And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release Him: but the Jews cried out, saying, “If thou let this Man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.”
When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, “Behold your King!” But they cried out, “Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him.” Pilate saith unto them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”
Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led Him away. John 19:12-16
King
Throne Of Judgment
“A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.” Proverbs 20:8 (KJB)
LORD Of Hosts, My King and My God
“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of Hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of Hosts, my King, and my God.
Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still praising Thee. Selah.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
O LORD God of Hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of Thine anointed.
For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.
O LORD of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.” Psalm 84:1-12 (KJB)
Kings; Meddling; and a Sluggard
“The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. ” Proverbs 20:2-4 (KJB)
The Great King Over All
“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD Most High is terrible; a great King over all the earth.
He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom He loved. Selah.
God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness.
The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted.” Psalm 47:1-9 (KJB)
Because Of Truth, Meekness, and Righteousness
“My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the King: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into Thy lips: therefore God hath blessed Thee for ever.
Gird thy sword upon Thy thigh, O Most Mighty, with Thy glory and Thy majesty. And in Thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and Thy right hand shall teach Thee terrible things.
Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies; whereby the people fall under Thee.
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows. All Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” Psalm 45:1-8 (KJB)
Secret Things and Wisdom
“These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:1-2 (KJB)
The King’s Heart and Rivers
“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.” Proverbs 21:1 (KJB)
To Know, To Perceive, To Receive, and To Give
“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.” Proverbs 1:1-4 (KJB)
When Stones Would Cry Out
“And He answered and said unto them, ‘I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.’ ” Luke 19:40 (KJB)
Jesus had come into Jerusalem fulfilling Scripture riding on a donkey. This was a presentation of the humble King, not a conquering king, but a servant King (Zechariah 9:9). The people who had some wisdom, recognized the Scriptural significance, laid palm branches down as a coronation and worshiped Him, saying,
“Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” v. 38
The response Jesus gives to the spiritually blind Pharisees is one that sounds quite odd, and we might think and say, “Well, that would be impossible”. We need to remember that nothing is impossible with God.
If people will not recognize the King of kings, then the rocks of God’s creation can and will.
Let me leave you today with thoughts from teachers from the more recent past:
From John Gill –
“And he answered and said unto them, I tell you,…. As a truth, which may be depended on, and you may be assured of; this he spake with great earnestness, fervour, and courage:
that if these should hold their peace; be silent, and not sing the praises of God, and ascribe glory to him, and profess the Messiah, and make this public acknowledgment of him:
the stones would immediately cry out; either against them, or in a declaration of the Messiah: by which expression our Lord means, that it was impossible it should be otherwise; it would be intolerable if it was not; and rather than it should not be, God, who is able out of stones to raise up children to Abraham, would make the stones speak, or turn stones into men, who should rise up and praise the Lord, and confess the Messiah; hereby commending his disciples, and tacitly reflecting upon the Pharisees, for their stupidity; and also giving a hint of the conversion of the Gentiles, who might be compared to stones, especially in the opinion of the Jews.” From John Gill’s EXPOSITION OF THE BIBLE
From John Wesley –
“If these should hold their peace, the stones, which lie before you, would cry out – That is, God would raise up some still more unlikely instruments to declare his praise. For the power of God will not return empty.” From John Wesley’s NOTES ON THE BIBLE
Have you cried out to the Lord for His mercy and grace in salvation? His presentation that day was as the Servant King to serve as a sacrifice for the sins of Adam’s race. He died, was buried, and He rose again. Call on His name. He will hear. He will save.
…To All People
“And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people…” Luke 2:10 (KJB)
I find it somewhat odd that the scholars, the priest, the religionist of the day in Jerusalem missed the obvious signs. The signs that the Messiah was on the way. I will not get into what those signs were. Others saw them from further away.
The shepherds in the field were not the first. They are the first mentioned in our text, but in the totality of the text of the gospel it includes the wise men from the east (Matthew 2:1-12). The wise men would have began most likely weeks before when they saw the “star”, and they traveled together and found the new born King, not in a manger, but a house.
In the birth of Jesus the LORD of Creation is declaring that His Son’s birth is a gift to all who will come to Him and believe in the gift of His grace. The grace that will be displayed by His death on the cross, His burial not only proving He died, but that He also carried all our sin, condemnation, guilt, and shame away, and then He arose leaving all of that behind and He eternally lives. Because He lives all from every nation, every tongue, and every tribe of people who believe in Him have eternal life.
“Fear not” the angel said. The great good tidings to all the earth. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
A Self Exalted King
“Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
‘Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, ‘Thus saith the Lord GOD; ‘Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty….” Ezekiel 28:11-12 (KJB)
Tyre was evidently a rocky island in the Mediterranaen sea. It was known as a place where the known world of the time traded; a place of commerce. The king of Tyre or Tyrus was arrogant, and exalted himself as God. This is an arrogance in the extreme, and definitely invites the judgment of the Lord GOD.
I pray as you read this you will read chapters 26 – 29 of the prophecy.
In God’s lamentation of the king it seems directed at the spirit of iniquity; the place from which the evil heart and mind really comes the person who was in the garden of Eden, and questioned the word of God, and caused the man Adam and his wife Eve to question the word too.
When we see evil in the world it can be traced to this vile, wicked, evil, serpent who also exalts himself over the throne of God (Read Isaiah 14). We see kings and rulers today who are trying to silence the word, the will, and the way of the Lord GOD, and kill all that profess the name of Jesus Christ who is the Son of the Lord GOD.
To you who are self exalted kings and gods; you will not succeed. You are doomed to the fires of Hell unless you repent of your sins, and turn to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He is the One who died, was buried, and rose again. He is the King of kings, and ultimately you will bow to Him.
To you who are not kings and/or rulers of any land or nation. If you think you are the master of your own fate; the captain of your soul; you are not. This One who died on the cross (Jesus Christ), was buried, and rose again is. Submit to Him, His Lordship, and call on His name.
What a Way to Treat the Word of God
“Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.” Jeremiah 36:24 (KJB)
My thoughts as I read through Jeremiah 34 – 36 this morning is the title – “What a way to treat the word of God”. It is the word of God.
It was from God, given to Jeremiah, to have read before king Jehoiakim. To this present time the king had paid no heed to the word of the LORD. God is merciful, and kind, and patient with His people. He will not allow evil in His people to go unanswered.
How can a king who is leading God’s people be so spiteful, hateful, and just downright wicked toward God, His word, and His prophet? It seems like a frightening thing to me.
Yet, notice in the verses before and after the text above. The king cut the written words up into pieces, then threw them into the fire; not even willing to hear what God says. Some plead with the king not to do it; and he does not hear them. “They were not afraid” neither did they “tear their garments” in remorse.
I am seeing things similar to this in many who call themselves “Christian” today. Maybe not actually taking a Bible and cutting it up, throwing it in the fire; but just out and out rebellion, unbelief, and making statements such as “The Bible is antiquated and unnecessary for our day”. There are even a few religious “churches” who have no respect for the word of God. They allow what God condemns; even to ordaining leaders who commit abomination against God and His word.
When professing Christians are believing that there are other ways to God and Heaven, and that Jesus Christ is only one of many ways, they are shunning the word of God, and declaring the words of men just as valuable as the word of God. That accusation is against the word of God, tears it to shreds, and throws it into the fires of the false prophets.
Jesus Christ Himself said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no one comes unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6) Through Jesus Christ alone is the salvation of those in Adam’s race. You can believe that, and trust Him, or you will perish.
The Law and The Testimony
“And when they shall say unto you, ‘Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter:’ should not a people seek unto their God for the living to the dead?
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward. And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.” Isaiah 8:19-22 (KJB)
Rather than writing more on these verses follow the following links to previous post I have shared…
Seek GOD and His Word
In Darkness; There is Light
The Defense
“And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.” Acts 26:6-7 (KJB)
The apostle is now standing before the King of Israel. I cannot help but think that as Paul stands there he could be thinking of one day standing before Jesus, the King of kings, and giving an account of his life.
Now as he stands before King Agrippa he is giving his own defense for the Jews accusations against him. Some of the same accusations brought against Jesus. False charges are always charged by those who have no true rebuttal against the faithful.
Paul has been told by the Lord that he would go to Rome (Acts 23:11). Is he worried? I really doubt it. Is he fearful? He is trusting the Lord for His defense, and deliverance and trip to Rome.
Agrippa was a man who was educated in the Jewish religion, and the apostle used that to defend his own ministry and words. If you will remember our Lord said that some of His disciples would stand before kings (Mark 13:9). Of course in that reference it is dealing with the last days. Just a thought here: the last days began with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus; possibly even the birth of Jesus.
Let us who are in Christ continue in the faithfulness of the word of God and the gospel of Christ Jesus. Lord God Almighty keep us in Your powerful hands to always be faithful. Give us boldness through the filling of Your Spirit, that in and through all things we might walk with You.
This Jesus
“This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.” Acts 2:32 (KJB)
There have been and still are many ways the name “Jesus” is said, used, and abused. There are, in fact, many Jesus’s in this world, and there always has been. When you speak of Jesus which one do you make reference of?
The One in our text is the One who came as a Suffering Servant/King. He came into this world just as we all do, by birth from His mother’s womb. His conception was far different from ours. His Father was Jehovah/YHWH the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, and All-Present One; the Immutable One – He never changes.
The One of whom I write this morning is the One who was despised of mankind, hated, mocked, spit upon, falsely accused of blasphemy, and doing good.
“This Jesus” took upon Himself willingly all the sins of the world. All of my sins; all of your sins and was judged by the Judge of the universe as a sinner; yet He Himself was without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He was buried in a borrowed tomb. He arose and came out of that grave. No one has ever found His body. There is none to find. He is alive
This Jesus is the Jesus of whom Peter is speaking in Acts 2. When Peter says, “…Whereof we all are witnesses” he is speaking of the apostles, and those who saw the resurrected Jesus.
Those of us who believe in “This Jesus” today are also witnesses of the crucified, buried, and resurrected Jesus. Though we have not seen Him, yet, we have seen the fruits of His Spirit, and the power of the spiritual gifts He gives all who have come to Him.
Let us choose to be vibrant, diligent, faithful, holy, witnesses for This Jesus.
Shall I Crucify Your King?
“And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’ But they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him.’ Pilate saith unto them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.'” John 19:14-15 (KJB)
In this scene Jesus is being tried for accused sins and transgressions; not actual charges, but false charges brought about by those who hated God, His word, and His Son.
Jesus is the King of the Jews. It was those who should have known the Scripture best which denied Him, were jealous of His successes, His power, and His followers. One of the chief priest even said that “One must die for our nation” (John 11:49-51).
Here stood the Man, the God-Man whose character, power, miracles, grace, mercy, holiness, and justness was clearly displayed by His life. He lived solely to do the business of His Father (Luke 2:49), from the early age of 12 years. He healed the sick, caused the lame to walk, cleansed lepers, raised the dead. Hey, He defied the elements by walking on water, speaking to storms and they ceased. He cast out demons.
How could these religious “Leaders” be so blind? Pilate asked them, “Shall I crucify your King?”. Their sad, and hateful words say it all about their dark hearts… “We have no king but Caesar?”
When citizens of a nation which is enslaved by another nation chooses the king of the occupying nation over their own king; especially like these do they are denying God. These Jewish leaders should have been looking for the coming of their Messiah; maybe they were, but were not expecting this Jesus; this suffering Servant of God; willing to die for the sins of the world.
For the Christian of 2019 are you aware of; are you alert to the words of your King? Jesus is your King. He has called us unto Himself, turning from sin to His righteousness, to live in holiness. Are we saying the same thing those religious leaders of His day said when we choose to go our own way, do our own thing? Are we not saying, “I have no king but Caesar/myself?”
The Virtuous Man; The Virtuous Woman
“The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:1-9 (KJB)
Man of Virtue; Woman of Virtue – Proverbs 31:1-31
No one is for certain who Lemuel was. The name means “Belonging to God”, and could be another name for Solomon.
We often hear about the woman/wife of verses 10-31, but little about the virtuous king/man in verses 1-9.
According to Strongs Dictionary of the Hebrew language “Virtuous” means ‘a force’ or ‘valour’, ‘strength’. Probably referring to moral excellence and strength or power.
1. The king should be virtuous in his judgment/justice and other decisions. He is to stand for the weak and defenseless.
The word “strength” (v. 3) is the same as the word “virtuous” of v. 10 [chayil; khah’-yil]. Not controlled by unethical women, nor by power, neither by mind altering drink or drugs. Only a virtuous/strong man or king can make righteous judgments. (vv. 1-9)
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” Proverbs 31:10-22
2. The woman/wife of virtue. A force of moral integrity. Look at her value “far above rubies”. She has the “trust” of her husband; he knows she will not bankrupt their home and family – morally or financially (vv. 10-12).
She is a hard and diligent worker and wise shopper (vv. 13-15). She endeavors to increase her resources (vv. 16-19) She is thoughtful of others, and cares for her own (vv. 20-21).
The wife of virtue is an artist, designer, homebuilder, etc. (vv. 22-24).
“Strength” (v. 25) is a different [‘oz; oze] meaning “force, security, majesty, praise”. And honour are her clothing; her covering; her unashamed quality. This virtuous woman is honoredby her neighbors, her husband, her children.
“Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31:29-31
The virtuous woman is more concerned with the way her life and family appears, than her personal beauty. A woman who has the adoration of her family, friends, and neighbors due to her strength in the Lord has much, very much, and is praised by others (vv. 26-31).
The King Rejected
“When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’ But they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him, crucify him.’ Pilate saith unto them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar.’ Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led Him away.” John 19:13-16 (KJB)
This is a very sad event. It would seem that even Pilate recognized Jesus as the Sovereign that He was and is; yet he was more devoted to Caesar, and fear of the accusation of not being a friend of Caesar, than he was to freeing an innocent Man. Pilate goes on and declares Jesus, “King of the Jews”, but condemns Him to crucifixions death.
As I read these verses I thought of and think of the following verses from the first chapter of John…
“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received him not.” John 1:10-11
Jesus Christ will one day, and possibly soon, rule as the King of all the earth. O, in His precious Holy name, do not be found rejecting the King.
The Heart of the Righteous King
The Heart of the Righteous King – Proverbs 16:10-15
In the United States of America we have no Monarchy. We live in a Republic which is governed of the people, by the people and for the people. I do believe, however, that seeing our leaders as under the same rules as a king would be sufficient to show us how a ruler should govern the people.
This surely is reference to the King of kings, and all are to pattern themselves after Him.
Verse 10 – The godly ruler is one who represents God to the people; and should speak the “Divine sentences” “Oracles” of God. Solomon’s wisdom was known and respected (1 Kings 3:28). See Proverbs 20:28; and 28:15-16.
Verse 11 – Though a monarch or any ruler is not mentioned in the verse it is certainly a decree that leaders/rulers are to operate function in business with the proper scales and weights. Proverbs 11:1.
Verse 12 – It is a moral tragedy for leaders to place their leadership; whether it be king or President; over the throne and sovereign power of God. The throne of David, and every king of Israel was established due to the righteousness of the king. Proverbs 25:5; 29:14; Isaiah 16:5.
Verse 13 – Righteous words and lips should be the desire of kings and all leadership who lead people. Proverbs 14:35; 22:11. We must remember that what is in the heart will be manisfested through the lips and the life (Matthew 15:10-20).
Verse 14 – John Gill from e-Sword:
“The wrath of a king is as messengers of death,…. Or, “angels of death”, as the Targum. As the wrath of Ahasuerus was to Haman; when it is either discovered in the countenance of a king, or expressed by his words, or signified by a messenger; it sometimes has been immediate death to a person, and often as terrible as if a messenger brought the sentence of death; yea, it is as if one messenger after another was sent on such an errand, and therefore the word is in the plural number. How terrible is the wrath of the King of kings; and even to kings themselves, who are represented as flying to rocks and mountains to hide them from it! Rev_6:15;
but a wise man will pacify it; by a proper acknowledgment of the offence committed; or by a prudent representation of his case, or the case of his friends; by soft answers and strong arguments, as Jonathan pacified the wrath of King Saul his father against David. He is a wise man that believes in Christ, and pleads his propitiatory sacrifice for the expiation of his sin, at the same time frankly acknowledging it.”
Verse 15 – Just as the “wrath of the king” is as “Messengers of death” so is the “Light of the king’s countenance”… “Life”.
The “Latter rain” was the final rain fall before the harvest of the crops; and was the necessary rain for nourishing the harvest. So the king’s favor would be like that rain.
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34
The Kings Authority Over Evil
The King’s Authority Over Evil
Matthew 8:28-34
We have seen Jesus the King as He has dealt with physical ailments, sicknesses, diseases, and our infirmities. We have seen Him deal with the storm which came up at sea which could, itself, have been generated by supernatural means, through the demons we see in our text. It is only my supposition to think it was of supernatural means, and I think a good supposition due to the fear of the four fishermen who were on the boat of the previous verses. If it was not supernatural, then, it was one of the fiercest storms they had ever encountered.
JESUS IS MET BY TWO WHO ARE POSSESSED BY DEMONS (v. 28).
* Two people all the other people feared and would take long walks around where they dwelt.
* Two people who were in bondage; who actually were crying for help from within their souls.
THE FALLEN ANGELS KNOW WHO JESUS IS AND PLEAD WITH HIM FOR A REPRIEVE (vv. 29-31).
* These demons recognize their Creator who cast them out of heaven.
* They still despise Him, though they may show some humility to Him, recognizing His superiority over them.
MATTHEW’S GOSPEL RECORDS JESUS ONLY SPEAKING ONE WORD, AND THAT WORD IS “GO.” (v. 32).
* Jesus’s word “Go” to these fallen angels was to depart from the tormented souls of these individuals.
* The Christian is commissioned to “Go”, and tell, and deliver the lost from the torment of evil.
THE OWNER’S OF THE PORK STRONGLY URGE JESUS TO LEAVE (vv. 33-34).
* This whole event is about the deliverance of people who have been in bondage to evil.
* What is of more importance pigs and/or possessions or the lives of human beings?
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Light That Shines
The Light That Shines
Matthew 4:1-25
Jesus never declared Himself to be King. It is decreed by scripture that there would be a King to always sit upon the throne of David. Jesus is often called the Son of David, and that means He is the One to sit on the throne.
As the king He is the Light. As the Light He even calls us the Light. We will see in the fourteenth through the sixteenth verses that Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the Light that would break the darkness of Zabulon and Nephthalim. That Light shines still today around the world in the lives of His people.
I. THE LIGHT IS VICTORIOUS OVER THE DARKNESS IN HIS TEMPTATIONS (vv. 1-11)
A. Following His baptism Jesus was “led of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (v. 1)
1. This was a testing of His being, and to strengthen Him in Spirit.
2. His faith must be tested in order to be obedient to the Father — “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;” Heb. 5:8 (KJV).
B. The first temptation was concerning His desire and, ours to Survive.
1. “If you are the Son of God”
2. “Turn these stones to bread”
3. Survival sometimes tempts us to take shortcuts around what is right, good, godly and best.
4. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God”
C. The second temptation was concerning His desire, ours to be Secure.
1. The devil’s temptation was one that would require Jesus to prove arrogance and stupidity, not security.
2. When one has genuine security it does not have to be proven to anyone – if you must prove it you don’t have it.
3. To prove His Security at this point and this manner would be to tempt God. “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God”.
4. Jesus was so secure that He trusted that His Father would take Him all the way to fulfill His destiny, and that destiny as a Man was to die on the cross.
D. The final temptation was concerning His desire, and ours to be successful.
1. Worship me, and I will give you the kingdoms of the world (Ps. 2:8).
2. Jesus would one day have dominion of the kingdoms of the world, but not this way; Jesus knew there was a debt to pay, the sin debt which was owed to the Father.
3. Worshipping God, the Creator, is the only means of success.
II. THE LIGHT SHINES WHERE JESUS DWELLS (vv. 12-17)
A. Jesus as the Light continued the message of the Baptist – the message of repentance.
B. Notice that Jesus departed from Nazareth, and came to Capernaum to dwell.
1. This was His place of residence; his ministry headquarters now. (John 6:16-24).
2. One thing that always stands out in the Gospel of Matthew is that Jesus fulfilled Scripture.
C. Jesus wants His Light to shine in and through you.
III. THE LIGHT SHINES IN AND THROUGH HIS FOLLOWERS/DISCIPLES (vv. 18-22).
A. Jesus walks along the seashore seeking men to follow Him.
1. The sea often represents the realm of mankind, and their doomed, despairing, drowning, dying cries for help.
2. That sea of man is still here and we are all still needy, by when we have come to the light we can go with Jesus.
B. Jesus takes Simon and Andrew first, then He calls James and John.
1. These were all fisherman, and He finds them all about the task of their work.
2. They can understand the call “Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”.
C. The call still rings through the word and the hearts of His disciples, “Come follow Me”.
IV. THE LIGHT SHINES AS EVIDENCE OF HIS HONOR, GLORY AND POWER, THROUGH HIS TEACHING, PREACHING AND HEALING (vv. 23-25).
A. These are the credentials of the Divine King – the Son of God.
1. In His teaching He taught with supreme authority (7:29).
2. In His preaching He announced the kingdom of heaven.
3. In His healing and miracles it was divine clarification of His identity and authority.
B. The greatest healing and miracle Jesus came to do was to give Light to the darkness of human hearts.
“The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart”
C. Why do we follow Him?
1. Is it solely because of what He can do for us?
2. Is it solely because of what He has done for us?
3. Is it because He loved us and made it possible that we love Him?
4. Is it because of who He is?
SUMMARY –
I. IN HIS LIGHT THERE IS VICTORY OVER EVERY TEMPTATION.
II. THE LIGHT OF JESUS SHINES WHERE HE DWELLS; LET HIM SHINE IN AND THROUGH YOU.
III. HAVE YOU HEARD THE CALL OF JESUS – “COME FOLLOW ME”?
IV. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED HIS LOVE, THAT ENABLES YOU TO LOVE HIM, BY EXPERIENCE OF HIS GRACE AND SALVATION?
V. CONFESS YOUR SIN, REPENT OF SIN, BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED, WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Authentication
Authentication Of The King
Matthew 3:13-17
INTRODUCTORY OUTLINE –
I. THE KING ARRIVES ON THE SCENE FOR THE PURPOSE OF FULFILLING ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS (v. 13).
II. THE KING IDENTIFIES JOHN AS HIS LEGITIMATE HERALD AND PROPHET (vv. 14-15).
III. THE KING IS VISIBLY IDENTIFIED AND ANOINTED BY HEAVEN (v. 16).
IV. THE KING IS AUDIBLY CONFIRMED BY HIS HEAVENLY FATHER (v. 17).
No kingship is genuine lest it be given and approved by God, the king maker.
I. THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE MESSENGER (vv. 13-14).
A. John announces Him as –
“The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
B. By rejecting Jesus for baptism John was declaring His deity.
C. John rejected the baptism of hypocrites because they were unworthy, but rejects baptizing Jesus because He is without sin.
II. THE BAPTISM OF THE SON (v. 15).
A. John’s baptism was for the repentance of sin.
1. Jesus, the Son of God, had no sin.
2. In His baptism He is identifying Himself as being human, and the need of the human race, and that need was a sin bearer; which Jesus became on the cross.
B. Also, by being baptised Jesus is declaring John a prophet of God, and that his standard of righteousness is valid.
1. If Jesus accepted the teachings of John as valid, then, he was to be received by all.
2. They later rejected the messenger and the King.
C. By being baptised Jesus affirmed the message of baptism as the will of God to which all were to be subjected.
1. Remembering this was a baptism of repentance – a call to turn from sin, and follow the way of God.
2. Baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit is the public profession of one’s faith in Jesus Christ and what He has done for you.
III. THE ANOINTING OF THE SPIRIT (v. 16).
A. Jesus, as a man, needed the empowering of the Holy Spirit for obedience –
“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Hebrews 5:7-9 (KJV).
1. He needed the Holy Spirit when He was teaching.
2. He needed the Holy Spirit when He healed, and brought the dead to life.
3. He needed the Holy Spirit when He confronted evil hypocrites and demons.
4. He needed the Holy Spirit especially when it came to His calling and purpose for coming; His passion, His agony and the death of the cross.
5. We must conclude that He was never apart from the Spirit of God; with one exception; and that was those three hours of darkness on the cross.
B. The visible empowering of the Holy Spirit was a sign to all who were present, that this One is the Anointed One.
1. This is not to say that this is where He receives the Spirit; it is only for the purpose of notifying the populace of God’s approval.
2. The heavens were opened –
“And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56;
“Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.” Ezekiel 1:1 (KJV).
a. When God chooses to open the heavens it is a spectacular event.
3. The visible sign was in the form of a dove –
“And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22 (KJV).
a. The dove was, to the Jew, a sacrifice of the poor.
b. This dove is signifying, that God has lowered Himself to become man, and as man in need of God’s Spirit.
IV. THE CONFIRMATION OF THE FATHER (v. 17).
A. The only sacrifice pleasing to God.
1. Without spot or blemish.
a. No lamb, bullock or goat could take away sin –
“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:11-14 (KJV).
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure” Hebrews 10:4-6
B. Even before the sacrifice is done God decrees His approval upon His Son as though it is finished.
C. Jesus the only sacrifice for sin in which God is “Well pleased”
“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” Matthew 17:5 (KJV).
“Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again” John 12:28 (KJV).
D. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only accepted sacrifice for sin made the way for lost sinners to come to faith, relationship and fellowship with the Father.
SUMMARY –
I. Every time a preacher is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ he is announcing Jesus as King and Lord and Savior of the world.
II. If Jesus, the Son of God saw the need for baptism for the fulfilling of righteousness, then, certainly we can subject ourselves to Him and testify of our faith through baptism by emersion.
III. Just as Jesus had the need for the work and power of the Spirit in His life, so do you and I; without the Spirit in us we do not belong to Him.
IV. The Father authenticated or approved the Son by His voice from Heaven; the only way for our approval from Him is through His Son.
-Tim A. Blankenship
God, King,and Country
“And Uriah said unto David, ‘The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? As thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing.” 2 Samuel 11:11 (KJB)
Uriah was a Hittite (verse 3) who had become a faithful and loyal follower of Jehovah. You will notice the very first thing he mentions to the King is “The ark…” You will note also his heart for the people, the men on the battle field sleeping in tents.
He has been called by the King to aid in covering the king’s sin with his wife Bathsheba. I am just going to point out the heart and mind of Uriah the Hittite.
Uriah is an often overlooked character in the story of King David. He had evidently chosen to follow Jehovah or YaHWeH. He is also named as one of the king’s top men in 2 Samuel 23:29. He was a soldier of the Lord and of the King. He was faithful to God, King and country.
Uriah’s king failed him; but his God did not. God never fails, and he honors those who stand with Him. David had the man murdered in an elaborate scheme to cover his own sin.
We as Christians can always stand with God and what is right according to His word and His law. We can remain loyal to our nations leaders when they follow the law of our nation, and live by them. We can be loyal to our nation as it follows the way and will of God. Our first citizenship is in heaven (Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20).
Let us be faithful and true to God and country, and thus to our leaders as they follow the Lord and are faithful to Him and to the law. The King of all kings is Jesus Christ. Let us remember the words of Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as rivers of water: He turneth whithersoever He will.”
When the Preacher Goes Home
Please read 1 Samuel 14 – 16…
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” 1 Samuel 16:13 (KJB)
Saul had proven himself to be a disobedient, arrogant king. He rejected the word of the LORD and more. A king who would be god himself; so GOD chooses another. Saul’s kingdom would end with him: there would be no dynasty.
The Scripture text for today is on the day of the anointing of a young shepherd as the next king of Israel – David. Saul would not have a dynasty. His son Jonathan, nor any other would carry it onward. David’s descendants would reign in Israel forever on the throne of Israel. God sought out a man “After My own heart”…
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Broken Pieces 