Bible Study

The Needles Eye and Salvation

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And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples
“How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”
And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them,
“Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!                            
And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”   And Jesus looking upon them saith,
“With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”
Mark 10:23-27

Jesus has just spoken with a young man of  great wealth.  He has asked Jesus how that he might inherit eternal life.  Jesus basically tells him that he must obey the Ten Commandments.  When he said that he had been obedient since youth Jesus told him to  go and sell all that he had.  That was too much and he went away.

By his leaving as he did shows us that his heart was away from God so he had not been obedient to the first four of the Ten.  His heart was on His wealth.

Jesus then teaching His disciples that it is hard for the rich to get into heaven, then they ask Him, “Who then can be saved?”

What is that “Needles eye”?  A camel and a needle?  A camel passing through a needle’s eye?  I have known some who say that there is a small gate in the walls of Jerusalem called the Needles Eye Gate, and they say that for someone take a laden camel through that gate they needed to unload all their packs, for the camel to get through.   There are also some who believe that The Needles Eye is exactly that and shows us that we cannot save ourselves, by unloading our sins, but solely by the power of God and His grace.  Jesus said,  “Come unto Me all of you who are burdened, and heavy laden and I will give you rest’

With God nothing is impossible; even getting a camel through the eye of  a needle; and especially a rich man to receive eternal life through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  He died, He was buried, and He rose again.

Only A Sinner Can Be Saved

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And as Jesus passed forth from thence, He saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He saith unto him, “Follow me.” And he arose, and followed Him.   And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said untoHis disciples, “Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?”  But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them,
“They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Matthew 9:9-13

Jesus had just called one of the most hated people in Judea  who was a tax collector, to follow Him, and Matthew did.  This brought many to Matthew’s home where  He age and drank.  It was a great honor for them to have such a Man as Jesus visit your home

Jesus was eating with publicans (tax collectors), and sinners.  Jesus in answer to the Pharisees remark was that He did not come to call  the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Only the lost can be found.  Only the unjust, can be made just.  Only the sick can be healed.

The Pharisees were walking around in their religious garb, and presenting themselves as righteous people but Jesus tells them they are in darkness.

Only those who call on the Lord for grace through Christ Jesus can be justified, sanctified, and glorified in Him.

“There is none righteous, no not one.”  Psalm 14:3;  Romans 3:10ff).   As long as a person denies their sin  and rebelliousness against  God, trusting their own righteousness, there is no hope of salvation.

Confess that you are a sinner calling out to the Lord Jesus, then confess Jesus as Lord, believing He was raised from the dead, and you will be saved.

Having Faith In God

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And Jesus answering saith unto them, “Have faith in God.  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Mark 11:22-26

It is a horrid thing for one to harbor a grudge against someone, especially if you profess to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  We might for a while feel angry, but soon there will be a realization of having received forgiveness from the One who forgives our sins, and paid our sin debt.

Telling a mountain to move into the sea would be a remarkable thing.  It would, in fact be a miracle of God.  Asking God for the things we desire, and receiving them, are things that are from God’s desires (Psalm 37:3-4).

If we are asking for God to do these things, then we need to be sure there  is no lack of forgiveness, toward anyone.   Any lack of forgiveness toward others is a  mockery of our heavenly Father, and we have a greater sin that needs God’s forgiveness.

Dear Lord Jesus, if there is any one with whom I have a grudge  and unforgiveness then reveal this to my heart and mind.  That I might have genuine faith in You.  Amen.

Rejection and Unbelief

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And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed thence.  And when He was come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, “Whence hath this Man this wisdom, and these mighty works?  Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?”  And they were offended in Him. But Jesus said unto them,
“A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.”
And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Matthew 13:53-58

For more on this event in the life of Jesus you might want to read the  account according to the Gospel of Luke the physician and Historian (Luke 4:16-30).

At this point in the ministry of Jesus His home town where He grew up rejected Him as being the Messiah, due to their unbelief.  I have a thought that Jesus is offended by the unbelief of His home town people,  however He does not let that stop His word or works.

The reason for many of our failures to receive answer to prayers is due to our rejection of the Lord’s ministry, and  that is due to our unbelief. Because of that He does not do many  mighty works.

Lord Jesus I pray that You help my faith, and increase my faith, so that Your mighty works might continue in me.  Amen.

Judging

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“Judge not, that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, ‘Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye;’ and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
Matthew 7:1-6

There are more people who seem to know this verse of the New Testament better than any other.  How many times have we heard someone say,  “Judge not, that you be not judged.”  Far too much of the time it is over someone teaching of something that God has called an abomination or evil.

Well as a Christian we are to expose  evil wherever we find it; not to condemn the ones  guilty of the evil, but to warn them.  We are not to condemn anyone, because they are already condemned  (John 3:17).  Jesus came into an already condemned world to save us.

Mankind has a bent toward sin.  Many do not know God; neither  do they want to  know Him.  Before we judge another person  we need to be clean ourselves, making sure that we do not have a bigger sin that  is binding  us.  It is like when two school bus drivers have driven the school’s football players to an away game,  The two drivers are sitting on one of the buses, and it is a cold night so they think they have all the windows up.  One of the drivers sitting on the other bus notices that the bus he is sitting on has a window down, and tells the driver, “You have a window down,”  only a few minutes later notices that he has a window down as well.

The apostle Paul wrote, “If we would judge ourselves we should not be judged.” (1 Corinthians 11:31).

We make judgments everyday.  We cannot be judges of the hearts, and motives of others in  condemnation.

Without Jesus Christ coming to die for the sins of the world we all be condemned, and without hope eternally separated from God.  Except for the resurrection of Christ from the grave.  An  old church hymn says, “Dying He saved me, buried He carried my sins far away, rising He justified  freely forever. One day He’s coming O glorious day.”

God is so good and full of mercy and grace.  He proves by having sent His only Son, His death of the cross, in His burial, and by His resurrection from the dead.

Believe Him and call on His name and be delivered from your condemnation,  Or will you continue in your condemnation, and eternal fire?

When Jesus Said, “It Is Finished”

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When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished:” and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.
The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with Him.  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.  And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “A bone of him shall not be broken.” And again another Scripture saith, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
John 19:30-37

The words of Jesus which He spoke from the cross are about seven.  The one in verse thirty is about the last words Jesus spoke.  It was probably next to last with His, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46), being His final words from the cross.

What was it that Jesus was saying “It is finished” about?

  1.  He had finished the work the Father had given Him  to do;
  2.  He was diligent in doing the will of  God in the fulfilling of prophecy;
  3.   He lived the  life God the Father desired His Son to live;
  4.  He finished fulfilling the prophecies of Scripture concerning the sacrifices, and offerings, and of the tabernacle in the wilderness; and
  5.  The work of the priesthood was completed, in that since Jesus was raised up from the grave He has an everlasting Priesthood.

I am fairly certain that this list is not exhausted.

When Jesus said , “It is finished”, He was telling us the sin debt was paid in full.  Those who come to Him will never perish.

 

The Time Had Come

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Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.  And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him;  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God;  He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself.  After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.
John 13:1-5

This was the last Passover Jesus would celebrate , since He cane to be the Passover Lamb,  The Lamb of God who came to take away our sins (John 1:29).  This was the Passsover meal where He would give Himself a sacrifice to God to pay the sin debt of Adam  kind (humanity).

Jesus know that in just a few hours He will be unjustly tried and convicted of crimes He never in all His life had never committed.  He was not grieving the fact that His death was certain; but it was for a great purpose, and that was to take away our sins, by becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). His knowing this was coming He took the time to teach the disciples; disciples through out the Church age, a lesson in “‘serving one another.”

After the supper was ended Jesus, knowing who He is, lays His garment aside, takes a towel, and girds Himself.  After getting some water in a basin, and began washing the disciples feet.  By girding Himself with a towel He was showing the us how we ought to treat one another within the Body of Christ, the Church.

I have seen many Christian people who are gifted servants to others.  I know that I am not the servant of God that I should be; but the words of John are very convicting.  I know some who have servants heart, yet feel like they do not do enough.  Just be faithful to the calling to which God has called you.

The time had come for Jesus  to die on the cross.  That was why He came.  He died on the cross, He was buried, and He rose again.  He is the only hope for all humanity.

Call on His name, and He will hear You and give you eternal life with Him.

A Man Born Blind; Now Seeing

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Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, “Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.”  He answered and said, “Whether He be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”  Then said they to Him again, “What did He to thee? How opened He thine eyes?”  He answered them, “I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? Will ye also be His disciples?”  Then they reviled Him, and said, “Thou art His disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.  We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence He is.”  The man answered and said unto them, “Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence He is, and yet He hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth.  Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.  If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.”  They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
John 9:24-34

Be sure to read this whole story of the blind man.  He was born blind, then as a  grown man is healed by the creator of eyes.  Healed by Him who is the Christ.

This man who was born blind sees much better than those who thought they knew the truth of the identity of Jesus.  There was no record of any one born blind who had been made to see.

When we come into this world as a baby we are born spiritually dead, and blind to the things of God.  That is until God in His grace gives us sight and light that we might see the truth of who Jesus is.  Read Ephesians 2:1-10.

I once was blind, but now I see.  I was lost, and now I am found.  How about you?

Not Condemned

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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.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
John 3-:18-21

Condemnation is not a good state to be  in.  It also means you are dead in sins and separated from God and all that is holy, righteous, and just.

Who are the condemned?

Those who have their  own righteousness, because they do not kick their dog, they do not hit their wife, or their neighbor, they may use profane language a little bit, but they think that does not hurt anyone.  Those who are condemned do not feel that they need any Redeemer.  They are self satisfied, and think that  if there is a God He will see my good works, and He will have to let me into heaven.

So who are those who are not condemned?

They are those who believe on Jesus Christ, who have fully given themselves to Him for all eternity.  They have confessed their sins, and confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe that God has raised Him from the grave.  The apostle Paul wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

You do have a choice now that  you know the truth  of your spiritual condition.  Do I stay in condemnation,  in darknes, in eternal condemnation?  Do I turn to Christ Jesus, him dying on the cross to pay my sin debt, that He was buried, and that He rose again, and through Him have eternal life.  The choice is yours.

Till All Be Fulfilled

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Jesus has just answered questions concern matters of the future.  Some of the events he mentions in those verses (Luke 21:20-28) have been fulfilled, some have not yet occurred .  The verses I share  here today have not yet come to pass, but they will, and I can say that because of verse 33.

And he spake to them a parable;
“Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.  So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.
Luke 21:29-33

Having spoken with the disciples of these things concerning future events ignites even further search and questions.  Here are some of the things that Jesus says will take place in the last days (Luke 21:25-28):

  1.   Signs in the sun, moon, and stars;
  2.  Upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity (Confusion);
  3.  With the sea waves roaring;
  4.  Men’s hearts failing them because they are afraid;
  5.  Scared to death, because they see the signs in the heavens yet will not believe God.

Then Jesus gives us the parable and tells us of the fig tree, and all the trees, that when they begin to leaf out we can know that summer is near.  So when those signs begin to come to pass, then, we can know that the kingdom of God is near at hand.  When these things begin to come to pass, that generation of people shall not pass until all are fulfilled.

The Jesus gives us His word that , “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Every word that has come to us from the Father and the Son, and Holy Spirit will come to pass just as He has promised.

Jesus is coming soon,  and He is coming to judge the earth, and everyone who is still here.

Hear the words of Jeremiah, “Call unto Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know”  (Jeremiah 33:3).  Until He comes you have the chance to repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This is no time to wait.

 

Justification Comes From God Alone

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.And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him.  And He said unto them,
“Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.  The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”
Luke 16:14-17

Jesus is rebuking those Pharisees who at about every point Jesus made  to them they excused themselves, justifying their actions, seeing themselves as better than any of the people they were supposed to be ministers to.  What is looked on highly among man is an abomination to God.

Being sure that one is in the kingdom of God is an urgent,  even a pressing need for all who will come.

Jesus said,  “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass than one tittle of the law to fail.” One tittle of the law is a Hebrew letter the smallest of the Law of God, and Jesus tells us basically, that we can be sure and secure that all His word is truth, and will come to pass.

Rejecting Jesus Christ, and His Work, and Words Has Eternal Consequences

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“But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,  ‘Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.’  But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.”
“Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.  But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
“He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.”
Luke 10:10-16

These are the words of Jesus Christ.  Every one who is in need needs Jesus.  Every one needs to receive His words, believing His words, and trusting Him for eternal salvation.  We are all sinners.  Jesus came into the world to deliver us from our condemnation.

These words were spoken by Jesus to the seventy He sent out to all Judea, telling them of their responsibility if they are rejected; and also the destination of any city, nation, or people that rejected the word of the gospel.

Jesus goes on to say “He that hears you, hears Me; “ and “He that despises you despises Me.”  He went on and added this, “He that despises Me despises Him who sent Me.”

Will you call on Him for salvation and deliverance from your condemnation?

After The Resurrection and The Ascension

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So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Mark 16:10-20

Jesus has risen from the dead after He had died for the sins of humanity, by becoming sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).  After He was raised up from the grave He walked with the disciples probably assuring them of their calling, and faith; encouraging them for their mission ahead of them.  Their God called mission, as well as those of us today who are called Christian.  That calling and ministry to to go and preach the Gospel to the whole world.

Jesus gave them and us the commission to go and “Make disciples” of all nations.  After the ascension of Jesus into the “Right hand of God”, the ones who were following Jesus had faith, and waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit, and in Acts 2:1-47, the Spirit of God comes upon a gathering of one hundred and twenty believers, and the presence, and power of God was definite, witnessed to by those who had not yet believed.  The most awesome event in this is not just the giving the Holy Spirit, who is our comforter, our guide, the One who shows us our sin, and causes us to judge ourselves, so we will not be judged; but also the number of people who were added to the Body of Christ, which is the Church.  About three thousand that one day was added.

God added to to the church daily those would be saved (Acts 2:40-47), and He is still adding to the church those who will be saved.  I must ask myself, How am I doing about the mission of telling others about the loving kindness, mercy, and grace God has given to us through His Son Jesus?  I must tell you, Not to well.  I have failed greatly at the mission.  God help me; there are too many who are perishing.  There is a pitiful, passing parade, of perishing people.

I say to myself, and to all who will hear, If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, you have confessed Jesus as Lord, and you believe that God has raise Him from the dead, then, we need to proclaim to those who are perishing, that Jesus died in our stead on the cross, He was buried, and He rose again.

When we begin to pray for the lost/those who are perishing, then God will move in such a fashion as in the early church.

The Fig Tree

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And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, He was hungry:
And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find any thing thereon: and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.  And Jesus answered and said unto it,
“No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever.”
And His disciples heard it. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto Him, “Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away.”
Mark 11:12-14, 20-21

The fig tree in Old Testament is sometimes used as a reference to the nation of Israel.  Consider for example Isaiah chapter 5:1-7;  Hosea 9:10;  Joel 1:7,  and there are a few more.

On this same day Jesus went into the Temple and drove the crooks and thieves out of the House of Prayer for all nations giving it a cleansing from doing business for the Passover, and ripping people off, stealing by deceit, in order to make money for themselves and the Temple.

What can followers of Jesus learn from this event in the life of Christ?  One thing to me is quite clear – that is that Jesus is not pleased,  nor is He praise fruitlessness.  If this fig tree was cursed , because it bore no fruit, while it was boasting of having fruit it did not have; we are reminded of that we as Christians are to bear fruit for Jesus, and through Him.

Every true Christian is much more than a professor of Christ Jesus.  We have evidence (fruit) in our lives and have confessed that Jesus is Lord of our lives, and  live what we believe.  The fruit we bear will include, love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-26).  Another thing is you will love God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and you will love His people who are His church, and be faithful in attending a local Body of Christ.

I do not want anyone who comes here to leave this site still in a state of unbelief.  I want you to be saved, and very fruitful for the Lord’s sake,  The alternative is not what you would want.  Remember the fig tree that bore no fruit, even though by having leaves said it did.

Out Of The Heart

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And when He had called all the people unto Him, He said unto them,
“Hearken unto Me every one of you, and understand: there is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.  If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”
And when He was entered into the house from the people, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.  And He saith unto them,
“Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?”
And He said,
“That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,  thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:  all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Mark 7:14-23

Everyone born into this world comes into this world a sinner, except for One.  He is the one speaking above about what defiles us; and that it is not anything outside us.

All the evil that we do comes from an evil heart.  The prophet Jeremiah said, “The heart of man is deceitful, above all things, and desperately wicked.  Who can know it?”  (Jeremiah 17:9).  Only God knows what is  in our hearts.  If you have hatred in your heart for a neighbor, a former spouse, your boss at work, even the one who spit in your face and called you a female dog, then that comes from an evil heart.

There is only one answer for out deliverance from evil in our hearts.  The answer is a new heart.  Know that we are not speaking about this blood pump that keeps us going, but we are talking about a changed way of life.  It happens through the work of Jesus Christ and His life; His death on the cross for our sins, His burial, and resurrection.  When Jesus becomes your Lord and Savior your desires will change.  You no longer want live in sinful behavior.  Jesus mentions many of those transgressions in the above text.  You will desire to do what is right, good, and holy to live a life that glorifies the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Would you like to have a change of heart?  Would you like to have an eternity that you can look forward to?  Then  call on the One who gives it to all who will come to Him, His name is Jesus.

The Sword With A Lesson

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And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.  Then said Jesus unto him,
“Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?”
Matthew 26:51-54

There is a time and a place to use the sword.  This was not the time, nor the place to use the sword.  Too late, Peter learned that lesson.  That man Peter struck with the sword was a blessed man, whether he realized it or not.  Peter was bit aiming for his ear.

Peter had not heard very much our Lord said before this night, about being turned over by a betrayer, being crucified, buried, and raised again to life.  He was defending his Messiah, no matter what Jesus said.  In the account of the Gospel of Luke Jesus reaches up to the man who lost his ear, and gave him a new ear (Luke 22:50-51).

Jesus our Lord told Peter to put the sword away into its place; which was  probably back in it sheath, or his belt.  Then, Jesus goes on to tell Peter that He could pray to His Father, and He would send twelve legions of angels to defend Him.

Jesus was more concerned about the fulfilling of Scripture than He was in saving His own life.  He was more concerned about obedience to His Father than His own life.  He was more caring and loving, because He was making a living, holy, righteous sacrifice of His own life.

If Jesus would have failed to go to the cross we would all still in our condemnation (John 3:17-21), and we would all be condemned forever.  I am thankful He did not choose to call for the angels.  I am thankful such a great salvation, that my Lord and Savior paid my sin debt.

When you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that He rose from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10).

A Matter of The Law

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But when the Pharisees had heard that He had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.  Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question, tempting Him, and saying,  “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”  Jesus said unto him,
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.’   On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:34-40

Jesus has just silenced the argument of the resurrection.  The Sadducees were non spiritual.  It seems they believed in God in their own weird way, yet did not believe in angels, miracles, and other like things.  They had asked Jesus a question which is absurd anyway, and Jesus answered with “You do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God”  (Matthew 22:29).  He pointed out to them that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  The God of the living, meaning that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were still alive and God would someday raise them up from their graves.

This lawyer asked Jesus the question, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”  Jesus answered using a shorter version of the first four of the Ten Commandments, then told him of the second, and it was a shorter version of the final six of the Ten.

There are some who think that God’s Law no longer matters, however they put themselves in peril, because Jesus warns us in the fifth chapter of Matthew that to teach others to break the law, as well, will be the least in the kingdom of heaven (see Matthew 5:17-20).

For those who believe in Jesus, have trusted Him, and confessed His name these laws have been put into our hearts.  It is the way the Christian, the Christ follower.  With it written in our hearts, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves is the way we live.

Why then is their strife in many churches over what carpet we are going to get for the floor?  What are we going to do with our pastor, “He preaches too long”?  One commandment Jesus gave those of us who follow Jesus is this, “Love one another”  (John 13:34; 15:12, 17).  The love Jesus has for His own is beyond human understanding, because He loved us so much that He died a horrible, yet marvelous death on that old cross.

So why should we still need the Law of God?  It is in our hearts to live by it.  It is also needed to remind us that we were unable to live it on our own, and to use the Law so the Holy Spirit draws others to Christ Jesus.

The Hardest Thing For Humanity To Do

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Jesus said unto him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.”
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.  Then said Jesus unto His disciples,
“Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who then can be saved?”  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,
“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:21-26

Jesus has just given to the rich young man words of great instruction, and He does not give himself to the word and will of the Lord.  The man had asked Jesus, “What thing might I do that I might receive eternal life?”   Jesus’s answer is basically telling him to obey the law.  Jesus only uses the last six of the 10 Commandments, sums it all up by saying, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  The young man said that he had been obedient to live by them since his youth until this day, then he asked, “What do I lack?”

Jesus gives him an answer that is quite hard to conceive, and is very difficult for someone who has many things materially, yet that is not   this man’s main problem.  He does not need to be perfect, he needs Jesus.  He only sees Jesus as a good man.  He sees his wealth as being more important than repentance, and faith in God or His Son.

Remember the young man was asking what he had to do to have or to earn eternal life.  The Law says, “Obey every commandment, and you will be saved, or right with God.”  James, the brother of our Lord teaches that if we break one law we are guilty of breaking the whole law (James 2:10).

All of Adam kind (mankind) are condemned, and headed toward eternal torment except they are perfectly keeping every law of God which is impossible.  Only one Man has been faithful to the obedience to the Law of God, and that was God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

You cannot earn eternal life.  It is a gift given by God the Father, and the Son to come to earth to die in our place, be laid in a grave, and to be raised by the Spirit of God, never to die again.  Doing so secures our eternal life when we ourselves to Him, and eternal salvation.

The hardest thing for mankind to do is to stop working for their salvation.  We cannot save ourselves from our set path, since we were born into sin, and all its darkness, and condemnation.  Some of you reading this may think that God will see all my good works and deeds, and they will outweigh the bad I have done.  Not so.  If you flaunt your good works before God, He will declare unto you, “O do not know you,”  and you will be cast out into eternal torment.

Jesus is the only was to heaven and to eternal life.  He paid our sin debt which was death, an eternal death which separates from God.

Believe Him.  Call on His name, and be saved by grace through faith in Him alone.  With God all things are possible.

The hardest thing for you to do is to give up trying to earn your salvation from death.  If you will do so though you will find yourself eternally blessed through Christ Jesus.

Rest For the Weary

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“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.”
“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  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.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:27-30

Jesus has just announced a woe upon the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, because they have rejected the words of Jesus, and His life.  There are many religious leaders that lay many burdens of the Law and ritual that is heavy for a man or woman to carry.  Jesus does not do that, back in A.D. 33 or 2025.  He even says, “It is My yoke,” and when we realize who Jesus truly is we will join Him in that yoke.

Now a yoke was for two, made of wood, and possibly some leather. There are those who labor to be good enough to get to heaven, and there are some care not whether there is a Heaven or Hell.  Those who are trying to be good enough need the Spirit of Jesus Christ ( the Holy Spirit) to get them to the point of coming unto Jesus.

Does your load of religious duties weigh you down?  If you do then you need to come to Jesus, and He will give you rest.  When we take up His yoke He is always by our side, He is in fact inside working out His good works, words,  and deeds through you (Ephesians 2:10)

Love Your Enemies

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“Ye have heard that it hath been said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour, 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.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?”
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:43-48

Love your enemies?  Really!  What a preposterous and crazy thought.  To the human flesh this sounds foolish, and you fear being run over by someone who will take advantage of your love and kindness.

Jesus says also in those verses, “Love your neighbor.”  Jesus was asked that question before He tells us the parable of the “Good Samaritan”  (Luke 10:29-37).  The good Samaritan was the only one who showed the man, who had been beaten and left for dead, love and kindness.

So who is our neighbor?  The stranger who needs help.  The man or woman who is a drug addict who is found lying in the gutter, pleading for help.  The boy or girl who is be abused, and wants help.  We are all neighbors one of another.

I know a young man who was driving, with his family , and they were on their way to town, they went by a neighbors house, and saw a fire burning outside that house from a wood furnace.  He pulled in the driveway, went and knocked on the door.  No one was home, so he told his wife go get the Fire Department, which was close by.  While she was doing that the young man went to the fire, and started pulling the burning wood away from the building.  It was actually started to burn the poles of their carport.  The Firemen showed up and they kept the house from burning.

That is part of what a good neighbor is.  Watching over, and caring for those in need, as we go about  our daily needs

If every one is a neighbor, then that includes enemies.

How can we love those who oppose us, despise us,  and we are to bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us?  There is only one way, and that is to have the love of God in you.  The way to have the love of God in  you is to yield your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, confessing that you are a sinner separated from God, and confessing Jesus as your Lord, and believing that God has raised  Him from the dead.  When you get Jesus, you will receive the Holy Spirit, who is Christ in you – God in you.

The Fire That Cleanses

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“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.  And now also the axe 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.  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: 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.”
Matthew 3:9-2

The sins and need for the light of God to shine so that the people of Israel, and the Gentiles might know the true God.  That is what John the Baptizer is addressing.  To the Jew first, and then to the nations of the world.

John is bold in addressing the sin of the religious leaders calling them a “…generation of vipers”, and asking them, “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”  These were the Sadducees and the Pharisees; and they did not care for John, who unrecognized by them, was God’s messenger sent by God to prepare the way for God’s Messiah.

Notice that John has great respect for the One he is declaring to the people who come out to  hear him that he is not worthy to loosen His shoes.  Of course he is speaking of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The prophet says, “He is mightier than I,” “He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire,”  then John takes to a threshing floor where the grain is separated from the chaff, and shows us what happens to the chaff after the threshing.  The chaff being good for nothing is cast into the fire, and burned up.

Fire is a destructive power when not used properly.  It can be used to destroy.  It can be used for purging the land.  The fire John is speaking of is completely under control and purges the hearts of God’s people so that we might live a righteous, and holy life for Him, and produce more fruit for His glory.

Jesus will separate the wheat from the chaff, and save the wheat, and burn the chaff to have a cleansed floor.  The invitation is “Call on Me and I answer you, and will show you great and mighty things which you do no know” (Jeremiah 33:3).  Will you call on Him.  Surrender your life to Him, and just watch Him work on you and in you.

When You Make God A Liar

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If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
1 John 1:8-10

Can a human being, one of Adam kind make God a liar?  Can Truth become a lie?  The answer to both questions is “No!”

However, when a person hears the truth of God, and they do not believe it nor trust what He says, they are in effect calling God a liar.  It is a sad thing to deny God the Father and Giver of Truth, and call Him a liar.

Rejecting all that Jesus says about Himself, His words of love, mercy and grace.  His death, burial, and resurrection.  Rejecting what He says about His coming again.  These are all calling Him a liar.

The truth is that God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all Truth, and all men, women and children are liars, and that includes myself before I  was redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God who came to take away my sin with His life.  When we believe Him we are believing Truth, not the lies of humanity.

Believe God instead of the words of mankind which are lies when exposed by the light of God’s word.

We cannot make God a liar.  We can make Him out to be a liar in our own minds, and shut Him out.  Get out of that mode immediately or you will perish.  Get out by calling on the name of Jesus; who died for your sins, was buried, and He rose again, and He forever lives and intercedes for us.

The Peace of God

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Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

Paul the Apostle was in prison, sent this letter in the hands of a friend and brother in Christ; and he tells the Philippian Church, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say ‘ Rejoice.’ ”  It does not seem that he had much to rejoice in, but he was different from most of us and could rejoice because of who he knows, and what he knows.

He can rejoice because he knows that the Lord is near.  He knows of the patience, the forbearance of these people; let that be known among all the people.  That ( forbearance) is a good thing to practice.

The Apostle tells us here not to be  anxious, worried about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, tell the Lord your situation, and He will give you peace.  He will give you the peace that passes understanding.  The apostle Paul knew this peace and that is how he could tell them to “Rejoice.”

Sitting as a prisoner in a rented house, under guard night and day, the apostle Paul sees God as being bigger and greater than his being imprisoned.  God was doing great and mighty things through Paul’s ministry of prison.  He knew that God is bigger than the walls he was bound to.  God is bigger than Rome, and He is bigger than the universe which He created.

When we see God in His Son Jesus Christ, as being bigger and greater than our fears and worries, then we can have the peace of God that passes all understanding.

Irrevocable

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As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Romans 11:28-32

The Jewish people are enemies only because they have rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They have done so, so that, we Gentiles might become part of God’s kingdom as well as the Jew.

There seems to be a growing trend for some Christian speaker, preachers, teachers, and from all walks of life, teaching that the Church is the new Israel.  That is assuming that God has forsaken the Old Testament Israel, for the Church (which is the Body of Christ).  My question is: If the Church is the new Israel what will happen to Israel?

Verse 29 of our text says, “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance (are Irrevocable).”  Meaning that what God has said in the Old Testament concerning His covenant people will not fail to come to pass.  There are many prophecies of the Old Testament that have not yet come to pass.  Those prophecies and promises cannot be claimed to be the Church’s, except for our encouragement, and education, and growth.

God says, “I will be merciful to whom I will be merciful.”  God chose to blind the eyes of  many Jewish people to bring Gentiles to Himself.  Let us be thankful to the people of Israel for their part in our salvation; for it is through them that we have received our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and from them we have received God’s word.

Antisemitism must stop among those who are Christian or God can set us aside as He has Israel.  God is not one who forsakes His people.  He has a remnant who believe Him and live for Him.  One day all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:25-27),  The apostle Paul was writing here of his people, not the Church.

“The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”  It is an encouragement to know that God’s word, prophecies and promises do not change.  It is comforting to know that He does not give up on His people.

Put Away… That Wicked Person

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I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:  Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.  But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.  For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?  But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13

The Church at Corinth had problems that the apostle Paul had to deal with.  One of those problems was sexual immorality.  Some man’s son was going to bed with his father’s wife.  What was the Church at Corinth doing about it?  They were doing nothing about it.  Rather they seemed to be applauding their love and toleration of the immoral behavior.

The purpose of putting away this young man, was to get him to the place of repentance, and to return to the Church cleansed and forgiven (1 Corinthians 5:5).  The Lord Jesus Christ will not tolerate sin among His Body, which is the Church.  He will purge it, and make it clean.  That includes putting away from us that wicked person.  So that they might be tormented by the devil, and they return repentant of their deed or deeds.

Does the Church today need to practice this discipline?

Do the rules of the Church of Corinth belong to the Church today?

Do we do harm by practicing this rule, or does it do good for both the Church and the immoral person?

Jesus Christ died on the cross for all our sins, He was buried, and He rose again.  Because He has died for us we are free from the bondage of sin.  Not freedom to sin; but rather, freedom to live a righteous life.