You can have Eternal Life
“Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death.
They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.
“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.”
So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.
That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
Matthew 27:1-10.
Here Judas realizes he has betrayed an innocent man. He is so remorseful he takes the thirty pieces of silver and returns it to the chief priests and elders. After which he goes out and hangs himself.
Someone once said to me “it seems from this incident that Judas was remorseful and repentant. If he was could he be in heaven?”
I put this to an adult Bible study group and some pastors the answer is possibly yes.
The bible makes it clear in Ephesians 2:8,9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9.
Judas was certainly remorseful. He realized Jesus was innocent and essentially confessed what he had done was wrong.
While we don’t know much else about Judas’s actions on that night he seems to have met two of the criteria for entering heaven.
This is what’s unique about Christianity. Christians believe that even the worst sinner, be they a murderer or worse can if they truly accept Christ as their saviour get into heaven.
We don’t believe that the good you do in this life must out weigh the bad in order to get to heaven.
We actually believe that you can never be good enough to get to heaven. That it is only through the grace of God that you can enter heaven.
Christians believe one must believe Jesus is truly the one and only Son of God. That he came to die for your sins personally.
We believe that you must accept his saving grace into your heart. That this acceptance is between the individual and God.
However we also believe that you can tell if someone has truly accepted Christ as your Lord and Saviour because their life will start to change noticeably.
The way to heaven is I believe simple and open to anyone, and I mean anyone to follow.
It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Jesus also said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
John 3:16,17.
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23,24.
Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
Isaiah telling us,
“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
John noting,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”
Hebrews 11:6
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
What do you believe?
Think about it.
Tuesday, 24 June 2014
Monday, 23 June 2014
Standing
Standing
Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.”
Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly
Matthew 26:69-75
As Christians we are called to stand up for our faith. We are told never to renounce our faith. Jesus said,
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 10:32,33.
Acknowledging Christ even here in the west with all our freedoms can at times be hard.
Here in North America we have the freedom to worship yet when some people come to know Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour they lose their friends and in some cases their family.
Quite a few years ago now I knew two young girls that attended our church’s youth group.
One day one of the girls came home in tears. She’d been bullied at School. To make it worse the other girl had said to her something to the effect, “I know were friends at church but stay away from me here (meaning school) because you’re not cool.”
The girl who’d been bullied was devastated. How could someone who professed to be a Christian abandon her.
I to this day question that the girl who failed to acknowledge the bullied girl was ever a Christian.
Peter in the above portion of scripture claimed to be a follower of Christ. He had gone as far as saying he would never deny Christ. Yet he did.
Then realizing the ramifications of such a denial he was overcome with emotion and wept bitterly.
It’s hard to take a stance for Christ at times still the rewards are eternal.
I believe God knows what we can endure and will not let us go through more than we can endure.
I also believe that even if we go through trials, it is a witness to the power of Christ in our lives to those persecuting us.
I urge all Christians everywhere to pray for those of our faith that are undergoing persecution around the world. Pray that God will strengthen them and give them the power to endure and to love even their persecutors.
Paul writes,
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Romans 12:14.
I know it’s a hard thing to do but in doing so we just might win a soul for Christ.
To those Christians reading this in the west I would ask you to pray for our brothers and sisters sitting under persecution around the world.
I would urge you and even non-Christians to send a letter or email to your government leaders and politely ask them to speak out against persecution of Christians and others around the world.
Remind them that persecution of any one whether we agree with those being persecuted or not is an reprehensible to God and indeed a crime against humanity.
Think about it.
Post Script
To those who may have or think they have denied Christ. Remember such a thing is not unforgivable. Peter was restored to a right relationship with Christ and went on to do great things for Him.
All you have to do if you feel you have failed Christ in any way is to admit you have and ask for his forgiveness which he will always give.
Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.”
Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly
Matthew 26:69-75
As Christians we are called to stand up for our faith. We are told never to renounce our faith. Jesus said,
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 10:32,33.
Acknowledging Christ even here in the west with all our freedoms can at times be hard.
Here in North America we have the freedom to worship yet when some people come to know Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour they lose their friends and in some cases their family.
Quite a few years ago now I knew two young girls that attended our church’s youth group.
One day one of the girls came home in tears. She’d been bullied at School. To make it worse the other girl had said to her something to the effect, “I know were friends at church but stay away from me here (meaning school) because you’re not cool.”
The girl who’d been bullied was devastated. How could someone who professed to be a Christian abandon her.
I to this day question that the girl who failed to acknowledge the bullied girl was ever a Christian.
Peter in the above portion of scripture claimed to be a follower of Christ. He had gone as far as saying he would never deny Christ. Yet he did.
Then realizing the ramifications of such a denial he was overcome with emotion and wept bitterly.
It’s hard to take a stance for Christ at times still the rewards are eternal.
I believe God knows what we can endure and will not let us go through more than we can endure.
I also believe that even if we go through trials, it is a witness to the power of Christ in our lives to those persecuting us.
I urge all Christians everywhere to pray for those of our faith that are undergoing persecution around the world. Pray that God will strengthen them and give them the power to endure and to love even their persecutors.
Paul writes,
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Romans 12:14.
I know it’s a hard thing to do but in doing so we just might win a soul for Christ.
To those Christians reading this in the west I would ask you to pray for our brothers and sisters sitting under persecution around the world.
I would urge you and even non-Christians to send a letter or email to your government leaders and politely ask them to speak out against persecution of Christians and others around the world.
Remind them that persecution of any one whether we agree with those being persecuted or not is an reprehensible to God and indeed a crime against humanity.
Think about it.
Post Script
To those who may have or think they have denied Christ. Remember such a thing is not unforgivable. Peter was restored to a right relationship with Christ and went on to do great things for Him.
All you have to do if you feel you have failed Christ in any way is to admit you have and ask for his forgiveness which he will always give.
Sunday, 22 June 2014
A Trial
A Trial
“Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
“Yes, it is as you say,”Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.
Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”
Matthew 26:57-68.
Here we have the first trial before the Sanhedrin. It was illegal in that it took place at night and no trials were permitted at night under Jewish law.
Those who put Jesus on trial tried to find something he’d done wrong but couldn’t. Finally someone came forward and Matthew records,
“The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
“Yes, it is as you say,”Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.”
Jesus made it clear who he was. It was this statement that had him put to death as he equated himself to God, blasphemy in they eyes of the religious leadership.
For the better part of three years they had tried to get something against him to have him either jailed or put to death. Now they had it.
The die was cast and within hours Jesus would be put to death.
Today in this world there are a millions of people out there who are against Jesus. Terrorist groups and others who stand against Christians. Groups who think nothing of putting Christian men women and children to death.
In some countries churches are bombed or set on fire. Christians are shot or put in prison. The latest figures tell us that one Christian dies every eleven minutes for his or her faith.
And the world’s media ignore it.
Open Doors, said that ...the top 10 countries on the list - North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Maldives, Mali, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea - eight are majority Muslim states threatened by what Open Doors called "Islamic extremism"
Open doors is a non-denominational group, which documents cases of persecution of Christians, said its report was based on official studies, news reports and field reports and questionnaires filled out by its staff workers around the world.
Raymond Ibrahim author of Crucified Again: Exposing Islam’s New War in Christians. States,
“Christianity is the quintessential religion of martyrdom” from its inception it has been persecuted. He goes on to say,
“...because of their sheer numbers around the globe, including the Muslim world, Christians are the most likely targets of Islamic intolerance; because sharing the Gospel, or “witnessing,” is a dominant element of Christianity, Christians are most likely to fall afoul of Islam’s blasphemy and proselytism laws, as even the barest pro-Christian talk is by necessity a challenge to the legitimacy of Islam; because most Muslims who apostatize to other religions convert to Christianity, it is as Christians that they suffer persecution; and because boldness in face of certain death—martyrdom, dying for the faith—is as old as Christianity itself, Christians are especially prone to defy Islam’s anti-freedom laws, whether by openly proclaiming Christianity or by refusing to recant it, and thus die for it.”
Sadly like the teachers of the law in Jesus time Islamic and other groups see Jesus and Christianity as a threat. Yet Jesus never once called out to his followers to incite violence of any kind.
Think about it.
“Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”
But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
“Yes, it is as you say,”Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.
Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”
Matthew 26:57-68.
Here we have the first trial before the Sanhedrin. It was illegal in that it took place at night and no trials were permitted at night under Jewish law.
Those who put Jesus on trial tried to find something he’d done wrong but couldn’t. Finally someone came forward and Matthew records,
“The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”
“Yes, it is as you say,”Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.”
Jesus made it clear who he was. It was this statement that had him put to death as he equated himself to God, blasphemy in they eyes of the religious leadership.
For the better part of three years they had tried to get something against him to have him either jailed or put to death. Now they had it.
The die was cast and within hours Jesus would be put to death.
Today in this world there are a millions of people out there who are against Jesus. Terrorist groups and others who stand against Christians. Groups who think nothing of putting Christian men women and children to death.
In some countries churches are bombed or set on fire. Christians are shot or put in prison. The latest figures tell us that one Christian dies every eleven minutes for his or her faith.
And the world’s media ignore it.
Open Doors, said that ...the top 10 countries on the list - North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Maldives, Mali, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea - eight are majority Muslim states threatened by what Open Doors called "Islamic extremism"
Open doors is a non-denominational group, which documents cases of persecution of Christians, said its report was based on official studies, news reports and field reports and questionnaires filled out by its staff workers around the world.
Raymond Ibrahim author of Crucified Again: Exposing Islam’s New War in Christians. States,
“Christianity is the quintessential religion of martyrdom” from its inception it has been persecuted. He goes on to say,
“...because of their sheer numbers around the globe, including the Muslim world, Christians are the most likely targets of Islamic intolerance; because sharing the Gospel, or “witnessing,” is a dominant element of Christianity, Christians are most likely to fall afoul of Islam’s blasphemy and proselytism laws, as even the barest pro-Christian talk is by necessity a challenge to the legitimacy of Islam; because most Muslims who apostatize to other religions convert to Christianity, it is as Christians that they suffer persecution; and because boldness in face of certain death—martyrdom, dying for the faith—is as old as Christianity itself, Christians are especially prone to defy Islam’s anti-freedom laws, whether by openly proclaiming Christianity or by refusing to recant it, and thus die for it.”
Sadly like the teachers of the law in Jesus time Islamic and other groups see Jesus and Christianity as a threat. Yet Jesus never once called out to his followers to incite violence of any kind.
Think about it.
Saturday, 21 June 2014
An Incident in a Garden
An incident in a Garden
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.”Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Matthew 26:47-56.
Here is an account of the arrest of Jesus. Peter strikes the servant of the high priest and cuts off his ear. Jesus reminds him that all this had to happen in order to fulfill the prophesy about Jesus.
He then goes on to make what to me is a very human comment Matthew records,
“At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.”
The religious leaders chose their time for arresting Jesus carefully. It was in the night when most honest and upright people would be asleep.
The crowds that were at Jesus arrest were more than likely not the same crowds that surrounded him during the day in the temple.
The religious leaders could have arrested Jesus at any time, but they knew the people thought him a prophet so they chose to do it at night when those who thought him a prophet were more than likely in their beds.
The people who were there at his arrest were, I believe a rabble and those loyal to the religious leaders.
Today we have Evangelist and Preachers in the media that to the secular world. People who do not go to church claim to be the face of Christianity.
Some may well be preaching the bible correctly I believe most do. However there are many out there in the particularly in the media that are not.
Jesus told this parable,
"Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”
Matthew 13:24-30.
There are in the world when it comes to Christianity many weeds out there. Evangelist, ministers, church denominations and individual churches, that are not teaching the word of God correctly.
At times its hard to tell who’s teaching is good and sound and who’s is not. But on judgement day all will be revealed. As Jesus said,
“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 7:22,23.
Until that day when it comes to finding a church to worship in all I can say is pray. Ask God to direct you to the right church fellowship and study the bible. To see if what that church is teaching lines up with it.
Think about it.
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.”Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Matthew 26:47-56.
Here is an account of the arrest of Jesus. Peter strikes the servant of the high priest and cuts off his ear. Jesus reminds him that all this had to happen in order to fulfill the prophesy about Jesus.
He then goes on to make what to me is a very human comment Matthew records,
“At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.”
The religious leaders chose their time for arresting Jesus carefully. It was in the night when most honest and upright people would be asleep.
The crowds that were at Jesus arrest were more than likely not the same crowds that surrounded him during the day in the temple.
The religious leaders could have arrested Jesus at any time, but they knew the people thought him a prophet so they chose to do it at night when those who thought him a prophet were more than likely in their beds.
The people who were there at his arrest were, I believe a rabble and those loyal to the religious leaders.
Today we have Evangelist and Preachers in the media that to the secular world. People who do not go to church claim to be the face of Christianity.
Some may well be preaching the bible correctly I believe most do. However there are many out there in the particularly in the media that are not.
Jesus told this parable,
"Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”
Matthew 13:24-30.
There are in the world when it comes to Christianity many weeds out there. Evangelist, ministers, church denominations and individual churches, that are not teaching the word of God correctly.
At times its hard to tell who’s teaching is good and sound and who’s is not. But on judgement day all will be revealed. As Jesus said,
“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 7:22,23.
Until that day when it comes to finding a church to worship in all I can say is pray. Ask God to direct you to the right church fellowship and study the bible. To see if what that church is teaching lines up with it.
Think about it.
Friday, 20 June 2014
The Hardest Day
The Hardest day
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Matthew 26:36-46
Here is the account of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. It was undoubtedly the beginning of the hardest day of Jesus’ life here on earth.
We must remember that when Jesus was on earth he was still God but he functioned only as man.
Jesus was about to experience what it was like to be falsely convicted on trumped up charges.
He was about to experience one of the cruelest of punishment known to man. In the next few hours he would be brought before what amounted to a kangaroo court. Sent to a Roman governor who pronounced him innocent yet for political expediency allowed his death.
There is no doubt in my mind Jesus while in the garden of Gethsemane understood what he was about to go through yet he prayed to the father “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
It is difficult for anyone to understand the pressure Jesus was under yet he allowed it to happen. He did it for you and for me.
He did it so that those who believed in Him would not perish but have eternal life. This is the legacy if you will of Jesus.
Today thousands of years after his death we as Christians are still telling of His sacrificial death for the sins of all mankind.
He showed in human terms how far God would go to reconcile mankind to him.
Dr James Allan Francis wrote of him in 1926
Think about it.
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.
So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Matthew 26:36-46
Here is the account of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. It was undoubtedly the beginning of the hardest day of Jesus’ life here on earth.
We must remember that when Jesus was on earth he was still God but he functioned only as man.
Jesus was about to experience what it was like to be falsely convicted on trumped up charges.
He was about to experience one of the cruelest of punishment known to man. In the next few hours he would be brought before what amounted to a kangaroo court. Sent to a Roman governor who pronounced him innocent yet for political expediency allowed his death.
There is no doubt in my mind Jesus while in the garden of Gethsemane understood what he was about to go through yet he prayed to the father “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
It is difficult for anyone to understand the pressure Jesus was under yet he allowed it to happen. He did it for you and for me.
He did it so that those who believed in Him would not perish but have eternal life. This is the legacy if you will of Jesus.
Today thousands of years after his death we as Christians are still telling of His sacrificial death for the sins of all mankind.
He showed in human terms how far God would go to reconcile mankind to him.
Dr James Allan Francis wrote of him in 1926
“He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him
He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself
He was only thirty three
His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth
When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend
Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind's progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life”
Thursday, 19 June 2014
A Scattering
A Scattering
“Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.”
Matthew:26: 31-35
Here Jesus predicts that Peter will disown him as will all the disciples. It happened.
Even though the disciples had sat under the teachings of Jesus they still didn’t have a full understanding of who he was.
They saw things strictly in the here and now. Strictly in a mortal way. They didn’t appear to understand the spiritual. And if you think about it who could.
Jesus was about to die. But the grave would not hold Him. He would rise again and go on to ascend to heaven.
The disciples had no concept of such things. Thus when Jesus was arrested they feared as anyone would do, being arrested also.
I think we today would do the same thing.
The key here however is that they came back together. They ultimately assembled in a locked room for fear of the Jews (John 20:19), and Jesus appeared to them there.
These men and women that followed Jesus may not have been able to comprehend what was to happen to Jesus prior to the crucifixion but they would learn quickly.
They learned that Jesus was all he said he was the Son of God.
These nervous and fearful people who hid in a locked room would tarry briefly in Jerusalem, receive the Holy Spirit and go on to change the world. Without the need of force.
These men and women were true Christians who shunned violence and hatred and in so doing have taken their beliefs, their faith to the far corners of the world.
Think about it.
“Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.”
Matthew:26: 31-35
Here Jesus predicts that Peter will disown him as will all the disciples. It happened.
Even though the disciples had sat under the teachings of Jesus they still didn’t have a full understanding of who he was.
They saw things strictly in the here and now. Strictly in a mortal way. They didn’t appear to understand the spiritual. And if you think about it who could.
Jesus was about to die. But the grave would not hold Him. He would rise again and go on to ascend to heaven.
The disciples had no concept of such things. Thus when Jesus was arrested they feared as anyone would do, being arrested also.
I think we today would do the same thing.
The key here however is that they came back together. They ultimately assembled in a locked room for fear of the Jews (John 20:19), and Jesus appeared to them there.
These men and women that followed Jesus may not have been able to comprehend what was to happen to Jesus prior to the crucifixion but they would learn quickly.
They learned that Jesus was all he said he was the Son of God.
These nervous and fearful people who hid in a locked room would tarry briefly in Jerusalem, receive the Holy Spirit and go on to change the world. Without the need of force.
These men and women were true Christians who shunned violence and hatred and in so doing have taken their beliefs, their faith to the far corners of the world.
Think about it.
Christians and "christians'
There are Christians and there are “christians”
“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
I was talking to my pastor this morning it was a general talk. One thing however came up of importance.
I’d seen on an American television station protests against homosexuals being ordained into the Episcopal church. What got to me was the signs some of the protesters were carrying saying “God hates homosexuals” and “homosexuals are going to burn”. Nothing could be further from the truth.
If the truth be known it could be the other way around.
Think about it Jesus said,
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
A person carrying a sign that reads God hates homosexuals does not to my way of thinking love homosexuals.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
Would the people protesting against homosexuals for any reason want people to carry signs saying, “Christians are going to burn.” I think not.
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
None of us know why a homosexual is as they are only God knows that. We do not, and the admonition Jesus give here is strait forward,
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Paul states,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
The people that are protesting against everything homosexual in my mind seem to harken back to the days of segregation in the United States. They are extremely confrontational and hate seems to be festering in them whether they realize it or not. These men and women in my mind have a twisted even perverted idea of what a Christian is.
Paul writing to Timothy writes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
I think we are perhaps in those times now.
You only have to look in the media to see that many who would call themselves evangelical Christians seem to lack love.
To be a Christian is to Love Paul defining love as,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
A true Christian lives their life with love for their fellow man irrespective of whether they agree with them or not.
A true Christian will not judge another person.
A true Christian will reach out in love to all mankind irrespective of their colour race creed or lifestyle.
Jesus said,
“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 11:28-30
When he said come he meant all.
Those who would say God hates homosexuals and say they will burn. I believe one day when they stand before a holy and just God are in for a big surprise.
Think about it.
“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
I was talking to my pastor this morning it was a general talk. One thing however came up of importance.
I’d seen on an American television station protests against homosexuals being ordained into the Episcopal church. What got to me was the signs some of the protesters were carrying saying “God hates homosexuals” and “homosexuals are going to burn”. Nothing could be further from the truth.
If the truth be known it could be the other way around.
Think about it Jesus said,
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
A person carrying a sign that reads God hates homosexuals does not to my way of thinking love homosexuals.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
Would the people protesting against homosexuals for any reason want people to carry signs saying, “Christians are going to burn.” I think not.
Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
None of us know why a homosexual is as they are only God knows that. We do not, and the admonition Jesus give here is strait forward,
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Paul states,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
The people that are protesting against everything homosexual in my mind seem to harken back to the days of segregation in the United States. They are extremely confrontational and hate seems to be festering in them whether they realize it or not. These men and women in my mind have a twisted even perverted idea of what a Christian is.
Paul writing to Timothy writes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4.
I think we are perhaps in those times now.
You only have to look in the media to see that many who would call themselves evangelical Christians seem to lack love.
To be a Christian is to Love Paul defining love as,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
A true Christian lives their life with love for their fellow man irrespective of whether they agree with them or not.
A true Christian will not judge another person.
A true Christian will reach out in love to all mankind irrespective of their colour race creed or lifestyle.
Jesus said,
“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 11:28-30
When he said come he meant all.
Those who would say God hates homosexuals and say they will burn. I believe one day when they stand before a holy and just God are in for a big surprise.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 17 June 2014
His Betrayer
His Betrayer
"Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests
and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ”
So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”
They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?”
Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”
Matthew 26:14-25.
From the moment Jesus entered Jerusalem that day the die was cast. Events would take place that would lead to the most monumental events in history.
It seems from the text that Jesus knew Judas was to betray him.
Judas had been with Jesus from the early days of his ministry. He had seen the Myricales. He had sat under the teachings of Jesus yet he doesn’t appear to have learned anything or believed anything Jesus said.
Judas wanted a conquering messiah he didn’t see Jesus as a saviour. A prince of peace.
Judas it appears wanted to get out from under the Roman boot. He was blind to see that Jesus wanted to come and live in the hearts of man.
It’s the same today the Jews are looking for a mighty King a conquering king one who will rule the world with justice.
They fail to see Jesus is that king.
In the gentile world, the none Jewish world Jesus sadly is seen only as a good man.
Yet Jesus and his followers have transformed the world. Napoleon said of Jesus,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
P. Carnegie Simpson wrote,
“The sages and heroes of history are receding from us, and history contracts the record of their deeds into a narrower and narrower page. But time has no power over the name and deeds and words of Jesus Christ.”
Judas and the men that plotted to kill Jesus on that eve of Passover had no idea what they were truly doing.
But we as followers of Jesus do. We understand that they were preparing the way for the most monumental time in human history. The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
In doing what he did Judas put in motion a sacrifice that had to be. A sacrifice that if accepted by the individual paves the way for them to have eternal life.
Think about it.
"Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests
and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ”
So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”
They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?”
Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”
Matthew 26:14-25.
From the moment Jesus entered Jerusalem that day the die was cast. Events would take place that would lead to the most monumental events in history.
It seems from the text that Jesus knew Judas was to betray him.
Judas had been with Jesus from the early days of his ministry. He had seen the Myricales. He had sat under the teachings of Jesus yet he doesn’t appear to have learned anything or believed anything Jesus said.
Judas wanted a conquering messiah he didn’t see Jesus as a saviour. A prince of peace.
Judas it appears wanted to get out from under the Roman boot. He was blind to see that Jesus wanted to come and live in the hearts of man.
It’s the same today the Jews are looking for a mighty King a conquering king one who will rule the world with justice.
They fail to see Jesus is that king.
In the gentile world, the none Jewish world Jesus sadly is seen only as a good man.
Yet Jesus and his followers have transformed the world. Napoleon said of Jesus,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
P. Carnegie Simpson wrote,
“The sages and heroes of history are receding from us, and history contracts the record of their deeds into a narrower and narrower page. But time has no power over the name and deeds and words of Jesus Christ.”
Judas and the men that plotted to kill Jesus on that eve of Passover had no idea what they were truly doing.
But we as followers of Jesus do. We understand that they were preparing the way for the most monumental time in human history. The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
In doing what he did Judas put in motion a sacrifice that had to be. A sacrifice that if accepted by the individual paves the way for them to have eternal life.
Think about it.
Monday, 16 June 2014
God's Mercy
God’s Mercy in the twenty-first century.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17.
I’m going to make a statement here that I hope will at the very least cause Christians to think.
We Christians preach a gospel of mercy and reconciliation to God. Yet there are many out there who are calling us bigots and I think from what I see and here coming out of the mouths of Christian pastors and in the media they seem to be right.
I hear from many Christians the hate the sin but love the sinner. It’s been my experience however that non-Christians don’t see it that way.
They look at it that the Christian hates them not just the sin. They don’t separate the two.
I believe it is not up to us as believers to say what is sin and what is not. Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
Only God knows the heart of men. It is up to the Holy Spirit to convict a person of their sin, not us. Our job is made clear,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
Sadly I hear of men and women claiming to be Christians here in North America calling out to restrict the rights of minorities particularly those in the homosexual community.
I hear of countries in Africa making homosexuality a crime punishable by time in prison. Further more those not reporting homosexual activities could end up in jail also.
To make matters worse I have heard of church’s of so called Christian pastors in those countries applauding such laws.
There are even churches and pastors in North America applauding what is happening in Africa. How sad.
In my mind, to restrict the rights of even one person is an abomination against humanity.
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.”
Whether we like it or not God has given to mankind a free will. We have the right to choose the way our life is to go. We have the right to choose our lifestyle.
We have no right as a Christian to force our ways and beliefs on anyone. We definitely have no right to call for laws that would restrict the rights of those we disagree with.
I firmly believe we have no right to interfere in the making of laws that enact freedoms for those whom we disagree with, as long as it does not interfere with our rights.
Further more we should be upholding freedom of choice especially when it comes to the right to freedom of speech and to choose our lifestyle and religious preferences.
I believe that to restrict one persons freedom even if we disagreed with them is to potentially restrict the freedom of all people including our own.
Martin Niemoller an anti-Nazi (1892-1984), imprisoned by Hitler’s Nazis in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps from 1937 to 1945. Wrote these words,
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
It should be every Christians desire to save the lost, NOT to restrict the rights of those we disagree with. That is the job of he Holy Spirit. Only he knows the heart of men.
The apostle Paul even when speaking in Athens after seeing what to him was perhaps one of the most pagan places on earth never once spoke out against what they believed. He simply presented the Gospel message to all who would listen.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”John 3:16,17
Francis of Assisi made things clear writing,
“If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”
We Must have compassion on all men everywhere irrespective of what they have done, who they are, their social status or their lifestyle.
Francis of Assisi also wrote,
“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”
Jesus who never spoke out against a single secular law. Who sat with those the teachers of the law said were sinners said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
We as Christians need to take a careful look at what we are doing and saying. We need to first and foremost be presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We if necessary should even be speaking up for the rights of others, even if we disagree with them for in doing so we might just win someone to Christ.
Think about it.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17.
I’m going to make a statement here that I hope will at the very least cause Christians to think.
We Christians preach a gospel of mercy and reconciliation to God. Yet there are many out there who are calling us bigots and I think from what I see and here coming out of the mouths of Christian pastors and in the media they seem to be right.
I hear from many Christians the hate the sin but love the sinner. It’s been my experience however that non-Christians don’t see it that way.
They look at it that the Christian hates them not just the sin. They don’t separate the two.
I believe it is not up to us as believers to say what is sin and what is not. Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
Only God knows the heart of men. It is up to the Holy Spirit to convict a person of their sin, not us. Our job is made clear,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
Sadly I hear of men and women claiming to be Christians here in North America calling out to restrict the rights of minorities particularly those in the homosexual community.
I hear of countries in Africa making homosexuality a crime punishable by time in prison. Further more those not reporting homosexual activities could end up in jail also.
To make matters worse I have heard of church’s of so called Christian pastors in those countries applauding such laws.
There are even churches and pastors in North America applauding what is happening in Africa. How sad.
In my mind, to restrict the rights of even one person is an abomination against humanity.
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.”
Whether we like it or not God has given to mankind a free will. We have the right to choose the way our life is to go. We have the right to choose our lifestyle.
We have no right as a Christian to force our ways and beliefs on anyone. We definitely have no right to call for laws that would restrict the rights of those we disagree with.
I firmly believe we have no right to interfere in the making of laws that enact freedoms for those whom we disagree with, as long as it does not interfere with our rights.
Further more we should be upholding freedom of choice especially when it comes to the right to freedom of speech and to choose our lifestyle and religious preferences.
I believe that to restrict one persons freedom even if we disagreed with them is to potentially restrict the freedom of all people including our own.
Martin Niemoller an anti-Nazi (1892-1984), imprisoned by Hitler’s Nazis in Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps from 1937 to 1945. Wrote these words,
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
It should be every Christians desire to save the lost, NOT to restrict the rights of those we disagree with. That is the job of he Holy Spirit. Only he knows the heart of men.
The apostle Paul even when speaking in Athens after seeing what to him was perhaps one of the most pagan places on earth never once spoke out against what they believed. He simply presented the Gospel message to all who would listen.
Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”John 3:16,17
Francis of Assisi made things clear writing,
“If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.”
We Must have compassion on all men everywhere irrespective of what they have done, who they are, their social status or their lifestyle.
Francis of Assisi also wrote,
“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”
Jesus who never spoke out against a single secular law. Who sat with those the teachers of the law said were sinners said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
We as Christians need to take a careful look at what we are doing and saying. We need to first and foremost be presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We if necessary should even be speaking up for the rights of others, even if we disagree with them for in doing so we might just win someone to Christ.
Think about it.
Sunday, 15 June 2014
A Precious Thing
A precious thing
"While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked.
“This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Matthew 26: 6-13
Here we have a woman who loves and believes in Jesus us much she’s willing to anoint him with what was perhaps one of the most expensive things she had.
The disciples saw it as a waste. Yet Jesus who normally thought of the poor accepts what she did as acknowledgement of her devotion to Him.
He seen it as being preparation for His burial.
He notes that the poor will always be with them on this earth but he will not. It is one more prophesy about His coming death.
For me Jesus is the most important person in my life as He is with all true believers.
Throughout the centuries from the early days men and women have shown their love of Jesus by quite literally dying for him.
The book of acts in chapter 7 & 8 tells of how Stephen died for his faith in Christ and how the church underwent persecution.
Such things have been happening for centuries. Today it is estimated that a Christian dies for their faith every eleven minutes. Yet still we as Christians continue to present the word of God and the Salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ to the world.
We do so because we believe the Bible and the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18.
We do so because we also believe Jesus when he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
And the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Think about it.
"While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked.
“This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.
I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Matthew 26: 6-13
Here we have a woman who loves and believes in Jesus us much she’s willing to anoint him with what was perhaps one of the most expensive things she had.
The disciples saw it as a waste. Yet Jesus who normally thought of the poor accepts what she did as acknowledgement of her devotion to Him.
He seen it as being preparation for His burial.
He notes that the poor will always be with them on this earth but he will not. It is one more prophesy about His coming death.
For me Jesus is the most important person in my life as He is with all true believers.
Throughout the centuries from the early days men and women have shown their love of Jesus by quite literally dying for him.
The book of acts in chapter 7 & 8 tells of how Stephen died for his faith in Christ and how the church underwent persecution.
Such things have been happening for centuries. Today it is estimated that a Christian dies for their faith every eleven minutes. Yet still we as Christians continue to present the word of God and the Salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ to the world.
We do so because we believe the Bible and the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18.
We do so because we also believe Jesus when he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
And the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9.
Think about it.
Saturday, 14 June 2014
The Plot
The Plot
“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
“As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.
“But not during the Feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Matthew 26:21-5
Here is the plot. There were a lot of pilgrims in Jerusalem at Passover Jews from around the world and it was not uncommon for them to riot. Something not in the best interest of the Jewish leadership of the day.
The Jewish religious leaders knew that there were many Jews that believed in Jesus. That thought him at the very least a prophet of God. Thus there was the very real possibility that they might stand up against those who would attempt to kill Jesus.
Therefor the only way to deal with Jesus was in an underhanded way. As we know they did so prior to the Passover and at night when for the most part upright and honest people would be in bed.
These leaders were just the first of many who would come against not only Christ but his followers.
From here on in every corner of the world Christians would be and still are being persecuted. For their message of God’s love and mercy. And all the persecution in the world has not stopped that message.
A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of he law one honored by the people said of Christianity at the trial of Peter and John.
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5: 38,39.
The fact the teachings of Christ are still changing the hearts and lives of the people of this world today is testimony to the fact that it is God who started and is in the teachings of Christianity.
In December of 2013 the United Kingdom parliament heard that one Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
Think about it,
“MP Jim Shannon said the persecution of Christians is “the biggest story in the world that has never been told”
He said that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year, while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
In early November, German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
Yet despite all this the word of God. Is being preached in all nations.
To the Christian who reads this I would say pray for our persecuted brethren in Christ that God will protect them.
I would also say to our Christian brothers and sisters in Christ that are living in the west, that this is something we need to get political over.
We need to call on our governments to speak out for those who cannot speak out for themselves.
We need to petition them to use what influence they have to help alleviate the persecution of he church as should we.
Think about it.
“When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples,
“As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him.
“But not during the Feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Matthew 26:21-5
Here is the plot. There were a lot of pilgrims in Jerusalem at Passover Jews from around the world and it was not uncommon for them to riot. Something not in the best interest of the Jewish leadership of the day.
The Jewish religious leaders knew that there were many Jews that believed in Jesus. That thought him at the very least a prophet of God. Thus there was the very real possibility that they might stand up against those who would attempt to kill Jesus.
Therefor the only way to deal with Jesus was in an underhanded way. As we know they did so prior to the Passover and at night when for the most part upright and honest people would be in bed.
These leaders were just the first of many who would come against not only Christ but his followers.
From here on in every corner of the world Christians would be and still are being persecuted. For their message of God’s love and mercy. And all the persecution in the world has not stopped that message.
A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of he law one honored by the people said of Christianity at the trial of Peter and John.
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
Acts 5: 38,39.
The fact the teachings of Christ are still changing the hearts and lives of the people of this world today is testimony to the fact that it is God who started and is in the teachings of Christianity.
In December of 2013 the United Kingdom parliament heard that one Christian is killed every eleven minutes for their faith.
Think about it,
“MP Jim Shannon said the persecution of Christians is “the biggest story in the world that has never been told”
He said that although the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are many countries in which these rights are not given.
Shannon alleged that 200 million Christians will be persecuted for their faith this year, while he said 500 million live in dangerous neighbourhoods.”
In early November, German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
Yet despite all this the word of God. Is being preached in all nations.
To the Christian who reads this I would say pray for our persecuted brethren in Christ that God will protect them.
I would also say to our Christian brothers and sisters in Christ that are living in the west, that this is something we need to get political over.
We need to call on our governments to speak out for those who cannot speak out for themselves.
We need to petition them to use what influence they have to help alleviate the persecution of he church as should we.
Think about it.
Friday, 13 June 2014
Of Sheep and Goats
Of Sheep and Goats
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:32-40
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:41-46.
For me I see the first half of this verses 25:31-40 as being a promise to those who truly know God and are doing out of a pure heart without expectation of remuneration God’s work.
The second half verses 41-46 a warning to those who are claiming to be Christians and are doing nothing for Christ or expecting remuneration for their work.
Christianity is all about God’s Love and our taking that Love to the world Paul writes of Love,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
If we are true Christians this is the kind of Love we will show to the world. It means we will, if it’s in our power, feed the hungry and thirst, help the stranger in our midst, clothe the needy help the sick and visit the prisoner along with other things.
True Christianity is a faith of works. James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
Now don’t get me wrong I believe Ephesians 2:8,9 that we are saved through faith. I do however believe that once we let Jesus into our life. Once we allow Jesus to show us what he wants for our life our life will change.
We will want to do the work of the Lord. We will slowly come to have the heart of Jesus. To want to show to the world our faith by our deeds.
As Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” This is indicative of those who really know Christ.
. The line
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:46. Tells me that those who are doing nothing seem to be those who attend a church and claim to be Christians but are not.
I feel Christianity first and foremost a faith of action. That as we draw nearer to Christ in our day to day walk we will want be more like Him. We will want to do what he would do.
Think about it.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.
All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
Matthew 25:32-40
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:41-46.
For me I see the first half of this verses 25:31-40 as being a promise to those who truly know God and are doing out of a pure heart without expectation of remuneration God’s work.
The second half verses 41-46 a warning to those who are claiming to be Christians and are doing nothing for Christ or expecting remuneration for their work.
Christianity is all about God’s Love and our taking that Love to the world Paul writes of Love,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
If we are true Christians this is the kind of Love we will show to the world. It means we will, if it’s in our power, feed the hungry and thirst, help the stranger in our midst, clothe the needy help the sick and visit the prisoner along with other things.
True Christianity is a faith of works. James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
Now don’t get me wrong I believe Ephesians 2:8,9 that we are saved through faith. I do however believe that once we let Jesus into our life. Once we allow Jesus to show us what he wants for our life our life will change.
We will want to do the work of the Lord. We will slowly come to have the heart of Jesus. To want to show to the world our faith by our deeds.
As Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” This is indicative of those who really know Christ.
. The line
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:46. Tells me that those who are doing nothing seem to be those who attend a church and claim to be Christians but are not.
I feel Christianity first and foremost a faith of action. That as we draw nearer to Christ in our day to day walk we will want be more like Him. We will want to do what he would do.
Think about it.
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