Sex Matthew 19:5-6
This post discusses what the Bible says about sex.
Sex began when God instituted the first marriage just after creating Eve. Jesus quoted what God said at that time when replying to a query about divorce, Matthew 19:5-6. “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?” So, when God called for ‘one flesh,’ He made this intimate relationship a part of the human marriage experience.
Also, the writer of Hebrews shows that God always meant for sexual activity to occur only in marriage, Hebrews 13:4 “Let marriage … held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed… undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” So, the judgment of God falls on those who have sexual relations outside of marriage.
Further, God regulated sex in marriage, 1 Corinthians 7:2-5. “But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another…” Thus, both the man and the woman in a marriage sacrifice their ‘rights’ in order to please their partner.
Also, nothing dirty or sinful occurs in sexual activity in marriage. In fact, the Apostle Paul used the body to show that we belong to God, I Corinthians 6:19-20. “… do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.”
Thus, we must confine sexual relations to our marriages, and thereby glorify God.
So, what did we learn?
1.God instituted sex in marriage.
2.Sex should occur only in marriage.
3.Our bodies must always glorify God.
For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#glorifyGodBody #GodMadeSexMarriage #bedUndefiled
The Meaning of the Resurrection Luke 24:1-6
This post discusses the meaning of the resurrection of Jesus.
‘The Meaning of the Resurrection’ as a post emphasizes what the resurrection means to the Christian. The resurrection occurred on the Sunday after Jesus’ death on the cross, Luke 24:1-6. “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb… And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body…While they were perplexed … two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said… “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He… has risen.”
So, the first impression that comes to mind concerns God’ all-powerful ability. He can raise the dead to die no more. God can accomplish a resurrection and should receive praise and glory for His power.
Secondly, the resurrection of Jesus authenticates Him as the Son of God. In this way, He completed His earthly ministry by the sacrifice of His body on the cross. His resurrection followed.
In addition, knowing about the resurrection of Jesus provides a feeling of certainty for Christians about a resurrection in their future beyond the grave. The Bible promised a universal resurrection whereby Jesus will judge everyone as to their deeds on this earth, Hebrews 9:27-28. “… just as it… appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, … offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who … eagerly waiting for him.”
Finally, the resurrection of Jesus also shows Christianity as a unique religion that can deliver eternal salvation. No other religion can do this.
So, what did we learn?
1.The resurrection shows that an all-powerful God can provide a resurrection from the dead.
2.The raising of Jesus proves His Deity as God’s Son.
3.Certainty of life after death appears as a result of the resurrection of Jesus.
For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#GodResurrectedJesus #JesusSonofGod #generalResurrection
Failed Leadership 2 Samuel 11:4
This post concerns the consequences of failed leadership.
Failed leadership often leads to sin. God gave King David the responsibility of leading the nation. Likewise, as the head of his family, he served as an example to his sons. However, one evening he saw an unclad woman, Bathsheba – the wife of Uriah— bathing and then committed adultery with her, 2 Samuel 11:4.
“So, David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her.”
Then, this horrible sin led to other sins because of Bathsheba’s pregnancy. David called Uriah home from a battle so the baby would appear to be Uriah’s. When that failed, he had Uriah killed during the battle. Then, he married Bathsheba. But others knew about the affair.
The prophet Nathan confronted David with a parable about a rich man taking the only lamb of a poor man. A livid David said the rich man deserved death. Then, Nathan said to David, 2 Samuel 12:7, 9. “You … the man! …Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight?”
Thus, David ignored God’s command, Exodus 20:14, to not commit adultery. God characterized such disobedience as despising his name.
But when David repented, God said, “the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me.” 2 Samuel 12:10.
David’s sin did not lead his sons to be obedient to God. Amnon raped his half-sister. Absalom then killed Amnon. But Absalom died trying to steal the throne from his father. Later, Solomon killed a brother, Adonijah.
And, when Solomon became the next king, he allowed his sexual appetites to lead him away from God, 1 Kings 11:4-5. “… when Solomon … his wives turned away his heart after other gods… Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.”
Note, what David did shows that sin lasts longer than we imagined, costs more than we intended to pay, and affects more people than we thought. We must lead carefully.
So, what did we learn?
1.Good leadership always involves obeying God’s law.
2.Failed obedience to God can cause one’s children to also turn away from God.
For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#David’sSons #AbsalomStealKingdom #SolomonWorshippedIdols
Testing Jesus Luke 10:25-28
This post discusses a lawyer testing Jesus.
‘Testing Jesus’ involves how Jesus answered a Jewish lawyer, Luke 10:25. “And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” This lawyer, an expert on Moses’ Law, did not pose questions on Roman law. Instead, he expected some answer based on the Ten Commandments. Then, this question would cause a conflict with what Jesus taught about the ‘tradition of the elders.’ (This tradition involved a long list of additional commandments made by the Pharisees as to how to keep Moses’ Law. Jesus condemned these traditions—see Mark 7:1-13.)
However, Jesus’ answered with a question, Luke 10:26. “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
Jesus’ questions provides some lessons.
1.God’s word provides what everyone needs for eternal life.
2.Finding eternal life lies in reading and obeying the scriptures.
Also, the scriptures provide identical answers to everyone.
Then, the lawyer answered Jesus’ questions in summary form, Luke 10:27. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
In summary, gaining eternal life involves a total commitment to loving God.
Therefore, the emotions and convictions which make up the heart must belong to the Lord. That which exists in eternity, the soul, must love God. Following and obeying the Lord uses our strength. The intellect or the mind must devote itself to pleasing the Lord.
Also, loving your neighbor as yourself makes up a second important need.
Jesus replied favorably, Luke 10:28. “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” Jesus said doing these things enables one to have eternal life.
Note, these rules apply to the new kingdom established by Jesus as well as the Old Testament (see Deuteronomy 6:50).
So, what did we learn?
1.Complete obedient devotion to loving God will provide us eternal life.
2.God’s word always supplies the keys as to how we gain eternal life.
3.Today, eternal life will result from reading and obeying the word of God.
For more on the Bible, click
https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#LoveGod #loveHeartSoulStrengthMind #eternalLife
Pornography Matthew 5:27-29
This post seeks to link pornography and the heart of an individual.
Pornography, the viewing of lewd pictures or images, causes sexual arousal. Jesus discussed adultery by coupling viewing of the image of a woman with sexual desires and the heart, Matthew 5:27-29. “You have heard … it …said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.” In this scripture, Jesus orders a drastic solution to this terrible sin. He says destroy the part of the body, the eye, that admits this image to the brain or heart! Thus, using the eyes to view pornography in any form can cause the loss of the soul to hell.
Jesus also clearly identifies the source of many defiling sins as coming from the heart, including sexual immorality, Mark 7:21-23. “And he said, “What comes out of a person … defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
So, viewing lewd images causes the mind, the heart, to sin.
The Apostle Paul provides guidelines for the thoughts of our minds, Philippians 4:8. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever … honorable, whatever … just, whatever … pure, whatever … lovely, whatever … commendable, if …any excellence, if … anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Using the mind or heart to dwell on pure, commendable things rather than allowing the eyes to focus on pornographic images and thoughts should characterize the Christian.
So, what did we learn?
1.Viewing lewd images causes sinful thoughts.
2.Often, sin begins with wicked thoughts in the heart.
3.Christians should think pure thoughts.
For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#viewLewdImages #eysLinkedHeart #thinkPureThoughts
The Meaning of the Cross Ephesians 1:1-6
This post discusses the meaning of the cross of Jesus to us.
The meaning of the cross starts with understanding God and His plans, formulated before creation, Ephesians 1:3-6. “Blessed… the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who … blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world,” These verses teach that God knew of the future need of salvation for us and formulated a predetermined plan to accomplish it before He created the world. The occurrence of the cross of Jesus means that God completed His plan of salvation for everyone at the cross.
Secondly, the cross illustrates the fact that Jesus obeyed and caused salvation to happen. The Apostle Paul spoke about it in Philippians 2:8. “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Thus, Jesus obeyed the will of God the Father at the cross.
Thirdly, the cross shows that the blood of Jesus makes salvation possible for the obedient, 1 John 1:7. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” So, the blood of Christ made salvation possible for us at the cross.
Finally, consideration of what the cross means generates thanksgiving and praise for God, Ephesians 1:5-6. “In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” The cross provides the focus for eternal gratitude and praise of God the Father by us for the plan of salvation.
So, what did we learn?
1.God planned the cross before creation as a means of saving a future fallen race.
2.Jesus obeyed God the Father by giving Himself on the cross.
3.The shedding of His blood on the cross paid the price for eternal salvation of the obedient.
4.Thanksgiving and praise focuses us on praise to God for the cross and what it means.
For more on the Bible, click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#GodPredestinatedCross #JesusGaveSelfCross #man’sSinsPaidFor
Rejoicing Luke 10:21-24
This post explores the rejoicing or happiness of Jesus and the 72 upon their return.
‘Rejoicing’ as a post describes both Jesus and the return of the 72, earlier sent out to preach to the common people. Thus defeating the demons caused the 72 to return with joy (see verse 17). Jesus also rejoiced and thanked God for their succuss, Luke 10:21. “In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”
The fact that Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit marks this time as a high-point in Jesus’ ministry. In this passage, Jesus thanked the Father for the preaching of the 72 to common people, characterized by the term ‘little children.’ They had not been sent to the scribes and Pharisees who thought of themselves as ‘wise and understanding.’ Carrying out the plan of the heavenly Father caused this success. They preached a clear, understandable message about the coming kingdom to people who could hear and wanted to hear. This preaching to common people also covered all of Jesus’ ministry from beginning to end.
Jesus also tells God’s long-term method of revelation, John 10:22-24. “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows … the Son… except the Father, or … the Father …except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Thus, the plan of God involves the Father revealing the Son to the world and the Son revealing the Father. The words of the Old Testament prophets, Jesus Himself, and His disciples provided the revelation. This remains the plan of God for the world today revealing it through the words of the Bible.
Jesus also tells the disciples of blessing more than earlier prophets who wanted to hear and see what they saw. By reading the Bible we, too, can receive this blessing.
So, what did we learn?
1.God planned for the common person to hear and understand the truth about salvation.
2.Preaching to the common man succeeded.
For more on the Bible, click
https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#planOfGod #preachToCommonMan #timeOfSuccess
Decisions 2 Timothy 3:16-17
This post discusses an aid to make correct decisions.
Decisions occur every day. We decide what to eat, where to go, and how to treat others. Some decisions please God. Some do not. The Bible provides a resource on how to make decisions, 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The God-breathed-out or inspired scriptures provide a reliable inspiration for correct decisions.
Four areas of usefulness of God’s words appear as teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
Teaching and obeying the gospel stimulates good decisions. For example, Ephesians 5:25 and Titus 2:4 stress proper treatment of spouses.
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,”
“and so train the young women to love their husbands and children,”
So, harmony in the home comes from loving spouses.
Also, Peter, speaking about Jesus, reproved the Jews who crucified Jesus, Acts 2:36-38. “…God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified… they were cut to the heart…, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said… “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” So, once they became believers, repentance and baptism provided forgiveness.
Sometimes, God’s people err. The Bible explains correction of an error, 1 Corinthians 5:1-2. “… there is sexual immorality among you, … for a man has his father’s wife …Let him who has done this be removed from among you.” So, the scriptures call for correction when sin appears in the congregation!
Finally, the scriptures train in righteousness. For example, the scriptures encourage doing good, Galatians 6:9-10. “let us not grow weary of doing good, … as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.”
Also the Bible provides many other similar admonitions for right decision making. Therefore, we should read and study the Bible for this knowledge!
So, what did we learn?
1.The scriptures offer a foolproof guide to making decisions.
2.Stress points include teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness
3, Read and study the Bible for help.
For more on the Bible, click
https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#decisionMaking #GuideDecisionMaking #studyBible
Different Characteristics Exodus 20; 32; Romans 12:1-2
This post concentrates on the different characteristics needed by the Israelites and Christians.
‘Different Characteristics’ describes how the Israelites in the Sinai desert displayed themselves to the surrounding nations.
Different characteristics were what God expected. He gave them commands about worship, Exodus 20:3-4. “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything…” However, they chose to not obey and asked Aaron to make an idol, Exodus 32:2-5. “So, Aaron said… “Take off the rings of gold …And he received the gold from their hand and… made a golden calf”.
Then, they declared that this golden calf brought them out of Egypt. So, Aaron proclaimed a feast day for worship of the golden calf. That day resulted in the people duplicating the sexual activities of idol-worshipping nations, Exodus 32:6. “And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”
By God’s commands, the Israelites should display a different religious behavior from the nations all around them and especially Egypt from which they came. Sexual activities did not belong in worship of God. In this way, the Israelites should demonstrate what God wanted instead of satisfying sexual appetites.
In the same way, Christianity displays a different lifestyle.
The Apostle Paul stressed this different aspect of following Christ in daily life, Romans 12:1-2. “…present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
So, this difference means that Christians do not engage in fornication or adultery or conform to the way the world lives. Their lives become daily sacrifices of holiness as spiritual worship.
Note, the Israelites were to serve as an example for the world around them as to how to serve God. Likewise, today God’s children model to the world how God desires them to live.
So, what did we learn?
1.The Israelites formed and worshipped an idol instead of obeying God.
2.Israel failed to model what God wanted in worship.
3.Today Christians should exhibit example behavior as to how God wants us to worship and live.
For more on the Bible, click
https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#israelExamples #ChristiansExample #ChristianModelBehavior
God’s Name Psalm 8
This post discusses revering and praising God’s name.
‘God’s Name’ as a post explores reasons for respecting His name, Psalm 8:1. “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” A list of what God has done that reflects glory on Him and His name follows in the psalm.
Even babies express glory to God. (Jesus quotes this verse when infants praised Him, Matthew 21:16. “Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise.”)
The psalmist takes one look at the heavens and then expresses surprise at the elevated status of man, Psalm 8:4. “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”
Compared to everything else, the place of man just below heavenly beings provides him superiority over the earth, Psalm 8:5-6. “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;” This dominion or superiority includes domestic animals, and even birds and fish.
Thus, this realization causes the psalmist to again express glory and majesty to the name of God.
As we contemplate these great blessings, respect for God’s name should grow. That means that we should not use the name of God in any disrespectful way. For example, I should not use the phrase ‘God’ as a by-word or slang or expression of some emotion. Unfortunately, television and movies are literally saturated with terrible use of His name as a by-word.
Also, I can also use my influence to discourage others from disrespectful usage. I can talk to my friends about their use of His name and encourage them to respect it. I can teach my children to respect the name of God.
So, what did we learn?
1.Majestic describes God’s name.
2.When we consider that God gave man dominion over all creation, we should revere His name and never use it as slang or as a by-word.
3.In daily life we should respect His name.
For more on the Bible, click
https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#matthew21: sixteen #teachChildrenRespectGod’sName #InfluenceOthersRespectGod’sName
The 72 Forerunners Luke 10:1-20
This post describes Jesus sending out and the return of 72 disciples as forerunners to proclaim the kingdom of God.
‘The 72 Forerunners’ as a post tells what happened when Jesus sent disciples before He visited the villages. Luke 10:1. “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.” Jesus’ training plan for this final phase of his ministry involved selecting 72 other disciples, not the twelve. They were sent out with the ability to heal and with specific instructions. They should go as forerunners before Him into the villages to which He intended to go. As part of their training they should take no extra provisions while preaching that the kingdom of God is near.
In this way, the disciples trained for the times after Jesus’ resurrection when they went to all the world—see Acts 8:1-4.
This much needed work should also incite earnest prayeer to the Lord of the harvest, God, for more laborers to reach those people eager to learn. The disciples, depending upon the hospitality of the villages, like lambs should not force themselves on anyone. For those towns that rejected them, they would consider them as dust on their shoes just like the Jews treated heathens.
If Sodom, Tyre, and Sidon had heard the preaching of Jesus and His disciples, they would have repented readily. Thus, non-listeners in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, without excuse for their unbelief, would end in torment.
So, Jesus explained the inseparability of His word and the words of His disciples. Rejecting one rejects the other.
The 72 returned with joy and such a good report of casting out demons that Jesus saw Satan falling from heaven. Although He gave them authority over physical things that might hurt them, He said eternal salvation in heaven made up the important thing.
So, what did we learn?
1.Jesus sent out 72 forerunners as part of His plan to go through villages on His way to Jerusalem.
2.Those who rejected Jesus and His disciples would be lost in Hades.
3.The words of His disciples carried the same authority as those of Jesus.
4.Their happiness should be in eternal salvation.
For more on the Bible, click
https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#sendOut72 #disciplesWordEqualsJesus’Word #TakeNoProvisions
The Net Matthew 13:47-50
This post discusses Jesus’ parable about a net.
The net shows the work of fishing, Matthew 13:47-48. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.” Jesus used fishing by net, observed daily on the Sea of Galilee, to teach about the kingdom and the end of time, Matthew 13:49-50. “So, it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Thus, in this parable, Jesus stresses what will happen on the Judgment Day to members of the kingdom of heaven, the church.
He depicts the church as a net thrown into the sea or the world. The fish comprise righteous and wicked people in the kingdom. The wicked imagine they are saved because of their names in the church role. The wicked escape detection while on the earth. But at the end of time, angels will sort the righteous from the wicked and throw the wicked into hell, the fiery furnace, and terrible pain.
Also, wicked people claiming membership in the kingdom parallels the wicked in every age. Consider the following pairs: Wicked Cain with Abel at the beginning of time; Judas as one of the twelve; Diotrephes in the church (III John 9). God’s mercy allows the wicked time to repent or exist alongside the righteous until the end of time. At that time, Angels then separate the wicked.
Note, God does not authorize people or churches to remove the wicked from the kingdom. On Judgement Day, angels will do this sorting. (Congregations can withdraw fellowship from erring, unrepentant members to try to restore them, 2 Thessalonians 3:6.)
So, what did we learn?
1.Wicked people masquerading as church members will receive punishment at the end of time.
2.God’s mercy allows time for wicked church members to repent until Judgement Day.
3.On judgment day, angels sort out the wicked.
For more on the Bible, click
https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#ChristiansAsFish #sortingByAngels #wickedCastIntoHell
God’s Love John 3:16
This post discusses the effects of God’s love.
‘God’s love’ as a post shows the depth of the love of God, John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This verse makes three important and universal points.
Firstly, note that God loved the world—not one nation or one area, but the entire world. This expresses how God felt in Jesus’ day and feels now. God’s love exhibits no concern about nationality, gender, or age. Instead, He loves every person.
Secondly, God loved so deeply that He gave His Son as a sacrifice to cover the sins of people. Can you imagine love so deep that you would give up a child for someone in another family? Impossible? God exhibited that kind of love for all people.
Thirdly, God’s love provided a priceless gift—eternal life. This gift, not attainable by anyone, must come from God who alone can provide it. Its greatness lies in the fact that no one can buy it or earn it. Only God can supply it, and He does so as a gift.
Note, belief in Jesus as God’s Son becomes the key to receiving what God alone can give. Thus, Jesus claims to be the source or access to the love of God, John 14:6. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
But faith alone cannot save, James 2:17. “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Peter explained what people with faith in Jesus additionally needed to do, Acts 2:37-38. “… they were cut to the heart, …And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,”
Thus, repentance and baptism will save the believer.
So, what did we learn?
1.God loves everyone.
2.God loved so deeply He gave His Son for salvation of the obedient.
3.God’s love provides the only key to eternal life.
4.Access to God’s love involves belief, repentance, and baptism.
For more on the Bible, click
https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#faithAlone #faithWorks #James2:17
Facing Jerusalem Luke 9:51-62
This post discusses Jesus facing Jerusalem in the last major phase of His ministry.
Jesus, facing Jerusalem, concludes His ministry before His death on the cross.
In facing Jerusalem, Jesus now begins this last phase of His work by setting His face to go to the city. The time nears for Him to go back to His heavenly Father. So, He does what is necessary to travel to Jerusalem and the cross. On His way, He will train His twelve apostles further, do more preaching and teaching, heal more people, and perhaps make more disciples.
Earlier—see chap. 9:2—Jesus gave the twelve miraculous power. As they go toward Jerusalem, they entered a village and found the Samaritans would not receive Him, sensing His aim toward Jerusalem. This probably means they would not listen or provide food and shelter. James and John wanted to miraculously bring down fire on the village. Jesus did not and rebuked their thoughts. Then, He went on to a more friendly village.
On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus met three men with three excuses for not following Him immediately.
The first seemed to be concerned about his physical needs. Jesus reminded him that He, Jesus, did not even have a place to lay His head. This means that a house and food should rate lower in importance than following Jesus. Another seemed more concerned with his father’s burial. Jesus told him to let others arrange burials. He needed to go preach about the Kingdom of God. The third man was also concerned about his family and telling them goodbye. Then, Jesus gave a summary statement to cover all those who wanted to follow Him: starting to follow and turning back to the world makes one unfit for the kingdom of God. The things of God and Jesus must come first.
So, what did we learn?
1.Jesus now begins His trip to Jerusalem and the cross.
2.Jesus does not want to punish uninterested followers by using physical force.
3.Following Jesus requires ranking Him first in our lives and not turning back to the world.
For more on the Bible click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#faceToJerusalem #fireOnSamaritans #howToFollowJesus
Vineyard Laborers Matthew 20:1-16
This post concerns laborers hired to work in the vineyard at various times and all paid the same.
Vineyard laborers were hired and paid daily. Early in the morning, the master hired workers and settled on their payment. Jesus told a parable about such an owner, Matthew 20:1-2. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.”
Then, this master found idle workers in the marketplace at about the third hour, the sixth hour, and the ninth hour. He told each to go work in the vineyard, and he would pay correct wages. Even at the eleventh hour he found idle workers and sent them to work in the vineyard.
Payment came in the evening, Matthew 20:8-10. “And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.”
Then, those hired first grumbled because they thought they should receive more. The master told them that they had agreed on a denarius. So, they should take it and go, because he had the right to pay what he wished. Then, he provided His decision on pay equality, Matthew 20:16. “So the last will be first, and the first last.”
Thus, this parable about the kingdom of heaven illustrates the fact that people can begin to work in the Lord’s vineyard, the church, at any time and still receive from God the eternal reward of heaven.
This parable also illustrates the wonderful grace of God toward all those in the kingdom regardless of time of service.
So, what did we learn?
1.God wants everyone regardless of age to labor in His kingdom, the church.
2.Everyone laboring in the church will receive heaven as a reward.
3.God’s graciousness provides a reward for everyone even if only serving in the kingdom when olderhttps://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com
#workChurch #ChristianReward #God’sGraciousness
Two Sons Matthew 21:28-32
This post seeks to uncover the meaning of Jesus’ parable about two sons.
‘Two Sons’ as a post depicts the religious situation of the publicans and prostitutes versus the Pharisees, Matthew 21:28-32. “A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ … he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same… he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”
In this parable about two boys, Jesus asked the above question of thOe Pharisees who had challenged His authority. They answered, “The first.” Then, Jesus said to them “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”
Jesus identifies the Pharisees as a son who promised but did not go. The other son is depicted as the sinful tax collectors and prostitutes who repented and listened and believed God’s message via John the Baptist. (They heard, Luke 15:1. Jesus says in Mark 21:32 that they believed. They repented and were baptized, Luke 3:12; 7:29.)
The man in the parable depicts God who sees in the world only two classes of people: those who obey and those who do not. Note that both sons hear the same command. Thus, everyone hears God’s call to work in His kingdom. Some obey. Others do not. Further, rejection or disobeying does not cancel the obligation to hear God’s word and obey it.
So, what did we learn?
1.God classifies all people as obedient or disobedient, despite what we claim to be and do.
2.Everyone gets the same command to work in God’s kingdom.
3.Rejection does not cancel the command to obey God and work in the kingdom.
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