Seeking Meaning
“The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.
Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “ ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Matthew 13:10-17
Kenneth L. Barker in the Zonderban NIV study Bible copy right 2002 states,”Jesus used parables more extensively as a means of teaching. They were particularly effective and easy to remember because he used familiar scenes. Although parables clarified Jesus’ teaching, they also included hidden meanings needing further explanation. These hidden meanings challenged the sincerely interested to further inquiry, and taught truths that Jesus wanted to conceal from unbelievers. From parables Jesus’ enemies could find no direct statements to use against him.”
It’s interesting that today many hear and read the Bible but the majority of people fail to understand fully the truths therein.
I have spoken to many very well educated people who have read the Bible and know it’s content yet fail to fully comprehend the deep meaning inside. They see the Bible as a combination history and philosophy book and Jesus as a good moral teacher.
Most of these people are more interested in trying to find fault with the Bible than the truths it has for them. So called mistakes.
If there are mistakes with the Bible they are of man’s own doing.
When someone tells me the bible has mistakes or contradictions for the most part they can’t show them to me.
I do recognize that over the years so called Christian groups have interpreted the Bible with their own particular bent.
They have misinterpreted words and whole passages to conform it to their way of thinking. Such things are the only errors that occur. Man made errors.
The Bible interpreted correctly and in context has no contradictions or errors.
I have found over the years that those who truly are seeking God. Who are seeking a meaning for life do indeed search for the hidden truths in the Bible and ultimately find them.
They find the truths God wanted them to.
Being a Christian is a lifestyle. A way of life one cannot enter into half heartedly. It is a daily walk of faith. The writer of Hebrews noting
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Think about it?
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Wednesday, 9 April 2014
The Sower
The sower
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:1-9.
Jesus seldom interpreted his parables but he does this one and as he does it better than me thus I give you his interpretation,
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:18-23.
This interpretation is very typical of what happens in our churches today. There are those who hears the message but fails to fully understand it and quickly falls away without trying to look deeper.
There are others who receive the word out of the emotion of the moment only to fall away when the emotion dies off.
Then there are those who receive the word but have a lot of earthly baggage. They fall pray to the worries of the world. And fall away as their worries in this world take precedent over the word of God.
Then there are those who truly believe who go forth and take the gospel to those around them producing more believers.
Where are you in this spectrum of hearers of the word?
Think about it.
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.
But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:1-9.
Jesus seldom interpreted his parables but he does this one and as he does it better than me thus I give you his interpretation,
“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.
But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Matthew 13:18-23.
This interpretation is very typical of what happens in our churches today. There are those who hears the message but fails to fully understand it and quickly falls away without trying to look deeper.
There are others who receive the word out of the emotion of the moment only to fall away when the emotion dies off.
Then there are those who receive the word but have a lot of earthly baggage. They fall pray to the worries of the world. And fall away as their worries in this world take precedent over the word of God.
Then there are those who truly believe who go forth and take the gospel to those around them producing more believers.
Where are you in this spectrum of hearers of the word?
Think about it.
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Who are brothers of Jesus
“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Matthew 12:46-50
Here Jesus family, his mother and his brothers, approach him.
Much is made of who they are in the early church, according to Epiphanius they were children of Joseph from a previous marriage. Jerome said they were cousins, while Helvidius gives the most logical conclusion. They were half brothers of Jesus the younger sons of Joseph and Mary.
Jesus however makes and important point here, Matthew recoding that Jesus, “Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Paul writing to the Glatians states,
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:26-28.
According to what Jesus said and what Paul writes all believers in Christ are sons of God.
Think about it.
“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Matthew 12:46-50
Here Jesus family, his mother and his brothers, approach him.
Much is made of who they are in the early church, according to Epiphanius they were children of Joseph from a previous marriage. Jerome said they were cousins, while Helvidius gives the most logical conclusion. They were half brothers of Jesus the younger sons of Joseph and Mary.
Jesus however makes and important point here, Matthew recoding that Jesus, “Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Paul writing to the Glatians states,
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:26-28.
According to what Jesus said and what Paul writes all believers in Christ are sons of God.
Think about it.
Monday, 7 April 2014
The sign of Jonah
The sign of Jonah
“Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.”
He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.
“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Matthew 12:38-45
Here the Pharisees and teachers wanted to see miraculous signs from Jesus. To which Jesus basically said no.
Instead he said they would only see the sign of Jonah who had spent three days in the belly of a big fish. This being a reference to Jesus spending three days in the tomb before rising again.
(Note that Jesus was according to Jewish reckoning of the day, actually three days in the tomb as they considered part of the day as a day. So using that way of reckoning Jesus was in the tomb part of the first day all of the second and part of the third, three days in all.)
He notes that “The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah”
“The Queen of the South (the queen of Sheba) will rise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom.”
The reason being, he Jesus is greater than Jonah or Solomon.
He goes on to say,
“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Simply put Jesus is saying that a person who gets his life in order who casts out the evil from his life but fails to put anything else in its place, in other words accept Christ into their life, the evil will return twice as bad.
He notes that this is how it will be for the entire generation.
Today our society is taking God out of the picture. It is trying to eliminate God from our way of life.
In doing so I believe it is removing a moral compass.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
God and the Bible lay down a moral compass for us to live by. They teach us how to live with and treat our fellow man.
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John10:10
To take God out of our society is to leave a vacuum than will ultimately lead to the down hill spiral of our society.
Think about it.
“Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you.”
He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.
“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Matthew 12:38-45
Here the Pharisees and teachers wanted to see miraculous signs from Jesus. To which Jesus basically said no.
Instead he said they would only see the sign of Jonah who had spent three days in the belly of a big fish. This being a reference to Jesus spending three days in the tomb before rising again.
(Note that Jesus was according to Jewish reckoning of the day, actually three days in the tomb as they considered part of the day as a day. So using that way of reckoning Jesus was in the tomb part of the first day all of the second and part of the third, three days in all.)
He notes that “The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah”
“The Queen of the South (the queen of Sheba) will rise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom.”
The reason being, he Jesus is greater than Jonah or Solomon.
He goes on to say,
“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Simply put Jesus is saying that a person who gets his life in order who casts out the evil from his life but fails to put anything else in its place, in other words accept Christ into their life, the evil will return twice as bad.
He notes that this is how it will be for the entire generation.
Today our society is taking God out of the picture. It is trying to eliminate God from our way of life.
In doing so I believe it is removing a moral compass.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
God and the Bible lay down a moral compass for us to live by. They teach us how to live with and treat our fellow man.
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John10:10
To take God out of our society is to leave a vacuum than will ultimately lead to the down hill spiral of our society.
Think about it.
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Jesus the Son of David
Jesus the Son of David
Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.
All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned
Matthew 12:22-37
Here Jesus drives out evil spirits and the Pharisees accuse him of being “Beelzebub, the prince of demons,”
Jesus makes an important point that he couldn’t be Beelzebub because it would be counter productive for the prince of demons to cast out demons.
Jesus noting,
“And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Obviously the Pharisees were driving out demons in the name of God and it’s inferred that they are doing it in the name of God. Then why are they accusing him of doing it in the name of Satan when he’s giving God the glory.
He goes on to note that anyone who is against him pushes people away but those who are for him gather the lost.
He also notes,
“And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
It’s controversial what the blaspheming the Holy Spirit is but one commentator I’ve read makes sense.
Kenneth L. Barker in Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible (2002) states, that from the text it,
“suggests that the unpardonable sin was attributing to Satan, Christ’s authenticating miracles done in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus goes on to note,
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Ultimately all of us Christians and non Christians will have to stand and give an account of ourselves before God.
How will he judge you?
Think about it.
Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.
All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”
Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?
And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
“He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned
Matthew 12:22-37
Here Jesus drives out evil spirits and the Pharisees accuse him of being “Beelzebub, the prince of demons,”
Jesus makes an important point that he couldn’t be Beelzebub because it would be counter productive for the prince of demons to cast out demons.
Jesus noting,
“And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges.
But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Obviously the Pharisees were driving out demons in the name of God and it’s inferred that they are doing it in the name of God. Then why are they accusing him of doing it in the name of Satan when he’s giving God the glory.
He goes on to note that anyone who is against him pushes people away but those who are for him gather the lost.
He also notes,
“And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
It’s controversial what the blaspheming the Holy Spirit is but one commentator I’ve read makes sense.
Kenneth L. Barker in Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible (2002) states, that from the text it,
“suggests that the unpardonable sin was attributing to Satan, Christ’s authenticating miracles done in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus goes on to note,
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Ultimately all of us Christians and non Christians will have to stand and give an account of ourselves before God.
How will he judge you?
Think about it.
Saturday, 5 April 2014
Jesus Fulfils Prophesy
“But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was.
This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him ,and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.
In his name the nations will put their hope.”
Matthew 12:14-21.
Here Jesus knowing of the plot to kill him moves away but many followed them and he healed their sick. Warning them not to tell anyone who he was.
Matthew pointing out that this was the fulfilment of the prophesy by Isaiah.
Jesus wanted to be known as the Messiah not as a good man, not as a miracle worker.
Although he was all of those things. Jesus was first and foremost the suffering Messiah mentioned in Isaiah.
“See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness— so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter ,and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the LORD'S will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
I know many especially in the Jewish community cannot accept that Jesus is the suffering Messiah mentioned in Isaiah. Still I would ask that you look at what Isaiah says and compare it to the life of Jesus.
At least read the New Testament gospels of Matthew Mark, Luke and John and
Think about it.
Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, warning them not to tell who he was.
This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him ,and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.
In his name the nations will put their hope.”
Matthew 12:14-21.
Here Jesus knowing of the plot to kill him moves away but many followed them and he healed their sick. Warning them not to tell anyone who he was.
Matthew pointing out that this was the fulfilment of the prophesy by Isaiah.
Jesus wanted to be known as the Messiah not as a good man, not as a miracle worker.
Although he was all of those things. Jesus was first and foremost the suffering Messiah mentioned in Isaiah.
“See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness— so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter ,and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the LORD'S will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
I know many especially in the Jewish community cannot accept that Jesus is the suffering Messiah mentioned in Isaiah. Still I would ask that you look at what Isaiah says and compare it to the life of Jesus.
At least read the New Testament gospels of Matthew Mark, Luke and John and
Think about it.
Friday, 4 April 2014
Legalism
Legalism
“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.
Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?
I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.
If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?
How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.”
Matthew 12:1-14
Here Jesus states the “the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” referring to himself. But more importantly here is what the teachers of the law are doing. They took the fact the Jesus and his disciples were picking small amounts of wheat as they were going through the field. Probably rubbing it in their hands to remove the chaff and eating it.
The teachers of the law seen this as them harvesting the wheat thrashing it and consuming it. Work forbidden on the Sabbath.
They also looked on the fact the Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath as work.
They were very legalistic.
I know of some orthodox Jewish sects that are very careful what they do on the Sabbath. Some even consider hairs that are brought out by a brush when brushing your hair as harvesting.
This is an example of extremes. It happens in churches also.
There are groups that insist on meeting on the Saturday, the Sabbath. There are others that have very elaborate rituals that must be followed.
Even in the so called evangelical world there are things that people do that are very legalistic.
Jesus doesn’t want us to be so strict, so legalistic that we miss what God had intended for us.
Jesus healed the sick on the Sabbath. Something frowned on by the teachers of the law. Yet he was doing good.
God is a God of the individual. While he does set certain laws rules by which he wants us to live by. He understands and want to meet the needs of the individual.
If that means healing on the Sabbath that’s fine as long as it is good that is being done and God getting the glory.
God want’s us to have a personal relationship with Him. That’s why the bible makes it clear that every individual can come to Him directly in prayer without the need of a priest or pastor.
That we can confess our sins directly to him and we can conduct our praises to Him.
We are even encouraged to ask Him directly for things no matter what it is. Always remembering that at times he says no. And that we should be asking in accordance with His will.
Take a look at the way you worship and seek God. Do you have unnecessary ritual in you life or in your church?
Think about it.
“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.
Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent?
I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.
If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?
How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.
But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.”
Matthew 12:1-14
Here Jesus states the “the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” referring to himself. But more importantly here is what the teachers of the law are doing. They took the fact the Jesus and his disciples were picking small amounts of wheat as they were going through the field. Probably rubbing it in their hands to remove the chaff and eating it.
The teachers of the law seen this as them harvesting the wheat thrashing it and consuming it. Work forbidden on the Sabbath.
They also looked on the fact the Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath as work.
They were very legalistic.
I know of some orthodox Jewish sects that are very careful what they do on the Sabbath. Some even consider hairs that are brought out by a brush when brushing your hair as harvesting.
This is an example of extremes. It happens in churches also.
There are groups that insist on meeting on the Saturday, the Sabbath. There are others that have very elaborate rituals that must be followed.
Even in the so called evangelical world there are things that people do that are very legalistic.
Jesus doesn’t want us to be so strict, so legalistic that we miss what God had intended for us.
Jesus healed the sick on the Sabbath. Something frowned on by the teachers of the law. Yet he was doing good.
God is a God of the individual. While he does set certain laws rules by which he wants us to live by. He understands and want to meet the needs of the individual.
If that means healing on the Sabbath that’s fine as long as it is good that is being done and God getting the glory.
God want’s us to have a personal relationship with Him. That’s why the bible makes it clear that every individual can come to Him directly in prayer without the need of a priest or pastor.
That we can confess our sins directly to him and we can conduct our praises to Him.
We are even encouraged to ask Him directly for things no matter what it is. Always remembering that at times he says no. And that we should be asking in accordance with His will.
Take a look at the way you worship and seek God. Do you have unnecessary ritual in you life or in your church?
Think about it.
Thursday, 3 April 2014
Something About Jesus
Something about Jesus
“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:25-30.
Here are three interesting statements by Jesus. First,
“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”
I find quite often that well educated people scientist in particular cannot accept there is a God. Some scientist for example look into the heavens, see the stars, the galaxies and the magnificence of the universe.
They have devised complicated mathematical formulas to predict the movements of the heavens and the earth and they say its all by chance.
They look at the microscopic things and say the same.
They fail to see the beauty of creation is the fact that it is mathematically linked. From the largest galaxy to the smallest part of the atom. All are linked by some mathematical formula.
Scientist may not have figured it all out yet. But I think they agree that everything is linked.
This to me proves there is a creator behind it all.
Yet the learned men and women of this world still refuse to agree with it.
While the average person perhaps not encumbered with the same tunnel vision can accept more freely by faith that God created everything and thus allows those learned men to be able to figure out those mathematical formulas that link everything.
Second Jesus says,
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Here Jesus points out the only God himself can comprehend the fullness of Jesus. We as mere humans can have a personal relationship and enjoy close fellowship with Jesus. We can embrace him as Lord and Saviour. Never the less we are limited by our humanness.
Jesus does reveal himself to us as we accept him as Lord and Saviour but we are still and always will be this side of heaven limited in our ability to fully understand the true magnificence of Jesus.
Thirdly Jesus states,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
He makes a call out to all mankind to come to him for in him is rest.
I believe that if we truly enter into a personal relationship with Jesus we do have rest. I’ve experienced it in my own life.
Over the sixty years I’ve been alive I’ve lived through a lot. My son nearly dying when he was young. My house burning to the ground taking with it all my families and my earthly possessions in less than thirty minutes almost killing my family.
I’ve gone through cancer and had large blood clots on my lungs that have almost killed me. And I live with Bipolar affective disorder
While I may have had a few moments of worry. I can honestly say that God was there for me, giving me comfort as I went through it all.
I have found that Jesus Yoke is easy and his burden light.
I have found that He is always their no matter the circumstances. All I have to do is turn to Him in prayer and he will guide me through what ever life throws at me both in good times and in bad.
Where does Jesus figure in your life?
Think about it.
“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:25-30.
Here are three interesting statements by Jesus. First,
“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”
I find quite often that well educated people scientist in particular cannot accept there is a God. Some scientist for example look into the heavens, see the stars, the galaxies and the magnificence of the universe.
They have devised complicated mathematical formulas to predict the movements of the heavens and the earth and they say its all by chance.
They look at the microscopic things and say the same.
They fail to see the beauty of creation is the fact that it is mathematically linked. From the largest galaxy to the smallest part of the atom. All are linked by some mathematical formula.
Scientist may not have figured it all out yet. But I think they agree that everything is linked.
This to me proves there is a creator behind it all.
Yet the learned men and women of this world still refuse to agree with it.
While the average person perhaps not encumbered with the same tunnel vision can accept more freely by faith that God created everything and thus allows those learned men to be able to figure out those mathematical formulas that link everything.
Second Jesus says,
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Here Jesus points out the only God himself can comprehend the fullness of Jesus. We as mere humans can have a personal relationship and enjoy close fellowship with Jesus. We can embrace him as Lord and Saviour. Never the less we are limited by our humanness.
Jesus does reveal himself to us as we accept him as Lord and Saviour but we are still and always will be this side of heaven limited in our ability to fully understand the true magnificence of Jesus.
Thirdly Jesus states,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
He makes a call out to all mankind to come to him for in him is rest.
I believe that if we truly enter into a personal relationship with Jesus we do have rest. I’ve experienced it in my own life.
Over the sixty years I’ve been alive I’ve lived through a lot. My son nearly dying when he was young. My house burning to the ground taking with it all my families and my earthly possessions in less than thirty minutes almost killing my family.
I’ve gone through cancer and had large blood clots on my lungs that have almost killed me. And I live with Bipolar affective disorder
While I may have had a few moments of worry. I can honestly say that God was there for me, giving me comfort as I went through it all.
I have found that Jesus Yoke is easy and his burden light.
I have found that He is always their no matter the circumstances. All I have to do is turn to Him in prayer and he will guide me through what ever life throws at me both in good times and in bad.
Where does Jesus figure in your life?
Think about it.
Wednesday, 2 April 2014
God Wants You
God Wants you
“Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
“Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgement than for you.”
Matthew 11:20-24.
Jesus calls out to Jewish cities in which miracles were performed in and warns them that will go hard for them if they don’t believe.
That they will come under Judgement.
Today I believe there is miracles even miraculous healings. I believe they are a sign to the unbeliever. To show the power of God.
Ultimately following Christ and believing in God is an act of faith. Still that does not preclude God from showing Himself through Miraculous signs and wonders.
God uses whatever means he needs to, to show people he is real. Be it the simple faith of a family member or friend or a miracle.
The bottom line is God does not want anyone to go to hell. He therefore in as simple a way as possible has made a way to reach heaven.
That way being through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Think about it.
“Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
“Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgement than for you.”
Matthew 11:20-24.
Jesus calls out to Jewish cities in which miracles were performed in and warns them that will go hard for them if they don’t believe.
That they will come under Judgement.
Today I believe there is miracles even miraculous healings. I believe they are a sign to the unbeliever. To show the power of God.
Ultimately following Christ and believing in God is an act of faith. Still that does not preclude God from showing Himself through Miraculous signs and wonders.
God uses whatever means he needs to, to show people he is real. Be it the simple faith of a family member or friend or a miracle.
The bottom line is God does not want anyone to go to hell. He therefore in as simple a way as possible has made a way to reach heaven.
That way being through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
Of John the Baptist
Of John the Baptist
“As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.
Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 11:7-15
Here Jesus is talking about John he asks the crowd, “
“What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.”
Jesus paints John as a true prophet not one swayed by the wind. He did not always give good news or say feel good things to the people. He called things as they were.
He didn’t care how people looked at him. He presented the word of God and called people to repentance.
He’s saying John is the fulfilment of Malachi 3:1 the messenger that prepares the way for the Messiah.
He calls John the greatest prophet yet notes,
“yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Some commentators believe that the reason believers in Jesus are greater than John is because they are under the new covenant where as John is under the old covenant.
Still others point to Matthew 18:4 that states.
“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:4
Which means just that. Whoever humbles themselves as a child and accepts Christ‘s message with complete trust is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus then notes,
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
The Kingdom of heaven is advancing forcefully. The believers not flinching in their commitment. While at the same time those who oppose it are fighting strongly against it.
Jesus then concludes his remarks about John by saying,
“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”
Again he give the person in this case Jewish believers the choice to believe. That John is Elijah.
What do you think?
Think about it.
“As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.
Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.’
I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
He who has ears, let him hear.”
Matthew 11:7-15
Here Jesus is talking about John he asks the crowd, “
“What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces.”
Jesus paints John as a true prophet not one swayed by the wind. He did not always give good news or say feel good things to the people. He called things as they were.
He didn’t care how people looked at him. He presented the word of God and called people to repentance.
He’s saying John is the fulfilment of Malachi 3:1 the messenger that prepares the way for the Messiah.
He calls John the greatest prophet yet notes,
“yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Some commentators believe that the reason believers in Jesus are greater than John is because they are under the new covenant where as John is under the old covenant.
Still others point to Matthew 18:4 that states.
“Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:4
Which means just that. Whoever humbles themselves as a child and accepts Christ‘s message with complete trust is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus then notes,
“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”
The Kingdom of heaven is advancing forcefully. The believers not flinching in their commitment. While at the same time those who oppose it are fighting strongly against it.
Jesus then concludes his remarks about John by saying,
“For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.”
Again he give the person in this case Jewish believers the choice to believe. That John is Elijah.
What do you think?
Think about it.
Sunday, 30 March 2014
Jesus the Messiah
“After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 11:1-6.
Here while the apostles are carrying out their first mission John the Baptist now in prison sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. Jesus answers,
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”
All of these are signs of the Messiah.
How much more proof is needed with respect to Jesus. He was doing these miraculous things in front of people.
Things the scribes and pharisees of the day were not doing.
Jesus was showing He was Lord by everything he was doing. Then leaving it up to the individual to decide who he was.
Jesus also states, "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
One commentator stating that he didn’t want discouragement and doubt to ensnare John. Something that could have easily have happened to John considering he was in prison.
I think from time to time even the oldest Christian has questioned his or her faith.
It’s a part of human nature to question things, especially when we are going through troubled times.
Still we must understand that all believers go through troubled times. Times when we think that God is not hearing our prayers because we can’t see anything happening.
That’s when we use our faith the most. Faith being,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Think about it.
Saturday, 29 March 2014
A Libertine
A Libertine
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
I believe it’s at St. Mary Woolnoth an Anglican church in the City of London, that there is a plaque with the words,
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
“As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.
But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. No everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as Preachers and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves am “I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul and it can happen to you.
Think about it.
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
I believe it’s at St. Mary Woolnoth an Anglican church in the City of London, that there is a plaque with the words,
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
“As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.
But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. No everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as Preachers and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves am “I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul and it can happen to you.
Think about it.
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