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COMPASSION

 

Matthew 20: Jesus compares Heaven to a landowner who goes out each day to hire workers to work in his vineyard; he agrees to pay them a denarius for the day. As the morning progresses he finds additional workers and hires them also. He does this all day long. At the end of the day he instructs his foreman to pay each one a denarius beginning with the last ones hired. The workers hired in the early morning began grumbling among themselves because they felt they worked longer hours and were entitled to more pay. The owner reminded them that they received exactly what they were told they would be paid. He reminded them that it was his money and he could do whatever he wanted. I believe this represents the manner in which God’s will is used. It is fair and equitable in accordance to HIS manner of justice. Society, today, does not agree with this kind of justice, but it is His way and I say AMEN to that. With God there is no gray, its either black or white. People today would accuse God of being unfair or discriminatory or racial or some other name that would suit their ideology, but not God’s. I love verses 15-16: Jesus says, “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous? So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

 

Jesus predicts His death and resurrection for the second time, telling them that He will be turned over to the Gentiles by the Jews for His crucifixion, but He will rise to life on the third day.

 

Zebedee’s mother approached Jesus and asked Him if He would allow her two sons to sit on either side of Him in the kingdom. He explained that she did not realize what she was asking and it was not up to Him to grant such a request anyway, it was the Father’s prerogative. When the other disciples heard this they became indignant. Jesus told them that if they wanted to be great they must ‘first become a servant to others,’ just as He came here on earth to serve as a ransom for the many who would believe in Him.

 

As Jesus and the disciples were leaving Jericho they came upon two blind men who were asking Jesus to restore their vision. He did grant their request because of their faith.

 

Because of their faith. The key ingredient, not only for salvation, but also for the abundant life He promised us in John 10:10, “…..I have come that they may have life and live it to the full.” This is a blessing, indeed. Consider turning your life over to Jesus and enjoy the abundant life He has promised. I can certainly testify to the fulfillment of His promises. As Jesus so many times says, “Come, follow Me.”

 

 

Sermon On the Net

IMPOSSIBLE

 

 

Matthew 19: When Jesus was in Judea healing all that came to Him, some Pharisees came and questioned Him on divorce, obviously trying to trick Him or make Him look foolish. He told them that God’s intention was that when a man left his parents to take a wife that they would be joined together as one and no one was to separate them, nor were they to separate from each other. Verse 6 says, “…Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” They were quick to ask Him why Moses did not follow the intent of the Father and He replied in verse 8: “Moses permitted you to divorce because your hearts (Israel) were hard, but it was not this way from the beginning.” He went on to say that it is not permitted to divorce except for infidelity. His disciples suggested that maybe people shouldn’t get married. Jesus said some people can accept what He said and some can’t, those that can should.

 

Some people were bringing little children for Him to place His hands on and pray for them, but the disciples thought this to be inappropriate, however Jesus told them it would be okay, in verse 14 He said,  “…the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

 

A very rich man approached Jesus and asked him what he must do to get into Heaven and His reply was that he should keep the commandments. When the rich man told him he had, then Jesus told him to sell all he possessed and to follow Him. This was too much for the man to bear which prompted Jesus to explain to His disciples of the difficulty of rich people getting into Heaven. In fact He said it was impossible for anyone to get into Heaven, but with God all things are possible. Verse 26: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

 

Peter now displays a little concern and asked Jesus where they stood because they had left everything to follow Him. Jesus told them that when the time comes and He sits on His glorious throne, they would be sitting on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel and any one who has left everything to follow Him would receive ‘a hundred times as much’ and inherit eternal life. He finished by telling them that many who are first will be last and many who are last will be first. I believe Jesus is saying there are going to be many surprises on the Day of Judgment.

 

Two interesting thoughts in this chapter, the first being divorce: personally I will settle for the simplicity of Jesus’ thoughts on the matter and not fight it. (He is the boss). The second: thank God for His compassion and willingness to understand mankind, and His willingness to allow the suffering, humiliation, and sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus. Without this gracious provision we Gentiles would never have direct access to the Father. God  has provided His Son for us to accept. I pray you have and if you haven’t please pray while you still have the opportunity to ask Jesus into your heart for your place with Him in Heaven for eternity. Now is the time.

 

  

 

Sermon On the Net

A LITTLE CHILD

 

Matthew 18: Jesus explains to the disciples that a person must have the innocence of a child to get into heaven. Verse 3 says, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Anyone causing harm to a child has a problem. Jesus tells them that many things must come into the world that are not good, but necessary. These things will cause people to sin, but the one (satan) who is responsible will suffer. Jesus further explains, using parable’s, the importance of avoiding all things that could cause one to sin.

 

Jesus tells them to never look down on a child because their angels in heaven are watching over them. The parable of the one lost sheep is used by Jesus to explain the importance of one lost soul; in this situation, a child.

 

Jesus then explains how to handle a situation with a brother who has sinned; talk to him privately and if that doesn’t help, take another brother or two and if that doesn’t help then they should inform the church. If this corrective action isn’t heeded by the brother, then he should be treated as a pagan or tax collector. Jesus emphasizes the fact that He is giving them powers to exercise on earth that will be backed up in Heaven. In verses 19-20: “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am with them.”

 

Jesus uses another parable to explain the importance of forgiveness. They must forgive their brother, from the heart, as many times as necessary; “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Remember God has forgiven us and continues to forgive us forever. He tells them they will be treated by the Father as they treat others.

 

A LITTLE CHILD: This is a fine example of how unsaved people need to be to be saved. A child is very trusting and doesn’t need proof for accepting something he knows nothing about. He looks to his parents and accepts what they say without question, and then later in life they will realize the importance of their obedience. This is exactly the way it is with the acceptance of Jesus. Our Father in Heaven is telling us that His Son is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and we are to accept His sacrifice (a free gift to us) as the means of payment for sin. When we take that step in faith, as a child, we are born again (of the Spirit) and will gain entrance to Heaven when the time for our departure from this life comes. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Are you? If not pray to Jesus and tell Him you accept His sacrificial gift and become a member of God’s family. I’d love to see you all in Heaven. Amen to that.

 

 

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THE TRANSFIGURATION

 

Matthew 17: After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain, where Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun and His face became white as light and there appeared before them Moses and Elijah who engaged in a conversation with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus that it was good for them to be there and he suggested he build a shelter for them. As he spoke a cloud enveloped them and a voice in verse 5 said, “This is my Son whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified at the voice, but Jesus told them not to be afraid. He then took them down the mountain and told them not to talk about what they had seen until after He was resurrected from the dead.

 

The disciples queried Jesus about the fact that Elijah was supposed to come first and He said he already has. As a matter of fact he came and they treated him as they treated Jesus, while not recognizing who he was. Then they understood He was talking to them about John the Baptist.

 

A man approached them and he asked Jesus to heal his son of demon possession, as he had already asked the disciples but they could not. Jesus agreed to heal his son and when He did the disciples asked Him why they couldn’t? Jesus replied ”Because you have so little faith…” As a matter of fact He told them that if they had faith as little as a mustard seed they would be able to move mountains, and that nothing would be impossible for them to achieve. Jesus then told them of His death and resurrection and this grieved them.

 

When they arrived in Capernaum the tax collector asked Peter why Jesus didn’t pay the tax that citizens were obligated to pay. Jesus answered with a question to Peter pertaining to the fact that kings extorted taxes from everyone but their own sons. However He told Peter to pay the tax so as not to offend them. Of all people who should be exempt would be Jesus and the disciples.

 

What we read in the first few verses should be very exciting for the children of God; it appears that we will be able to recognize each other when we are in Heaven. WOW!

Do you have faith without doubt? That’s the kind of faith Jesus wants us to have and you know it shouldn’t be all that difficult, if we believe everything we read in the Bible. I know it is not easy to have that kind of faith but it is something we can all pray for. And while you’re at it why not pray for the greatest miracle of all (I’m speaking to those who have yet to ask Jesus into their hearts), the miracle of salvation? Yes indeed, folks, being born again is miraculous, it does take a very deep and committed faith in what Jesus is saying throughout the Gospels. The nice thing about this commitment to Jesus is that the changes in our life bear proof of this miracle as we continue to live and grow in Jesus. You pray and I’ll pray, too.