"See To It…"
“See To It…”
Blessing folk!
We are looking at Jesus’ response to two questions from the disciples…
Matthew 24:3
3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Now, read the first thing that Jesus said.
Matthew 24:4
4 And Jesus answered and said to them,“See to it that no one misleads you.
Notice that the first thing that Jesus told the disciples - and us - is a command.
“See to it…”!
We as believers have a personal role and responsibility.
To do what?
“See to it that no one misleads you.”
We are commanded from the Lord to see to it that we are not mislead.
This means that there will be attempts at misleading.
This means that we must be on guard.
How will this “misleading” manifest?
We will see more later.
How do we “see to it” that we are not deceived?
By abiding in the Lord.
By knowing the Word of the Lord.
By walking in the Spirit.
By functioning properly as the Body of Christ.
The Lord has given all Believers all we need to “see to it”.
Are we appropriating what He has given?
"Panorama"
“Panorama”
Blessings folk!
We are examining one of the most exciting portions of Scripture.
Learn.
Patiently consider each Word.
Allow the Spirit to instruct.
Remember the questions the disciples had ask of Jesus…
Matthew 24:3
3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Jesus begins to answer their questions.
I do not know what they expected...but, we received two full chapters of “red-letter”.
Jesus gave an extensive answer.
He did so with specificity, detail, compassion, love and forthrightness.
Jesus began with a prophetic panorama overview of the balance of history from the point of time of the questions until the end comes.
Don’t believe me? LOL
Read the overview…
Matthew 24:3-14
3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them,“See to it that no one misleads you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
9 “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
10 At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
12 Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
The next Word in verse 15 is “Therefore…”
Jesus gives the overview.
He then explains details of things that happen in the overview...the balance of Matthew 24/25.
Take time to re-read the passage.
We will examine it Word-by-Word.
For now, pay attention to the “action” commands of the Lord.
…
…
…
What did you see?
“See to it…”
“See that you…”
Humm.
We as Believers have responsibility to “see” to something...
...to be continued...
"Two Questions"
“Two Questions”
Blessings folk!
Jesus and His disciples had left the Temple.
They walked to the Mount of Olives.
The disciples had been thinking and contemplating what Jesus had said.
Likely His most recents Words as well as overall.
They then asked…
Matthew 24:3
3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
This is so important.
Give heed.
The disciple came to Jesus privately.
We learn in the parallel passages who asked the questions…
Mark 13:3-4
3 And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
Might as well look at Luke also…
Luke 21:7
7 They questioned Him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”
So, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Jesus two questions”
- When will these things happen?
- What will be the sign? The sign of your coming and the sign of the end of the age.
Jesus had told the disciples that the Temple would be destroyed...no stone left upon another.
They wanted to know when.
Jesus had apparently also been speaking of some other things.
The disciples were expecting a sign in relationship to these things.
What sign would warn?
What sign would signal when all these things are about to be accomplished?
There is also more to “these things” than the Temple destruction.
We will see in the balance of the passage as we progress.
Know this for now.
The disciples wanted to know when things would happen.
Jesus answers them...and us!
The disciples wanted to know what the sign would be.
Jesus answers them...and us!
There is a sign.
Hang on...you are to be amazed at what the Lord reveals.
Oh, by the way...the sign is near.
Are you ready?
"No Stone Left Unturned…"
“No Stone Left Unturned…”
Blessings folk!
Jesus was finished with His “woes” to the religious rulers.
He turned and departed from the temple.
We are continuing through the next couple of chapters of Matthew...slowly, carefully.
This is an extremely important portion of Scripture which is often neglected, mis-taught and misapplied in the Body today.
We have examined portions of it before.
But, repetition is how we learn.
Especially when “pulling everything together”.So, read the following.
Remember that Jesus is leaving the temple after having an intense encounter with the religious rulers.
Watch what Jesus’ disciples do…
Matthew 24:1-2
1 Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.
2 And He said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.”
Jesus was leaving the temple.
He had declared to the religious rulers that they would not see Him again until they said “blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord”.
It was an intense, emotional encounter.
Jesus was grieved, heart-broken.
Remember, He desired to take them under His wing as a protective hen.
What was the response of the disciples?
Something along this line…”Hey Master. Look at the cool buildings. The work on the Temple is coming along nicely.” Etc.
Were they seeking to “lighten” the moment?
Perhaps.
Were they seeking to distract Jesus with another subject?
Perhaps.
Were they hoping to “make Jesus feel better” by focusing on the beauty of stone?
Perhaps.
Were they just clueless to what happened in the Temple?
Likely.
Either way, the disciples were focused upon the things of the world, the outward mechanics of religion.
Jesus was having nothing to do with this thought.
He rebukes the disciples..”do you not see these things?”
What things?
The situation.
What is in progress.
What the Kingdom is.
Yes, and the stone building.
Then Jesus tells them that there will not be a stone left upon another from the wonderful edifice before them.
It would all be torn down.
Literally.
Figuratively.
As we will see, this initiates questions for which Jesus would provide extended answers that give us much insight into today and the days to come.
For today, have the stones been upturned in your life?
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem…"
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem…”
Blessings folk!
Even in the midst of tension…
Even in the midst of the apparent anger…
Even in the midst of the declaration of “woe to you…”
Jesus did not sin.
He spoke the Word of the Father.
How do I know that?
Because Jesus tells us that He only did/said what Father declared - John 17.
Jesus’ heart was broken.
Read and weep…
Matthew 23:37-39
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.
38 Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!
39 For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”
Jesus described the sinful things the religious rulers did:
- did not do deeds of the Word
- heaped burdens on the people
- loved to be noticed
- loved the place of honor
- shut off the Kingdom of Heaven from the people
- devoured widow’s houses
- made long pretension prayers
- proselytized...making converts twice the son of hell as they were
- perverted the temple offering
- allowed the people to swear
- neglected the weightier provisions of the law
- clean on the outside/filthy on the inside
- robbers
- self-indulgent
- lawless
- murdered and persecuted those sent by God
Jesus called them what they were:
- hypocrites
- sons of hell
- blind guides
- fools
- blind men
- serpents
- brood of vipers
After all this, the heart of the Lord cried out in agony over Jerusalem.
The rebellion of the leadership led the people astray
Jesus acknowledged what “Jerusalem” had done: killed the prophets, stoned those sent to her.
Jesus then declares what He wanted to do…gather them as children together.
He wanted to protect them.
He wanted to shepherd them.
He wanted them.
Yet, they were unwilling.
Therefore, their house would be desolate…
The Temple would be destroyed within a generation.
The people would be dispersed across the earth until the last days...now!
They...the religious leadership...would not see Him again until they said “Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Some would do that in a few days.
Others will not do it until they see Him in glory...upon judgment when they will be cast in the lake of fire.
Which is you?
"Guilt Will Fall"
“Guilt Will Fall…”
Blessings folk!
Jesus is concluding His declaration of “woes” to the religious rulers.
Give heed to the “therefore”…
Matthew 23:34-36
34 “Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city,
35 so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
36 Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Because of what they were doing…
Jesus is sending prophets to them…
He is sending wise men and scribes…
The religious ruler would kill some.
They would crucify others.
Some would be scourged.
Some persecuted.
Jesus would send these prophets/wise men/scribes with the Word of truth to the religious rulers so that the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth would fall on them.
What a condemnation!
This would come upon that current generation.
It did.
Later we see that “not a small number of the priest” believed that Jesus was Messiah.
But, many did not.
The guilt of our generation will be even greater...
"Brood of Vipers"
“Brood of Vipers”
Blessings folk!
Jesus’ encounter with the religious rulers intensified.
Note the Words used by the Lord.
Note the example.
Note the conclusion.
Matthew 23:29-33
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous,
30 and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’
31 So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.
32 Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers.
33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?
Jesus declared woe to them.
The religious rulers.
Hypocrites.
Sons of murderers.
Serpents.
Brood of vipers.
The religious rulers were building tombs and monuments in honor of the prophets and the righteous who had come before.
Yet, it had been the forefathers of the religious rulers who had rejected and killed the prophets.
The current batch of rulers declared that they would have never had done such - the shedding of the blood of the prophets.
They totally missed that they were testifying against themselves.
Rather than repenting…
Rather than calling for forgiveness from God…
They rejoiced in the beautiful outward appearances of the pomp, the circumstance, the regalia, the clothing, the housing, the power, the buildings, the prestige.
Yet Jesus called them what they were.
White-washed tombs.
Brood of vipers.
Unclean.
The Kingdom is not religious activity...
"White-Washed Tombs"
“White-Washed Tombs”
Blessings folk!
We press on in the Words of the Lord to the hypocrites - the religious rulers...the scribes and Pharisees.
These are direct, tough Words.
The Lord “pulled no punches” in declaring the Truth related to what they were doing.
We need to give close heed to the Words.
Matthew 23:27-28
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
28 So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Outwardly these religious rulers appeared beautiful.
They appeared Righteous.
They looked good.
But, on the inside...where “it counts”...they were full of unrighteousness, they were full of lawlessness.
In describing them as “whitewashed tombs...full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” Jesus cut to the issue.
Their hypocritical religious activities were for naught.
The people knew this.
The leaders knew this.
God knew.
Let us not be white-washed sepulchres.
Rather, let us be brilliant beacons of hope shining the Light of the Most High.
"Inside vs. Outside"
“Inside vs. Outside”
Blessings folk!
Jesus continues His discourse of Truth proclamation to the “scribe, Pharisees, hypocrites”.
Matthew 23:25-26
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.
This Word of Woe was speaking against the religious rulers concern over appearance.
On the outside they looked perfect.
Put together.
Their lives appeared to be “holy”, “godly”.
They were the example of belief in God.
They used this “look” to control and manipulate the people.
Yet, on the inside they were full of robbery, greedy, extortionist, self-indulgent, prone to excess.
They were blind...a phrase Jesus used often.
He told them to clean the inside first, then the outside could be addressed.
The same occurs today.
Leadership is much concerned about appearances and practices.
You should see some of the man-made “requirements” that some organizational churches demand of the people as proof of their faith and allegiance to the organization and leadership. Very distressing. All in the name of God.
This is evidence of what is on the inside of the leaders.
Let us begin with ourselves.
Let us clean the inside first.
Then the outside will be clean also.
With a clean inside, the Lord will be free to address any “outside” concerns.
"Hypocritical Tithers…"
“Hypocritical Tithers…”
Blessings folk!
Jesus continues with His declaration of Truth unto the religious rulers.
Matthew 23:23-24
23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
The religious rulers of the day were meticulous as to the religious duties, activities and requirements.
They gave great attention to such.
Jesus said they should have done so, but not at the expense of weightier matters: justice, mercy, faithfulness.
They honored the requirement of the tithe down to the detail of counting out the smallest of herbs and seeds.
Yet they ignored justice, mercy and faithfulness.
They were straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel.
Jesus pronounced “woe” over them for such.
Yes, the same occurs today.
It is amazing what I see on a regular basis that parallels this woe.
Leadership distracted by things that have nothing to do with the Kingdom.
At least the religious rulers of Jesus’ day were seeking to obey the law.
The religious rulers of today are honoring the rules and traditions of man, and doing so for the praise and adoration of man.
May we reject such temptations.
Rather, seek the Kingdom and His righteousness.
"Blind Guides and Fools…"
“Blind Guides and Fools…”
Blessings folk!
Jesus boldly spoke forth the truth to the religious rulers - the scribes and Pharisees.
He did so in love, in compassion, without sin.
Even as He called them what they were: hypocrites, blind guides, fools, blind men, etc.
Matthew 23:16-22
16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’
17 You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?
18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated.’
19 You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering?
20 Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it.
21 And whoever swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells within it.
22 And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of God and by Him who sits upon it.
The religious rulers were drawing cute lines of demarcation between what the Word said and what they wanted it to say - all for the purposes of securing their wealth and power. Obviously, they were concerned about the money.
Nothing has changed.
You see the terms Jesus uses to describe them: blind guides, fools, blind men.
They were guides who were to lead in learning the truth of the Law.
Yet, they were blind themselves.
Again, nothing has changed.
So many who are “leaders” within the Body of Christ are blind guides, blind men, fools to the Word.
They simply do not know the Truth of the Word of God.
Oh, they have the academic degrees of man.
But, they do not know the Word.
Therefore, when they preach, teach and speak, the words are often void of Truth.
Confusion reigns.
Inconsistency is prevalent.
Worse yet, the people of the Lord are mislead.
This is especially egregious when children are mislead by the lack of knowledge of the leader.
Such should not be.
The Lord has empowered true believers with His Holy Spirit.
Study the Word.
Trust the Spirit to lead and teach.
Then, speak forth the truth…boldly as Jesus did.
Do not compromise.
"Twice the Sons of Hell…"
“Twice the Sons of Hell…”
Blessings folk!
Jesus continues His declaration of “woes” to the scribes and Pharisees.
These “woes” apply to us today - especially to religious leadership.
This verse is one of the most power and pointed.
Matthew 23:15
15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
The scribes and Pharisees would travel near and far to seek a convert.
So do we.
So should we.
Yet, to what are we “converting them to”?
Jesus said that they were making their converts “twice as much a son of hell as yourselves”.
Powerful words.
They were converting them to religious practice...without true transformation of the heart.
Their offspring would be worse than they were.
The same applies to us.
We are not to seek converts to our organizational church.
We are not to seek converts to our faith/belief/interpretation/etc.
We are not to seek converts to our form and religious practices.
We are to seek converts to the Kingdom.
We are to seek converts to Life everlasting.
We are to seek converts to continued transformation to the image of Christ.
Anything else and we are making folk “twice the sons of hell” that we are.
Think on this.
We must be truly converted ourselves.
We must be living a life of holiness unto the Lord.
Then, we will be able to lead others in the proper way.
Do you give greater attention to the Kingdom of God or to “your” organizational church and/or denomination?
Do you give greater attention to the deeds done in the name of the “your” church or to the leading of the Lord in His Kingdom?
"Greater Damnation…"
“Greater Damnation…”
Blessings folk!
We continue the “woes” proclaimed by Jesus in Matthew 23.
We encounter something today of which we need to be aware.
I usually provide the Scripture passage...with a hyperlink for parallel translations.
Here is the passage for today in the New American Standard.
Matthew 23:14
14 [Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.]
...the King James (Authorized) Version
Matthew 23:14
14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
...lastly, the English Standard Version and NIV
Matthew 23:14
No, that is not a typographical omission.
Many “modern, contemporary” translations will simply omit certain verses from the Word.
This is an example.
They usually say something in the footnotes along this line “this verse is not in the earliest manuscripts.”
The NASB does not delete, but will “bracket” a passage with an accompanying footnote.
A proper discussion is beyond this forum.
Suffice to say that when I study, I use several translations beginning with the KJV and NASB.
Do not allow the evil one to distract you with this.
Now, for the passage.
The scribes and Pharisees were to receive “greater condemnation”...greater than what?
“Regular” condemnation?
Likely.
What they were doing was of such a degree of evil that they would receive greater wrath from God.
Note what they were doing.
- Devouring widow’s houses. They were abusing the widow’s resources. The same tactic occur today...not just limited to “televangelist”. The Lord does not look lightly upon abusing the widow.
- They were making long, pretense-filled prayers. Prayers of the mind and soul of man that brought glory to man and his activities rather than glory to God.
Greater damnation is the reward for such “religious activities”.
Be not a part of such.
"Woe…Kingdom of Heaven"
“Woe...Kingdom of Heaven”
Blessings folk!
Jesus now launches into a series of “woes” that addresses the religious rulers and what they had been doing.
Matthew 23:13
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.
Woe=grievous distress, affliction, trouble.
Jesus was acknowledging what would come upon the scribes and Pharisees - the religious rulers - because of what they had done.
Jesus called them what they were - hypocrites.
Those who say one thing, yet do another.
In this verse we see that they hindered/prohibited the people from entering into the Kingdom of Heaven.
They literally shut off the Kingdom of Heaven.
How were they doing this?
By denying what Jesus was proclaiming.
Jesus taught the Kingdom of Heaven.
They were against Jesus.
Therefore, they were shutting out the people from the Kingdom.
Those of the people who did seek to enter were meeting resistance from the leaders.
The same occurs today.
Religious rulers will welcome with open arms into the kingdom of man.
But, rare be they who know that True Faith is the Kingdom of Heaven.
The religious rulers refused to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
They refused to follow the Lord...at least for the moment. (Later on “not a small number” would believe.)
Be certain to enter the Kingdom of Heaven...not the kingdom of man.
Be not a stumbling block for those seeking to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
May all we do be about the Kingdom of Heaven...not the “kingdom of man in the name of God”.
"Be Not Called…"
“Be Not Called…”
Blessings folk!
Yesterday we saw that the religious rulers that Jesus was addressing loved…
- the place of honor
- the chief seats in the synagogues
- respectful greetings in the marketplace
- being called “Rabbi”
The religious rulers told the people the correct things to do - the Law of Moses.
The religious rulers did not obey themselves.
They were hypocrites.
The Words of Jesus are not just for the leaders of His day.
They are for today also.
Hear…
Matthew 23:8-12
8 But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.
9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.
11 But the greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
A much needed Word for today.
Jesus could not be clearer in the direct commands/instructions He gave.
We are not to be called “Rabbi” (“Teacher&rdquo
- for there is only One Who is Teacher.
We are not to be called “Father” - for there is only One Who is Father.
We are not to be called “Leader” (“Teacher”, “Instructor&rdquo - for there is only One.
Obviously we are to reject the titles of man - “Doctor”, “Reverend” - really? “Reverend”? “One to be revered”? (From French révérer or Latin revereri, from re- (expressing intensive force) + vereri ‘to fear.&rsquo
Now, it is good to learn.
It is good to “have the degrees”.
It is not good to demand to be called by supposed “titles of honor”.
There is nothing wrong with referring to the function - “she is a teacher”, “she is a pastor”.
There is much wrong with demanding subservience by “titles of nobility”.
We are all brothers.
The titles of man bring separation and distance in the Body of Christ.
We are One in the Lord.
The greatest among us shall be a servant.
Therefore, may we walk humbly before one another.
Note how the personages of the Word were called…
Paul
Timothy
Peter
John
Moses
Jesus
If one name were satisfactory for them…?
"They Loved…"
“They Loved…”
Blessings folk!
Let us begin looking at the Words of the Lord related to the religious leaders of the day. His day.
Our day.
Nothing has changed...perhaps things are worse.
As you read, watch what Jesus says about…
- the leadership (scribes and Pharisees)
- what they did
- what they did not do
- their “lifestyle”
Matthew 23:1-8
1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples,
2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.
4 They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.
5 But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.
6 They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.
Jesus was speaking to the crowds and His disciples.
The scribes and Pharisees would have been there. They always were.
Jesus warns the folk.
The leaders had “seated themselves” in the chair of Moses.
They spoke from the position of the Law...as God designed.
Jesus tells the people to do and observe the things of the Law taught by the scribes/Pharisees.
Jesus then tells the folk to not do as the leaders do.
They taught one way.
They lived another.
Hypocrites.
The leaders…
- tied heavy burdens and laid them on men’s shoulders...burdens that the Lord had not placed
- they were unwilling to live under the same burden
- they did all their deeds...all of ‘em… to be noticed by men...all for pride, all for prestige
- they broadened their phylacteries and lengthened the tassels of their garments… expanded the show of leadership and false humility.
- they loved the place of honor
- they loved the chief seats in the synagogues…”at church”
- they loved the “respectful greetings” at Wal-Mart
- they loved being called “Rabbi” (“teacher”, “pastor”, “reverend”, etc.) by men
Nothing has changed.
Such is the same today for many in “church leadership”.
Such should not be.
We will see more tomorrow.
For now, walk in the Truth of the Word.
Reject the pride of the flesh.
"Gift of the Lord"
“Gift of the Lord”
Blessings folk!
Be reminded of this Truth…
Psalm 127:3-7
3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;
They will not be ashamed
When they speak with their enemies in the gate.
Truly children are a gift from the Lord.
We celebrate the birthday of one our greats today - Jude!
The fruit of the womb is reward.
Yet, how does man view children?
This week a woman proudly and boldly recorded and broadcast the murder of her developing child. She professionally filmed her abortion...in the act.
The world marvels at the “freedom”.
Such evil will continue to increase.
Such perversion will continue to occur.
Yet we, Believers, rejoice and hold to the Truth that blessed are those whose quiver is full with the gift, fruit, reward of the Lord.
Rejoice in life.
Protect life.
"No Greater Joy…"
“No Greater Joy…”
Blessings folk!
John, the Apostle, was rejoicing.
Full of joy.
We know that the Word tells us to be filled with the joy of the Spirit.
Romans 14:17
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Read.
See what was bringing joy to John.
He was writing to Gaius.
Note the keyword “truth”.
3 John 1:1-4
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3 For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
John was rejoicing because Gaius was continuing to walk in the truth.
John boldly declares that he had no greater joy than this.
So different from most professing believers today.
Most rejoice when their children excel in academics, sports, business, etc.
When was the last time we rejoiced because of the pursuit of the Kingdom in our offspring - physical and spiritual?
Walking in truth brings…
- peace
- joy
- patience
- holiness
- long-suffering
- and the like!
May we rejoice in that which brings joy to Father.
"Woe…Exile"
“Woe...Exile”
Blessings folk!
The people of the Lord were pursuing the wrong thing.
They were pursuing stuff…
- building house upon house
- attaining more and more land
- partying constantly
Woe to those...
Isaiah 5:8-12
8 Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field,
Until there is no more room,
So that you have to live alone in the midst of the land!
9 In my ears the Lord of hosts has sworn, “Surely, many houses shall become desolate,
Even great and fine ones, without occupants.
10 “For ten acres of vineyard will yield only one bath of wine,
And a homer of seed will yield but an ephah of grain.”
11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may pursue strong drink,
Who stay up late in the evening that wine may inflame them!
12 Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; But they do not pay attention to the deeds of theLord,
Nor do they consider the work of His hands.
The Lord was sending His people into exile because of their sin.
Isaiah 5:13-17
13 Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge;
And their honorable men are famished,
And their multitude is parched with thirst.
14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged its throat and opened its mouth without measure;
And Jerusalem’s splendor, her multitude, her din of revelry and the jubilant within her, descend into it.
15 So the common man will be humbled and the man of importance abased,
The eyes of the proud also will be abased.
16 But the Lord of hosts will be exalted in judgment,
And the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness.
17 Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture,
And strangers will eat in the waste places of the wealthy.
The people lacked knowledge.
They were pursuing the things of the world.
Honorable men famished...from lack of the Word. Soon from lack of food.
The same for the multitude in that for which they thirst.
The splendor of Jerusalem would go to Sheol.
The common man was to be humbled.
Important men were to be abased as were the proud.
But…
Again, that important word “but”…
The Lord of hosts will be exalted in judgment.
The Holy God will show Himself in righteousness.
We are in like situation today.
People lack knowledge...especially the people of the Lord.
People are consumed with the things of the world rather than the things of God.
Judgment is coming.
In Whom do you trust?
What are you pursuing?
"Evil Is Good"
“Evil Is Good…”
Blessings folk!
In the midst of a prophetic declaration of “woes to the wicked”, the Lord speaks through Isaiah.
Give heed to this Word.
The world rejoices in evil.
The world considers good evil, perverted normal.
Isaiah 5:20-23
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
And clever in their own sight!
22 Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine
And valiant men in mixing strong drink,
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!
The Lord will judge.
As darkness increases…
As that which is evil is called “good”…
As that which is good is condemned as “evil”…
As bitter and sweet are exchanged within the evil hearts of man…
Woe to them.
Woe to the “wise in their own eyes”.
Woe to the “clever in their own sight”.
Woe to the “heroes in drinking wine” the “valiant men in...strong drink”.
Woe to those who justify the wicked...all for a bribe.
Woe to those who take away the rights of the righteous.
Not only does this “sound like today”...
It is today.
Fear not.
Speak forth the truth.
Do not back down in the face of persecution and belittling.
"Ladies…And You"
“Ladies….And You?”
Blessings folk!
The world has determined that today is “Mother’s Day”.
Well, at least they acknowledge one day.
A word for the ladies.
There are many communiques flying about today...cards, notes, facebook posts, etc. … that speak of the impact that a mother has had on a life...most speak of personal experience.
One question goes through my mind every time I read such.
Are you pursuing the same?
The mothers that had the greatest impact all had family testimonies that speak of their faith in the Most High God.
Will the following generations say the same?
In writing to Timothy, Paul speaks of the faith of Timothy’s mother and grandmother…
2 Timothy 1:5
5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
Timothy’s faith was sincere...as testified to by Paul.
This faith was first in Timothy’s grandmother...then mother.
They laid the foundation for his belief.
What foundation are you laying?
I see very little of the foundation of righteousness, holiness and the pursuit of God.
I see much pursuit of the desires of the flesh.
I see much pursuit of religious activities...even worse.
Where are the Proverb 31 women?
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Be one.
May your children rise up and call you blessed.
Read the entire passage as you have time…
Proverbs 31:10-31
10
Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies.
11
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12
She will do him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
13
She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands.
14
She is like the merchants’ ships;
she bringeth her food from afar.
15
She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household,
and a portion to her maidens.
16
She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17
She girdeth her loins with strength,
and strengtheneth her arms.
18
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
19
She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff.
20
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21
She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
23
Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25
Strength and honour are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27
She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28
Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29
Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all.
30
Favour is deceitful, and beautyis vain:
but a woman that feareth theLord, she shall be praised.
31
Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works praise her in the gates.
"Honor…"
“Honor…”
Blessings folk!
One day is not enough.
The world will set aside a day to remember, to love, to honor, to reluctantly acknowledge.
We as believers are called to more.
We are called to love...at all times.
We are called to honor...at all times.
We are called to live humbly before one another...at all times.
Hear the command of the Lord…
Ephesians 6:1-3
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),
3 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
Deuteronomy 5:16
16 ‘Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the Lord your God gives you.
We are to honor our parents.
Not just on a particular day.
Everyday.
There is a reward for obedience to the command.
Extended corporeal existence...long life.
Also, “that it may go well with you…”
Honoring parents is not simply obeying all requests and instructions.
True honoring of parents is the pursuit of a holy, righteous life.
Are we doing so?
"Word of His Power"
“Word of His Power”
Blessings folk!
Following up on the “power” we saw yesterday…
Look at the profound truths we see about the Lord Jesus…
Hebrews 1:1-4
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
God formerly spoke through the prophets.
But, in these last days (a definition of “last days&rdquo, God has spoken to us by His Son.
The Son…
- appointed the heir of all things
- the world was created through Him
- Radiance of the glory of God
- exact Imprint of God’s nature
- upholds the universe by the Word of His Power
- made purifications for sins
- sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high
- became superior to angels
- inherited a name more excellent than the angels
By the Word of His Power the universe is upheld.
Amazing.
This is the same Power that lives within each True Believer.
We must live in this Power.
We must manifest this Power.
We are transformed by this Power.
We should be conformed to this Power.
Allow the Lord to do so.
"Power"
“Power”
Blessings folk!
The Lord has called us to walk in power.
Not in the power of the flesh.
Not in the power of the soul.
But, in the power of the Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:7-11
7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.
Power.
Love.
Discipline.
Granted by the Lord to those who believe.
Did you note all the detail in the sentence that is verse 8-11?
We are not to be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus.
Paul was encouraging Timothy to join in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God. A curious statement.
God will empower us in suffering…through suffering...because of suffering.
Then we see these truths about God…
- has saved us...not because of our works
- has called us with a holy calling...according to His purposes and grace
- this grace is granted through Christ Jesus from all eternity...that “from” is interesting
- this grace was revealed by the appearing of...note the detail...our Savior, our Christ, Jesus
- Jesus abolished death
- Jesus brought life
- Jesus brought immortality to light
The power He gives is through what He has done.
Do we walk in the power granted?
"Peace"
“Peace”
Blessings folk!
Rest.
Strength.
Perseverance.
All are found in the Lord.
Peace...only in the Lord is their true peace.
Psalm 4:7-8
7 You have put gladness in my heart,
More than when their grain and new wine abound.
8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.
Psalm 29:11
11 The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace.
The Lord provides peace.
More peace than can be found in food and drink.
Sleep comes in peace.
Peace come in sleep.
The Lord blesses His people with peace.
Do we have responsibility?
Psalm 34:13-14
13 Keep your tongue from evil
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
We are to depart from evil.
We are to keep our tongue from evil.
We are to keep our lips from speaking deceit.
Note the power of the spoken word.
We are to seek peace.
We are to pursue peace.
Romans 14:19
19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Determine, today, to be a person of the Peace of the Lord in the Spirit.
Live not in the flesh.
Radiate the Peace of the Most High.
"Perseverance"
“Perseverance”
Blessings folk!
We rest in the Lord.
We find strength in the Lord.
We press on in the Lord.
Perseverance is in the Lord.
Romans 15:4-6
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God gives perseverance.
God gives encouragement.
How?
Through “whatever was written in earlier times”...the Scripture.
If you are not imparting the Word into yourself, then you are not receiving what the Lord desires to grant.
Ephesians 6:18
18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Therefore, be alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thingI do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Perseverance=”press on”
Press on...lay hold of that which was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Press on...toward the goal for the prize of the upwards call of God in Christ Jesus.
Press on...in the perseverance and strength of the Lord.
"Strength"
“Strength”
Blessings folk!
The Lord is our rest.
We rest in Him.
The Lord also is our strength.
We must live in the strength of the Lord, not the strength of the flesh.
Living in the strength of the flesh while doing “good things” for God will lead to what the world calls “burn-out”.
If you are “burned-out”, then you are attempting to work in the flesh rather than in the Spirit.
Psalm 18:1-3
1 I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Psalm 19:14
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 28:6-8
6 Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8 The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
Be strong in the Lord and His strength.
Reject the strength of the flesh.
"Rest"
“Rest”
Blessings saints!
Rest.
A curious thing.
I’ve often wondered why God designed us with a need for rest...or even if that was so prior to the rebellion of Adam and Eve.
Anyways…
We are to rest in the Lord.
Receive rest from the following:
Psalm 16:8-10
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Psalm 37-6-8
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Rest.
Wait patiently.
Fret not thyself.
Cease from anger.
Forsake wrath.
Set the Lord before you.
Rest in His Hope.
"Distress, Debt, Discontent"
“Distress, Debt, Discontent”
Blessings folk!
David had to flee from Saul.
Saul was seeking to kill David.
David escaped and hid in a cave in Adulllam.
Read what happened next.
1 Samuel 22:1-2
So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him.2 Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.
When David’s brothers and his father’s household heard where he was, they came to him.
A man running from the King.
A man already anointed as King.
They knew it.
Verse 2 is a favorite.
So describes many folk today.
Everyone who was in distress…
Everyone who was in debt…
Everyone who was discontented…
Distress.
Debt.
Discontent.
They came to David.
He became their captain.
A rather large number to associate with someone the King desired to kill.
David is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is to the Lord that we turn, even as these turned to David.
"Casting Cares…"
“Casting Cares…”
Blessings folk!!
Do we really trust the Lord?
In all things?
At all times?
Do we trust Him to orchestrate and direct every arena of our lives?
Do we submit to Him on a breath-by-breath basis?
Heed the Word of the Lord
1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Note we have a role.
We are to humble ourselves.
How? Before Who?
We are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
Why?
That He may exalt us.
God will not exalt us when we are busy exalting ourselves.
If we do so, we have received our reward.
When will God exalt?
In due time.
When He desires.
The sentence is not complete…
We are to also cast all of our cares/anxiety (NASB) upon Him.
To not do so is sin.
If we retain our cares/anxiety…
If we live a life of anxiousness…
Then we are exalt ourselves as God…
We are not trusting Him…
We have become idol worshippers...the idol of “self”.
Why should we cast our cares/anxiety upon the Lord?
Because He cares for us.
He cares for us more than we care for ourselves.
If we truly trust Him, then we will…
Cast our cares upon Him
Resist the temptation to exalt self.
Rest in the truth that He will exalt us at the proper time.
Rejoice in the truth that He cares for us.
Our lives would be changed.
Do it.
"Fear/Hope"
“Fear/Hope”
Blessings folk!
The Lord is looking.
The Lord is seeking.
For what?
Several things.
Here is one.
He is looking for those who fear Him.
He is looking for those who hope in Him.
Psalm 33:18-19
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
19 To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
The eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him.
He is looking for those who place their hope in Him.
Why?
To deliver their soul from death.
To keep them alive in famine.
Notice that He does not necessarily deliver “from” famine.
He keeps alive in the midst thereof.
Psalm 147:11
11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Those who fear the Lord are pleasing to Him.
He is pleased by those who hope in Him.
In what do you hope?
In whom do you hope?
Do you fear the Lord?
Several have asked about online Bible study resources.
Here are some that are useful.
Bible study resources:
http://www.biblegateway.com/
http://www.blueletterbible.org/
http://e-sword.net/