Week of 18 Pentecost C - 09/26-10/02/2010;

Week of 18 Pentecost C

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://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/ (Please bookmark this link).

Journalspace.com, my former 'blog host is being reorganized under new ownership. I no longer publish there. I have also lost mypodcast.com, my podcast host. This 'blog is mirrored at:

http://shepboy.multiply.com/

.mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival text-to-speech and Panopreter Basic text-to-speech are available at:

http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/dw_bible2/c_year/wklx_c.html

Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (God willing), 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.

Podcast Download: Week of 18 Pentecost C
Sunday 18 Pentecost C
First posted September 26, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday 18 Pentecost C

Amos 8:4-7 – Indictment of God's People;
Psalm 113 – Helper of the Humble;
1 Timothy 2:1-8 – Prayers for All People;
Luke 16:1-13 – The Dishonest Steward;

Amos Paraphrase:

Listen, you who take advantage of the needy and bring down the poor; you who can't wait to sell food at high prices, who give undersized measures for high prices and use inaccurate scales to cheat. You buy the poor for money and the needy for shoes, and sell the poorest quality provisions. The Lord promises that he will never forget what you are doing.

Psalm Paraphrase:

Let us praise the Lord! Let his servants praise his name! May his name be blessed from now on, for evermore; from dawn to dusk! The Lord is great above all nations, and his glory is higher than the heavens!

Who can compare to the Lord our God. He is seated high above, but he sees all that happens in heaven and on earth. He lifts up the poor and needy from dust and ashes. He seats them among the princes of the people. He gives barren women homes and the joy of being mothers of children. May the Lord be praised!

1 Timothy Paraphrase:

Paul was discipling his ministerial protege, Timothy. Paul taught him that prayers should be made for all leaders, so that believers could lead quiet, peaceable, and godly lives. It is acceptable to God, who desires that all people should be saved and come to know divine, eternal truth: that there is one God and one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ. Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all people, and this has been testified to at the perfect time. Truly, Paul was appointed a preacher and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) and teacher of the Gentiles (pagans; non-Jews) for this purpose. So then may all people in every place (of worship) to lift holy hands in prayer (a common posture of prayer) without anger and quarreling.

Luke Paraphrase:

Jesus told his disciples a parable (a story of common earthly experience to teach spiritual truth) about a dishonest steward: A rich man heard that his steward was wasting his goods, so he called the steward to give an accounting. The steward realized that he was going to lose his job. He wasn't strong enough for hard physical labor, and didn't want to beg. So the steward decided to ingratiate himself with his master's debtors by reducing their bills, so that when he was fired, they would welcome him into their homes. The master commended his steward for the steward's prudence in worldly affairs, because worldly people are wiser in worldly matters than the people of God (children of light). So Jesus told them to use worldly wealth to make friends for themselves, so that when worldly wealth fails they would have somewhere to fall back on.

Commentary:

God has created this world to be very good (Genesis 1:31). The bad things that exist in this world are the result of human sin (disobedience of God's Word). God has allowed the possibility of sin because he wants us to have the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey his Word or not, and the opportunity to learn by trial-and-error that God's Word is good, acceptable (possible) and perfect (our very best interest; Romans 12:2).

God is the provider of every good and necessary thing, and he provides abundantly for all. The reason that some lack necessities is because of injustice in the distribution of the resources God has provided.

God intended us to be able to live quiet, peaceable, and godly lives. The reason we can't is because of human sin. We should pray and work for knowledge of and obedient trust in God's Word, so that this objective may be attained.

I believe that the meaning and purpose of this lifetime in this Creation is to allow us the opportunity to seek, find and have fellowship with our Creator (Acts 17:26-27), and to be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life.

We are all born physically alive into this creation, but spiritually unborn. This Creation, and we ourselves, are limited by time, because God is unwilling to allow disobedience and rebellion forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom.

God has designed this Creation so that we all need forgiveness of sin (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and he has designed a Savior, Jesus Christ, into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home). Jesus' death on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable to God for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation.

Jesus is the only one who “baptizes” with the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). 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 has given us two commandments which summarize his entire Law (Word; Matthew 22:36-40): to love him (so that we will trust and obey his Word), and to love other people as much as we love ourselves. If we did that, there would be no poor and needy people; we would all live quiet, peaceable, and godly lives.

Worldly people know how to use the worldly system to their temporal advantage. Godly people need to learn how to use God's Word to their eternal advantage.

There is a Day of Judgment coming soon, when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what they have done in this lifetime. God promises not to forget the sins of those who have victimized the poor and needy. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord (“boss”) and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually reborn in this lifetime and will enter eternal life in God's kingdom in heaven. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, who have refused or 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)?

Monday 18 Pentecost C
First posted September 27, 2010;
Podcast: Monday 18 Pentecost C

Psalm 146 – Hymn of Praise to God;

Paraphrase:

I will praise the Lord as long as I exist; as long as I have life.

I will not put my trust in humankind; even the most highly regarded are unreliable. When they die, their plans perish with them.

The people who are happy are those who trust and hope in the Lord. He is the Creator of heaven and earth and sea, and everything that is in them. He alone is faithful; he executes justice for the opressed and feeds the hungry. The prisoners he sets free; the blind he heals. He lifts up those who are bowed down, and helps those who are widowed and orphaned. He loves the righteous, but he brings ruin to those who are wicked.

The Lord will reign over Zion for ever. May he ever be praised.

Commentary:

Only the Lord is truly good (Matthew 19:17). Because he is good, he will give justice to the oppressed, feed the hungry, heal the blind, lift up the humbled, and help the widowed and orphaned. He will release those who are unjustly imprisoned, but he will bring the wicked to ruin.

Trusting in any human being is going to ultimately fail and disappoint, because humans are fallible and temporal. Hope in this material world is hopeless, because this will all pass away.

This lifetime is intended by God to be our opportunity to seek, find, and have fellowship with him (Acts 17:26-27). This lifetime is our opportunity to learn that his will is good, acceptable (possible) and perfect (our very best interest; Romans 12:2).

This lifetime is our opportunity to learn to know, trust and obey God's Word. God has given us his Word in the Bible, and in the “living Word,” Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word, lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). If we will begin to apply God's Word in our daily lives, we will learn that it is reliable and true, and our faith in God's Word will grow.

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)?

Tuesday 18 Pentecost C
First Posted September 28, 2010;
Podcast: Tuesday 18 Pentecost C

Amos 6:1-7 -- Warnings;

Background:

Amos was not a professional prophet; he was a layman, led by God to prophesy against the Northern Kingdom of Israel of the divided monarchy, during the reign of Jeroboam II (786-746). It was a time of military security and economic affluence.

Text Paraphrase:

Woe to those who are comfortable and feel secure in Zion (Jerusalem; capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah), and in Samaria (the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel). These people in the upper class in both kingdoms imagine themselves to be great people, and their kingdoms to be greater than the surrounding kingdoms. They think they could do injustice and not be held accountable.

Woe to those who are living in luxury and comfort, with rich food, and amuse themselves with music on instruments of their own invention, like David (see 1 Chronicles 23:5). They drink wine by the bowlful, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, and are not grieved over the impending ruin of Joseph (the beloved son of Israel/Jacob).* So they [the Northern Kingdom] will be the first to go into exile.

Commentary:

Amos' warnings weren't appreciated or heeded. The religious leaders of the day expelled him from the royal sanctuary at Bethel for his preaching bad tidings in good times. As a result, his prophecy was fulfilled.

The Northern Kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians with the fall of Samaria in 721 B.C.. The able-bodied were relocated to other conquered lands and the ten northern tribes effectively ceased to exist. Those who remained intermarried with aliens brought in by the Assyrians to repopulate the land and became the Samaritans, of mixed race and religion, at the time of Christ.

The Southern Kingdom didn't heed the warning and the example of the Northern Kingdom's downfall. As the result they were conquered by Nebuchadnezzar and exiled to Babylon (Chaldea) for seventy years in fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11-12).

Israel and Judah thought that because they were “God's people,” nothing bad was going to happen to them, although they were not obeying God's Word. They thought their military security and economic affluence were signs of God's favor. They were warned, but failed to repent and return to obedient trust in God. In both instances, they had plenty of warning and time to repent, but they thought they would never be held accountable for the injustice they were doing.

Judah's seventy-year exile in Babylon was effectively a life sentence for people who were adults at the time they went into exile. God brought back a remnant so that he could complete his purpose to bring forth the promised Savior who had been designed into Creation from the beginning (John 1:1-5, 14).

The defining characteristic of God's Word is its fulfillment (Deuteronomy 18:21-22), and because it is eternal, it is fulfilled over and over, as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. We need to hear the warning and examine ourselves. Do we think success and affluence are signs of God's approval?* Have we strayed from obedient trust in God's Word? Do we think that church membership saves us from being accountable to God for what we do?

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)?

*see: http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/census-finds-record-gap-between-rich-and-poor/19651337

Wednesday 18 Pentecost C
First posted September 29, 2010;
Podcast: Wednesday 18 Pentecost C

1 Timothy 6:6-16 – Godliness with Contentment;

Paraphrase:

Godliness with contentment is of great benefit for those who practice it. We didn't bring anything into this world and can take nothing out of it. Let us be content with the basic necessities like food, clothing (and shelter; Paul was a tentmaker by trade). Those who aspire to wealth become ensnared in temptation, and into desires that are senseless and hurtful, and ruin and destroy people (themselves and others). “For the love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Timothy 6:10a); because of it, some have strayed from the faith and suffered many heartaches.

But Timothy (and all godly people) should make it their firm commitment to shun all this. Strive for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. Faith is a struggle in this world, and one must take hold of the eternal life we were promised when we made the “good confession,” affirming Jesus as Lord, to the Glory of God, witnessed by the congregation. Jesus made the good confession before Pontius Pilate. (John 18:33-37).

Paul advised Timothy to keep the commandment (Jesus' teachings; The Great Commission: Matthew 28:19-20) without stain and irreproachable on the Day of Christ (Christ's return on the Day of Judgment). And that day will be revealed at the proper time by the Sovereign God, the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” He alone possesses immortality; he dwells in unapproachable light (Psalm 104:2). He is invisible: no mortal has or ever can see him. He alone is worthy of honor and dominion forever. Amen.

Commentary:

Christians should make the pursuit of godliness (reflecting God's nature and character revealed in Jesus Christ) their priority, and be content with what they have. God provides generously for his people. Jesus promises that if we seek God's Kingdom and righteousness, we will have all the other things we need as well (Matthew 6:25-33) but not everything we may want). It took me a long time to learn and experience this truth, but I certainly have, and so testify.

First God took away half our income, then all our savings, our silverware and jewelery. These were all things we thought we could rely on to get ourselves out of trouble. I didn't see how we could make it. He took those things away to teach us to trust him to provide for us.

Over the years since, we've never lacked for clothing, food, shelter, bikes and then cars for our children, their college educations, great health care, and many luxuries beside. As I began to trust and obey the Lord and follow his plan for my life, he began to give us all that we needed and more beside.

If we pursue worldly necessities first, we'll never get around to seeking and finding the kingdom of God, because security in worldly things always takes just a little more than what we've got.

God makes plenty of resources to go around for everyone. The reason some don't have enough is because others want more than they need or is their “fair” share. We've recently begun to experience an economic crisis in America and throughout the world because of the “love of money.” Many people were financially ruined and destroyed by the collapse of the stockmarkets, banks, corporations, and Ponzi schemes.

Christians are subject to the same temptations as worldly people, and succumbing to those temptations will cause people to stray from obedience to God's Word.

The promise of eternal life must be claimed by each Christian personally by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. “But to all who received him, who believed in his name (his entire person and character) he gave power to become children of God” (John 1:12-13). We have to receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord (Revelation 3:20). We have to use the power we've been given to become children of God: We have to trust and obey Jesus.

By God's will and purpose, the children of God are spiritually “born-again” by the “baptism” 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). It possible for one to know personally for oneself, if one has been baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2). 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).

I believe that the “commandment” that Paul is referring to is the “Great Commission” to go into the world, after being “born-again” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5 &8), and make “born-again” disciples, teaching them to obey all Jesus teaches (Matthew 28:19-20; note the doctrine of the Trinity). Paul had personally demonstrated his obedience to that command. Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was discipled by a born-again disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-12; 17-18), after Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9), until Paul was “reborn,” (Acts 9:17-18) and then Paul immediately began to make the good confession everywhere Paul went: that Jesus was Lord (Acts 9:19b-22). Timothy is an example of Paul's disciplemaking (2 Timothy 1:6-8), teaching the newly-reborn disciples to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). No one has ever seen God because God is Spirit; the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9). Only Jesus can reveal God to us through himself: “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him (Matthew 11:27; compare John 14:7). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus (Romans 8:9; note the doctrine of the Trinity).

There is a Day coming when Christ will return to judge everyone who has ever lived in this world. Jesus is the righteous judge and the standard of judgment. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord and have trusted and obeyed him will have been born-again in this world and will enter eternal life in God's kingdom in heaven. Those who have refused or failed to accept him as Savior and Lord will condemned to eternal destruction in hell with all evil

On the Day of Christ's return, everyone will bow before him and and acknowledge Jesus as Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11), but then it will be too late to change our eternal destinies.

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)?

Thursday 18 Pentecost C
First Posted September 30, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday 18 Pentecost C

Luke 16:19-31 – A Rich Man and Lazarus;

Paraphrase:

Jesus told a parable (a story of a common earthly experience to teach spiritual truth) of a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man dressed in fine clothes and dined sumptuously every day on rich food. A poor man named Lazarus, covered in sores, lay at the rich man's gate, desiring to be fed what fell from the table of the rich man. Even worse, dogs came and licked Lazarus' sores. Lazarus died and was carried to Abraham's bosom (heaven) by angels.

The rich man also died and was buried. The rich man went to hell, and from there he saw, far off, Abraham and Lazarus. The rich man called and asked “Father Abraham” to have mercy upon him, and send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool the rich man's tongue, for he was in anguish in the flames of hell. Abraham addressed the rich man as “son” and told him to remember that the rich man had received good things in life, while Lazarus had received evil things, but now Lazarus was comforted, and the rich man in anguish. Besides that, there is a chasm between heaven and hell so that it is impossible to pass from one to the other.

So the rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his father's house, to warn his five brothers, so that they wouldn't wind up in torment in hell. But Abraham replied that the rich man's family had Moses (the Law) and the prophets (the Jewish Bible; our Old Testament); let them listen to them. But the rich man said that they would not do that, but if someone would come to them from the dead they would repent. Abraham replied that if they would not listen to Abraham and the prophets, neither would they be convinced if someone arose from the dead.

Commentary:

The point of the parable is that there is sufficient information in the Scriptures (the Bible) for one to be “saved” (from eternal condemnation: to believe and repent). At the time of Jesus' physical ministry, the Jews knew the Old Testament Scriptures, but they were not applying them.

In a sense, the rich man was violating the seventh, ninth and tenth commandments about coveting and stealing (taking) what is your neighbor's (Exodus 20:15, 17). Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments into two: loving God and loving one's neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40).

God provided enough resources for everyone. The reason some go without is because of unjust distribution of those resources. The rich man had more than he needed, while Lazarus went without; and the rich man was unwilling to share even the scraps from his table with Lazarus. He certainly didn't love Lazarus.

The rich man, even in death and hell, regarded Lazarus as his servant, to cool the rich man's tongue; and his errand boy to take a message to his family. Similarly, The Jewish leaders dressed in fine robes and had special status and benefits in society, but had no regard for Jesus, the Son of God.

The Scriptures had been foretelling and describing God's “anointed” (Christ and Messiah each mean “anointed in Greek and Hebrew, respectively) Savior and eternal King throughout, and yet they did not recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Jesus raised several people from the dead including another man named Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, of Bethany, just a couple miles from Jerusalem, and the Jewish leaders knew it, and in fact plotted to crucify him partly because of it (John 11:43-53). The Jews did crucify Jesus. And even when Jesus' resurrection was witnessed by over five hundred eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), many of the Jews refused to repent and believe in Jesus.

We have the New Testament eyewitness accounts of Jesus Christ as well as the Old Testament, and we have the testimony of every truly “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christian, that Jesus is the Christ and is risen and eternally alive. Each truly “born-again” Christian has personally experienced the presence of the risen Jesus.

A Christian is a disciple of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who has been born-again (John 3:3, 5-8) by the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily event (Acts 19:2). 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).

Many people in our world today and even in our Churches haven't read the Bible completely and daily, and haven't personally experienced Jesus' resurrection.

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)?

Friday 18 Pentecost C
First Posted October 1, 2010;
Podcast: Friday 18 Pentecost C

1 Corinthians 1:4-9 – Testimony of Christ Confirmed;

Paraphrase:

Paul was thankful to God for the grace which the Corinthian Christians had received in Jesus Christ. They had been enriched in speech and knowledge, as they confirmed the testimony to Christ, so that they lacked none of the spiritual gifts, as they waited for Christ to be revealed. He will sustain them guiltless at the Day of Christ's return.

God, who called them into fellowship with Jesus Christ, his son, is faithful.

Commentary:

Salvation is by grace (unmerited favor; a free gift) to be received by faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Saving faith is obedient trust in Jesus Christ; faith is not like wishing on a star; its not getting whatever one believes if one believes “hard enough.” Paul rejoiced in the Corinthians who had believed in the Gospel and had received that grace.

Their testimony that Jesus is Lord was confirmed by their words (testimony of Jesus Christ), knowledge, and the evidence of their spiritual gifts given them through their baptism of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit gives “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christians what to say at the moment it is needed for witnessing (Mark 13:11; Luke 12:11-12). The Holy Spirit (of the risen Jesus; Romans 8:9) opens the minds of born-again Christians to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:45), teaches all things and reminds us of Jesus' teachings (John 14:26), and leads us into all truth (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts necessary for born-again Christians to accomplish what they are called and guided by the Holy Spirit to do (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

They were using that speech, knowledge, and those gifts as they awaited Christ's return. We're not to be hanging around all the time with other Christians in Church, or letting the Pastor do all the evangelism.

Christians are called to go into the world to make born-again disciples and teaching them to obey all that Jesus teaches (Matthew 28:19-20), only after they themselves have been born-again (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8; the Church is the “New Jerusalem”). New believers are to be baptized in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Holy Trinity).

And Christ will sustain them guiltless in that day. Christians are by definition disciples of Jesus Christ who have been born-again [“you must be “born-again;” John 3:7 KJV]. Christian discipleship is a spiritual growth process. Living daily by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will grow spiritually as we learn to trust and obey the Lord. We will come to know with certainty his faithfulness, power, and love. We can be assured that we will be mature and blameless at the Day of 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)?

Saturday 18 Pentecost C
First Posted October 2, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday 18 Pentecost C

Matthew 22:34-46 – The Great Commandment

Background:

The Pharisees and Sadduccees were rival factions of Judaism.

Text Paraphrase:

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadduccees, the Pharisees came together, and one of them, a lawyer, to test him, asked Jesus which was the great commandment in the Law. Jesus replied that the great commandment was to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind. This is the great first commandment, but there is a second commandment which is like it: to love one's neighbor as one's self. Jesus said that all the law and prophets (the Jewish Bible) is fulfilled in these two commandments.

While the Pharisees were still gathered around, Jesus asked them a question, asking them whose son they thought the Christ (Messiah) to be. They replied that he was the son of David, so Jesus asked them how, inspired by the Holy Spirit, David had called him Lord. Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1: “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I put thy enemies under my feet”?

Jesus asked how the Christ could be David's Lord and also his son. No one was able to answer him, nor did anyone dare ask anymore questions.

Commentary:

The first three of the Ten Commandments have to do with our relationship with God. We are to have no other gods (idols). We are not to use his name profanely, superstitiously, or to lie or deceive. We are to keep the Sabbath holy (set apart for God's service).

The other seven have to do with our relationship with other people (our neighbors): our responsibility to our parents; our responsibility to not kill, to not commit adultery, to not testify falsely, to not covet anything that belongs to our neighbor.

The Ten Commandments are themselves a summary of all the Law of Moses, but Jesus reduced them to two. If we love God we will do what the first three command. If we love our neighbor as we love ourselves we will do what the rest command.

In Luke's account the lawyer wanted Jesus to define who the lawyer's neighbor was (Luke 10:29). The lawyer wanted to limit his responsibility, so that he could show that he had fulfilled the commandment and was righteous (acceptable to God).

Everyone is our neighbor. The question for the lawyer and for us is:
Who will we choose to be a neighbor to? Jesus warns that we aren't fulfilling the commandment by loving only those who love us; and by greeting only our brethren, we do no better than pagan, worldly people (Matthew 5:46-47).

Jesus asked the Pharisees what they understood about the Christ. Was he merely the human descendant of David, or was he God's Son in human flesh? The first “Lord” in the quoted Psalm refers to God; the second (“my Lord”) refers to Christ.

Jesus is the Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit, in the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:18-20; Luke 1:34-35). His heavenly father is God the Father; his earthly father is a descendant of David (Matthew 1:20). So Jesus is the Son of David and the Son of God; fully God (Colossians 2:8-9), and fully human (Hebrews 4:15b).

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)?

Week of 17 Pentecost C - 09/19 - 25/2010

Week of 17 Pentecost C

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://http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/ (Please bookmark this link).

Journalspace.com, my former 'blog host is being reorganized under new ownership. I no longer publish there. I have also lost mypodcast.com, my podcast host. This 'blog is mirrored at:

http://shepboy.multiply.com/

.mp3 Podcasts via Linux Festival text-to-speech and Panopreter Basic text-to-speech are available at:

http://shepherdboy.byethost12.com/dw_bible2/c_year/wklx_c.html

Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (God willing), 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.

This entry is a test incorporating the texts with the citations, useful, I hope, to readers, and particularly valuable to podcast listeners.

Podcast Download: Week of 17 Pentecost C
Sunday - 17 Pentecost C
First posted September 17, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday 17 Pentecost C

Exodus 32:7-14 – The Golden Calf;
Psalm 51:1-18 – Penitential Psalm;
1 Timothy 1:12-17 – Jesus Saves Sinners;
Luke 15:1-10 – Parables of the Lost;

Exodus Background:

The Israelites had just experienced their deliverance by God from slavery to sin and death in Egypt, and had entered into a covenant with God to be his people, mediated by Moses (Exodus 24:3). Moses went up to God on the mountain, and was gone for forty days and nights (Exodus 24:18). The people didn't know what had become of Moses and figured he was never coming back, so they went to Aaron, the high priest, and told him to make an idol of a calf of melted gold to lead them, they worshiped and sacrificed to it, and declared that this idol was the god who had brought them out of Egypt (Exodus 32:1-6).

Text Paraphrase:

The Lord told Moses to go down to the people because they had broken the covenant with God and had corrupted themselves with idolatry. The Lord declared that the Israelites were stubborn and rebellious and that he was going to destroy them; but he would still keep his promise to the patriarchs to make of them a great nation.

Moses pleaded for mercy for the Israelites, saying that the Egyptians would say that God had brought the Israelites into the wilderness to slay them. Moses asked God to remember, Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob), father, son and grandson; the patriarchs of Israel, and asked God to remember his promise to multiply their descendants, as uncountable as the stars of heaven, and to give them the Promised Land. The Lord changed his mind and decided not to destroy the Israelites.

Psalm:

Ascribed to David when he was confronted by Nathan the prophet, because of David's adultery with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11:1-12:13).

O God, be merciful to me, according to your unwavering love; blot out my sins according to your abundant mercy. Wash me and cleanse me thoroughly from my sin!

I acknowledge my transgression, and cannot forget the sin I have committed. This sin is really against you; I have done what you consider evil, so you are justified and blameless in your judgment against me. But remember that I was conceived and born in sin.

You want us to be truthful in our innermost being, so teach me wisdom in my most private thoughts. Purge me of sin as with ceremonial sprinkling with hyssop (an aromatic herb; a Jewish ritual). Wash me as white as snow. Let me be filled with joy and gladness, and let the bones you have broken (the punishment you have administered) be healed and restored to rejoicing. Stop looking at my sins and blot them out.

Give me, O Lord, a pure heart and a new and right spirit. Don't cast me forever from your presence nor take your Holy Spirit from me. Let me again experience the joy of your salvation and sustain me willingly with you Spirit.

Then I will be able to teach sinners and restore them to fellowship with you. Save me from the penalty of (eternal) death, Lord; you are my Savior, and I will testify aloud of your deliverance.

Enable me to testify and I will declare your praise. You don't want animal sacrifices, or I would gladly give them. The sacrifice you desire is a broken and contrite heart. In your perfect will and timing, do good to Zion and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

1 Timothy:

Paul was thankful to God for the ministry of the Gospel which had been given to him, because Jesus had considered him faithful, even though Paul (Saul of Tarsus) had formerly blasphemed Jesus and persecuted the Church. Paul had received mercy because the Lord recognized that Paul had acted in ignorance and unbelief, and the grace (unmerited favor) and love of God which are in Jesus Christ had overflowed to Paul. It is certainly true that Jesus has come into the world to save sinners. Paul considered himself the worst of sinners because of his past, but believed that he had been given mercy so that others could see an example of the perfect patience of the Lord, and so could believe in him for eternal life. “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).

Luke:

Tax Collectors (Jews hated for collaborating with the Roman occupying government) and sinners were coming to hear Jesus' teaching. And Pharisees (members of a strict, legalistic faction of Judaism) and scribes (authorities and teachers of scripture) were criticizing Jesus among themselves for fellowshipping with sinners.

So Jesus told them several parables: What person who had a hundred sheep would not leave the flock to search for one who strayed until he found it. And when it was found he would carry it home on his shoulders and tell his friends, so that they could celebrate with him? Likewise there is great rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous who don't need to repent.

What person having ten silver coins,* who loses one, will not search the house diligently until it is found? And when it is found, won't the person tell his friends so that they can rejoice with him? Likewise, the angels will rejoice in heaven over one lost sinner who repents.

Commentary:

Jesus is our “Moses” who leads us out of the “Egypt” of slavery to sin and death, and through the wilderness of this lifetime. Water baptism is the “Red Sea” through which we were baptized into Jesus Christ. Jesus has ascended into heaven and has promised to return to lead us into the eternal Promised Land of God's eternal kingdom in heaven.

Many think that Jesus' return has been delayed, and that perhaps he is never coming back. Many turn to modern idolatries: money, power, status, career, family, pleasure, and so forth, for worldly security.

We are sinners from the moment of conception, because our flesh wants what it wants. We are all sinners who fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is our “Moses” who pleads for our forgiveness, but we must receive that forgiveness by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

We are all sinners, but we must be confronted with and confess our sin, as Nathan confronted David. Only when we are willing to acknowledge our sin and repent (change our ways) can we receive forgiveness.

Jesus is truth (John 14:6), and we cannot receive Jesus if we are not honest with ourselves in our innermost being. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable to God to cleanse us from all sin and make it possible for the Holy Spirit to enter and abide in us.

The Holy Spirit is the new and right (righteous; doing what is right, good and true according to God's Word) Spirit that can fill us. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9) through whom we experience the close personal daily presence of the Lord and the joy of his salvation.

Only by the guidance and empowerment of the indwelling baptism of the Holy Spirit can we teach sinners, restore them to fellowship with the Lord and to eternal life. Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit can we praise and testify to the Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:15-17; Zechariah 4:6).

Jesus came into the world not to condemn sinners but to save them (John 3:17). Jesus cannot save us unless we are willing to acknowledge our sin (Matthew 9:12-13).

Saved sinners, including me, realize how much they need and receive forgiveness. They have personally experienced how the baptism of the Holy Spirit guides them and sustains them and has changed their lives. By the indwelling Holy Spirit the Lord is able to use them for the ministry of the Gospel, the “good news” of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal salvation. By the indwelling Holy Spirit, they are able to testify to the grace (undeserved favor), forgiveness and love that has overflowed to them through Jesus Christ, so that others can see the Lord's perfect patience, and can believe in him and receive 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)?

Monday - 17 Pentecost C
First posted September 20, 2010;
Podcast: Monday 17 Pentecost C

Psalm 113 – Helper of the Poor;

Paraphrase:

Let everyone praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, all his servants; let the Lord's name be praised.

May the name of the Lord be blessed from this time forth and evermore. Let the name of the Lord be praised from dawn to dusk. Exalted above all nations is the Lord, and his glory is higher than the heavens.

Who can compare to the Lord our God? Seated on high, he sees far down, what happens in heaven and on earth. Out of the dust he lifts the poor, and up from the ash heap he lifts the needy, and lets them sit among princes, the leaders of his people. He gives homes to barren women, and children to make them joyous mothers. May the Lord be praised!

Commentary:

The Lord is worthy of all praise for all that he has done in creating us and this universe. He has created it good (Genesis 1:31). The bad things that exist in this world were caused by mankind's sin (disobedience of God's Word).

God has designed this Creation to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God's Word or not. Disobedience of God's Word is the definition of sin.

The name of the Lord is not just his label, but his entire person and character. Jesus is the name of the Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). Jesus is God in human form (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28).

God is not remote and uninvolved in his Creation. God is near to each one of us, at our very side, and he wants us to seek and find him (Acts 17:26-27). He knows all about each one of us; he sees everything we do. We will all, ultimately, be accountable to him for everything we have done in this lifetime (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

God has made Creation with abundant resources for all. The reason some don't have necessities is because of economic and social injustice; inequitable distribution of those resources. God is righteous (doing what is right, good, and true) and just. He favors the poor and needy, because they have been victims of injustice. He exalts the humble, and humbles the exalted (Matthew 23:12; 1 Peter 5:5-6). Those who are exalted in this world have nothing to be exalted about before the Lord (Romans 4:2).

There is a day coming when everyone will bow and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

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)?

Tuesday - 17 Pentecost C
First Posted September 21, 2010;
Podcast: Tuesday 17 Pentecost C

Amos 8:4-7 – Indictment Against Unjust Merchants;

Paraphrase:

Listen, you who abuse the poor and needy, looking for every opportunity to sell food for profit. Listen, you who cheat with small measure and large prices, and scales that overcharge. Listen, you who buy the poor for money, and the needy for shoes, and sell them the lowest quality food (and merchandise).

The Lord has sworn that he will not forget what you have done.

Commentary:

The Lord has created this world “good” (Genesis 1:31), with adequate resources for all. The reason that some don't have necessities is because of social and economic injustice; inequitable distribution of resources.

The evil that exists in this world is because of human sin (disobedience of God's Word). God has designed this Creation to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God's Word or not, and the opportunity to learn, by trial-and-error, that God's will is our best interest. But God is not going to allow rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom, so this Creation, and we ourselves, are limited by time.

The Lord favors the poor and needy because he is just and righteous (doing what is right, good, and true), and they are victims of social and economic injustice.

We have all sinned and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God's one and only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal destruction (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

There is a Day of Judgment coming, when everyone who has ever lived will be accountable to the Lord for what we, individually, have done in this lifetime. Those who have acknowledged their sin, have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord (“boss”) and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) during this lifetime, and will enter the “Promised Land” of God's eternal kingdom in heaven restored to paradise. Those who have denied their sinfulness, who have rejected Jesus as Savior and Lord, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in hell with all evil.

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)?

Wednesday - 17 Pentecost C
First posted September 22, 2010;
Podcast: Wednesday 17 Pentecost C

1 Timothy 2:1-8 – Prayers of the Church;

Paraphrase:

Paul was teaching his ministerial protege, Timothy, to offer prayers, supplications, intercessions and thanksgivings for all people, including all political leaders, so that the people may lead quiet, peaceable, respectable, and godly lives. This is good and fitting in God's eyes, since he desires all people to come to know (divine, eternal) truth. There is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and humans: Jesus Christ, who gave himself to ransom us all, and this testimony is given all at the right time. Paul (and all “born-again” disciples) have been given this ministry as preachers and apostles (messengers; of the Gospel; the “good news” of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and salvation from eternal condemnation), and as teachers of the Gentiles (pagans) in faith and truth. This is the truth and no lie.

Commentary:

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a modern, post-resurrection, “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Paul was converted on the road to Damascus (9:1-22), was discipled by a born-again disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-12), until Paul was born-again (Acts 9:17-18), and then began making born-again disciples in obedience to Jesus' Great Commission to his born-again disciples (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). One example is Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6-7); and Paul was teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

God wants all people to come to know divine, eternal truth. The Word of God, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14), is divine, eternal truth, as contrasted with what the world falsely calls truth (1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-7). Worldly truth changes, as the recent reassessment of the planets in our solar system demonstrates.

Jesus is the only way to know God, the only way to know divine, eternal truth, and the only way to have eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word), our only provision for salvation from eternal death, which is the penalty for sin, and our only way to have eternal life (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sin. It is for all people and all time, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus.

As we receive this message of forgiveness reconciliation, and salvation, we are called, guided and empowered, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17), to share it with others.

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)?

Thursday - 17 Pentecost C
First Posted September 23, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday 17 Pentecost C

1 Timothy 2:1-8 – Prayers of the Church;

Paraphrase:

Paul was teaching his ministerial protege, Timothy, to offer prayers, supplications, intercessions and thanksgivings for all people, including all political leaders, so that the people may lead quiet, peaceable, respectable, and godly lives. This is good and fitting in God's eyes, since he desires all people to come to know (divine, eternal) truth.

There is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and humans: Jesus Christ, who gave himself to ransom us all, and this testimony is given to everyone at the right time. Paul (and all “born-again” disciples) have been given this ministry as preachers and apostles (messengers; of the Gospel; the “good news” of forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and salvation from eternal condemnation), and as teachers of the Gentiles (pagans) in faith and truth. This is the truth and no lie.

Commentary:

Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and example of a modern, post-resurrection, “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Paul was converted on the road to Damascus (9:1-22), was discipled by a born-again disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-12), until Paul was born-again (Acts 9:17-18), and then began making born-again disciples in obedience to Jesus' Great Commission to his born-again disciples (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). One example is Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6-7); and Paul was teaching them to repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).

God wants all people to come to know divine, eternal truth. The Word of God, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14), is divine, eternal truth, as contrasted with what the world falsely calls truth (1 Corinthians 1:17-25; 2:1-7). Worldly truth changes, as the recent reassessment of the planets in our solar system demonstrates.

Jesus is the only way to know God, the only way to know divine, eternal truth, and the only way to have eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word), our only provision for salvation from eternal death, which is the penalty for sin, and our only way to have eternal life (see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross is the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sin. It is for all people and all time, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus.

As we receive this message of forgiveness reconciliation, and salvation, we are called, guided and empowered, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17), to share it with others.

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)?

Friday - 17 Pentecost C
First Posted September 24, 2010;
Podcast: Friday 17 Pentecost C

Ephesians 4:1-6 – Life Worthy of Calling;

Paraphrase:

Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, was discipling the Ephesian Church (in modern-day Turkey), which he had founded (on his second missionary journey; Acts 19:1-41). He urged the Ephesian Christians to live lives that testified to their Christian commitment, in lowliness and meekness, with love, being patient and forbearing of one another, trying to maintain the bond of peace through the unity of the Holy Spirit.

Christians are one body, called by one Spirit, with one hope (eternal life) which belongs to that calling. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Jesus Christ), and one Father, who is in, and through, and above all.

Commentary:

How Christians live is silent testimony to their faith. If we don't apply Jesus' teachings in our daily lives, we aren't good witnesses.

There is a bond between “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) believers. We are one body, motivated by one Holy Spirit, with one hope of eternal life in the presence of the Lord in God's kingdom in heaven.

Jesus is the only way, the only truth, the only true eternal life (John 14:6). Jesus is God's only provision for our forgiveness of sin, restoration to fellowship with God which was broken by sin, and to eternal life in God's eternal kingdom (Acts 4:12; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

Jesus is the Lord above all lords (1 Timothy 6:14-15; Revelation 17:14). Salvation from eternal condemnation is only by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Jesus himself did not baptize with water; only Jesus' disciples did (John 4:2). The Church is the heir to the water baptism ministry of John the Baptizer. Water baptism is for repentance to prepare people to receive Jesus Christ personally through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily event (Acts 19:2). 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).

Only one water baptism is necessary, and it is not the amount of water, or the age of the candidate, that makes it efficacious. I personally testify that I was “sprinkled” as an infant. I believe that water baptism is a covenant between God and the candidate, or in the case of an infant, the candidate's parents or guardians. I do not need to be “immersed” as a believing adult. All I needed to do as an adult was to act in faith upon that water baptism, to learn, trust and obey Jesus' teachings, and I was “baptised” with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Should I be “re-baptized?” I think definitely not!

I believe that water baptism is a sacrament, along with Holy Communion (Eucharist; the Lord's Supper). I believe that a sacrament is a sacred covenant with God involving one or more physical elements and God's Word. In the case of water baptism, the element is water; the covenant is repentance and spiritual cleansing in order to be prepared to receive Jesus Christ (Luke 3:3-5). In the case of Holy Communion, the elements are bread and wine (or grape juice), the body and blood of Jesus Christ, sacrificed on the cross for the forgiveness of sin (Matthew 26:26-28).

Holy Communion is a sacrificial feast. The body is sacrificed and the participants partake. It is not the amount that makes it a feast, but the spiritual result. Wine is an apt symbol because of the alcohol (spirit) it contains.

Jews were specificically forbidden to drink blood or eat flesh with its blood (Genesis 9:4), because of the belief that the blood contained the spirit of the animal. The Lord doesn't want us to be filled with the spirit of animals but with his Holy Spirit. This doesn't mean that anyone who partakes of the wine (or grape juice) of communion is automatically filled with the Holy Spirit. Unbelievers are drinking judgment upon themselves, because they have not believed (1 Corinthians 11:29).

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)?

Saturday - 17 Pentecost C
First Posted September 25, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday 17 Pentecost C

Luke 14:1-11 – Healing on the Sabbath;

Paraphrase:

Jesus went to dinner one sabbath at the house of a leader of the Pharisees (a strict legalistic sect of Judaism). There was a person present who had dropsy (a collection of serous fluid -"serum"- in the body). Jesus asked the Pharisees and lawyers (scribes) present whether it was lawful to heal on the sabbath, but they refused to answer him. Then Jesus healed the person of his dropsy and told him to go his way. Jesus asked the Pharisees and scribes, what person would not help remove livestock that had fallen into a pit on the sabbath, and no one could make a reply.

Then Jesus told a parable about those who are invited guests, and how they choose places of honor. Jesus said that when one is invited to a marriage feast, one should not choose the place of greatest honor, since someone more important may have been invited. Then both host and guest will be embarrassed in front of the other guests to yield the place to the more important guest. Instead, one should choose the least honorable place; then the host will invite one to take a higher place and will be honored before all. The point is that everyone who honors himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.

Commentary:

The scribes and Pharisees believed that they were entitled to positions of honor because they kept Jewish laws and rituals. Abstaining from work on the sabbath was one example, but that rule was intended for their own benefit, not for the disadvantage of others.

Strict observance of the sabbath law would have meant that the person who had dropsy couldn't receive healing because it was the sabbath. Jews routinely made exceptions for livestock, since they considered them valuable, and realized that the livestock couldn't wait to be rescued from danger. Of course they should have recognized that people are more valuable and shouldn't have to wait, either.

The scribes and Pharisees were invited guests in the presence of the Messiah, the Son of God, but they chose to honor themselves more highly than Jesus, because they felt worthy by their keeping of the Law. We may think we're good, compared to other people, but we all fall short of God's standard of righteousness (goodness; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home). We should honestly evaluate ourselves against God's Word, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14).

There are lots of people in the world today who consider themselves “good people,” who think they deserve to go to heaven when they die. That isn't the standard by which they will be judged. Church membership won't save us; teaching Sunday School or singing in the choir won't save us. Only a personal relationship with Jesus through the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit will save us (Matthew 7:21-27).

Only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). 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).

There is a Day of Judgment coming when Christ returns. Everyone who has ever lived will face that judgment, during our lifetime, or when we die. The judge and the standard of judgment will be Jesus Christ. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord (“boss”) and have trusted and obeyed Jesus' teachings will have been spiritually “born-again” during this lifetime, and will enter eternal life in God's kingdom in heaven; paradise restored. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus, will be condemned to eternal destruction in hell, separated eternally from God and everything good.

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)?