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BE CAREFUL

 

Luke 20: Teachers of the law asked Jesus where He obtained the authority to teach. He answered with a question about John the Baptist as to whether his baptism was from Heaven, knowing that whatever answer they gave would result in a problem for them with the people. They refused to answer and His reply in verse 8 was: “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” 

 

Jesus used a parable to explain their refusal to accept Him as the Messiah. In essence He told them that their father’s killed the Prophets and that they would kill Him, also. Psalm 118:22 predicted His rejection and Kingship: “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” Jesus also quoted this in verse 17.

 

They continued their series of questions trying to trick Him but failed. When they asked Him if it were lawful to pay taxes to Caesar He simply told them to pay what is his and render unto God what is His. They became exasperated by His answers and remained silent.

 

Some Sadducees, who don’t believe in the resurrection, asked a question pertaining to marriage in Heaven and whether or not people would marry. He answered by explaining that people would be like angels; there would be no need for marriage. Jesus also made a point about the validity of the resurrection. 

 

Jesus then made a statement about the lineage of the Messiah and that He came from the line of David. While the people were listening Jesus told His disciples to beware of the teachers of the law who will lead their followers astray and who always like to be the center of attention, when in reality they devour widow’s houses and engage in lengthy, meaningless prayers. Verse 47: “They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

 

This last thought in this chapter lends itself to the fact that we should be very concerned with whom we align ourselves. It is so easy to be tricked and trapped into a course of action that will lead to damnation. This is why I relentlessly preach the necessity of each and every person to discover the truth and the only way to do that is to read the Bible. On judgment day each of us is going to stand before God and account for our actions. I don’t know how each of you will fare but I can tell you this, that without my acceptance of Jesus as my Savior I wouldn’t want to open my mouth. I know that when the Father looks at me He sees me through the eyes of Jesus. I am saved by His sacrifice on the cross. My acceptance of Jesus as my Savior is based on the infallible word of God; the Bible. It is much easier to accept the truth when you read it and discover it is truly the living Word of God.

 

If you want Jesus as your ‘stand-in’ on judgment day the Bible tells you to accept Him as your Savior while there is still time. The Bible also says…’it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,’ (Hebrews 9:27). Confess your sins to Him and tell Him that you believe His Word and you accept Him into your heart. He will hear you.

 

                                            

 

Sermon On the Net

JESUS WEPT

Luke 19: There was a tax collector named Zacchaeus who wanted to see Jesus, being short he climbed a tree and when Jesus saw him he told him to come down because He was going to spend the day with him. Naturally the people were shocked because he was regarded as a low life tax collector. Jesus told him that salvation had come to his house because he was a son of Abraham and obviously had the required faith in God.

 

Jesus used a parable to explain how the Jews did not and would not accept Him. And what they had would be taken from them.

 

He then made a triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey; which was a fulfillment of prophecy. The disciples and the people were praising Him, giving Him the glory He deserved, but some were trying to shut them up. Jesus replied that even if they were silent praise would come from the stones. At this point Jesus wept (the second time mentioned in scripture) over Jerusalem because they, the people, did not know what they were about to lose. He predicted their destruction (it happened in A.D.70) by their enemies because of their refusal to accept Him as their Messiah. Then He entered the temple and threw the people out who were using it as market place. He said that His house was to be a house of worship, but they had made it a den of robbers.

 

Jesus’ compassion for Israel overwhelmed Him to the point of an emotional outburst of tears. He so desperately wanted them to accept Him as their Messiah, which He was, but their hearts were hardened to the point of their own destruction. When Jesus died on the cross for us He opened a direct pathway to God. The temple was no longer a place of worship. We are now the temple of God; We are the church. We can worship Him anytime and anywhere. Direct access to God is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ, (please note that the word Christ really means Messiah). As the Bible states there is no other name under Heaven whereby man will be saved. See Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

 

Jesus is the way and now is the time to accept the truth. If you do not know Jesus as your Savior a simple prayer of confession of sin to Him and your acceptance of His free gift and you will be born again and that is all you need to assure your place with Him for eternity. See John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

 

Sermon On the Net

WHEN TO PRAY

 

Luke 18: A great title because many wonder when and where to pray. Jesus tells us using a parable of a judge who didn’t fear God nor did he respect people. However, there was a woman who had a legal problem who relentlessly approached the judge until he finally gave in to her.  

 

He says that God will give justice to those who cry to Him day and night, verse 6: “And will God not bring justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?  He will deliver His promises but when He returns will He find faith on earth?

 

Self-exaltation with God does not impress Him, but a humble person is always welcomed. Verse 14: “…For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

The people were so taken by Jesus that they were bringing their children to Him just so that He would touch them. The disciples thought this to be inappropriate and rebuked them, however Jesus stopped them and told them that people must come to God as little children in verse 17: “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.”

 

A certain ruler asked Him what he should do to obtain eternal life after explaining how he had kept many of the commandments and Jesus told him to sell all that he had and follow Him. As he was very rich he could not bring himself to make this sacrifice. Jesus then explained the difficulty rich people will have to obtain eternal life. The disciples quickly asked Him, ‘who could be saved?’ He replied in verse 27: “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” He also said that people, when they turn to God, will receive much more than they gave up.

 

Jesus explained to the disciple’s events concerning His death and resurrection, but they did not comprehend the things that were said.

 

As they were approaching Jericho a blind man cried out to Jesus for mercy. When Jesus asked him in verse 41: “What do you want me to do for you?” He said he wanted to see. Jesus restored his sight and told him: “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he was able to see and gave praise to God and began to follow Jesus.

 

It is amazing what prayer and will achieve; as Jesus said: ‘faith as little as a mustard seed could move mountains.’ Do you have faith? I know that those of you who have accepted Jesus as Savior have faith, but what about you who have not taken the faith step?  Take the faith step and you will receive confirmation that you are the benefactor of eternal life. How, you ask? You will experience a changed life as Paul so aptly put it in 2^nd Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”

 

Prayer is fellowship with Him. He loves it. The Holy Spirit takes what’s in our heart to Him. Words are not as important as what is in our heart. Pray (speak) anytime and anywhere.

 

 

 

Sermon On the Net

FORGIVENESS

 

Luke 17: Jesus says that stumbling blocks are inevitable but woe to the one who causes them. We are to forgive those who sin if they repent and if they sin against us we should forgive them if and when they repent. Considering Jesus’ words we should always forgive others when they repent. A forgiving attitude will result in a more peaceful environment, one that we should strive to follow.

 

One of the Apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith and Jesus told him that faith, as little as a mustard seed, would be sufficient to achieve anything. Actually you either have faith or you don’t. I don’t believe there are degrees of faith. Weak faith? Strong faith? Faith is faith. Even Jesus said that faith like a mustard seed you could move mountains.

 

Jesus told them not expect thanks when all you do is what expected of you.

 

One day when Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem 10 lepers, from a distance, asked Him to heal them and He did. Only one went to Jesus and expressed his appreciation; a Samaritan.

 

When the Pharisees asked Him when the kingdom of God would come He told them it would not come with signs because it is within your midst. What He was saying is that when He does come back He will just be there. He compared His return to lightening.

Everyone would be living and doing normal things every day and all of a sudden, like lightening, He will be there; and it will be too late for the procrastinators and those who have refused His gift.

 

It’s now or never (seems there is a song with those words), but this is the message. Now, while you have the opportunity, is the time to choose. Remain as you are or repent by telling Jesus that you are a sinner and you are sorry and ask Him for forgiveness; that you accept what Jesus did on the cross and you will be born again and I’ll see you there.

 

I wish I had a microphone for the world to hear my message which would be: ‘You have been born to have the opportunity to be born again, i.e., to fulfill your spiritual destiny because your natural destiny does not lead to Jesus.’ The only way this is possible is for you to read His Living Word and listen to His words.