Week of 21 Pentecost A – October 5 – 11, 2008

Seasonal Note: This is a Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:


http://www.commontexts.org/


and:


http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html


The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.


The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:


http://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com

Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (with God's help), Pacific time (UTC-8:00) for the week of the Church Season which begins on Sunday. Please scroll down for the desired day, or save the week to your desktop/hard drive.


21 Pentecost – Sunday

Posted October 5, 2008


Isaiah 25:6-9 -- Communion, and Lifting the Veil;
Psalm 23 -- The Good Shepherd;
Philippians 4:4-13 -- The Lord is at Hand;
Matthew 22:1-10 (11-14) -- The Marriage Feast;


Isaiah:

On Zion, the mountain of God, God is preparing a great feast of rich food and well-aged wine for all people. On this mountain God will destroy the veil which is over all peoples and all nations. Death and sorrow will be no more, and the reproach of the people of God will be removed from all the earth, as he promised.


In that day it will be said that he is our Lord and God. We have waited for him to save us; let us rejoice in our salvation.


Psalm:


My shepherd is the Lord. He will provide for all my true needs. He will give me rest in "green pastures;" he will lead me to calm waters. He restores my soul, my spiritual, eternal being. He guides me to know and do what is good, right and true, according to God's Word, for the sake of his name: his essential character and nature.

Even though I pass through "the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4a), I will not be afraid, because his power and authority protect and reassure me. He is preparing a feast for me which will be fulfilled in the presence of my enemies. The Lord anoints me with the oil of spiritual healing and salvation; my blessings overflow. I can be certain that goodness and mercy will be mine throughout my physical lifetime, and I will live eternally in the house and the presence of the Lord in his eternal kingdom.


Philippians:


The Church at Philippi was the first Christian Congregation in Europe, and was founded by Paul. Paul continued to "disciple" the Philippian Christians by letter. In his final instructions he urged them to demonstrate their forgivness toward all people, to rejoice in all things, and not to worry about anything. They were to make their needs known to God, in prayer, with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God which is beyond human comprehension would preserve their hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. Paul urged his Philippian brethern to focus on what is good, right and true, and to follow the example and teaching of Paul. Then they could be certain that God, who is the creator and sustainer of peace, would be with them.

Paul rejoiced that the Philippian Christians had expressed their concern for Paul's circumstances (Paul was in prison, probably in Rome, for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ) by the gift they had sent him (from the congregation, by a member named Epaphroditus).

Paul appreciated the Philippian congregation’s concern, even though Paul had learned to be content in any circumstances. Paul was able to be content in any and every circumstance, whether abundance or want, whether plenty or hunger. He was able to do this only by the indwelling Holy Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), who gave him strength to endure and overcome any and all things.


Matthew:


Jesus taught in parables: fictitious stories of common everyday experiences, to express spiritual truth. Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like a marriage feast for the son of a king.

The king sent his servants to call his invited guests on the wedding day, but they refused to come. The king sent his servants a second time, saying that the animals had been butchered and the feast was prepared. But the invited guests made light of the invitation, and offered various excuses. One had a farm to oversee; another had merchandise. The others took the king's servants and beat some and killed others.

When the king heard what they had done, he sent his armies and destroyed the villagers and their city. Then the king told his servants to go out into the surrounding region and invite all the people they found. The servants did as they had been commanded, and the guests, both good and bad, filled the hall.

When the king came in to meet the guests, he found a man who was not wearing a wedding garment. He addressed the man as friend, and asked how he had gained admittance without the wedding garment. The man was speechless, so the king had him cast out into outer darkness, where people will weep and gnash their teeth. Jesus declared that, similarly, "many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).


Commentary:


From the very beginning of Creation, the Lord has been preparing a “great feast” for his people in his eternal kingdom in heaven. God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. God has designed this creation with the freedom for us to choose whether to trust and obey God or not. So this creation allows for the possibility of sin (disobedience of God’s Word).

Jesus has been designed into this Creation. Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God’s Word, lived out in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14).

At the perfect moment in history, Jesus came into the world to be the only sacrifice acceptable to God, once for all time and all people who are willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust), for the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus instituted the great feast at his Last Supper on the night he was betrayed.

God has been working to progressively reveal his plan for Creation from the very beginning. Everything God has done, in relationship with Israel and recorded in the Bible, has been to demonstrate his eternal purpose for Creation.

God instituted the feast of Passover, when the destroying angel “passed over,” by God’s power, the people of Israel, on the eve of the Exodus of God’s people from slavery to sin and death in Egypt. The Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion; the Eucharist), was established by Jesus as the “New Passover.” Through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, God passes over our sin. Jesus is the “sacrificial lamb” of Passover, who provides his flesh for the feast, and whose blood, shed on the Cross, marks his believers and spares them from spiritual, eternal, death.

Jesus is the “New Moses” who leads us out of bondage to sin and death in the “Egypt” of this world, through the “sea” of water baptism for the forgiveness of our sins, through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus leads us by his Holy Spirit through the spiritual “wilderness” of this present lifetime, through the “river” of physical death and into the “promised land” of eternal life in paradise restored in heaven.

Jesus is the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11), who meets all our needs and satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst. Jesus restores our souls, our eternal essence, to eternal life, by the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).

The Holy Spirit is the pillar of fire and cloud (Exodus 13:21-22), who leads us through the spiritual night and spiritual wilderness of this temporal life. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), leads us through the valley of the shadow of death, through the “river” of death, without getting our feet “wet” (Joshua 3:13-17). The Holy Spirit is the “oil of gladness” (Psalms 45:7). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

The Lord was Paul’s “good shepherd” who was able to provide for Paul’s needs in any circumstance. Paul didn’t need to worry about his next meal. He had learned that the Lord is able and faithful to fulfill his needs.

Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God will be like a wedding feast. Jesus is the bridegroom and the Church is the bride. We’re all invited to the wedding feast, but many will reject the invitation because they care more for their own selfish interests than for God’s Will. Some will hate and abuse his messengers.

The Lord invites all to come to his wedding feast, without consideration of their worthiness, but all must accept the free gift of a “wedding garment” of Jesus’ righteousness, through faith (obedient trust). The Lord provides the garment for free, so there is no excuse for appearing without it.

Anyone who comes without the free wedding garment is intending to steal and rob. Anyone who refuses the free wedding garment will perish eternally in outer darkness, separated eternally from the Lord and his providence.

“Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). We are all called, but what we do with the invitation determines our eternal destiny. If we refuse the invitation, or refuse the free wedding garment of righteousness in Jesus Christ, we will perish eternally.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?


21 Pentecost – Monday

Posted October 6, 2008


Psalm 96 -- A Call to Worship;

Sing a new song to the Lord, all the earth! Bless his name and tell of his salvation every day. Let his glory and marvelous works be declared among all nations and peoples. The Lord is great and worthy of great praise. He is to be feared above all gods, because the gods of the peoples are idols, but our God is the creator of the universe. He is worthy of honor and glory, and there is strength and beauty in his sanctuary.

Let all people acknowledge the Lord and his glory and strength. Give him the glory due his name. Enter his courts and give him offerings. Worship the Lord in holy attire. Let all the earth tremble before him.

Declare to the nations the Lord's reign. The world is established and shall not be changed. The Lord will judge his people with impartiality. Let heaven and earth rejoice and be glad; let all land, sea and forest, and everything in them, celebrate, because the Lord is coming to judge the earth. "He will judge the world with righteousness and his truth" (Psalm 96:13c).

Commentary:

Those who seek the Lord will find him (Acts 17:26-27). Jesus is the only way to know divine, eternal truth, the only way to come to God and have fellowship with God, and the only way to true, eternal life (John 14:6). All this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John14:15-17). We are spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

When we're "reborn" the Lord gives us a new song of joy, blessing and praising Jesus, the name of the Lord. The Holy Spirit guides and empowers us to testify to the world the name of the Lord and the joy of his salvation, and to declare to others, day by day, his wonderful works.

All other "gods" are only images created by the imagination and hands of humans. The Lord is the one true God. He is vastly greater than we can imagine. He is the Creator of the universe. He hears and answers us when we call upon him in faith, in Jesus' name (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar top right). When we realize his greatness we will have awe and respect for his power and authority. True, eternal wisdom begins with the fear of God. People who understand God's power and authority will do what he commands (Psalm 111:10). Jesus is the wisdom and power of God in human flesh (1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:2-8).

The Lord reigns over all the nations and peoples, whether they acknowledge him as eternal Lord and King or not. The Lord has created this world according to his eternal purpose, which is to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey the Lord.

Jesus has been designed into the structure of this Creation; he is the Word of God, fulfilled, embodied, and demonstrated in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9, John 20: 28). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24) and has the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:41; Genesis 1:3).

Jesus has been given all power and authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus is God's only provision for forgiveness of our sins (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation from eternal death (Acts 4:12; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus is the righteous Judge who is coming to Judge the earth on the Day of Judgment. Every one who has ever lived on earth will be accountable to him for what we have done in this lifetime.

Jesus is the standard by which all will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually "reborn," and will enter eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom; those who have refused or failed to accept, trust and obey Jesus will will be condemned to eternal destruction and death in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

Those who are in Jesus Christ by his indwelling Holy Spirit, and all creation, eagerly long for Jesus' return (Romans 8:22-23). But those who have rejected Jesus will be fainting with fear at his coming (Luke 21:25-28).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?


21 Pentecost – Tuesday

Posted October 7, 2008


Isaiah 45:1-7 -- Commission of Cyrus;

Cyrus was the king of Persia who conquered Babylon and allowed the exiled remnant of Israel to return to the Promised Land after the prophesied 70 years (Jeremiah 25:12).

Isaiah prophesied that God had taken Cyrus by the hand to subdue nations and kings, to open doors, and keep them from closing. The Lord promised to go before Cyrus and to level mountains, shatter bronze doors, and cut through iron bars. God promised to give Cyrus the treasures of darkness and secret hoards, so that Cyrus would know that the Lord is God, the only true God, and has called Cyrus by name (to accomplish God's purpose), although Cyrus didn't know God. God's call was upon Cyrus for the sake of Israel and God's purpose to bring forth the Messiah (eternal Savior and King) and from Israel.

The Lord God wants all people to know that he is the only true God. He is the Creator of everything. He created light and causes darkness, he creates wellbeing and he causes woe. He is Lord of all things.


Commentary:


Judah, the remnant of Israel, had turned from obedient trust in God to idols, and had failed to heed the prophetic warnings of Jeremiah. They could have avoided exile if they had repented and returned to obedience to the Lord (2 Chronicles 36:11-17), up to the moment that the armies of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquered and destroyed Jerusalem and the temple (2 Kings 24:10-14).

Cyrus didn't know or acknowledge God, but he accomplished God's purpose nevertheless. God enabled Cyrus to conquer Babylon for the sake of God's purpose for Israel, to restore them to the Promised Land. Cyrus even returned the sacred vessels of the temple which had been looted by Nebuchadnezzar's armies (Ezra 1:7-11), and Cyrus provided money and authorization to rebuild the temple (Ezra 6:3-10). It was God who opened the "doors of bronze" and cut the "bars of iron" which kept Israel in bondage in Babylon.

Cyrus became a forerunner and illustration of the Christ, (Messiah; both mean "anointed" in Greek and Hebrew, respectively) who delivered God's people from bondage in Babylon and made it possible for them to return to the Promised Land. Cyrus helped them rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and the temple, seventy years after their destruction, in fulfillment of God's Word.

The history of Israel's exile in Babylon is also intended to be a parable and metaphor for eternal exile in hell. Those who do not heed the warnings of God's prophets to repent and become obedient to God's Word will be carried off to eternal exile in the "Babylon" of hell.

Seventy years is a virtual lifetime for adults at the time of the Exile. The people who returned from Babylon were not the same ones who went. Those who went into exile died there. It was a "reborn" Israel, physically and spiritually, that returned.

In another sense, we are all born into the "Babylon" of slavery to sin and death, and only Jesus Christ can release us and lead us to the Promised Land of his kingdom in eternity. In Jesus, God opens the door (John 10:7-9) and cuts the bars of iron which imprison us in "Babylon."

At Jesus' crucifixion the veil of the temple separating the presence of God in the holy-of-holies from the people was supernaturally torn in two (Matthew 27:51), signifying that Jesus had opened a new and better way into God's presence (Hebrews 10:20).

Only Jesus can give us spiritual "rebirth" (John 3:3, 5-8). Only Jesus gives the gift ("anointing," "baptism") of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

We've all sinned (disobeyed God's Word) and fallen short of God's righteousness (doing what is right, good and true; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). God loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). Jesus is God's one and only provision for the forgiveness of our sins and our salvation from God's eternal condemnation and our eternal destruction in hell (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only way to know divine, eternal truth, the only way to be restored to fellowship with God which has been broken by sin, and the only way to have eternal life (John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

God's purpose will be accomplished whether we acknowledge him and cooperate with his purpose or not. Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, is another example. His betrayal accomplished God's purpose, although it was spiritually disastrous for Judas, personally.

There is a day coming when everyone will bow and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11), but then it will be too late to change our eternal destinies. Every one who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what we have done individually in this lifetime, on the last day of our individual lives. Jesus will return on the Day of Judgment to judge us. He has been given all power and authority (Matthew 28:18), and he is the standard of judgment against which all will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8), and will enter eternal life in God's eternal kingdom in heaven with the Lord; but those who have refused to accept Jesus and have refused pr failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?


21 Pentecost – Wednesday

Posted October 8, 2008


1 Thessalonians 1:1-5a

Silas, also called Silvanus, was one of two men appointed by the Church at Jerusalem to accompany Paul and Barnabas on their return to Antioch with the decree of the church council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-35). He later accompanied Paul and Timothy, Paul's proteje, on Paul's second missionary trip, which included a visit to Thessalonica (Acts 15:40-16:3).

Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia. Paul preached in the synagogue there for three sabbaths and converted some Jews and many Greek proselytes (converts to Judaism). Paul was driven out of Thessalonica by Jewish leaders for seducing their converts to depart from Judaism. Paul was concerned for the new converts at Thessalonica and sent Timothy to encourage and strengthen the new congregation, and when Timothy returned with a favorable report, Paul wrote this letter.

Paul greeted the congregation on behalf of himself and his co-workers, praying for them to have grace and peace.

Paul told the Thessalonians that he and his fellow missionaries were praying constantly for them, giving thanks to God for their perseverance in their growth in faith, hope and love. Paul assured them that they were beloved by the Lord and that the Lord had chosen them, because they received the Gospel which Paul had preached, not only in word but in power and in the Holy Spirit, with full assurance.

Commentary:

Paul (formerly called Saul, of Tarsus) is the prototype and illustration of a "modern," "post-resurrection," "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle (messenger: of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ, as we all can be. Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute and arrest Christians when he was confronted by the spirit of the risen and ascended Jesus (Acts 9:1-5).

Paul repented (Acts 9:9), accepted Jesus as his Lord (Acts 9:5a), became obedient to Jesus (Acts 9:6-8), was "discipled" by a "born-again" disciple, Ananias, until Paul had been "born-again," (Acts 9:10-18) and then, guided and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, he began proclaiming the Gospel (Acts 9:19b-20). Paul immediately began fulfilling the Great Commission which Jesus had given to his disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), to be carried out after they had been "born-again" (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).

Paul's conversion was remarkable for its quickness. But remember that Paul was formally trained in the scriptures and Judaism, and he already loved God. He just needed to be pointed toward Jesus.

After his conversion Paul was fulfilling the Great Commission: "born-again" disciples of Jesus Christ making "born-again" disciples of Jesus Christ, teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands.

Paul had "discipled" Timothy and taught him to repeat the process with others (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul was now "discipling" the Thessalonian Christians by word and example, personally, by his delegate, Timothy, and also by letter.

Christians are, by definition, disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c), who are "born again" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Until people are "born-again" they are really only "seekers," but they ought to be aware that they are supposed to be seeking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Discipleship is a process of spiritual growth. As we begin to act upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ we will receive the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who will continue to disciple and grow us spiritually as we follow his guidance. Being "born-again" is not the end of the process but the beginning.

Saving faith is trusting and obeying Jesus, which leads to our spiritual "rebirth" by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus is the "living Word" of God. Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word, lived out in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), and has the creative force of God's Word (Matthew 8:26b-27; Genesis 1:3). Jesus is fully God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus is God's only provision for the forgiveness of our sins (disobedience of God's Word), and salvation from our eternal condemnation and death by the Lord (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

The Thessalonian Christians had received not only the words of the Gospel, but they had begun to apply them in their daily lives, and they were experiencing the power, guidance and love of the Holy Spirit within themselves and the church. The presence of the Holy Spirit within them gave them the assurance that they were saved and had eternal life.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?


21 Pentecost – Thursday

Posted October 9, 2008


Matthew 22:15-21 -- Paying Taxes;

Jesus' teaching offended the Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) and the Herodians (a Jewish political party which supported the Roman government and the ruling dynasty of the Herods). They decided to try to get Jesus to say something they could use to destroy him. Their disciples went to Jesus, and addressing him as "teacher," said they knew Jesus was true, and was teaching the way of God truthfully, and had no regard for the social or political status of people. Then they asked Jesus if it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not.

Jesus was aware of their evil intent, and, calling them hypocrits (people who put on a false appearance of religion or virtue), asked them why they were testing Jesus. Then Jesus told them to show him the coin they used to pay the tax. They handed him a denarius, and he asked whose likeness and inscription were on the coin. It was Caesar's, they said. Then Jesus said they should give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.

Commentary:

If Jesus had approved of paying taxes he would have been in opposition to Jewish nationalism, and if he had disapproved he could have been charged with disloyalty to the Roman Empire. Jesus gave the perfect, truthful answer, which gave his adversaries nothing to use against him.

They were indeed hypocrits, pretending to be righteous and seeking truth. Their malice would be apparent to any impartial observer. They pretended to know and love God and the scriptures, but they didn't recognize and acknowledge Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God.

People who earnestly seek truth must be willing to hear and accept it even when it is not flattering. God's Word contains both great promises and ominous warnings. We need to be confronted with the warnings so we can learn to avoid their consequences, which is the purpose of the warnings. The Church needs to proclaim the whole Gospel, not just the parts that make us feel good.

The Pharisees and Herodians considered themselves righteous and authorities on Scripture. They were enraged by Jesus' calling them hypocrits. So they lost the opportunity to repent, confess their sin and be saved, which is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus.

There are lots of people today who don't want to hear about sin, and hell and eternal damnation. We are all sinners (disobedient of God's Word; Romans 3:21; 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). God loves us and doesn't want any one to perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

God loves us so much that he sent his only begotten Son to die on the Cross as the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins. He loves us enough to allow us to choose for ourselves whether to trust and obey him or not.

This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and come to know and have fellowship with our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty that one has received the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).

There is a day coming when Jesus is going to return to judge the living and dead (1 Peter 4:5) in both the physical and spiritual senses. That will come for each of us at the end of our lives, if not before. The standard of Judgment is Jesus Christ. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and will enter eternal life in God's kingdom in paradise restored to perfection. Those who have refused to accept, trust and obey Jesus as Lord remain spiritually dead (unreborn) and will spend eternity in hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?


21 Pentecost – Friday

Posted October 10, 2008


Hosea 13:14 -- Redeemed from Death;
Revelation 3:7-13 --

Shall the Lord ransom his people from the power of Sheol (Hell; the grave; the land of the dead)? Will he redeem them from Death? Then Death will no longer have the power of pestilence and destruction over them. Shall the Lord not have compassion?


Revelation:


John, one of the Twelve original disciples was in exile on Patmos, a tiny island in the Aegean Sea, writing to the seven churches that are representative examples of various types of spiritual conditions of churches. (Angels are thought to be assigned to the churches.) John is writing by the command and inspiration of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:17-20). To the church in Philadelphia, in what is now modern Turkey, John wrote the words of the Lord, the one who is holy and true, who has the key (authority) of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.

The Lord knows the works of the church in Philadelphia, and has opened a door of opportunity which no one can shut. The Lord knows they lack power, but they have kept God’s Word and not denied the Lord’s name. The Lord promised that he will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are lying, come to the church and bow down before them, and they will learn that the Lord has loved his church.

The Lord promised that, because the church had the Word, in patient endurance, he will save them “from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. Jesus declares that he is coming soon. He warns his Church to hold fast to the Gospel they have received, so that no one can snatch the crown of glory from them. The Lord will make those who endure in true faith, pillars in the temple of God. And Jesus will mark them with the name of God and the “New Jerusalem” which is coming down from God in heaven, and with Jesus’ own new name (eternal Savior and King above all kings). We should listen carefully and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.


Commentary:


The Lord has had compassion on us, and has ransomed his people from the power of death and the grave, through Jesus Christ. Jesus came to give his life on the cross to save and free us from eternal death and destruction in hell (Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates the reality of existence beyond physical death. His miracles of raising the dead (for example: John 11:1-44) shows that he has the power to raise us from physical death to eternal life.

Jesus is the “son of David,” the descendant of David and eternal heir to the throne of David (Matthew 1:1-17; 21:9). He has been given the authority of David, and more. He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He has the “keys” to heaven and to hell. He can open the door to eternal life in paradise; and he can lock the doors of hell so that no one can escape.

The Lord knows what we’re doing. The Lord can open doors of opportunities for his churches that are steadfast and faithful in living according to the full, true, scriptural (recorded in the Bible), apostolic (as taught by the Apostles including John), Gospel and proclaiming it accurately and fully.

The authentic Church is the “New Jerusalem,” the “New City of God” on earth, and those who trust and obey Jesus with patient endurance are the pillars of God’s temple. Christians are the “New Israel,” the “New People of God.” Genuine Christians are disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 17:26-27), who trust and obey Jesus and have been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). The Holy Spirit is the “mark” of God’s name and Jesus’ name within us, which marks us as citizens of the “New Jerusalem.” The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9).

Satan is a liar and deceiver; a counterfeiter. There are lots of “nominal” Churches that claim to be the people of God but who don’t live and teach the scriptural, apostolic Gospel. They claim Jesus as Lord, but actually serve Satan.

Judaism effectively ended at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The veil of the temple separating the holy-of-holies of God’s presence from the congregation was supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that Jesus had opened a new and better way into God’s presence (Hebrews 10:19-22). Jesus had become the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins (disobedience of God’s Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10) and our salvation from eternal condemnation, eternal death and destruction (Romans 6:23; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

God lifted his favor and protection from Israel and allowed Jerusalem and the temple to be destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans. The Jews were scattered throughout the world and Israel ceased to exist as a nation until reestablished following World War II. The temple, essential for the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant of Law, has never been rebuilt.

I believe that the Lord will bring many Jews to salvation, but they will have to bow to Jesus Christ (Luke 13:34-35; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Philippians 2:10-11), and accept him as their Lord and Savior, perhaps during the time of the Great Tribulation which will precede Christ’s return.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?


21 Pentecost – Saturday

Posted October 11, 2008


John 4:31-42 -- Jesus and Samaritans;

Jesus and his disciples were going from Judea to Galilee and had stopped at noon at a well at Sychar in Samaria. While the disciples were in the town buying food, Jesus had talked to a Samaritan woman who had come to draw water. She had realized that Jesus was the Messiah, and had gone into the village to call others to come and see for themselves.

The disciples returned with food and urged Jesus to eat, but Jesus told them that his food was to do the will of God who sent him, and to accomplish God’s purpose. Jesus said that people can estimate the time to harvest by looking at the fields; his disciples should be able to notice from conditions, that the spiritual harvest is ready now. The reapers are paid for their work and gather spiritual fruit for eternal life, so that both the sower and reaper can rejoice together. In spiritual harvest, the same saying is true: one sows, another reaps. Jesus sends his disciples to reap what they did not labor to plant; others have labored and the disciples join with them in their labor.

Many Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman who had talked to Jesus at the well, who had told the people that Jesus knew all about her past. So they came to Jesus and asked him to stay with them. Jesus stayed with them for two more days, and many more believed by what Jesus taught. They told the woman that it was no longer her testimony by which they believed, because they had heard for themselves, and were convinced that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior of the world.

Commentary:

When the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, all the healthy Jews were transported to other conquered lands and aliens were brought in to pacify the land. The aliens intermarried with the poor and unhealthy Jews who had remained, intermingling race and religion. The Samaritans were the result. Jews would have nothing to do with them, because they were not true Jews in either race or religion.

Jesus chose to pass through Samaria, and he talked with the Samaritan woman at the well. No Jewish rabbi would have had any contact with a woman or a Samaritan.

Jesus came to open a way for us to enter into the presence of God (John 14:6). His sacrificial death on the Cross became the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sin (disobedience of God’s Word) and restoration to fellowship with God that was broken by sin. At the hour of Jesus’ death, the curtain in the temple separating the people from the presence of God in the holy-of-holies was supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom, symbolizing that Jesus had opened a new and better way into God’s presence (Matthew 27:51).

Jesus came to make it possible for us to be spiritually “reborn” and to have personal fellowship with God within us by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

Most Jews would have gone around Samaria rather than passing through it. Rabbis would have had nothing to do with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus knew it was an opportunity to do what he had been sent to do: to bring forgiveness and spiritual life to a spiritually lost and dying world.

Jesus did the “hard work” of sowing the Gospel by dying on the Cross. His disciples are to gather the harvest from that sowing. Look around. There is great spiritual need in our world today. The signs are obvious if we are willing to look.

The woman at the well realized that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. She invited her neighbors and friends to come and see for themselves. She told them that Jesus had known all about her past. They acted upon her testimony and invitation, and as a result they came to know Jesus personally for themselves, and they invited him to stay with them.

“Born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian disciples are like the woman at the well. We have experienced Jesus personally and have come to know for ourselves that he is the Savior and Lord. We are to carry on Jesus’ mission of forgiveness and salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We should be looking for “doors” of opportunity to testify to what we have experienced with Jesus and invite our friends and neighbors to come and see for themselves.

Jesus has commanded his disciples to stay within the Church (the New Jerusalem on earth) until they have been spiritually “reborn,” before going out into the world with the Gospel Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). It takes “born-again” disciples to make “born-again” disciples. If the woman had not responded to Jesus she would have had no testimony to share with her neighbors. Christ’s mission can only be accomplished by the guidance and empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit within his disciples (Zechariah 4:6).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?