Christian Service as a Means of Grace (Part 2)

January 10, 2024 at 2:45 pm | Posted in Means of Grace | 4 Comments
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Even if we could manage to do everything God has commanded us to do, from His point of view, we would still add nothing of value to Him. So if we are ultimately unprofitable servants, why is it so important to serve? Or, asked a different way, what distinguishes a good servant from a bad servant?

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

Matthew 25:14-18

We live in the period of time between Verse 18 and Verse 19.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:19-23 

The faithful servants entered into joy, and their joy was not retirement. It was more service. The unfaithful servant didn’t know who his lord was.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

Matthew 25:24-28

The unfaithful servant made – in his mind – a lord he wanted to follow and be like. We don’t use our talents because our talents are worthy. We use them because the Lord is worthy. He is worthy to be served. He will judge the nations – by judging the individuals who make up the nations. This will include being judged for our attitudes, which we will look at in Part 3.

For Goodness’s Sake

April 20, 2023 at 3:17 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments
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22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

You have probably heard the Christmas song which says, referring to Santa Claus, that he knows when you’ve been good or bad, so you had better be good for goodness’s sake. Admittedly, being good is good, but you can’t really be good for goodness’s sake.

Goodness is not really one of the fruits of the Spirit listed above in Galatians 5:22-23. It is as actually listed as part of THE fruit (singular) of the Spirit. All those character qualities – love, peace, gentleness, goodness, etc. – are part of what the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of people who trust Jesus.

One time someone came up to Jesus and asked Him about what it means to be good.

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Matthew 19:16

When you see the word “master” in the Bible it sometimes means “teacher.” This young man wanted eternal life, and he had heard that Jesus was a really good teacher when it came to teaching about God, so he asked Him what he would have to do in order to live forever with God in Heaven. Do you ever wonder about that? Do you ever wonder if you will go to Heaven one day? Everybody is not going to Heaven. What do you have to do to make sure that you are one of the ones who IS going?

I used to think kind of like this young man who came up to Jesus. I thought God was up in Heaven sort of like the scorekeeper at a ball game. I referenced a song earlier about someone who’s supposed to see you when you’re sleeping and who is supposed to know when you’re awake, and I thought that’s what God did, too. And I was right about that part. God does do that. He knows everything we do every minute of our whole lives, and everything we say, and everything we think. He sees it all and hears it all and knows it all. Only God can do that.

I thought He was keeping track of the bad things I did (like lying, fighting with my brother, disobeying my parents and teachers) and of the good things I did (like cleaning up my room, getting an A in reading, saying yes ma’am and no sir to adults). Then, I thought, when I died one day, He would add up the good things and the bad things, and if there were more points on the good side, I could go to Heaven – I could have eternal life.

I must not have gotten that idea from the Bible, though! Because look what Jesus said when the young man asked Him about it:

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Matthew 19:17

First of all, Jesus asked him, why are you calling Me good? God is the only good person in the whole universe.

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

Romans 3:10-12

They say that there is an exception to every rule, and, while this is not really true, there is sort of an exception to the rule about there not being a good person anywhere at anytime: No human being has ever been truly good on his or her own EXCEPT for Jesus. Jesus was not a mere man, but He WAS a man. He was man and God in one person. So, when the Bible says that no one does good, no not one, it means that no human being has ever been good or done good in this world on his or her own, except for Jesus.

Only God is truly good, and the only truly good human being to ever live is the “God-man,” Christ Jesus. However, those who have trusted in Jesus CAN bear the part of the fruit of the Spirit called goodness. We do this by doing good works. Helping other people in a God-glorifying way is a good work. Being kind to others is a good work. Helping someone who is having a tough time is a good work. Faithfully attending a local Christian church is a good work. Studying your Bible and sharing what you have learned with others is a good work. Obeying those who have God-given authority over you is a good work. We need the Holy Spirit’s help to do these things in a way that pleases God. But what about the people who haven’t trusted Jesus? Don’t they still do some of those things? They do. But when unbelievers do things that seem good, those things don’t please God, because they are not done in Him, or for Him, or with a motive of glorifying Him. Some people attempt to do good so that they will get credit for it. Some people attempt to do good so that they will receive a reward. Some people attempt to do good out of a sense of guilt. Some people try to do good out of a fear of punishment. There is a way to “do good” sinfully. Some preachers call it “doing good not for God.”

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Jesus is the light of the world. We are supposed to light our smaller candles from the source of His big light, and then we have the right motive for goodness – for being good and doing good things – so that people can get a right understanding of how truly good and amazing God is. Only those who have trusted Jesus can truly do good.

Be good, but don’t be good for goodness’s sake. Be good for God’s glory.

Christians Insulting Politicians?

March 28, 2022 at 3:01 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments
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Question: As a Christian, where do you draw the line on talking about politics and criticizing your political enemies?

Answer: The answer to that is probably different for each person. I wouldn’t want to be the one to draw a definitive line in the sand. I would, however, offer a couple of cautionary considerations.

First, we need to be careful about our language. I lean towards what is probably a politically conservative viewpoint, so I understand how some liberal political policies can provoke people to anger – especially abortion, which is clearly sinful and unbiblical. We could add some other issues, too, like socialism and the support of homosexual fake marriage, which are likewise sinful and unbiblical. Anger can be a dangerous emotion for Christians, though. I often see otherwise sound Christians posting about liberals and liberal politicians with pejorative terms like “lib-tards” (a combination of liberal and retard) and “stupid” and “idiots,” and even expressing joy over how much they love laughing at them, and it makes me cringe. Jesus said,

… whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:22

I would submit that calling liberals libtards or idiots or stupid is just as bad or worse than “raca” (which meant senseless or empty-headed or worthless) or “fool.” Additionally, some Christians display a gleeful eagerness in making fun of the physical characteristics (which can’t be helped) of some politicians. We need to remember that, when it comes to sinful public policies, Satan is our real enemy, more so than his human pawns (II Corinthians 10:1-4). I don’t think anyone who holds a different political point of view than the one you hold is likely to be won to Christ, or persuaded to consider changing his mind, by calling him childish names or by making fun of his appearance (Romans 14:16).

Second, if your political hero holds a public office, it is right and good that you pray for him and his family (and even support him to a certain extent). However, we must be careful of allowing allegiance or admiration to tip over into veneration, adoration, or even worship, which would amount to practical idolatry. What you love to talk about in person and post about on social media may be a sign that you are way more excited about a political leader than you are about Jesus, which would be a very dangerous position for a Christian (I Corinthians 10:14).

Don’t Teach Fables

April 5, 2017 at 11:10 am | Posted in Biblical Don'ts, Uncategorized | 15 Comments
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The are various ways to teach Bible stories (which are true, factual, historical events) to children, and various techniques that can be used. This is not going to be a lesson about how to use sock puppets, or how to talk in a funny voice to keep kids’ attention, or how to string out a story over several weeks with carefully designed “cliffhangers,” so they will want to come back each week to find out what happens next. There are people who are far better at those things than I am.

No, this is about the actual teaching of Scripture. Teaching means that you are focusing on what they are actually learning, not just making sure they are having fun or being entertained. Nor am I talking about showing off Bible knowledge, or giving out prizes for participation or accomplishment. I’m talking about actually finding out what God wants us to know about a particular Bible story: Why did God put this in there and command us to read and study it?

Therefore, the first thing to keep in mind when teaching Bible stories to children is: Don’t teach fables. Bible stories are not fables. They are not fairy tales, and their purpose is not always to teach a “moral lesson,” although we usually can glean moral lessons from them.

The problem with avoiding the fable-teaching method in children’s Bible studies is that you will be hard-pressed to find a children’s curriculum or lesson book that DOESN’T use this method. Take the story of Jonah for example.

“Jonah was told by God to go where? Nineveh. But he didn’t want to go there, did he? No. Where did he go instead? To Joppa and then to Tarshish. And when he boarded the ship for Tarshish, what happened? A big storm that resulted in him getting thrown overboard. What do we learn from this? That if you disobey God something bad will happen to you.”

That’s true – as far as it goes – but remember, there are people disobeying God all over the place like crazy, and they seem to be doing fine. Several of them hold the highest government offices in our land! The story of Jonah is not like the boy who cried wolf – he did something bad so he ended up facing the consequences.

Try this instead: “What happened to Jonah when he was thrown overboard? Did he drown? No, God sent a big fish to swallow him up. That’s terrifying, but it turned out to be better than drowning, because he lived in the fish’s belly for how long? Three days… hey, wait a minute… hmmm, that reminds me of someone else who was supposed to be dead, and went down somewhere for three days.”

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Matthew 12:38-41

It turns out that the Holy Spirit, when describing what happened to Jonah, was not really primarily teaching a lesson about the consequences of disobeying God, or even about how God can comfort you when you are scared and alone, or even about how God controls His creation (weather and animals). No, what He was primarily teaching is that we all have disobeyed God, and we deserve to be thrown into the sea to die, and we have absolutely no ability to save ourselves, but God can save us, because He Himself went down into the grave (the “belly of the earth”) and rose again in His Own power. Furthermore, just like Jonah’s testimony of coming back from the dead was the sign that supported his preaching, for us, the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is our “proof” that everything that Jesus said about our sin and His salvation is true.

We don’t want our kids to think of a cartoon man and a cartoon whale, and definitely not a cucumber swimming around with a talking tomato.

We want them to think of a real man and a real fish that God used to get people ready to recognize Jesus – the Christ – Who would one day fulfill what Jonah and the whale typified: sin, death, burial, resurrection, and Gospel preaching!

Winsome Weeding

January 23, 2017 at 5:57 pm | Posted in Biblical farming, parables | 13 Comments
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The agricultural principles of sowing, watering, and reaping are commonly used to illustrate evangelism in the Bible. (See Psalm 126:6, Luke 8:4-15, I Corinthians 3:6-9.)

One aspect that tends to be overlooked, though, is the principle of “weeding.” Sometimes the seed of the Gospel can be planted, but thorny weeds tend to choke out growth before strong and true roots can be established.

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

Matthew 13:7

Jesus warned us not to treat professing brothers and sisters in the faith as though they need to be pulled up and thrown out like weeds masquerading as fruitful plants, even if we suspect they may be false professors, although certainly God knows those who are truly His and will sort them out at the proper time.

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Matthew 13:24-30

When it comes to pulling things up by the roots, we need to be mainly focused on our own hearts, because the weed of bitterness can easily spring up before we realize it, and it will serve not only as an obstacle across our own path, but it will cause others to stumble and fall, as well.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Hebrews 12:14-15

So, while we need to exercise great care with those who have heard, and may be considering, the Good News about Jesus and His salvation, there might indeed be a need, along with the need for planting, watering, and harvesting, to do a little weed-pulling in our evangelistic efforts. A diligent farmer checks his field regularly for unwanted weeds which steal nutrients, sunlight, and room to grow from the crop he has planted and watered. In our soulwinning ministry, we need preaching planters, wise waterers, and holy harvesters, but we also need winsome weeders. Be a good friend to those who have heard the Gospel but have not yet believed. Invite them to investigate the Truth of the Bible more closely, answer their questions, and do what the Lord allows you to do to eliminate worldly, sinful, and Satanic distractions while the Holy Spirit does His work.

Matthew: Jesus as King

September 6, 2016 at 6:13 pm | Posted in Matthew | 15 Comments
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Matthew the organized tax collector became Matthew the inspired historian, but in the first book of the New Testament there is still an organized structure, as the Holy Spirit inspired him to record facts, followed by a teaching on these facts, followed by a transitional phrase marked by the words, “and it came to pass.” The structure looks like this:

The Facts                   The Lesson                      The Transitional Phrase

Matthew 1-4             Matthew 5-7                     Matthew 7:28

Matthew 8-9            Matthew 9-10                    Matthew 11:1

Matthew 11-12         Matthew 13                        Matthew 13:53

Matthew 14-17        Matthew 18                        Matthew 19:1

Matthew 19-23        Matthew 24-25                  Matthew 26:1

Here are links to posts under the category on the Book of Matthew:

1. Prophecy Fulfilled in a Person (Matthew 1-2)
2. The Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:18-25)
3. Christ’s Childhood Preparation (Matthew 2)
4. Two Kings (Matthew 2-3)
5. The Victorious Humility of the Last Adam (Matthew 3-4)
6. The Amazing Accomplishment of Fulfilled Righteousness (Matthew 3:13-15)
7. The Relief of being Blessed (Matthew 4-5)
8. The Mountain No One Can Climb Alone (Matthew 5)
9. Beware the Foreign Figurehead (Matthew 5:5)
10. Objections to the Doctrine of Everlasting Security Answered (Objection 4) (Matthew 5:13)
11. What Can I Do for God? (Matthew 5:16, 19:30)
12. Doctor’s Orders (Matthew 5:18)
13. The Purpose, and the Misuse, of Anger (Matthew 5:21-26, 43)
14. Christians Insulting Politicians? (Matthew 5:22)
15. Purity, Prayer, and Possessions (Matthew 5-6)
16. Prayer as a Means of Grace (Matthew 6:5-8)
17. Double Vision, Divided Vision, and Darkened Vision (Matthew 6:22-23)
18. What Exactly Did Jesus Say about Being Judgmental? (Matthew 7)
19. Safe and Secure: False Professors Can’t Lose What They Never Had (Matthew 7:21-23)
20. A Show of Power for those Who Wanted More than a Show (Matthew 7-8)
21. When Pigs Fly (a.k.a. Deviled Ham) (Matthew 8:28-34)
22. The Great House Call (Matthew 9:12)
23. Jesus’s Response to Imperfect Faith (Matthew 9)
24. The Rules of War (Matthew 10)
25. Three Things to Bring to Sunday School (Matthew 10:27)
26. Jesus Christ: The Greatest Priest, Prophet, and King (Matthew 11-12)
27. When God Condones Violence (Matthew 11:12) *
28. Are You Struggling? (Matthew 11:12)
29. The Power of the King (Matthew 11:15-20)
30. Hearing What the King Says (Matthew 12-13)
31. Don’t Teach Fables (Matthew 12:38-41)
32. Hearts of Stone (Matthew 13)
33. Why Parables? (Matthew 13:10)
34. Wake Up to the Word (Matthew 13:11-16)
35. Winsome Weeding (Matthew 13)
36. Augustine on Those Who Will S.W.I.M. When Brought Ashore (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42)
37. Things New and Old (Matthew 13:51-52)
38. The Intercession of the King (Matthew 13-14)
39. Persistent in Prayer (Matthew 15)
40. Faith that Won’t be Ignored (Matthew 15:22-28)
41. Revealed Truth (Matthew 15-16)
42. A Glimpse of His Glory (Matthew 16-17)
43. Lest We should Offend Them (Matthew 17)
44. The Humble King (Matthew 18)
45. Who Is the Greatest? (Matthew 18:1-4)
46. Decrees on Discipline and Divorce (Matthew 18-19)
47. Repentance Through Divorce? (Matthew 19:9)
48. For Goodness’s Sake (Matthew 19:16-17; 5:16)
49. What Lack I Yet? (Matthew 19:20)
50. The Unwanted Peace, the Unfruitful Tree, and the Underdressed Guest (Matthew 20-22)
51. When the ExaminEE becomes the ExaminER (Matthew 22-23)
52. Outlaws (Matthew 23:1-4; 15:1-3)
53. The Butterfly (Matthew 23:27-28)
54. The Ultimate Confession (Matthew 24-25)
55. Christian Service as a Means of Grace (Part 2) (Matthew 25:14-28)
56. The Least (Polite) of These (Matthew 25:42-45)
57. The King’s Trial, Execution, and Victory (Matthew 26-28)
58. Purple or Scarlet? (Matthew 27:28)
59. Resurrection Witnesses (Matthew 28)

* most-viewed post in category

The Least (Polite) of These

August 31, 2016 at 2:25 pm | Posted in Matthew, The Flood | 4 Comments
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There is some debate about exactly to whom Jesus was referring when He emphasized the responsibility of His disciples to minister to “the least of these.” However, most Bible scholars agree that the list He gave was both specific and illustrative, counting as a summation of those who are the most helpless and neglected in worldly society.

As 21st Century Christians we are prone to romanticize the notion of “the least of these” and picture ourselves taking in a doe-eyed orphan with smudged but pudgy cheeks. Or perhaps we see ourselves caring for a kindly old grandfather, abandoned by His Gen-X children who are too busy with their own lives to benefit from his homespun wisdom and sage advice. Jesus did not, however, limit His description of the needy and the outcasts to those to whom we might find it easier – for sentimental reasons – to minister.

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Matthew 25:42-45

What our family found out during the recent flooding in our parish, which affected the rich and poor alike, is that the person who comes into your home during a catastrophe, needing food, water, clothing, and shelter, may be the “the most irritating of these.”

He might be a person who makes all his phone calls on speaker-phone, yelling at the top of his lungs and broadcasting the other person’s (who has not been told he’s on speaker) personal business to everyone within earshot.

He might be a person who comes in drenched with sweat, mold, flood water, and Chinese drywall, and, declining your desperate offer of a shower, plops himself right down on your couch pillows and puts his feet up.

He might be a person who is super touchy about everyone else’s failure to appreciate his plight, while also being hypocritically hypercritical of others who are worse off than him.

He might be the person who picks skin off his feet and flicks it on your carpet.

He might be the person who stands uncomfortably close to your wife, peering over her shoulder at the pot she is stirring on the stove while pompously offering suggestions about how to cook green beans to the best green bean cooker in the known world.

He might be the person who would rather sit up til late at night in the living room, spurning the comfortable guest bed you’ve offered him, while belching loudly 56 times in a row in front of your high school aged daughters.

He might be the person who, after four days of living with your family, has still not bothered to learn a single one of their names.

He might be all of these things and more, but, as a servant of the King, it is tough to rationalize away your duty to care for “the least of these” even when the category includes those with the least manners and common courtesy.

Resurrection Witnesses

August 10, 2016 at 12:51 pm | Posted in Matthew | 6 Comments
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In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Matthew 28:1

We might ask why were only the women performing this thankless and grief-laden task of caring for the post-Crucifixion body of Jesus. Where were the men? Were they hiding and scared while the women were doing the hard work? We might also ask what these women thought they were going to do about the stone that sealed the entrance to the sepulchre (Mark 16:3). They were carrying perfume and spices to care for a body they weren’t going to be able to access. Perhaps their love and their grief overcame their common sense.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

Matthew 28:2

There is a certain humor in the thought of the angel sitting atop the very stone that had been intended to keep the followers of Jesus from getting into the tomb. However, during the night before, there had been nothing humorous to the guards about His appearance.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

Matthew 28:3-4

This was a very holy and frightening angel. Roman soldiers weren’t easily frightened by mere men.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Matthew 28:5-6

“As He said” was a gentle, though perhaps chiding, rebuke, referring to one of His least palatable prophecies:

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matthew 16:21

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Matthew 17:22-23

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Matthew 20:17-19

But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Matthew 26:32

The testimony of Jesus Himself, the testimony of the angel, and the empty tomb all bore witness to Jesus’s Resurrection.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Matthew 28:7

Note how the angel used the words “from the dead,” reinforcing the truth that Jesus had actually died.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Matthew 28:8

It is a difficult combination to explain, but it is true that fear and joy can go together. God created them both, and there is great joy in having a fear of the Lord. Some of the greatest blessings you will ever experience are when you are facing, and overcoming, a terrifying challenge. The women who saw the empty tomb and heard the words of the angel were afraid, and they ran, but it was not an occasion of “fight or flight.” It was an occasion of “fright and flight.” They ran to bring “word,” and we need to always be running to bring the Word.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Matthew 28:9

Whenever you are running to do something in obedience to Him, no matter how fast you run, He is already there before you. The struggle to exercise patience, and to overcome procrastination, is a battle that almost every Christian fights. Impatience is unbelief when you don’t know God’s will, but procrastination is unbelief when you DO know God’s will.

The Disciples grabbed Jesus’s feet – His physical resurrected body – demonstrating His humanity. They also worshiped Him, demonstrating His Deity.

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

Matthew 28:10-12

The soldiers went to the Jewish leaders first. They could have been killed by their Roman authorities for allowing the body to be stolen. The Jewish leaders bribed them, but they also promised to protect them.

Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

Matthew 28:13-14

Beware of Satan’s techniques. First he plays on your fears. Then he sends someone to help you make up a lie. Then he sweetens the deal with money. Then he gives you a false security and makes you think God will not mind your sin all that much.

So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Matthew 28:15

Each lie that denies the Resurrection has had its day, and come and gone: the swooning lie, the imposter on the Cross lie, the hallucination lie, the conspiracy lie. None are convincing. Only those who hate the Truth can voluntarily blind themselves to it. The Bible bears witness, 500 witnesses saw Him, the martyrdom of the Disciples bears witness, the empty tomb still bears witness, the Church meeting today still bears witness. If they could have produced a body, all of history would be different. Christianity wouldn’t exist. His Spirit bears witness with our spirits. There is more credible evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus than there is for the existence of Plato.

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Matthew 28:16-18

The King’s Trial, Execution, and Victory

July 22, 2016 at 1:36 pm | Posted in Matthew | 5 Comments
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There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

Matthew 26:7-9

The Disciples accused the woman with the alabaster box of wastefulness, but Jesus defended her. The one who was really guilty of “wastefulness” was Judas Iscariot, whom Jesus called the “son of perdition.” Judas wasted his opportunities, and betrayed his Master. He was not a martyr or an innocent tool of providence. He thought that he could “use” his place in the earthly ministry of Jesus for profit. Remember, things are to be “used;” people are to be “saved.” Things “used up” for the glory of Christ are not “wasted.” The King will be loyal to those who truly worship Him.

In Matthew Chapter 27 the King was placed on trial. The charges were: misleading the nation; forbidding the paying of taxes; and claiming to be king, as shown in Matthew 27:11-26. This third charge is the one that Pilate dealt with because it could have been a threat to the Roman Empire.

Pilate found no fault, because he understood that Jesus was claiming to be King of a Kingdom “not of this world.” However, Pilate chose to yield to the people and not to the true King.

At this point, King Jesus demonstrated His meekness and submission and strength. For His willingness to submit and for the strength that allowed Him to endure this tremendous, indescribable humiliation, we who know Him as Savior shall be eternally giving thanks.

He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.

Matthew 27:42

It was ironic for the people to claim that they would like to have a king who would save himself and not others. That’s how warped their idea of kingship had become.

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

27:45-50

Jesus was crucified at what we would consider to be 9:00 a.m. He was on the Cross for three hours until noon. At noon darkness covered the land – not a coincidental eclipse or a sandstorm, but a supernaturally produced darkness. Then it was dark for three hours. To the extent such a thing can be said to have occurred in “time,” this is believed to have been the time when Christ was “made sin.”

And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:

Exodus 10:21-22

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

Psalm 22:1-2

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Isaiah 53:10

The King’s victory was yet another proof of His Kingship. In earthly governments, such as the Roman Empire of that time, it is common to see the principles of realpolitik and “might makes right,” but with God His might and His right flow from His Divine nature, so that He can never be overcome by, or with, wickedness.

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Matthew 28:1-6

The angel sat upon the rock, bearing witness to the King’s Resurrection, but we bear witness today by standing upon the Rock and speaking forth the truth of Scripture.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

The King commands us to be active, making not just converts, but also disciples: making learners and doers. We are not called to be, or to make, mere spectators.

The Ultimate Confession

July 5, 2016 at 9:58 am | Posted in Matthew | 8 Comments
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Matthew Chapter 24 explains end-times prophecy concerning Israel. It is talking about Christ’s return after the Tribulation – for Israel – not His return for His Church. At the end of Chapter 24, and on into Chapter 25, the Lord’s discourse changes from Israel to the Church.

There will be loss of rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We have a treasure, which is the Gospel, and we should defend it. However, in defending it, we must not fail to put it to use. Our lights must be kept burning, but they must also be used to shine light.

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

Matthew 25:18

We live in the period of time between this verse and the next one.

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

Matthew 25:19

The faithful servants entered into joy, and their joy was not retirement. It was more service. The unfaithful servant didn’t know who his lord was.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

Matthew 25:24

In his mind he made a lord he wanted to follow and be like. The deceitful leaders of the false charismatic prosperity movement are leading those who want to be deceived. They serve their preachers, not the Lord. They want to be like their preachers and not like the Lord.

We don’t use our talents because the talents are worthy. We use them because the Lord is worthy. He is worthy to be served. He will judge the nations – by judging the individuals who make up the nations. He will judge both the saved and the lost – but in different ways. The saved will yield willingly in acknowledgment of His power. The lost will yield unwillingly when their knees are broken by a rod of iron. The cup of wrath will open their mouths and they will confess Him as Lord. The most pagan ungodly devilish unbeliever knows deep down inside that Jesus Christ is the true King, but he is restraining that truth with all his might. The drinking of the cup of wrath will let the truth out. This confession will not be like a bully twisting a kid’s arm on the playground and making him say “uncle.” The victim is not really the bully’s nephew. The ungodly will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and it will be 100% true.

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