Tag Archives: Jesus Christ

The Only Way Home

Should ALL of us have untroubled hearts? When Jesus said “Let not your heart be troubled” – the Greek mē tarassō – this is a command that can be translated,

“Stop letting your heart be troubled”

Who was Jesus speaking to when He said this? Jesus is speaking to Thomas (verse 5). He is teaching Philip (vs 8), and Jude (vs 22). Jesus was addressing John, because he recorded the conversation. In short, Jesus was addressing those who loved Him and followed Him. Jesus was addressing those willing to sit at His feet and be taught.

“You believe in God – believe ALSO IN ME”

Preach! Jesus was not talking to the religious crowd, those who are self righteous or self sufficient. Jesus is talking to people who heard His call, “Come, follow Me”. And He is telling them “Just as you believe in GOD – believe in ME for I AM GOD”. I’m not a Rabbi. I’m not just a Teacher. I am God the Father’s Son, sent from glory to you. Your faith in the Father – the same quality of faith should be in Me!

The disciples had many exposures to religious teachers – Sadducees, Pharisees, Scribes, and Herodians – who all claimed to be the Way to God. But, like the Pharisees and Sadducees – they elevated human tradition over the Word of God. Jesus told them – and us:

John 8:42-44 NKJV IF GOD WERE YOUR FATHER, YOU WOULD LOVE ME, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO… Continue reading →

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Standing For Jesus In The Devil’s World

1 Corinthians 4:6-8 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us NOT TO THINK OF MEN ABOVE THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

Last week we saw how Paul talked of our stewardship, and that we are stewards of the mysteries of God. We are all stewards of what God has given us. What is necessary for a steward? Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 4:2 … it is required in stewards, that A MAN WE FOUND FAITHFUL

The steward is to be faithful in managing that which the owner has entrusted to him. God has given the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Church. No man will go into Heaven without Jesus. So we are to STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS whether others like it or not. Let’s continue:

1 Corinthians 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might LEARN IN US NOT TO THINK OF MEN ABOVE THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

Neither Paul nor Apollos set themselves above others when fulfilling their stewardship. As Paul preached the Gospel to the lost world, he was attacked. Paul would later write:

2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (ESV) with far greater labors, far more IMPRISONMENTS, with countless BEATINGS, and often near death. FIVE TIMES I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. THREE TIMES IN WAS BEATEN WITH RODS. ONCE I WAS STONED. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea… in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

Preach! Do you know why Paul went through all this trial and tribulation? Because the Gospel OFFENDS LOST PEOPLE. The Christian way of life OFFENDS LOST PEOPLE. Talk about Buddha, people will think you sophisticated. Talk about Confucius, and people will think you smart. Talk about Nihilism, and people will feel you are college educated. But talk about Jesus – live for Jesus – lift up the God of the Bible and honor Him in the name of Jesus – and YOU WILL OFFEND…. Continue reading →

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We Are Called To Faithful Stewardship

1 Corinthians 4:1-4 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and STEWARDS {oikonomos} of the MYSTERIES {mysterion} of God. 2 Moreover it is required in STEWARDS {oikonomos}, that A MAN BE FOUND FAITHFUL. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but HE THAT JUDGETH ME IS THE LORD.

Word Study: A “STEWARD” , the Greek oikonomos, means “someone appointed or commissioned to manage household affairs”. The steward was appointed by the owner, the head of the house, or the proprietor to manage his affairs, to take care of receipts and expenditures, and to even pay other staff members.

The “steward” is accountable to the owner, and to no one else. The steward owns nothing, but manages what is entrusted to him for the owner. What Are God’s servants “stewards” of?

Word Study: God’s ministers are “STEWARDS “OF THE MYSTERIES OF GOD”. What is a “MYSTERY” in the Scripture? This is the Greek mysterion, which means a divine truth somewhat hidden in ages past, but now revealed or exposed by the Holy Spirit of God. It is called “MYSTERIES” or “MYSTERIOUS” because it cannot be solved by human logic, human philosophy, or human wisdom. The “MYSTERIES” are the Kingdom principles …

The “MYSTERIES” can only be revealed to us when we give our lives to Jesus in salvation. The “Mysteries” belong to every follower of Christ…. Continue reading →

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True Religion The Way Of Christ

Matthew 5:21-22 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.

What Is The “True Religion”?
Only The Way Of Jesus

I was shopping for some more pants the other day when I came across a brand of blue jeans called True Religion™ . That caught my eye. Why is it called “True Religion™ ”? I went and looked up the brand on the Internet. It was founded in 2002 by Jeffrey Lubell. The name of the company is based on his philosophy – these are his words – “There’s really only one religion in the world, and that’s people—and we all wear jeans”. What Lubell is selling besides blue jeans is what the devil sold from the beginning. He believes that every person should stay true to themselves regardless as to societal rules or religious divides. In short, a “True Religion” puts me first.

I don’t wear blue jeans, and the True Religion™ jeans are too expensive for me anyway. But the philosophy is just the old sermon the snake preached in the Garden of Eden.

When Jesus sat down to preach His “Sermon on the Mount”, the first thing He did was go through the various misunderstandings that the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees had about the Law of God. These religious teachers had departed from the core of the Scripture many years before, and Jesus would call them out on it. He told them:… Continue reading →

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The Temple Of God Ain’t Made Of Bricks

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD, and that the SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLETH IN YOU? 17 If any man DEFILE {phtheirō} the temple of God, HIM SHALL GOD DESTROY; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

When a person repents and turns away from their sin and toward Jesus, our Lord sends the Holy Spirit to each and every one of us. The Spirit is sent by the Father:

Jesus asks the Father to send the Spirit:… Continue reading →

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Wise And Foolish Virgins

As I prepared this message, I studied a sermon “The Ten Virgins” developed by a dear saint now with Jesus, Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843). He could be known as the Billy Graham of Scotland. Though he only lived to be two months short of 30 years old, he loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart. He glorified Jesus in his life, and went to be with Jesus unexpectedly … just as we all will go. Jesus told us:

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh

When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven in this parable, He was not talking of the future Heaven every believer in Christ will be in. He was speaking of the Kingdom of God on the earth, the Church. This message is a message to the assembled Church. Jesus told His Church to “WATCH”. To watch for His return. To be diligent. In Matthew 24:42 Jesus warned:

“Watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. … Be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect Him!”

When we get to Heaven, we will glorify Jesus for all eternity. The Church should be watching, and be always ready to worship and glorify Him. John the Revelator looked into Heaven, and saw this picture … Continue reading →

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Christ’s Words Of Victory

I receive obituary notices through my email from Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home, Heritage Funeral Home, and Williams Funeral Home every day. I rarely know who these people are who passed, but I like to keep up and read the obituaries. I started this practice years ago as a Pastor when I found out I was preaching a funeral that afternoon – but no one from the Funeral Home let me know! It was only by the Grace of God that I found out.

As I read the obituaries this week, I read things like:

1. The departed loved animals, and was a collector of many things.
2. The loved one was devoted to family, faith, country, and community.
3. The person had a love for the simple things of life, like fishing, music, and spending time with family.
4. She “passed away peacefully”, and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
5. The lady helped build a world shaped by devotion, honest work, and dedication.
6. If the person attended Church at all, they are noted as “a member of such and such Church”.

One of the oldies but goodies is “She earned her angel wings”. Did you know Dolly Parton earned her angel wings this week? That’s what one article stated.

As you all probably know, Dolly Parton passed away this Tuesday, August 25. She was 80 years old. One newspaper article stated “Cause of Dolly’s… Continue reading →

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Christ’s Word of Suffering

When God created us, He gave us something called a HYPOTHALAMUS. It’s in the center of our brain, and it constantly monitors our fluid balance, our blood concentration, and even our blood pressure. There are two types of thirst: Osmotic and Hypovolemic. Most of us have experienced the first type – Osmotic thirst. This is when you labor and overheat, you lose water through sweat, and that triggers thirst. In the Garden of Eden before Adam’s sin I do not think people ever really suffered thirst. It was only after Adam’s betrayal of God’s Covenant that the Lord told him:

(Genesis 3:17-19 NKJV) … Cursed [is] the ground for your sake; IN TOIL YOU SHALL EAT OF IT ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE. [18] Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. [19] IN THE SWEAT OF YOUR FACE YOU SHALL EAT BREAD Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you [are], And to dust you shall return.

Adam’s sin brought toil, and cursing, thorns and thistles, hard labor to cause sweat. Adam’s sin brought suffering along with sin into the world. Adam thought that God’s Word could be trifled with. Our Lord Jesus told us “Scripture – the Word of God – CANNOT BE BROKEN” (John 10:35). What God has said must come to pass. What God has promised must be fulfilled. Adam’s sin brought suffering into the world. Adam’s sin brought thirst to man. Adam’s sin brought thirst to animals. But Adam’s sin did something much more startling.

Adam’s Sin Brought Thirst To The Son Of God

The second type of thirst is Hypovolemic. This occurs when the volume of the blood in your body drops to an unnatural level. That brings on a raging thirst. All three on that Hill called Calvary suffered this type of thirst that day – but only One was the Son of God. … Continue reading →

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Wednesday Night Study: 1 Corinthians 2:14-16; 3:1-15

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 But the NATURAL {psychikos} 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 {pneumatikōs} discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual {pneumatikos} judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Word Study: Last we saw the difference between the “NATURAL” (psychikos, sensual, psychotic, bestial or animal like) person and the “SPIRITUAL” (pneumatikos, Spirit led) Child of God. The flesh controlled person can not receive the things of the Spirit of God. They are enslaved to the flesh. They have not been set free by faith in Jesus. Jesus said:

(John 8:34-36 LSB) … Truly, truly, I say to you, EVERYONE WHO COMMITS SIN IS THE SLAVE OF SIN. [35] “And the slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. [36] “So IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED.

We are born into this world bound to the flesh and sin. This is the “NATURAL” state. But once you receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, He sends the Holy Spirit to us to cause our new birth and indwell us. Once saved, the “SPIRITUAL” or Spirit led Christian – though they may occasionally sin- are no longer bound to sin but to righteousness. The Apostle said:

(Romans 6:1-2 KJV) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall WE, THAT ARE DEAD {apothnēskō} TO SIN, live any longer therein?… Continue reading →

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Christ’s Word Of Anguish: Matthew 27:45-46

The “CUP” Jesus dreaded drinking was the cup of God’s wrath. The sin of the world could not be taken away until Jesus drank the cup dry. He paid our penalty in full. He alone is the satisfactory Payment for our sins (1 John 2:2)

For three hours Jesus endured the darkness. From noon till 3 pm there was no word from the Cross. Then …

Christ’s Misunderstood Word Of Anguish

Matthew 27:43 “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani”

It is amazing the depravity that sin will lead us to. Several years ago I was preaching from this text my Hero Jesus – my Savior and Lord – when an older gentleman in the audience got offended. I’ll never forget it. He sent another Pastor to me with the complaint that I was speaking in tongues while I was preaching. Sin closed this man’s mind to the Savior. Satan – that Old Serpent – blinded this man close to the end of his life with foolishness, rather than examining his own life and running to the Savior’s arms.

Oh, my Lord!

When Jesus said “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani” (Mark 15:34 records it as “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani”), He was speaking Hebrew and Aramaic.

The Jews of Jesus’ day had been in captivity for so long, that many of them (outside of the Pharisees and Priests) could not speak nor understand their own native language. Many spoke Greek, so many that about 3 years before Christ became incarnate that the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek by a group of Jewish scholars in Alexandria, Egypt. That what we call the Septuagint, the Bible most quoted by the Apostles. Not knowing their own language, when Jesus cried out:… Continue reading →

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