spoke the parable of the Sower to explain why it is that so few come to Christ. Read with me:

Matthew 13:3-9 … Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixty-fold, some thirty-fold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

When we look at Jesus’ parable of the Sower, you can tell that there is one seed sown onto four different grounds.

The sower does not change the seed, nor does he sow with prejudice. The sower is unconcerned about the conditions of the soil, the weather or the wind. The sower just sows. He sows the same seed.

This is where the Church in America has failed. We have varied the seed based on the audience. Jesus never varied His message. What was His message?

Matthew 4:17 REPENT, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Jesus told the prostitutes to REPENT. He told the alcoholic and drug addicted to REPENT. Jesus told the Church goers and the self righteous to REPENT. Jesus told the blind, the diseased, the infirm to REPENT. He expected and expects people who have REPENTED to stop being their own gods, and to dedicate themselves to the Messiah.

Matthew 9:13 … I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to REPENTANCE

Matthew 11:20 .. Jesus began to upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because they REPENTED not

Jesus never varied the seed. The message wasn’t changed based on the audience. Jesus didn’t speak the Gospel one way to the rich, and another way to the poor. He didn’t diminish the need to REPENT and turn to Him, regardless as to the “lifestyle” of the persons. Jesus never told the Jews one thing, and the Gentiles another. He chastised the Pharisees, saying:

Matthew 21:32 For John {the Baptist} came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

The seed, that glorious Gospel seed, demands that a person REPENT, and turn surrendered to Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior, the King of His Kingdom.

It amazes me that people think they can live their lives ignoring Christ, being horrible Kingdom citizens, and believe that they will enter Heaven upon their deaths. Beloved, if you will not obey the King NOW, what makes you think that you will enter His Kingdom THEN? The Gospel we preach demands REPENTANCE toward God and OBEDIENT FOLLOWING of Christ. No person can save themselves. Jesus Christ saves us, but only when we lean surrendered into Him. My hope of salvation lies in giving up my own life, and in investing my life – worthless as it is – into Christ. If you are indeed a Christian then Christ is your Master and Savior.

Jesus is the Shepherd, and I the sheep
Jesus is the Vine, and I but a branch
Jesus is the Light, and I but a reflector
Jesus is King of Kings, and I but a son of the King

Salvation is only a reality when a person under conviction of sin cries out to Jesus. Both I and you were condemned to damnation, a just damnation, by a righteous God. To REPENT means to take myself off of the throne and to kneel at his Throne. My life belongs to Him. There is absolutely NO salvation to anyone who stands arrogantly and unsurrendered before the Cross of Calvary. If you are a Christian then heed the Word of God:

1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Is Christ in you? Then know that:

1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

You are not to be a man pleaser, but a God pleaser. You are to live for Christ. You are to be like Jesus. If you are saved, Beloved, you are to be like Jesus. This radically impacts your life. The saved are to love even their enemies. Jesus said:

Luke 6:27-29 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

The life that grows out of the Gospel seed …

avoids drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18)
rejects the sins of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-26)
controls anger (Ephesians 4:26)
seeks to be God controlled (1 Peter 4:7)
turns away and cuts off sinful habits (Matthew 5:27-30)
humbles themselves before God (James 4:10)

For the Christian to say “I am a Christian” and yet to wallow in things that Christ would never do is but deception. The Bible reminds those born of the Gospel seed that:

Romans 6:20-22 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

When a person hearing the Gospel REPENTS, then God the Holy Spirit enters that soul. The life is changed. Whereas before you followed the world in sinfulness, now you follow Jesus, obeying Him for the glory of God.

Only YOU Limit The Growth Of The Gospel Seed

When the disciples are alone with Jesus, He explains His parable. He says:

Matthew 13:18-19 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

When the good seed of the Gospel is sown by the wayside, this is the Gospel preached to those unenlightened by God. They “understandeth it not”. They hear the “word of Christ’s Kingdom” but do not understand it. The Apostle Paul wrote in …

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The devil and his demons are constantly blinding the lost to the Gospel. He cloaks their eyes. He uses methods and means to distract. I have preached the Gospel and seen a lone bee come into the room … and all eyes are on the bee, ears turned off. The seed hits the wayside. A hum, a telephone ringing, a baby crying or a child acting out as children will do. Satan will throw distractions in your direction, anything, to keep the Gospel from going forth.

Matthew 13:20-21 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Then there is the stony, and shallow soil. Many hear the Gospel and apparently receive it, yet their lives are hardened. This is the person who walks the aisle, takes the preacher’s hand, then leaves the Church and the Lord Jesus Christ. Their faith is but skin deep. They do not practice the disciplines of the Child of Christ. They neither pray nor read God’s Word on a regular basis … after all, salvation is free, is it not? To them Jesus Christ is Savior but NOT Lord. Their make believe faith looks good until the trials come – and trials will come. Their faith has no deep roots. Like the pine tree, a strong wind can blow it over. These are like the number of “Christian Contemporary Music Artists” who – it seems like every year – decide to walk away from Christ.

Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

The thorny ground person loves to ride the fence, never committing fully to Christ, nor even fully committing to the world. They love to stay in the middle, a “moderate”, a person who wants to be saved but who will not repent fully. They fill their lives with worldliness, not with Christ. They avoid anything that might be uncomfortable. I meet these people all the time. Christ calls us to stand for Him in the midst of a sinful and fallen world. If your lifestyle and your faith does not cause others to hate you, perhaps you are a fence rider. Jesus said:

Matthew 10:22 … ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

The Christian is to be friendly, but not friends with the world. The stepbrother of Christ wrote:

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

“God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son” (John 3:16). But if you receive His Son, you will reject the sinful ways of the world. You will affirm that what God says is true, is indeed true. You cannot be half Christian and half worldling. You must choose.

Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

The Christian is the person who hears and understands the Word of God. The Holy Spirit opens that person’s eyes to the Gospel. Being saved, that Gospel seed causes the believer to be fruitful for God. The amount of fruit varies, but each believer in Christ is to bring forth SOME fruit.

Are you saved, dear one? If you are, you will be bearing fruit, in some capacity, for Jesus. In the Church today too many people sit about waiting to be waited on. Beloved, if you are waiting to be waited on, you are not fruitful – and perhaps not saved. Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith or not. And if you are, begin sowing the Gospel seed. May God open our eyes and and our hearts to receive His Biblical truth.

Amen and Amen!

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God Owns All Of Me

Posted on July 21, 2020 by bibleteacherorg
Photo by NASA on Unsplash

The last time we spoke on Facebook Live, we covered the 23rd Psalm,The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want,

This may surprise you, but the Lord owns His people. He is in charge of His people. We, as believers in Jesus Christ, are characterized in the Scripture as sheep ruled by a Shepherd. Case in point:

Psalm 100:3 … we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 95:7 … For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand….

The Christian no longer owns himself, but is the child, the obedient child, of the Master. We are not our own – we are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23). We belong to God.

The Believer in Christ belongs to God.
The unbeliever also belongs to God.

But what of others who are not saved. What of the rest of the earth? To whom does it belong? Psalm 24 tells us that God owns everything. Read with me.

Psalm 24:1-10 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. 7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

To Whom does the earth belong? The earth is the Lord’s. To Whom does the produce and production of the earth belong to? The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof. What of the people of the earth. We know that the Christian, the believer in Christ, the receiver of the Holy Spirit belongs to the Lord. But what of the unbeliever? We are told that The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Everything and everyone belongs to God. God made it, and that which He made, He owns.

God in His Grace gave dominion of the world over to mankind (this is both man and woman) after their creation. God told the first beings:

Genesis 1:28 … Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Humanity was given a stewardship by God. Humanity – man and woman – were given specific directions on how to manage that which they were given.

“Be fruitful”. Reproduce.
“Multiply”. Reproduce often.
“Replenish the earth”. Care for your stewardship.
“Subdue it”. You are God’s sharecroppers.
“Have dominion over”. You are not an animal. You are over animals.

Slavery is wrong because only God owns the person. He owns the believer, and owns the unbeliever. God recognized slavery in scripture, but never justified it. Mankind was to have dominion over animals and the earth itself. It is the stewardship that God has given us.

When a person says, “It’s MY body, I can do what I want with it”, there is an element of truth to this – but this is not the whole truth. Your body is a stewardship from God. Biblically – and I believe the Bible – everything that we see, touch, and are around are God’s possessions. Life itself is a stewardship. Everything you have and hope to have is a gift from God. God graciously allows us to have – albeit temporarily – all that we have. There is but one God and Father of all, Who is OVER all, THROUGH all, and IN all (Ephesians 4:6). The Apostle quoted Psalm 24:1 when he warned the Corinthian believers about greed and pettiness. He writes:

1 Corinthians 10:24-26 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.

Listen believers – and I speak to the child of God by faith in Christ:

Believers are sheep, and Christ our Shepherd. We must never allow the world to own us. We must never become slaves to darkness, greed, money, or hatred. The Apostle encourages us to seek to profit others rather than to fill our own pockets. God owns everything.

By God’s Common (universal) Grace He:

Matthew 5:45 … maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

God owns the world. God owns every soul. God owns the soul of that baby carried in the mother’s womb, and owns the soul of the mother as well. God owns the soul of the black man, minimized and often harmed by inconsiderate and racist people. God owns the soul of the red man, the yellow man, the brown man, the white man. When you look at another person remember God’s Words:

Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine …

Everything belongs to God.

God Made It, And Owns It. We Are But Stewards.

Psalm 24:1-2 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For {God} hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

It is God Who makes the land and the land masses. When God first made the earth, the earth was covered with water. There was no land that was not below the water. The Bible tells us that:

Genesis 1:9-12 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

God caused the land to rise up from the waters, and God created what we call the “continents”. When America was founded, it was founded by many people who were aware that God owns everything. America was blessed in it’s founding because the Founders knew God. Were they perfect Christians? No, but none of us are. Yet these Founding Fathers stated in the Declaration of Independence:

“We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name and by the Authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare , that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states …. with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence …”

America, like every nation and every land mass on this entire planet, belongs to God. In a speech given by Patrick Henry on March 23rd, 1775, he stated:

“we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us…”

America was an experiment that was supposed to fail. Great Britain was a worldwide super power that the disorganized and poorly equipped colonists certainly could not defeat.

America gained it’s independence. Why? I believe it is because America was founded to glorify God. It was founded to allow religious freedom to every person.

Though America and many of its Founders turned a blind eye to slavery of the black persons {something that was grievous}, in time God used godly men and women to overturn the horror of chattel slavery. As I said before, no human has a right to possess or oppress another human. Only God owns us, and God can do what us as He will, for it is He that made us, and not we ourselves. I spent a large portion of my adult life – 20+ years – in the United States Air Force because I love this nation, and love the concept of freedom embodied in our Constitution and in our laws. Though we are all flawed by sin I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt, that the United States of America is the most blessed nation in the world. Our blessings are upon us because of God’s Grace.

Having Recognized The Truth That God Owns All,
Can All Enter Into God’s Presence?

If God owns everything and everyone, then it is logical to believe that we shall be with Him. That which I own will stay in my possession. So if God owns all, will all enter Heaven upon their earthly demise? The Psalmist asks:

Psalm 24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?

To go into the Presence of God is to “ascend”, to move upward from the earthly to the glorious Heavenly. The phrase “hill of the Lord” is a reference to the place where God is.

The Pulpit Commentary notes:

“God’s “hill” is, in reality, the highest heaven, wherein he has his dwelling-place. Its representative on earth was, at this time, the Mount Zion, where it was already determined in the Divine counsels that the temple should be built, and whither David was now about to transfer the ark of the covenant …”

We are told by God in Isaiah 66:1, “Heaven is My Throne, and the earth My footstool”. God abides in both Heaven and earth – in fact, everywhere. But God has also said in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them”. God is in the midst of His people when they are honoring Him. God will not allow any in His presence who refuse to honor Him in heart and hand. The Psalmist said:

Psalm 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Those who have the right to enter the Presence of God is the ones who are clean outwardly (has clean HANDS) and who is pure inwardly (a pure HEART). The Bible tells us that, among the children of Adam,

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

No one has clean hands before God unless they have cleansed by God. God the Son said of the human heart:

Matthew 15:19-20 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man …

and God the Father declared through the Prophet:

Jeremiah 17:9-10 … The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

God must cleanse us so that we can enter His Presence. God must spiritually change our condition. The Psalmist said in another place:

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Among mankind we often think that “good works” will make us right before God. The Law contained a number of “good works”: animal sacrifices, feast days, dietary laws, circumcision. Yet none of these “good works”, though ordered of God, had the power to change the doer. This is why the Apostle Paul wrote:

Romans 3:19-28 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: THAT EVERY MOUTH MAY BE STOPPED, AND ALL THE WORLD MAY BECOME GUILTY BEFORE GOD. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

No “good work” can bring us into the Presence of God. We need Jesus Christ. The Messiah came to “bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). The “good works” of the Law were teaching tools to show all that we need a Savior. Jesus Christ did the one absolutely good work when He died on Calvary for our sins. The Scripture says:

Hebrews 9:12-14 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood {Jesus} entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Jesus Christ alone is “the Lamb of God Who takes away our sins” (John 1:29).

Dying on the Cross of Calvary for our sins, Jesus in spirit and through the Holy Spirit entered into Heaven, that holy Hill of God, obtaining eternal redemption for us who believe. Jesus died for our sins so that we need no longer be circumcised, we need no longer offer animal and food offerings on a bloody altar. As that blessed song states:

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain.
He washed me white as snow!

Who has clean hands and a pure heart? It is the one who has received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is the one who has repented of being their own possession, and have agreed with God that “the Lord is my Shepherd”. I no longer belong to me – and neither do you. Christian,

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

By faith in Jesus Christ’s work the Bible says:

Hebrews 10:19-25 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 and having an high priest over the house of God; 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The believer in Christ is freed from the slavery of sin to follow the Savior. Our hearts are purified daily by our indwelling Savior. Our hands will do the things He has commanded us to do.

Those Who Are Accepted Of God Are Sheep,
Not Pigs or Dogs or Wolves.

When a person is saved by faith in Christ, they are changed both outwardly and inwardly. They do not “lift their soul up unto vanity”:

Psalm 24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Word Study The word “vanity” is the Hebrewשָׁוְא shâvᵉʼ, shawv; or שַׁו shav which means “that which is empty, false, worthless, godless, destructive or evil”. This word is used to describe idolatry or fake gods. Those who are saved do not speak falsely about others (Exodus 23:1), and do not minimize the glory of God’s name (Exodus 20:7). Those who belong to God do not bear false witness against others (Deuteronomy 5:20), nor do they speak untruths to their neighbors (Psalm 12:2). If you are saved by faith in Christ, born again of His Spirit, you do as Jesus says. You will love God with all your being, and love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus expects those who are His sheep to radically LOVE. He said:

Matthew 5:43-48 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. …

We who belong to the Great Shepherd of our faith are not to lower ourselves to be like the world. Grace saves us, and empowers us to radically love even the unlovable. The Scripture says:

Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Pastor Anthony Carter wrote:

“When Jesus freed the woman caught in adultery, He asked her: “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” Jesus then said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:10–11). When God has freed our consciences, it does not matter how others try to bind them. When Christ has washed our hands and hearts, it does not matter what other people say about them. We only must make sure that Christ has freed us, and that our consciences, hands, and hearts have indeed been washed in His blood.”

A Daily Personal Walk In The Presence Of God
Results in Great Blessing!

Psalm 24:5-6 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

God blesses us, dear believers, when we live as He commands. We keep our hearts pure by heeding and doing what our Savior commands. When we maintain clean hands and pure hearts by following our Savior daily, confessing sin as soon as it rears it’s ugly head, God promises to bless us. How does God bless us? We read:

Psalm 24:7-9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

Word Study The “gate” in ancient times was the entry point into the large cities. People often did business at the “gate”. When you, dear ones, walk with the Lord your Savior daily, then “the King of glory shall come in” to your businesses. Do you wish to prosper in business? The let your gates (your businesses) be lifted up to the Lord. You religion must not be just private and in the home, but must permeate your daily walk where ever you are. When we lift our pursuits up to the King of glory, then He will defend us. Our “Lord is mighty in battle”.

Deuteronomy 20:4 … the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

King David sang unto God, “The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; the God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower, and my Refuge, my Savior; Thou savest me from violence. 4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (2 Samual 22:2-4).

Beloved, as we come through these difficult times in our nation’s history, let us give ourselves over to the Lord our God. Let us receive Christ Jesus as both Lord and Savior. Let us rely on Him. David ended this wonderful Psalm with:

Psalm 24:10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. SELAH.

The last word of this Psalm is “Selah”, which means “REST”. Are you resting in the arms of Jesus, or are you still trying to be your own possession. You belong to God, dear one. Rest in the arms of Him Who made you. Rest in the arms of Christ. Remember the wonderful invitation Jesus gives to whosoever will come:

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Here is your Rest. It is in Jesus. It is in Jesus’ control, under His yoke. Give yourselves to Him, so that you can daily be in God’s Presence, and eternally be in God’s Presence. Do not delay. Call upon the Lord today. May the Holy Spirit touch your hearts to give yourselves to the Lord this very day. Amen and Amen!

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Praying The 23rd Psalm

Posted on July 10, 2020 by bibleteacherorg
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Psalms 23:1-6 The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

We live in a fallen, sin ridden world. I know when I say this, I’m not telling you anything that you don’t know. All you need to do for proof of this is to just turn on your televisions. Not too long ago an young woman decided that she would hitchhike across Europe to prove her theory that people are, at heart, all “good people”. This has been tried several times over the years, and each time it has not been a good ending. Though other people have tried, and have either been raped and/or killed, this young lady believed that “all people are good”. So she tried. Just a few days into her adventure she was raped and robbed by a person posing as a taxi driver. The young lady claims that she will try again in a few years, that she has not given up on human “goodness”. It is a miracle she was not murdered.

The Biblical narrative (a view that I personally believe) is that God created the earth perfect, but man rebelled against the Creator. When Adam fell, he not only brought corruption to humanity, but he also brought sin and death into the animal kingdom. The Scripture says of humanity:

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, asby one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

and of the animal kingdom,

Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly …

Animals had nothing to do with the Fall. However, when one sins, often the innocent suffer. Since creation was bound to Adam’s station in Christ, his willing rejection of God brought death on him, his children, and all of creation.

To lost humans and animals/ creatures, a state of sin and death is considered normal. To the Christian, sin and death are products of a godless choice. To those Children of God (by faith in Christ), to sin is to defy God and light.

We live in an unredeemed and sin filled world, a world that normalizes what God says is wrong and evil. This causes the world to hate the Christian believer (John 15:18-20). Christian, we need to pray, to stay close to our Redeemer.

Let Us Draw Near To God By Praying His Scripture

One method of prayer that Christians have used is to pray Scripture back to God. To read and meditate on His Word while in the prayer closet. The Psalmist David often meditated and prayed through God’s Word.

Psalms 119:14-16 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as [much as] in all riches. (15) I will MEDITATE in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. (16) I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

I was talking with a brother in Christ the other day, and share with you what he said he learned. My brother said that he was taught to not just hear a sermon, but to internalize it, to apply it to himself. This is the way of Christian growth. David MEDITATED on God’s Word. The word “MEDITATE” is the Qal Imperfect of the Hebrew חיש, siyach, (pronounced see’-akh), which means “to ponder, dwell on, declare or utter in prayer”. David considered prayer and meditation of God’s Word to be more important that sleep:

Psalms 119:148 Mine eyes prevent {stay open during} the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

During prayer – especially in prayer using the Scripture – we can apply God’s promises to our current situation. Have you ever had a sleepless night? Then use that time to pray, and use God’s Word in your prayers. Take a Psalm and pray it back to the Lord, applying it to your life. If it does not cure your insomnia, it will at least ease your fears!

Psalms 23:1 The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.

To Whom do I run when tried and suffering? The LORD is MY SHEPHERD. My trial does not own me, but my God owns me. He is MY Shepherd, and that makes me His sheep. When we are hurt physically or spiritually our first instinct is to curl up, to become defensive, to withdraw into a shell, to go through an emotional roller coaster. Sometimes we even get mad at God, though we should not do so. Some, like Job’s wife, will tell you:

Job 2:9 … Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

What good comes from this? I am finite, but my God is The LORD. When you see the word Lord IN UPPER CASE in the King James this is the name YHWH, Yahweh, the Eternal Name of God.

My Shepherd is not finite.
My Shepherd is He Who created all things, and yet is created by none.
My Shepherd is the Great “I Am” (Exodus 3:14)
Not the God Who was, but the God Who says:

Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

There is nothing too great for my God – the LORD – to handle. My God, my Shepherd, knows and controls all things. He says:

Isaiah 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me, (10) Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

The LORD, He alone is God, and He is MY SHEPHERD. Let us pray to our Shepherd:

You, O God, are my LORD, and my Shepherd. When I look at the beauty and majesty of all things, the immensity of space, the depths of the sea, the intricacy of all You have made, I can only praise You, Precious LORD. You are Infinite. You are worthy of praise. What ever I am going through is no accident. You are The LORD. You have the right to do as you will. “All things work together for good to those who love You, those who are called by Thy Name” (Romans 9:28). Satan has no power over me. You are MY SHEPHERD. You are MY KING. I praise You for Your power, Your majesty, that You are great, and do wondrous things: thou [art] God alone (Psalms 86:10).

My situation is not My LORD – You are!
My situation is not my SHEPHERD. You are!
My hurt is not My LORD – You are!
My pain is not My LORD – You are!
The suffering of my loved ones are not My LORD – You are!
My loss is not My LORD – You are!

You alone are God. You alone are worthy. You alone are majestic. You alone are The LORD, Blessed Be Your Holy Name!

Psalms 23:1 The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.

You, Oh Great Shepherd, saved me at a terrible price. Your Scripture declares:

1 John 4:9-10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. (10) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

As My Shepherd You laid Your life down for Me. You are the “Door of the Sheep” (John 10:7). You paid a great, an immense price for me at Calvary. As the Door of the Sheep You lay your life down, taking death and sin upon yourself for my sake. You are my beautiful Shepherd!

Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

It is God Who has given good to me. What I have, I do not have because of my genius, or because of my luck. It is the goodness of God that gives me life (Romans 2:4).

Psalm 130:3-6 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

You, O Lord, “make me to lie down”. I am where I am because You have placed me here. Thank You for Your leading!

A sheep is not a wild animal, wandering about, doing as it wishes. A sheep is possessed by the Shepherd. I am God’s property. I am not my own – I am bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20). I was purchased by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. My life is costly to my Master. He will never abandon me – NEVER!

Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Sin had destroyed me, but Jesus Christ saved me. The promise of Scripture is:

Matthew 1:21 … {Jesus} shall save his people from their sins

He does not save us IN our sins, but FROM our sins. He makes me complete. Sin tore at my soul, diminishing me, but Jesus brought me from darkness to light. I was not redeemed, purchased from the devil’s clutches with finite means, BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST (1 Peter 1:18-19).

It is in Psalm 22 that we see the prophecy of the Cross of Calvary. It is in Psalm 22 that we see Jesus crying out, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46). Jesus chose to take the nails for you and I. He will not abandon us now, nor ever. He restores my soul to Heaven, to live with my God.

Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

As His sheep, I am to live my life for and with my Shepherd. I no longer belong to sin nor Satan. There are many who claim that they are saved so that they can revel in their sin. Oh, no, Beloved. My Shepherd leads me in PATHS of RIGHTEOUSNESS for His name’s sake.

A Christian will not walk in darkness.
A Christian will not rejoice in lying.
A Christian will not pursue the works of the flesh.
A Christian will not engage in heterosexual or homosexual sin.
A Christian will live his or her life with Christ in the Light,
not imitating the darkness. Our Jesus said:

John 8:12 … I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

A Christian will confess his or her sins, relinquishing them to the Cross of Calvary. If we confess our sins, our Lord is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

We will all go through valleys in our lifetimes. David had many valleys in his life. Chosen by God to replace Saul as King (a mountaintop), David had to be pursued by Saul, who intended to kill him. Two things kept David straight through his valleys:

  • David knew that God had a plan for his life, and
  • David knew and trusted in the faithfulness of God.

Because David focused on the God Who is his Shepherd, the Great God Who saved us, the giants he faced were small in comparison. When David’s Goliaths approached him, David focused on the Lord his Shepherd, the Lord Who would never abandon His sheep. This, Beloved, is our God. Though the valleys often cause our hearts to flutter, we can rest assured that God’s plan for our lives will be fulfilled. Thy rod, O Lord, and Thy staff, they comfort me. If I am chastised of the Lord, He chastises me for my own good. If I am led of the Lord, where He leads me is where I need to be.

Psalm 23:5 Thou {O LORD} preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

O Lord, help me to focus on you, not on the trial. Let me rest at Your table, though enemies are all around me. You anointed David’s head with oil, making him a King over Israel. You, O Lord, anointed me with your holy Spirit. You, O Lord,

Revelation 1:5-6 … loved us, and washed us from our sins in Your own Blood, and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God our Father …

We who love You, O Lord, are a chosen generation …

1 Peter 2:9 … a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; we are to show forth the praises of our Lord Who has called us out of darkness, and into Your wonderful light!

I may not have everything, and I might suffer needs. Yet because of You, dear Lord Jesus, my cup runneth over! Every day of my life is a blessing because of You. Thank You for being my Shepherd, blessed Savior and Lord.

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

The enemy of my joy is a complaining spirit. Lord, as I look upon You, I cannot complain. You have been both good as well as merciful to me. I do not deserve nor have I earned Your blessings. You are my God, and I am not a god, but a sheep, a lowly sheep. Thank You for loving me as you do. And when it becomes time for me to depart, remind me, dear Lord, that one day I will dwell in the House of the Lord … forever! Let me, dear Lord, remember the words of the Apostle, Who said:

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Death is not my enemy, for death has no hold on Me. I belong to my Shepherd, my Jesus. Not to death, but to Him Who has given me eternal life. Praise You, Lord, praise You!

This life is not all that we have, dear Christian. We are not dying creatures headed toward death and the grave. We who have believed in Jesus are Children of God moving toward eternal life. We are Heaven bound. Let us take as many as we can to Heaven with us when we go. God is using us who believe to bring others into His Kingdom.

An early preacher by the name of Augustine said:

“Death is not to be regarded as a disaster, when it follows on a good life, for the only thing that makes death an evil is what comes after death. Those who must inevitably die ought not to worry overmuch about what accident will cause their death, but about their destination after dying. Christians know that the death of a poor religious man, licked by the tongues of dogs, is far better than the death of a godless rich man, dressed in purple and linen. Why then should those who have lived well be dismayed by the terror of death in any form?”

These are great words! Let us look upward at the Lord our Shepherd, trusting Him with all of our lives. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! In Christ’s name I pray that God touch your hearts with these words. Amen and Amen!

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The Kingdom Of God Principles (Red Letters #32)

Posted on July 6, 2020 by bibleteacherorg
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Audio of Message

Matthew 12:46-50 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

A young man came to Jesus one time and asked:

Matthew 19:16 …. Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Jesus told this young man simply:

Matthew 19:17 … if thou wilt enter into life, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.

Notice that Jesus took the word
“eternal” away from His answer.
If you live life without God, you are NOT living.

He said, “If you will enter into LIFE, keep the commandments”. Those who attempt to live without God and His commandments are not living … they are just existing. You have a choice. You can LIVE, or you can EXIST. There is a big difference between the two. There is no life outside of a living, growing, OBEDIENT relationship to God our Creator.

Many people envision HEAVEN as a place where all of our selfish gratifications are fulfilled. Many envision Heaven as a place where 72 virgins eternally satisfy the sexual selfishness of the victorious male. Muslim scholar Farhana Qazi notes:

“Heaven in the Islamic faith does not include 72 wide-eyed sex goddesses. The number ‘72’ does not appear anywhere in the Quran. Nor does the word “suicide” (intihar in Arabic) appear, which is a word used interchangeably with martyrdom.”

Qazi notes that this myth entered Muslim faith from a writing (hadith) from an imam named al-Tirmidhi. Truth be told, the concept that Heaven is a place where our selfishnesses are all satisfied is the devil’s ploy, a whisper from the prince of darkness.

The concept that Heaven is a place where human selfishness and fleshiness is satisfied is not just in non-Christian faiths, but has gradually crept into even the Christian Faith.

On the Tonight Show Johnny Carson once asked a visiting preacher “Will there be golf in Heaven?”. The preacher said “If it is necessary for our joy in Heaven, I’m sure there will be golf”. Many people – even preachers – teach that Heaven and those who will go to Heaven is all about us. We are on the Throne in Heaven, and God is our Eternal Waiter, meeting our every need. Yet this is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus said,

“If you would enter into Life, keep the COMMANDMENTS”.

Heaven is about us serving God. It is about us being returned to our rightful Master and Lord. This is not a popular concept in the “Me First” America of today, but it is indeed Biblical. When Jesus defined the Commandments that should be kept, He referred to the Ten Commandments. Jesus said:

Matthew 19:19 … Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Honor to your parents. Obedience to those who gave you life, to mother and father and God. Loving others as created beings, created in the image of God for God. As goes the family, so goes the community. As goes the community, so goes the country. Civilized society, especially the Kingdom of Heaven, is NOT about us satisfying our every need and want. It is about US serving OTHERS. It is not about radical freedom and rioting, but about citizenship, good citizenship. Being citizens of the family, of the neighborhood, of the city, of the country, of Heaven.

So Jesus is teaching the Word of the Father. We read:

Matthew 12:46 While {Jesus} yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

Jesus taught that we are to honor our father and our mother (Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Ephesians 6:2). Now Jesus mother and brothers are standing outside the door. They want to speak to the Lord. Jesus’ commandments mirror the Father’s commandments. Did our Master not say “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9)? Has not our Savior said “You must honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself”?

Matthew 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

So how will our Lord respond to this notification? He replies:

Matthew 12:48-50 … Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Only Children Of The Kingdom Shall Enter Heaven

Our Lord Jesus is not a hypocrite by any means. He never said one thing, then did another. But Jesus is teaching a Biblical truth. Heaven is not a place where we go to satisfy our selfish needs. Heaven is the Father’s House. Jesus said:

John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

The “Father’s house” is Heaven. Heaven has many rooms. Jesus came from Heaven. He “came from above” (John 3:31; 8:23; James 1:17). He came to this earth. Jesus Christ is THE Son of God. He is eternal God made flesh to dwell among us.

1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

Jesus Christ is THE Son of God, THE Eternal and Great I AM. Jesus Christ is THE Representative that God the Father sent from Heaven. The Father prophesied of the Son:

Psalm 2:6-7 …. I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Heaven is where the Father and the Son are. Heaven is God’s home. Heaven is God’s Family. The Father brought the Son into the world, and Jesus only is the eternal Son of the Father from eternity past. The Apostle Paul preached of this Jesus:

Acts 13:30-33 … God raised {Jesus, His Only Begotten Son} from the dead: 31 And {Jesus} was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses unto the people. 32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

And the Writer of Hebrews said:

Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Hebrews 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but {the Father} that said unto {Jesus}, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

Jesus Christ was born into this world, born of a virgin named Mary, according to prophecy. Through Isaiah the Father decreed, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel. {meaning, ‘God with us’}” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). The Kingdom of Heaven would come to earth by sending it’s King, Jesus Christ, to this earth. Jesus is the “Only Begotten of the Father”. He is the only Means by which a person may reach rightness with God. Heaven is a place where the Family of God goes. Jesus Christ came from Heaven to this earth to bring others into His Family. Jesus Christ came to bring “many sons unto glory”. To best explain this let us turn to the Holy Scripture:

Hebrews 2:3-18 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

Heaven is a place for the Children of God. Jesus Christ, THE Son of God, was born into the human family of a virgin. He was born into this temporal place we call “earth” to bring “many sons unto glory”. Heaven is where God’s family is. Jesus said:

Matthew 12:48-49 … Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Who is in the Family of God? Those who have received Jesus Christ as the ONLY Way unto the Father. Who is in the Family of God? Those who have BELIEVED ON Jesus Christ for salvation. What does the Scripture tell us:

John 1:12-13 But as many as received {Jesus}, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Heaven is for the Family of God. When we are born into this life, we are born into the family of man, of mankind. But as Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again”.

1 Corinthians 15:50 … flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

You must be born again (John 3:3, 7). You must be born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Jesus’ “mother and brothers” did not stand outside looking in. Jesus “mother and brothers” are His disciples, those who have received Him as BOTH Lord and Savior. A “disciple” is both a student and a follower.

Heaven Is For Those Who Follow Jesus

Once more Jesus said:

Matthew 12:49-50 … {Jesus} stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Jesus said “those who DO THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN” are His family. There are many who PROFESS Christ, but never have DONE the will of the Father which is in Heaven. What is the Father’s will? Jesus tells us in another place:

John 6:38-40 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The Father’s will is that Jesus Christ would draw a people to Himself, a people who believe in Him. It is the Father’s will that this people, a born again people, would have everlasting life so that they can dwell within the Kingdom of God forever. God’s Kingdom belongs not to the PROFESSOR of Christ, but the one POSSESSED by Christ. Jesus said:

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

The “little flock” are the ones who come to Jesus, who follow Jesus. As Jesus taught on this wonderful day his biological mother and brothers stood outside – OUTSIDE of where He taught. But Jesus’ spiritual family, His spiritual mother and brothers, these are the ones sitting at His feet, thirsting for His word.

Illustrate I have often seen small birds fed worms and crickets and grubs by their mothers. I have seen nature shows where predatory birds will bring pieces of bloody meat to the nest to feed their young. When the elder bird brings the food, the piece of worm or bloody meat, the tiny chicks clamor and fight for a morsel of food. They are thirsty, hungry, desirous of that food. When I see it I think, “Oh, I could never eat that stuff”. And never have I thought to feed such a thing to my baby chicks as they grew up. To do so would be considered child abuse. But for baby chicks … oh, this is the best thing ever!

So it is with Christ and His kingdom.

Those who are Heaven bound are not those looking for 72 eventual virgins, or a river of life fully stocked with waiting trout, nor a wonderful 18 hole holy gold course. Heaven is where family goes. The Family of God loves Jesus, and is found gathered together around Jesus, wanting to hear His every word. The family of God is not of those who seek selfish fulfillment. The Scripture says:

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

The Family of God does not revel in iniquity, nor chase the darkness with the world. The Family of God finds itself kneeling at the feet of Jesus, hanging on His Word, drinking from the Word of God. Heaven will not be populated with those who, like satan and the angels that follow him, reject the Word and the design of God. Jesus said:

John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.

Who are Christ’s sheep? It is those who hear Him and follow Him? Who have eternal life? Those who are in the hand of Christ. Who will one day be in Heaven? Those who are related to Jesus by birth, by NEW BIRTH. Heaven is yours if you have received, believed, and now follow the Son. Heaven is not for a certain DENOMINATION, but for those BORN AGAIN by faith in Him and only Him. Jesus said:

Matthew 7:21-24 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and DOETH them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

The Family of God is at the Feet of God, close to God, heeding what God the Son says. Those who are on the outside, though they may claim kinship, are not the Sons of God. The Sons of Gods find themselves at the feet of the Son of God. The Sons of God are obedient to King Jesus, our elder Brother. The Sons of God serve, gladly serve, the Heaven Father. We live for His smile, not for our satisfaction.

How Are You Daily At The Feet Of Christ?

In the next chapter Jesus speaks of a Sower. He says:

Matthew 13:3-9 Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

When Jesus came to this earth, born of a virgin, He sowed the Gospel seed. He presented Himself as the only Begotten Son of God. He presented Himself as the only way unto God the Father. Many came to be healed of Jesus, but many others rejected Him as Savior and Lord. Is Jesus your Savior and Lord? If He is, then:

You will enjoy hearing His Word. It will not be a chore, but a joy. You will do as Jesus says. You will follow Him. You will live with Him at the center of your life. You will bring forth fruit. Being “saved” will not be regarded as fire insurance, but as a way of life. Jesus will be at the center of your life.

We will more thoroughly study the parable of the Sower in another message. But let me ask you:

Are you a Child of the King, working daily for His glory? If not, may God open your hearts to follow Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen, and Amen!

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Whose Home Are You?

Posted on July 5, 2020 by bibleteacherorg
Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash
Audio of Message

Matthew 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Our Lord Jesus often spoke parables, spiritual stories with heavenly meaning. In one Gospel we are told:

Mark 4:33-34 with many such parables spake {Jesus} the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. 34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Jesus often spoke parables. A disciple asked Jesus one day “Why do You, dear Lord, speak in parables”? Jesus told them:

Mark 4:11-12 … Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Those who were “within” the Family of God would be able to understand the parables because the Children of God go to God, and God explains the parables. But those who are “without”, who have not received Christ as Lord and Savior, would not be able to understand the parable. The Apostle Matthew explains why Jesus spoke in parables by quoting a prophet called Asaph (1 Chronicles 25:2), a message he wrote in Psalm 78:2.

Matthew 13:34-35 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

The purpose of the parable was to hide Heavenly truths from the unconverted, while at the same time using the same parable to share Heavenly and Kingdom truths with those who are Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26).

The Lost Need Jesus, Not Good Works or Theology

The only thing the unbeliever needs to understand is that they are lost, and Jesus can save them. We must all to run to the arms of Jesus. In His arms there is life and hope. Jesus Christ is the Savior Who has conquered death. He has proved to us who believe in Him that He is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him Hebrews 11:6. The Bible tells us that we who are saved by faith in Christ have the ability to understand spiritual truths, for the Spirit of God Who indwells us teaches us (1 Corinthians 2:13). This is the primary function of the Blessed Spirit – to guide us into all truth, spiritual truth (John 16:13). Those who are lost cannot full comprehend the spiritual things the Children of God can. The Apostle declared:

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 … the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

The “natural” {Greek ψυχικός psychikos, meaning “soulish, fleshly, tied to this world”} person, still dead in trespasses and in sins, cannot understand the things of God – His truths – for these things are spiritually discerned. The Holy Spirit enables we who are saved to understand Biblical truth. The unbeliever (those who are without) are blind to Biblical truth because the god of this world, satan, has blinded their minds. The lost can only understand salvation by faith in Christ, and this only with the Spirit’s assistance.

As Jesus spoke this parable, His audience was scribes and Pharisees. Just prior to this parable Jesus condemned the Pharisees and Scribes in the harshest of terms.

  • Jesus called the religious but lost corrupt trees. We read:

Matthew 12:33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Word Study The word “corrupt” is the Greek σαπρός saprós, {pronounced sap-ros’} which means “rotten, worthless, corrupted, unfit to use”. Jesus used this word earlier in His ministry for false prophets:

Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt (saprós) tree bringeth forth evil (ponērós) fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

The Pharisees and scribes, in rejecting Christ, were false prophets. They believed that person could be good enough by keeping the Laws of God, that this person could go to Heaven. Because of this the Pharisees often adopted stricter laws than those placed on the Levitical Priesthood. But Jesus told these people that their fruit was rotten, for their tree was rotten.

Beloved, we are all rotten from birth if we are without Christ. It is rightly said in the most ancient Book of our Bible:

Job 14:4 Who {among humanity}can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? NOT ONE.

And the Prophet Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (17:9) Then there are the words of the Apostle:

Romans 3:10-12 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

We are all born corrupt trees, and we all need Jesus. When someone says “I’ll get my life right, then I’ll come to Jesus”, then you might as well try and empty the ocean with a thimble. It is impossible. The Pharisees thought that their external righteousness made them good trees, but Jesus said “make the bad tree good”. How is that done? Only by coming and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Bible is clear: we are all sinners who need Jesus.

Romans 3:21-26 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a {ἱλαστήριον hilastḗrion, {pronounced hil-as-tay’-ree-on} atonement, satisfactory payment} through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that {God} might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

The Pharisees and Scribes rejected Christ as Lord and Savior, and were therefore bad trees that produced bad and evil fruit.

  • Jesus called the religious but lost vipers or poisonous snakes. We read:

Matthew 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Because the Pharisees and Scribes were self righteous and thought they had no need of a Savior, they did all they could do with their mouths to denigrate and teach against Jesus. They were vipers, poisonous snakes. What is the crucial difference between a harmless garter snaked and a poisonous rattle snake? It is the poison in the mouth of the rattle snake that makes it dangerous. The Pharisees and Scribes, outwardly righteous and inwardly self righteous, used their mouths like a viper would use it’s mouth.

Death is in their mouths, in their teaching!

Jesus reminded the Pharisees – and every self righteous person – that judgment day is coming. The self righteous will stand beside the murderers, the rapists, the child molesters, and the liars at a Great White Throne Judgment. Their words will be the basis of their judgment on that great and terrible day.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

How does one get into the Book of Life? Repent, and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. When we receive Christ as Savior He says “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:28-29). Jesus said “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33). We who are saved are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16), for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth! The Apostle Paul told his trainee Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:11-13 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Only One Sign Is Given To The Lost

The Pharisees and Scribes listened to Jesus, but everything He said was to no avail. They proved that by …

Matthew 12:38 … saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

Our Lord Jesus Christ loves to say “yes”. A wonderful preacher Ray Pritchard wrote in his sermon Soul for Rent:

“When Joseph Parker of London preached on this text over a century ago, he began his sermon by commenting that Jesus rarely said no. He almost always said yes.

He said yes to the hurting.
He said yes to the guilty.
He said yes to the confused.
He said yes to the hopeless.
He said yes to the downtrodden.
He said yes to the rejected.

Jesus nearly always said yes. He delighted to encourage and to console. He fulfilled the words of Isaiah 42:3, “A bruised reed he will not break.” He did not come to heap more pain on those who suffer. He came to lift the load and bear the burdens of those whose lives had been ruined by sin.”

Jesus was always careful to love the sinner, and to meet their needs. It was His desire that all men believe on Him. For this reason Jesus often sought out those in hopeless places. However, with the Pharisees and Scribes, in fact, with all the self righteous, self saved people, Jesus resoundingly said “no”! Jesus said:

Matthew 12:39-40 {Jesus} answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah: 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Jesus called the Scribes and Pharisees “an evil and adulterous generation”. Were they guilty of sexual sin? No!

These self righteous Pharisees and Scribes are guilty of spiritual adultery. They know the Word of God, but their hearts are in love with anyone but God.

Both the Scribes and the Pharisees had access to the Scripture. They had access to the Temple. They had seen Jesus do miracle after miracle. Everything that Jesus did pointed to the reality that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. Yet they rejected Jesus Christ. Jesus told them “the only sign you will see – the only sign the lost will ever be given – is the empty but blood stained Cross of Calvary, and an empty tomb. As Jonah the Prophet was swallowed by a great fish for three days and three nights, Jesus Christ will be entombed for three days and three nights. But neither He, nor Jonah, stayed where they were past the third day.

Jonah went to Ninevah, an Assyrian stronghold, and simply preached:

Jonah 3:4 … Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

The message was simple, and half heartedly delivered, for Jonah hated Assyria. Yet God was behind the message. Their hearts were tender, awaiting the Gospel. The Bible tells us:

Jonah 3:5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

The Bible says in Jonah 3:10 that God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. They heard the Word of God and turned to God our Savior (Jude 25). Jesus told the self righteous Scribes and Pharisees:

Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and, behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

Jesus is greater than Jonah, and He preached repentance and salvation by faith in Him, but was rejected by the self righteous crowd. It is sad that unbelieving pagans would surrender to Jonah’s simple message, but Pharisees and Scribes schooled in the Bible would reject the most perfect sermons ever preached. Oh, what sadness! Jesus went on to speak of the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-15):

Matthew 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

A great ruler, the Queen of Sheba, traveled miles and miles to hear the words of Solomon. But the Pharisees and Scribes did not have to go far to hear the words of Christ, a Person much greater than Solomon.

Man Made Religion Will Not Last Long

Now we come to our focal text. You cannot understand the focal text unless you understand what precedes it.

Matthew 12:43-44 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Man was created to walk with God. Man and woman were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). It was God’s intention and His will that we be with our Creator every day – that we literally walk as He walks, and talk as He talks. It is God’s intent that God be with us, and we with God. But Adam sinned. By one man sin entered the world, and death by sin (Romans 5:12). On the day day, the very day that Adam ate of the forbidden fruit, he and all creation died spiritually. The vessel made for God, to walk with God, gave itself over to evil and darkness.

But God is not content with this. God loves us. So God promised a Messiah to reunite us with Him. He began His promise as He condemned the serpent in Eden:

Genesis 3:15 {God said} I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The woman would have a “seed”. The Messiah would come from the “seed of the woman”. Now, you and I know that no woman has “seed”. She has the egg, and man the seed. But God would come, being born of a virgin.

Isaiah 7:14 … the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Immanuel (Emmanuel) is God with us (Matthew 1:23). Messiah would come, being born of a virgin. The Messiah is God with us. When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior Jesus and the Holy Spirit sweep out our homes.

Hebrews 10:22 … Let us draw near {to God} with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience…

Acts 15:8-9 God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

It is the Blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from all sin (1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 1:7). It is the Holy Spirit Who comes to us at the point of saving faith. We draw near to God, and God draws near to us (James 4:8). When a Christian is saved,

God sweeps out the House, the inner man. God occupies the House. God indwells the believer. God possesses the believer. “We are not our own, we are bought with a price”, the Blood of Jesus Christ.

I could quote numerous verses that teach that, once a person is genuinely saved, the Holy Spirit indwells that person. For instance:

Romans 8:10-11 … if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

The Christian does not “clean himself up” then come to Christ. The Christian comes to Christ to be cleansed. Once cleansed by Christ, covered by the Blood, the Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The blessed Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13). He is in us, representing Christ. We are permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Christianity is not a self help project, but a work of God. There are, I am afraid, many who profess Christ but have not actually met Christ. They cleaned themselves up. And that is what this parable is about. The Pharisees and Scribes were “self made men of God”. They swept their homes, their lives, and cleaned themselves up. But what happens? We read:

Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

The Lord did not say that “the unclean spirit is cast out or exorcised by a priest”. Jesus said that the “unclean spirit is gone out”. The spirit just leaves, wanders off of its own accord. C.H. Spurgeon said “the devil has no objection to his house being swept and garnished”. Some people find morality, or have faith in the false gods of philosophy or Darwinism. They may come to a completely false god such as Allah or the Hindu or Buddhist gods. But their home has not been cleansed by Christ – Jesus has not cleansed out the life, nor sent the Spirit of God to take possession of the home.

Matthew 12:44 Then {the unclean spirit} saith, I will return into MY HOUSE from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Did you notice the unclean spirit’s words? “I will return to MY HOUSE”. He comes back to the good looking but unsaved soul. This person he inhabited was never given to Christ, but his salvation among a forest of good works. It is not the Holy Spirit’s house, but the unclean spirit’s house. What happens when the unclean spirit finds HIS home cleansed?

Matthew 12:45 Then goeth {the unclean spirit}, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

The second occupation is worst than the first. The Apostle Peter put it in these harsh but true words:

2 Peter 2:20-22 … if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

When you are saved by faith in Christ you are no longer a “dog” nor a “pig”, as the Bible uses these words. You are transformed. You are now “sheep”, Jesus Christ’s sheep. Jesus said “I am the good Shepherd, and know MY SHEEP, and am known of MINE” (John 10:14). The Pharisees could not believe in Christ because they were not His sheep (John 10:26). Those who belong to Jesus, listen Beloved, those who belong to Jesus follow Jesus. Our Lord said:

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

So I end with this: Whose Home are You? Do you, like so many today, say “My body, my life”? Or are you possessed of Christ. Have you received Him, not just as Savior, but as LORD. For He is LORD of ALL. To Whom do you belong? If you do not belong to Jesus, then you do belong to the darkness. There are no other choices. Please examine yourselves today. If you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s, then you are inhabited by the Holy Spirit, and are to walk as Jesus walked every day. If you are not Christ’s, I beg you, come to Him on bended knee, and receive Him as He is…

both Savior and Lord!

May God bless this Word, and through His Spirit enable all to understand it. In Christ’s name I prayerfully ask this. Amen and Amen.

Posted in Matthew, Sermon Series "Red Letters", Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Can I Do When All Is Broken (Covid-19 Sermons)

Posted on July 2, 2020 by bibleteacherorg
Photo by Richard Felix on Unsplash

Nehemiah 1:1-4 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven …

I believe our country has lost it’s vision, not to mention it’s mind. Everywhere I look I see more insanity parading about as if it is normal. The news channels are all taken over by madness. Rioting and pillaging along the lines that the Vikings used to do is now considered a First Amendment right. Godliness has taken a sabbatical, and it seems as if darkness reigns. Yet I am not discouraged. I believe when we are in the worst place we can be (and Beloved, we are there), this is the best place we can be.

Now we must rely upon God.

Darkness has assimilated all sanity and rational discourse. In our nation we have First Amendment rights so that all can have free speech. In recent years the colleges and universities have taught our children that the First Amendment only applies to one viewpoint, and if all do not agree with the darkness, they are to be cast out and vilified. If the mob doesn’t get its way, it shouts “Go home, Jacob, Go home!”, and considers itself vindicated. Children running wild in the community are now told that their childish imaginations are more important than what anyone else says. We do not live in a day of tolerance, but of “he (or she) who shouts the loudest must be right”. Insanity and confusion reign. The CHAZ becomes the CHOP which is a microcosm of what used to be the USA. Yet I am not discouraged. I believe when we are in the worst place we can be (and Beloved, we are there), this is the best place we can be.

Now we must rely on God.

Social media is clamping down on anything and everything that does not agree with the darkness. Viewpoints are blocked, fact checked, censored. Fahrenheit 451, a novel published in 1953 by Ray Bradbury, presented a future America where books were outlawed. Offending books were burned by “firemen”. That America is here now. Though books are not being burned by firemen, social media platforms are erasing and blocking any viewpoint that does not agree with the censor. America used to be a place where people could discuss viewpoints. Today the dark mob demands that it’s viewpoint is the only way. Yet I am not discouraged. I believe when we are in the worst place we can be (and Beloved, we are there), this is the best place we can be.

Now we must rely on God.

When Everything Is Confusion And Defeat,
We Must Rely On God

The Bible is the Book of God. Those things that are written in it are things that God our Creator and Father want us to know. The madness that America seems to be gripped in is not unique in the history of the world. God’s Old Covenant people called “Israel” has been in 70 or so years of captivity, first to Babylon and later to Medo-Persia. A nation once blessed by God wandered away from the God Who loved her. The Bible says:

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

If the nation “whose God is the Lord” is blessed, then the nation that has abandoned God is cursed. Israel was cursed. She had turned her back on God, and had lost her freedom. When we refuse to follow God, and choose to follow self, it is not long before destruction comes. This was Nehemiah’s Israel. Nehemiah himself …

was in Shushan the palace

He is not in Israel, but held captive in the conquering King’s home. He was in a position of cupbearer. Many are those who think – if I stay silent when the darkness comes – I will be spared. Beloved, do not think this to be the case. In Nazi Germany many good Germans were silent as the innocent Jews were systematically murdered. Yet all suffered the error of their ways. As a person sows, that person reaps (Galatians 6:7-8). He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity (Proverbs 22:8).

If you let the darkness come, it will soon cover you.
Being silent and complacent will not save you!

Though “cupbearer to the King” is a lowly position, Nehemiah has been largely insulated from suffering. Then he has a visitor.

Nehemiah 1:2 … Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Nehemiah’s “brother” Hanani along with other men of Judah came to visit. Judah was supposed to be the ruling tribe of Israel, the tribe to whom the Throne belonged. Nehemiah asked this governing delegation about Jerusalem, the Capital city of God’s people. They told him:

Nehemiah 1:3 … And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

His homeland is totally destroyed. Those who have not been captured are afflicted and bullied. All of the defenses of the Nation’s Capital are down, destroyed by fire.

Nehemiah 1:4 … And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven …

What did Nehemiah do?

  • Nehemiah SAT DOWN. When trials come we often think, “I’ve got to DO SOMETHING”. Then we run around like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off “doing something”, often just making the water muddier and a bigger mess. We rush to Social Media and post a rant. We call a friend (often an unsaved friend) and complain, marring our testimony. We “do SOMETHING” – what we do does no good whatsoever.
  • Nehemiah WEPT and MOURNED. He cried over what had happened. It is fine to weep and mourn. Our Lord Jesus wept (John 11:35). There is nothing wrong with weeping and mourning, but do not stop there. There are many who, suffering loss, all they can do I weep, whine, and wring their hands. No Beloved, do not stop there. Nehemiah wept CERTAIN DAYS, a determined amount of time. He was not consumed by his anguish, but controlled it. Do not burn up or burn out in the flame of your emotion!
  • Nehemiah FASTED and PRAYED before the God of Heaven. Though alienated from the throne room of Jerusalem, Nehemiah was not alienated from the Throne Room of Heaven. He went to his God in prayer. Our God has promised:

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Illustrate We have all heard of the man who gets lost going somewhere. His wife tells him, “Pull over and ask directions”, but the man is so prideful that he refuses to do so. “I know where I’m going” is his creed, as he gets more and more lost. We are all like this on the highway of life. We think we know where we’re going. We don’t. But God does. We need to “pull over and ask directions”. That’s what Nehemiah did. He heeded the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13).

Prayer is when we “Pull over and ask directions”.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Not WITH Christ, nor APART FROM Christ, but THROUGH Christ. I must pray, and seek God’s direction if I will get out of this mess. Notice how Nehemiah prayed:

Nehemiah 1:5-11 I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: 6 Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. 8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: 9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. 10 Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.

Nehemiah prayed:

  • Humbly. He did not demand of God, but prayed “I beseech Thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God. The Bible says:

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

  • Expectantly. Nehemiah said, “Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now”. Nehemiah approached the throne room of God and honored the Father as the Father. He did not complain nor whine, but asked humbly, expecting much of God.
  • Responsibly. He prayed to “confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses”. So often when we find ourselves in trouble we blame God.

God is NOT to blame. WE ARE!

Nehemiah confessed his sins and the sins of Israel before God our Father. The Bible promises:

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Specifically. Nehemiah said, “O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” He asked God to go before him as he went to the earthly King’s chamber. He wanted to ask the Medo-Persian King for help, so he asked God to prepare that man’s heart. Nehemiah did not limit God, but asked for guidance and control in very specific ways.

Though Nehemiah Had A Secular Job,
He Believed His First Responsibility Was To Glorify God

Nehemiah ends this chapter with:

For I was the king’s cupbearer.

Though Nehemiah had a secular job, he believed the job that he did for God his Savior superseded all else. Every believer in Christ has an earthly calling, and a heavenly calling. We are representatives of God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. The reason that God left us on this earth is to carry His message of reconciliation:

2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Darkness can only be defeated by drawing it toward the Light that is Christ. The Apostle Paul, imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, said:

Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The primary “vocation” of the Christian is to live our lives for our God. We live to honor Him, to spread the good news of His Gospel to a lost and dying world. We are to be sowers. Jesus said:

Matthew 13:18-23 … Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Jesus spoke of four conditions of the soil of the heart. Some will hear God’s Word, and will not understand it. Others will receive the Word, understand it, but will not dwell on it. A third type of person will hear God’s Word, understand it, but reject it because they prefer the darkness. But that fourth type of soil, the ready heart, will receive the good Word of God, and will bring forth much fruit. It is not the Christian’s place to plow the soil, but it is our place to sow the Gospel seed. We do so only after asking God to prepare the hearer.

We Must Never Lose The Vision

The one thing Nehemiah did NOT do was lose his vision and his hope.

I once read the story of Florence Chadwick, the first woman to swim the English Channel. In 1952 she decided to swim the 26 miles from Catalina Island to the California coast. Her mother accompanied her swim by following in a small boat. On the day that she tried this difficult swim, it was very foggy. She told her mama, “I can’t make it; I can’t go any further”. Her mother told her to keep on going, that she wasn’t far from her goal. But the fog kept Florence from seeing the coastline. Defeated, she gave up.

Florence was less than a half a mile from her goal.

Two months later, Florence tried again. She not only made it, but beat a world’s record, finishing two and a half hours faster than anyone had ever done. How did she do it? she got back in the water, and not only did she swim from Catalina Island to California, but she also beat the women’s world record for that distance. How did she do it? She said:

“I kept a picture in my mind of the shoreline. Even though I couldn’t see it with my eyes, it was ever before me. I never lost sight of {my goal}”

Christian, what is YOUR goal in life? A great man, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr, once said:

“The whole concept of the “image of God ” is the idea that all men have something within them that God injected. .. . And this gives [man] a uniqueness, it gives him worth, it gives him dignity. And we must never forget this . . . there are no gradations in the image of God. Every man from a treble white to a bass black is significant on God’s keyboard, precisely because every man is made in the image of God. One day we will learn that. We will know one day that God made us to live together as brothers and to respect the dignity and worth of every man.”

Our nation will not come back to stability until the Gospel of Christ is heard, shared, and magnified. The solution to the problems that ail us as a nation is spiritual. Let us, like Nehemiah, mourn where we have fallen. But let’s not leave it there. You cannot change the world by staying in the salt shaker. Beloved, we are to get out into the world, and love others as Christ has commanded. We need to be salt and light while we can. These are exciting days. Let’s look to God, relying upon Him and His Word. For a better America. In Christ’s name I pray this. Amen and Amen.

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The Godly Must Not Cease

Posted on June 24, 2020 by bibleteacherorg

Psalm 12:1 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Audio of Message

In my lifetime I have seen many wonders. As a child I remember the tape recorder someone gave me (I think it was my Aunt Dot). It was a reel to reel recorder, large and bulky, with a huge hand held microphone. I felt like a movie star as I recorded my voice on it. It was unbelievable technology. I saw tape recorders go from reel to reel, to cassettes, to the miracle of CDs, then DVDs. Apple and Steve Jobs brought the I-Pod to life, where you could store thousands of songs on a tiny hand held device. Today people stream data from I-Phones and I-Pads, or on computers. I remember my Aunt Dot giving me an old manual Smith Corona typewriter. I was fascinated with it. I used it for my school lessons. Typewriters went to Daisy Wheel Printers, to Jet and Toner Printers. Coupled with computers you no longer can find typewriters. Any record players you find are novelty items, or are used by Disc Jockeys to “rap”. I remember my first computer was a TRS-80 Model 3 from Radio Shack. There is no more Radio Shack. I learned “Basic” programming on that TRS-80. The little computer had 48 kilobytes of RAM, two floppy drives, and an 8 megabyte hard disk drive. I had a dial up to the Internet. By today’s standards, that little computer is laughable. I won’t even discuss telephones … though I remember the old black Bell telephone with the hand-held receiver.

Though technology has moved forward at lightening speed – have any of you ever heard of a Beta video system? – it seems as if civilization has moved backwards. In Seattle citizens of that city have taken over 6 city blocks, and have named it first CHAZ and now CHOP. Police are not wanted in the area, and the Mayor of Seattle along with other leaders are endorsing the lawlessness. People are beginning to kill one another in this rebel community. Across our nation citizens are destroying landmarks and statues because they are considered “offensive” by the mob. American history is being re-written and erased. Aunt Jemima products are being renamed because the brand is supposed to be offensive. Uncle Ben’s rice products are also in the process of being renamed, as are Mrs Butterworth’s syrups. People are easily offended nowadays.

Civility is at an all time low. Gone are the days of Ronald Reagan, an elegant statesman with a great sense of humor. President Reagan was not perfect – no one is – but he was not coarse or vulgar. I no longer watch the news – and recommend that you not watch it either. Though news reporter Walter Cronkite was said to be leaning toward Liberal, he nonetheless just reported the news – he did not color it. You cannot watch news on any channel today without being told by the talking heads what you should believe. America seems to be disintegrating socially, moving away from capitalism and freedom and toward socialism and enslavement.

How do we fix this? How do we stop the downward spiral of a country I greatly love and respect – and I know you do, too? The answer is found in the Kingdom of God. I’m not talking about Heaven. Yes, the kingdom of Heaven is indeed the Kingdom of God. But I’m talking about the Kingdom of God on this earth.

If you are a Christian, you are a citizen of the Kingdom of God. The Gospel that Jesus Christ brought to this earth is a Kingdom Gospel. Listen to the Scripture:

Mark 1:14-15 Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Jesus came preaching a Kingdom Gospel message. He came preaching Himself as both the King of this Kingdom, as well as the Door of this Kingdom. Those who received Jesus Christ as Savior were given citizenship in this Kingdom. Once in the Kingdom, Christ’s people were to obey their King. Jesus said:

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Those who are saved by faith in Christ Jesus are translated from the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom of Light. The Scripture says:

Colossians 1:12-23 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And {Jesus} is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were {at one time} alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

God’s children are a member of Christ’s Kingdom. We are to seek first the Kingdom of God and Christ’s righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Our King of Kings gave His life for us who are His Children, and we in turn give our lives to Him. We do not belong to ourselves anymore – but belong to God.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

We, dear Christians, are the purchased property of God. We belong to Him Who paid for us. We are to live for Him – not for ourselves. We are to live for the smile of Christ, not for the pleasure of man.

As God’s people stand UP and stand TOGETHER, walking in the Light of Christ and not in the darkness of this world, the darkness recedes.

But what if God’s people do NOT stand up and stand together in Christ?

When The Godly Cease Obeying God, Confusion Reigns

Psalm 12:1 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

The first two words that King David uttered were:

יָשַׁע yâshaʻ, (pronounced yaw-shah)
יְהֹוָה YaHWeH

Which means “save or deliver us, Great and Everlasting God”. The Hebrew yâshaʻ is used in Scripture to declare how God saved His people out of hopeless and helpless situations. For instance:

Exodus 14:30 Thus the LORD (YaHWeH) saved (yâshaʻ) Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

Israel had her back up against the Red Sea, with the Army of Egypt bearing down on her. God parted the waters, allowing His people to go through an impossible situation. He destroyed the enemy because Israel heard and heeded His Word, and obeyed what He said. God further promised His people as they entered the land of Canaan – a land held by a vastly superior military force:

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; 4 For the LORD (YaHWeH) your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to saved (yâshaʻ) you.

And again, one of my favorite Scriptures is where God says:

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved (yâshaʻ) all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

King David cries out to God because

Psalm 12:1 Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Those who are “godly” cease. Those who are “faithful” to the Kingdom of God have become less and less. Let me illustrate. All throughout your home you have lights – some bulbs, some tubes or LEDs – but lights. As you walk through the home or perhaps your business, turn off the lights one at a time. As you do so the darkness grows. Darkness comes forward almost as a default. Darkness does not have to do anything to be dark. For Darkness to increase, Light need only cease or decrease.

Why has the Godly person ceased? David said:

Psalm 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

The Godly person is speaking “vanity” (שָׁוְא shâvᵉʼ, pronounced shawv), which means “empty words, falsehoods, worthless speech or nothing”. The Godly person is not speaking the Word of God to their neighbors, but is blending in with the darkness. The Godly person is not following the Way of Christ. Jesus prayed for His Church:

John 17:6-11, 14-17 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them… 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Jesus Christ – the Living Word of God – came to earth giving us the Written Word of God. Jesus explained the Word. He explained His Kingdom. His Church is supposed to operate based on the Word of God, what God has declared truth.

So what has caused the degradation of American civility and decency. Rather than cling to God’s Kingdom and God’s Word, too many who are supposed to be “light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8) are not walking as children of Light. Too many are walking as children of Darkness. The light of God – the Church – is not shining. Rather than speaking Biblical truth, many are speaking empty and flattering words to their neighbors.

with a double heart do they speak..

To have a “double heart” is to be divided in your loyalties. To whom are you loyal? Are you loyal to Christ? Do you pledge fealty to God’s Kingdom? A double minded person will not receive blessing from God (James 1:7-8), and a double hearted person brings themselves under the judgment of God. We read:

Psalm 12:3-4 The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

God has said that He will “cut off” (כָּרַת kârath, pronounced kaw-rath’) the flattering lips and the proud tongue. The word kârath means to destroy, or make empty. When empty philosophies and foolish words are shared throughout the community as truth, that community stands in judgment from God. When God’s people live by and uphold God’s Word, then blessing comes to them.

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

But when a people move away from God’s Word and begin to follow the actions of the kingdom of darkness, God warns:

1 Corinthians 6:8-10 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not …

Galatians 6:7-9 … Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

The Christian must not become a part of the darkness. God is Lord over the believer. The Christian belongs to Jesus. Everyone belongs to either God, or the darkness.

Psalm 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

As the darkness increases, the poor and needy suffer. To be like Jesus, we who are blessed of Him are to bless others within our bounty. Our God is compassionate, and promises to rise up against those who stand against the needy, who celebrate greed and the darkness. As darkness grows, those who suffer the most are the poor and needy. The godless politicians with their big bank accounts are never hurt, as are the poor and needy. The poor need to hear the Gospel (Matthew 11:5; Luke 4:18; 7:22). All people need to hear the Gospel of the Kingdom.

We Must Get Back To The Bible

Psalm 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Beloved, if the Church is going to make a difference, we as believers must get back to the Bible. We must trust and affirm the Word of God. God tells this of His Word:

Psalms 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

The philosophies and foolishness of this world are not of God. The Way of God is the Word of God, the Bible. We as His Children are called to hear and heed His Word, and to share His way with others. Will we be hated or disparaged for standing on God’s Word? Of course. Jesus said:

John 15:18-20 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Yes, we will be hated, dear Christian. The darkness never loves the light. People reject Christ and His Words because their deeds are evil.

John 3:20-21 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Expect to be misrepresented. Expect to be hated. Expect to be slandered. But also expect God to keep His promise. He said:

Psalm 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

God always protects His own words. He fulfills every promise, and does exactly as He has said He will do. Though the word of man changes daily, God’s Word endures.

1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

God’s Word, often misrepresented and shunned by a lost world and a sometimes wandering Church, His Word will stand. Theologian James Boice wrote:

“The French atheist Voltaire … once said, ‘In twenty years Christianity will be no more. My single hand shall destroy the edifice it took twelve apostles to rear.’ He wrote that in fifty years no one would remember Christianity. But in the year he wrote that, the British Museum paid the Russian government five hundred thousand dollars for a Bible manuscript while one of Voltaire’s books was selling in the London book stalls for just eight cents.”

God’s Word will endure. God’s Kingdom will, in time, push back the darkness. And in the end of time, satan and his disciples shall be cast into a lake of fire. But God’s people, saved by faith in His written Gospel, will endure forever. David ends this Psalm with:

Psalm 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

The “wicked” do not pick a side. They walk on EVERY side. It is wicked to compromise with the darkness. Let us who are Christ’s children choose to follow our Master and Savior. Let us be like that great old Saint Joshua. On the day he retired, he addressed the nation Israel, saying:

Joshua 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. 15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

I along with Joshua – and I hope along with you, my blessed brothers and sisters in Christ – choose to serve the Lord. This Bible is true, and I stand firmly upon all that it affirms. May God touch your hearts with His Word and His Spirit this very day. Amen and Amen!

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3. The MUSTS Of Christianity: The MUST Of Decreasing Self

Posted on June 22, 2020 by bibleteacherorg
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Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

John 3:30 {Jesus} must increase, but I must decrease.

Audio of Message

If you think you have everything, you will never seek the more. Many profess Christ, think they are saved, but when I ask them “Are you saved?” they tell me “I hope so”. Now “hope” is a fine thing. The Bible tells us “and now abideth faith, HOPE, and love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Biblical hope is not human “hope so”.

Biblical hope is a certain knowledge that, though you have not received the promises, you will receive the promises because God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9).

When the Apostle wrote of “hope” he said:

Romans 5:5-6 … hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

To Paul hope was not a gamble. He knew that God would come through. There was no doubt in his mind. Why? Because

God promised to send the Messiah, and send the Messiah He did.
God promised to send the Spirit, and send the Spirit He did.

God wants you to have a “know so” salvation. He said:

John 20:31 But these {words} are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

The words we are focused on today are words spoken by John the Baptist. Once more, he said:

John 3:30 {Jesus} must increase, but I must decrease.

I have shopped in Christian bookstores all over the world, but have never seen a trinket or a bauble with these words on it. I have seen all types of bumper stickers on cars, from fish (pointed to the right of to the left) to “Honk if you love Jesus”. But I’ve never seen these words on a bumper, engraved on a cup, or on a pithy sign that hangs in a person’s home. That’s not to say there isn’t something like that – but I’ve just not seen it. It’s very rare. I think I know why.

In our world today we are taught from the cradle “you are special”. We are told on television shows “just be you”. We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries where the spotlight is on us. Every commercial on the television selling something tells you “you deserve this”. The devil has engineered all advertising, media, radio, whatever to promote “you are the center of the YOUniverse”. We have, as a nation, gone through a national “time out”, practicing social distancing and self quarantining because “you matter”. Congress has passed out “free” money, 1200$ per person, because “we want you to be taken care of”. Now there’s nothing wrong with this. If we are under mandate to stay home from work then we shouldn’t starve. But Beloved, the day is coming when “you will have to pay this money back”. We don’t want to think about it, but it is so very true.

The concept that Jesus Christ must increase and I must decrease is so foreign to everything I have ever been taught as a person that it is almost like a foreign language. Yet it is the core of Christianity, the center of our faith.

The Words Were Spoken By John The Baptist

Even as I work on this sermon the devil whispers in my ear,

“You know YOU’VE got other things YOU should be doing today. Let’s put this down and worry about it another day. After all, YOU matter!”

The devil will do all he can to keep you from hearing this message. Your phone will ring. A friend will drop by to visit. Someone will text you a smiley face. A child will stub its toe and cry. Your stomach will rumble. A bee will fly by your head.

To understand this wonderful statement,

John 3:30 {Jesus} must increase, but I must decrease.

You need to understand it in it’s context. First of all, it is in the same chapter of John where Jesus said “You MUST be born again” (John 3:7). The words we are now examining are not the words that our Lord Jesus spoke, but they are nonetheless words from the mouth of God. These words were spoken by John the Baptist.

Who was John the Baptist?

John the Baptist was – according to our Lord Jesus – the Greatest Prophet who ever lived. Jesus said of His cousin John:

Matthew 11:11 … Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist …

Jesus told us …

Matthew 11:13-15 … For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is {Elijah}, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The Jews knew the Biblical story of Elijah. God told His people:

Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

The Prophet Elijah was the greatest Prophet up to the time of John the Baptist. Elijah never died, but was taken up to Heaven by a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:9-12). Because of that, and the text in Malachi, the Jewish Rabbis taught that Elijah would return just prior to the coming of the Lord (see Mishnah (Edduyot 8:7).

Jesus told us that John the Baptist was the Elijah prophesied to come (Matthew 11:14). Jesus Christ is the Son of God come to save us from our sins. When John the Baptist went out into the wilderness and began preaching and baptizing in the river Jordan the Bible says:

John 1:19-23 … the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. … 22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet {Isaiah}.

John the Baptist did not see himself as important as Elijah was, but knew that he was the herald, the one who would precede the King of Glory. Thus he quoted the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3-5, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord”.

John was the greatest Prophet who ever was. He was the last Prophet of the Old Testament, ushering in the ministry of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. John baptized Jesus because Jesus commanded it, saying “you must do so, for we must fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

After baptizing Jesus something happened. The crowds that used to come to John the Baptist began to fall off. Why? Because John was the Herald of Christ. John could not save anyone. His Baptism was a baptism of works. When people came to John to be baptized he told them:

Matthew 3:8-12 … Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

John warned all – especially the Pharisees – that they needed to repent, and to show their repentance by their works. John was the last Prophet under the Law of Moses. He could not save anyone. But Jesus could. Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). John pointed AWAY from himself. He said:

“BEHOLD – LOOK AT JESUS – He is THE Lamb of God!”
(John 1:36, my paraphrase)

Jesus alone is the Christ. So John’s crowd begins to thin. As it does John’s disciples come to him, indignant and hurt. They tell John …

John 3:26 … Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.

John, you were here first! You were baptizing long before this Jesus came by. What are you going to do about this? The power of John’s ministry is shown in his words. He replied:

John 3:27 … A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

These are wonderful words that we all have trouble absorbing. I have to admit when many flock to other preachers but few to myself I feel in my breast that old sin nature, saying, “Why not me, Lord? Why not me?” That is nothing but pride, self rising up.

John had the greatest gift that God can give a man. He had the gift of knowing who he was, and who God is.

As great as John was, and as great a number that came to him to be baptized, John knew that the very nature of His ministry was that he had to decrease. Once the King has come, what need is there of the Herald. John quickly added:

John 3:28-29 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom …

Heaven had given John the glorious duty of being Herald to the King of Kings. But now the King of Kings has come. John sent men to Jesus. Now his crowds are growing smaller. He had done as God gave him to do. John was not the Bridegroom, the Husband of the Church. This was Jesus’ place. Jesus Christ came to build His Church (Matthew 16:18). John was at best a doorman who pointed the way to Christ. John was not important. We are not important. The One Who is important is Jesus Christ. Once you understand this “no flesh will glory in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:29). John said of Jesus:

John 3:31-36 …. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Jesus Christ is THE Son of God. The rest of us – David Buffaloe included – are nothing compared to Him. John could not save, and neither can Charles Stanley, Adrian Rogers, C.H. Spurgeon, or even this foolish country preacher. Only Jesus can give life. Only Jesus can make peace between us and God.

Jesus must increase, but I must decrease!

You Cannot Be SAVED Without This Truth

John 3:30-31, 36 {Jesus} must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

In order to be “saved” a person must humble themselves, and come to Jesus Christ alone. The very first word in salvation is “repent”. The word “repent” is the Greek μετανοέω metanoeō which means “to change the mind”. Greek scholar F.F. Bruce wrote in his Greek Text Commentary The Acts of the Apostles:

“Repentance (metanoia, ‘change of mind’) involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness.”

This word is used as the KEY word in:

  • John the Baptist’s sermons: (Matthew 3:2) Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
  • Jesus Christ’s sermons: (Matthew 4:17) Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. And in (Luke 13:5) Luke 13:5 – I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. And in (Luke 15:10) I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. It is in many other scriptures, but I will continue on.
  • Peter’s sermons: (Acts 2:38) Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. And in (Acts 3:19) Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
  • Paul’s sermons: (Acts 17:30-31) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man {Jesus Christ}whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

To repent is to humble yourself before God, and receive Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior. To repent is to reject the flesh with it’s sin, and cling to the Savior Who is able to deliver thee.

Take away the “H” from the word “F-L-E-S-H”, and invert the word. What does it spell? S-E-L-F. To be saved you must cease following the flesh, the SELF.
The mark of the lost is that they are in the F-L-E-S-H!

Romans 7:5-6 For when we were in the FLESH, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Those “in the flesh” are those who have not yet met the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. They may PROFESS Christ, but are not POSSESSED of Christ. The Christian is a person who WAS in the flesh but, repenting, turned to Christ Jesus for salvation. Because of Jesus we who are His receive his Holy Spirit. Now we walk not by our opinion, but by God’s. We live our lives directed by his Word and His Spirit. God saves a person so that we can walk a new way through life. How? The Apostle said:

Romans 8:4-8 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Beloved, unless you humble yourself, God cannot lift you up (1 Peter 5:6). Unless you humble yourself, you cannot receive the Grace of God. God gives greater grace. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

Praise Him, Believer, if you know Him! Praise Him, for it is He Who:

Colossians 1:12 … hath made us {acceptable} to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light..

You Cannot Be SANCTIFIED Without This Truth

Jesus must increase, but I must decrease!

One of the sad facts of modern Christianity is that there is much preaching on salvation, much preaching on deliverance from hell, much preaching on God lifting us up when we are down, but little preaching on SANCTIFICATION. Yet SANCTIFICATION – becoming like Jesus – is at the heart of our faith.

If you are saved, Christ professor, then there is to be LESS of you and MORE of Jesus. We are to imitate Christ. We are not to imitate the Law. Why? Because when you imitate the Law you become like a Pharisee. You outwardly look religious, but inwardly are filled with self. Those who imitate the Law focus on the EXTERIOR and not the INTERIOR. Jesus emphasized this in His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus spoke of the Law, but then said “but I say unto you”, then gave the INTERIOR of what God wants us to be. For example:

Matthew 5:21-24 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Man looks at the Law against murder (the 6th commandment) and says “I haven’t taken anyone’s life”. But Jesus looks to the interior. We are to love others sacrificially, just as Jesus loves us. While we were yet sinners – offensive to God – Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We cannot serve God – taking a gift to the altar – unless we first are at peace with those around us. Jesus said:

Matthew 5:27-28 … Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

The Pharisee said “I have never violated the 7th commandment, physically or OUTWARDLY touching a woman not my wife”. But Jesus takes it inward. Have you LOOKED at a woman as a sex object? Have you looked at a man with lust in your heart. That person is made in the image of God. That person was made to be saved, brought into the Kingdom of God. That person was not made to gratify your appetites.

We who are saved are called to imitate Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit of God. Let God Himself preach the ending of this sermon:

Ephesians 5:1-11 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints (those who are SANCTIFIED); 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whore monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (see also Galatians 5:16-25).

We who are saved are not to walk imitating the Law.
We who are saved are not to walk imitating the world.
We who are saved are to walk imitating Jesus Christ.

Whoever says he abides in Jesus ought to walk in the same way in which He walked (1 John 2:6). Let us, together, walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2). And if you are not saved by faith in Jesus Christ, I beg you, REPENT, and turn to Him. Jesus is faithful to save all that believe in Him. Bow the knee to Him Who died for you. May God bless this sermon by His Spirit and by His Word. Amen and Amen.

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God Is Not Racist (And You Shouldn’t Be, Either)

Posted on June 21, 2020 by bibleteacherorg
God Is Not Racist Audio File

Racism is a sin. As I say these words, I know there are many people of one color who wince when I say it, but many people of another color that will cheer. Please note I did NOT say “Racism is a WHITE sin”, nor did I say “Racism is a BLACK sin”, nor do I say “Racism is a RED sin” or “Racism is a YELLOW sin”. Racism is not tied to a single color. Like all sins, it comes from people of every color.

Racism looks at the outside appearance of a person and makes a judgment about that person because of that outside appearance. Jesus said “judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24)

God made us in His image and after His likeness. Every person has value. Every one, every color. Racism has hindered the growth of Christ’s Church from the very beginning. Today we’re going to read a true story about the early Church and racism. The story is in Acts 10. As we read through this story I am going to talk about it.

Cornelius Is A Light Skinned Italian Gentile
Who Believes In God But Doesn’t Know Messiah

Acts 10:1-2 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

The Bible tells us several things about Cornelius. First, Cornelius was a Centurion. He was a soldier in the Army of Rome. He was a high ranking non-commissioned officer, in charge of up to 600 men. Furthermore, Cornelius was a light skinned man. The Bible does not specifically tell us the color of his skin, but says he is of the Italian cohort. We know from ancient records that the “Italian” cohort was a group of Roman volunteers from Italy. Cornelius was a Gentile, not a Jew. Nonetheless, Cornelius knew of and loved God. The Bible describes Cornelius as:

A DEVOUT or DEVOTED believer
A GOD FEARING believer
A GENEROUS and GIVING believer, and
A PRAYING believer

The Gospel of Jesus Christ had not yet been preached to Cornelius, and he had not been baptized. Yet Cornelius knew God, and needed to know the Messiah had come. Like many of the Jews he had heard of God through contact with the Temple, but …

Cornelius had not been told of Jesus Christ yet. Why? Because of racism.

Not because of Jesus’ racism, for Jesus was not racist. But because of Jesus’ followers racism. Jesus told His early predominantly Jewish Church:

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH.

The Gospel was to be preached to the Jews first, but ALSO to the Gentiles. Jesus made this plain. Yet the early Church, led by Peter, confined it’s teaching and preaching to the Temple on Solomon’s Court. Somebody needed to tell Cornelius that the Messiah had come. The Jews in the early Church did NOT go to the Gentiles with the Gospel, and especially NOT to the Roman soldiers. The Jews were prejudiced against the Roman Army, for it was this Army that conquered Jerusalem.

God Himself could have told Cornelius about His Son Jesus. After all, God told Abraham about Jesus.

Jesus said to the Jews, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (John 8:56). God prophesied of the Messiah through Isaiah, Jeremiah, the Psalmist David, and Daniel. Others had learned of Jesus Christ apart from a witness from His disciples. But this is contrary to God’s command. God told the early Church to go and tell the world. The Church initially did not. But God was not silent. Somehow Cornelius came to meet God, and prayed to God.

Acts 10:3-6 {Cornelius} saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

Cornelius was praying about 3 pm, the time when the Jews traditionally prayed their evening prayers (Exodus 29:39, 41; Numbers 28:3-31; 1 Kings 18:29-36; Psalms 55:17; 141:2). As he prayed, God spoke to him through a Heavenly Messenger. He gave Cornelius specific instructions. He was to “send men to Joppa, and have Simon Peter return to speak to you”. Cornelius did not debate with God – he OBEYED God. He sent men to Joppa. God spoke to Cornelius, telling him what to do in a vision. “Peter shall tell you what to do” (Acts 10:6).

Peter Was A Dark Skinned Jewish Believer In Christ
In A Purely Jewish Church

The next day as Cornelius’ men drawn near to Joppa, Peter is in prayer about noon. God has a word – once more – for Peter. God brings the word to Peter because, as the leader of the Apostles, he is in the best place to correct the racist course of the Church.

Acts 10:9-15 Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

Among the Jews there were certain animals that were considered clean, and they could be eaten or even sacrificed in the Temple unto God. Other animals were considered unclean, and were not to be eaten. God lowered an image of both clean and unclean animals before Peter’s eyes, telling him to “Rise, Peter, kill and eat”. Peter says “I’ll not do it, Lord. I have never eaten anything common or unclean”. God’s reply? “What I have cleansed, do not call it common or unclean!” As Peter saw this vision, wondering what it meant, Cornelius’ men showed up at the gate.

Acts 10:17-22 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

What did the animals – both clean and unclean – symbolize in Peter’s vision? God made it clear by timing the arrival of the Gentiles to Peter’s home as the vision ended. These animals symbolized the variety found in humanity. In the Old Testament God had people sacrifice clean animals on an altar to atone for sin. These animals represented the One Who would come to save us, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God made all the creatures, and made them diverse. God made all the humans, and made us diverse. God loves all people, and wants all people to come to salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:23-27 Then {Peter} called them in, and lodged {these Gentiles for the night}. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea {a Roman stronghold}. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

Cornelius was not the only person at his house that day. When Peter and several of his friends arrived with Cornelius’ escorts, they found “many that were come together”. When Cornelius saw Peter he fell down at Peter’s feet, and worshiped Peter. Peter told him:

Stand up; I myself also am a man

Peter was right. No man should bow down or worship another man. This is satanic, idolatrous, evil. Only God is to be worshiped, only God is to be knelt to.

Peter was right in his statement … but now he goes on to make a wrong statement. Peter, like all of us humans, is often half right and half wrong. He says:

Acts 10:28 Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation..

Now wait a minute. Think on that statement: It is an UNLAWFUL THING for a man that is a JEW to keep company or come unto (visit) one of another nation. Where is this at in God’s Law? Listen to me:

Peter Was Taught Racism By Fallen Humans,
But Racism Is Not Taught By God

Nelson Mandela, a brother in Christ (now with our Lord) who stood against apartheid in South Africa, once truly said:

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.”

Think about Peter’s statement to Cornelius for a moment. Listen to it again:

it is an UNLAWFUL THING for a man that is a JEW to keep company, or come unto one OF ANOTHER NATION

We saw earlier that Jesus gave specific instructions to the early Jewish Church to go into the whole world and tell every nation about the Gospel. But Peter is saying for him to go into a Gentile is “unlawful”. Unlawful based on what. On Scripture? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

There is absolutely nothing in the Scripture that tells a Jew to shun or stay away from Gentiles. Nothing, nowhere. The “Law” that Peter quotes is not from God, but from man.

Deuteronomy 10:17-19 For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which REGARDETH NOT PERSONS, nor taketh reward: 18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and LOVETH THE STRANGER, in giving him food and raiment. 19 LOVE YE THEREFORE THE STRANGER: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

The “stranger” is a direct reference to people not like Israel. When Israel as a nation was going to be blotted out by famine, God sent Joseph into Egypt to prepare the way for Israel. God used Egypt to save Israel, when Israel was “a stranger”. This command is repeated numerous times throughout the Old Testament. God said:

Exodus 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a STRANGER, nor oppress him: for ye were STRANGERS in the land of Egypt.

Leviticus 19:33-34 And if a STRANGER sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the STRANGER that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were STRANGERS in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

“Strangers” were the Gentiles who lived all around Israel (see Jesus remark about the Samaritan in Luke 17:18). In fact, God prophesied that when Messiah came, He would come for the Gentiles as well as the Jews (Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:6; 60:1-3). The Bible is very clear that God loves all people, all nationalities, and all people are made in God’s image. The Scripture is very clear:

John 3:16 For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2 Corinthians 5:19 … God was in Christ, reconciling THE WORLD unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Romans 8:32 {God} spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us ALL,

The “unlawful” thing that Peter had been taught was a part of man’s warped religious racism.

Acts 10:28 Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

When we as humans degrade others, we are not doing a Godly thing. We are doing a satanic thing. It is satan’s desire to bring confusion and destruction into our blessed Country, Country I dearly love. Satan is using red, yellow, black, and white people to perpetuate racism. Some are using slanderous words, others are using words like “white privilege” or “white guilt”. These words are as much racist as is the other rhetoric. God does not look at the skin, but at the heart. Do you know Him? Are you a child of God by faith in Christ? Where is your heart? God says:

Romans 2:9-11 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

To the person marching peacefully, you have that right as an American. Let your voice be heard. But to the person rioting, damaging property, hurting people because of their color or their uniform, you will stand before the Holy and Righteous God one day and give an account. This God is not red, yellow, black, or white. This God is Eternal. This God is the god Who made you, and could care less what your skin tone is. To those who are in charge God says:

Ephesians 6:9 … ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; NEITHER IS THERE RESPECT OF PERSONS WITH HIM.

To God, every person has value. Every person is made in God’s image. There were times in the Old Testament when God ordered Israel to destroy certain people groups, but this had nothing to do with skin color but with sin. James, the stepbrother of Christ, warned Christians saying:

James 2:8-9 If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

To treat people as less than or inferior to yourself is NOT part of God’s Law, but a direct VIOLATION of God’s Law. We, like Peter, need to heed what God says in His Word – not what some man made law or custom says.

Godly Love Opens The Door To Sharing & Receiving The Gospel

Continuing our story, Peter asks Cornelius,

Acts 10:29 … I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

Cornelius tells Peter:

Acts 10:30-33 Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Peter did what God told him to do ….. finally! Peter was a leader in the early Church, but was not the first one to reach out to the Gentiles. A deacon named Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to an Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:29-37) and led him to Christ. But Peter, along with the majority of the Jewish Church, stayed where they were comfortable … until now. Cornelius told Peter, in essence, “because you came, we are ALL of us Gentiles present before God. We are ready to hear what God told you to tell us.” Peter says:

Acts 10:34-43 Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

As Peter shared the Gospel to the Gentiles, the need of every person for Jesus Christ, God gave the same sign to Peter that He first gave on the Day of Pentecost. The Gentiles believed on Jesus and were saved. In obedience to Christ these men were baptized as Jesus commanded. Praise God! Praise God!

Beloved, we as God’s people must not be drawn into racism. The world relabels racism. Do not fall for words like “white privilege”, “white guilt”, “black lives matter”. If it is popular with the world, you can know it is against God. What is God’s standard? It is to show respect for every person, regardless as to their color or custom. God tells us in Christ that every life matters. If you are treating people of a different color with little respect then, beloved, you are racist. If you are looting and burning things which are not your own, you are a thief and a rioter. God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). And Jesus demands that every person you meet, you are to treat with respect and love. Jesus said in both Testaments of our Bible:

Leviticus 19:18 … thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself …

Romans 13:9-10 … Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

We are to love one another. Love for others is what turned the Jewish Church from racism to what Christ intended – a Church that reached out to all people. Jesus died for the world. Let us share Him with others while we have breath. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen.

May God the Holy Spirit touch our hearts with His Word this very day!

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Kiss The Son

Posted on June 18, 2020 by bibleteacherorg
Audio File

Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

There are man made laws, and God made laws. Man made laws are often foolish.

  • In Juneau, Alaska you are prohibited from bringing your pet flamingo into a barbershop, while in Fairbanks it is illegal to serve alcohol to a moose.
  • In Quitman, Georgia you cannot change the clothing on a storefront mannequin unless the shades are down.
  • In New Orleans, Louisiana it is illegal to gargle in public.
  • Women in Minnesota can face 30 days in jail for impersonating Santa Claus.
  • In Oklahoma, people who make ugly faces at dogs can be fined or jailed.
  • At restaurants in Memphis, Tennessee, any pie must be eaten on the premises.

I could go on and on. I have no idea why some laws were put in place, but I suspect they had a good reason (or so they thought) when the laws were placed on the books. I remember one episode of Andy Griffith (the greatest show, ever) where a hill billy family came to town, and stopped at a “memorial horse trough”. As they filled the radiator of their old truck up with water, Sheriff Andy came and told them “It’s illegal to fill your radiator from the memorial horse trough”. The head of the clan, without a smile, said “If I see a horse anywhere, I’ll get out of the way.”

Man made laws often make no sense. They’re not as funny when they effect human life. But God made laws are always certain.

Like the Law of Gravity, or the Law of Aerodynamics, God made laws are given to humanity for our protection and blessing. When we violate God’s laws we cause hurt.

Violating God’s Laws brings disease and death. God told Adam in Eden:

Genesis 2:17 … of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Adam listened to the serpent’s lie (the serpent is satan. See Revelation 12:9). What happened? Just what God promised. By one man sin entered the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all, for all have sinned (Romans 5:12). God’s Word stands true. It is as true as is gravity. We are all sinners because of Adam’s transgression. But, praise God, our Heavenly Father is merciful. Our Father sent Jesus Christ to us, to bless whosoever will.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

The bad news is that humanity took a bad path away from God, and are racing toward destruction and death. But the good news is the Father, our Creator, offers us an alternative. Let us all strive to …

Kiss The Son

“Kiss the Son” means more than just an empty act with your lips. Many a young man has kissed a young woman for a temporary pleasure, but without any idea of commitment. Many claim to “kiss the Son”, but their hearts are not given to it. Both Isaiah as well as Jesus spoke of those hypocrites, who …

Matthew 15:8-9 …. draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

To claim love of God but to reject His Word and His Laws in favor of man made laws never pleases God. What God has said to us in His Word in truth. We are set apart as God’s people by our allegiance to His Word. Jesus Christ prayed for His Church, asking the Father to …

John 17:17 … Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

If you love God, you will love His written Word. If you love God, you will love His Living Word. The Pharisees claimed to love God, but despised Jesus. They loved to twist the written Word of God, to manipulate it so that they could live their lives as they wished regardless as to God’s decreetive will. There are many people who claim to be Christians today who do they very same thing. I was told by a brother in Christ that another professing Christian is spreading hatred toward a Church I know. Why? Because the Pastor of that Church preached that it is wrong to live together in sexual contact without being married. This so called Christian is living with his girlfriend, believing what he is doing is absolutely right. Beloved, though man’s law may say that such behavior is acceptable, it is God’s Law and God’s Decree that matters. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, what do we pray? Do we not pray:

Matthew 6:9-10 Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, THY WILL BE DONE in earth, as it is in heaven.

Do we not end the Lord’s prayer with,

Matthew 6:13 … FOR THINE {O FATHER} IS THE KINGDOM, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

God is our King, the King of Kings. His Word must be not only heard, but obeyed. Jesus told the Pharisees:

John 8:42-45 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to manifest God to us. He came to show us the Father’s heart. If you love the Father, you will kiss the Son. You will cherish Jesus, and live your lives pleasing unto Him. You will obey the Words He speaks.

The lost do not want to kiss the Son. They want nothing of Jesus. Let us look to our focal text. The Psalmist – who is saved – asks a question:

Psalm 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

Why is the world in disarray? Why is America in such a mess right now? Some will blame it on a political party. The Democrats will blame the Republicans, the Republicans the Democrats, and the Libertarians will blame them both. Some blame the President, the others the House or the Senate. The sad truth is we as a nation are in such disarray because we refuse to kiss the Son. We refuse to acknowledge the rule of God. Throughout the Old Testament Israel suffered when her leadership – political, business, and religious – refused to honor God. The Psalmist says:

Psalms 2:2-3 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

The liberal ruling governors mock God. Much of our Legislature has minimized the necessity of God. The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence states:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The idea of liberty as flamboyant as American liberty is requires a moral and God fearing people. We have wandered from God. We do not kiss the Son – nor do we seem to care much for the Father, or even for our fellow man. Our Lord Jesus came from glory and told us:

Matthew 22:37-40 … Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The basis for a civil society is a people who love the Lord. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12). Conversely, where the nation turns away from God and from treating those around you as created in God’s image, that nation begins to disintegrate from the inside out.

Beloved, we need to kiss the Son. To reject His Word and His will while trying to be our own god is futile. The Psalmist said:

Psalm 2:4-5 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

The God of Scripture is the Maker of Heaven and Earth. The God of the Scripture has designed the earth and the creatures on it, and has given us right and holy Words to live by.

To Kiss The Son We Must Repent

The beginning of a blessed life is to repent, to turn from being your own god, and turning to the One Who is God. Jesus came preaching:

Matthew 4:17 … Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

To repent is to turn from being your own god, and to turn to Him that is God. To repent is to cease following your will, and follow God’s will. To repent is to turn from sin, and toward the Savior. When Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, He came to save the sinner. Jesus said:

Matthew 9:13 … I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

As Jesus went from town to town healing people, doing miraculous things, He continually called people to repentance. Jesus said “Fall in love with Me. Follow Me. Cast your sins upon Me. Let Me be your Guide. Imitate Me, not the world. Hear My Word, and you will be blessed.”

Though Jesus called people to repentance, many chose instead to continue to follow their own paths. Jesus cried over those who would not listen to Him.

Matthew 11:20-30 {Jesus began cry over} the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The way unto the blessed life, the blessed family, the blessed community, the blessed city, the blessed country is to kiss the Son. To come unto Jesus as a child, as a simple minded person. The way of peace and blessing is hidden from those who think they know it all. But the way of peace and blessing is revealed to those who come to Jesus.

Take His Yoke upon you.
Pick up His Cross, bear it with Him.
Learn of Jesus, and be like Him.
He Humbly follows the Father,
We humbly follow Him.
Bind your life and thoughts to Christ.
Obey His Word, and Kiss Him with obedience.
Humble yourselves, following Him daily.
This is where life begins – immersed in the Son.

One day Jesus was visiting a friend by the name of Simon the Leper. I suspect that this man was one the lepers that Jesus once healed. Simon the leper was also a Pharisee – and he had in himself a bit of self righteousness. The Bible tells us that …

Luke 7:37-38 … And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

This woman was “a sinner”. When this phrase was applied to women, it usually meant that they were involved in some sort of sexual sin. This woman said not a word to Jesus, but stood behind Him and treated Him with love and respect. She washed the feet of Him Who died for us, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. As the smell of the perfume that she anointed Jesus with went through the house, it was the wondrous smell of Grace. Jesus looked at this precious woman and said:

Luke 7:48-50 … Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

“Who is this Who forgives sins also?” This is Jesus. This is the One of Whom God said:

Psalm 2:6-11 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. 10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Those who serve Jesus with love – who kiss the Son – they shall be blessed. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life … no man comes unto the Father but BY HIM (John 14:6).

There is blessing in following Christ. But there is cursing in rejecting God’s Son. C.H. Spurgeon said:

“Some of you are this day fitted on the bow of sin. Some of you are whistling onward towards death, despair, and hell. Sin is the path to hell and you are traveling it with lightening speed. … Oh, kiss the Son, I beseech you, for if you kiss Him not, if you receive not His Grace and Mercy, perish you must. There is no hope for you, desperate, without remedy, your end must be, if you will not yield your pride and submit to Jesus!”

There is no salvation without Christ. There is no satisfactory life without Christ. There are but two sides to life. There is Team Jesus, and there is Team World. Team Jesus has the promise:

John 10:28 I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

But Team World will one day hear:

Matthew 25:41 … Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

The choice is yours, dear friends. You can follow the world toward destruction, or Christ toward grace and glory. What will you choose? What will YOU choose?

Psalm 2:12 … Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

May God open your eyes to heed His Word, and live. Amen and Amen!

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