Week of 19 Pentecost - C - 09/29 - 10/06/2013

Week of 19 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:

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Please Note:

To get the most from these studies, it is suggested that you first read the scripture texts for the entry, and then the paraphrase and commentary. It is also recommended that you look up the scripture references, unless you recognize and recall them from memory.

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Podcast Download: Week of 19 Pentecost - C 
Sunday 19 Pentecost - C 
First Posted October 3, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday 19 Pentecost - C 

Amos 6:1-7 – Woe to the Comfortable;
Psalm 146 – Helper of the Poor and Helpless;
1 Timothy 6:6-16 – Love of Money;
Luke 16:19-31-- The Rich Man and Lazarus;

Amos Paraphrase:

Woe is coming on those who are comfortable and at ease in Zion (Jerusalem; Capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah; the Church). Woe also to those in Samaria (Capital of the Northern Kingdom, Israel) who feel secure. The upper class in both kingdoms imagine themselves great people, and their kingdoms greater than the neighboring kingdoms. They think they will not be held accountable for the injustice they do.

Woe to those who live in luxury and eat the finest foods; who entertain themselves with music on instruments they create for themselves, like David did (1 Chronicles 23:5). With the finest of oils they anoint themselves, but don't grieve over the ruin of Joseph (the beloved son of Israel, also known as Jacob, grandson of Abraham). They will be the first to go into exile, and their revelry and ease will end.

Psalm Paraphrase:

Let us praise the Lord! My soul will praise the Lord as long as I live; as long as I exist, I will praise the Lord.

“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help” (Psalm 146:3). When he dies, he returns to the dust of the earth, and his plans perish.

“Happy is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God” (146:5), the Creator of heaven, earth and sea, and everything in them; whose faithfulness is forever. He gives justice for the oppressed and food to the hungry.

The Lord frees the prisoners, heals the blind, lifts up the humble and burdened. The Lord loves the righteous, protects travelers, sustains widows and orphans; but brings ruin to the wicked.

The Lord our God will reign over Zion (the City of God) forever. May the Lord be praised!

1 Timothy Paraphrase:

Godliness (reflecting God's nature and character) and contentment are of great benefit to those who practice them. We didn't bring anything into this world and can't take anything with us when we leave. Let us be happy with basic necessities like food and clothing. Those who want wealth and material possessions fall into a trap, and many sensless and hurtful desires bring ruin and destruction to both themselves and others. “For the love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Timothy 6:10); because of that desire, some have strayed from faith and have suffered many heartaches.

But Timothy (and all godly people) should make a commitment to avoid this and make righteousness (doing what is right according to God's Word), godliness, faith, love steadfastness and gentleness their aim. Faith is a struggle in this world, and we need to reach out and claim the eternal life we were promised when we made the “good confession (that Jesus is Lord, to God's glory) in the congregation. So in the presence of God, the Creator of life, and Jesus Christ, who, on trial before Pontius Pilate, made the good confession before Pontius Pilate (John 18:33-37), Paul advised Timothy and all believers to keep the command (Jesus' teachings; the Great Commandments: Matthew 22:36-40) unstained and irreproachable until Christ returns; and this will happen at the perfect time by the only Sovereign God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, immortal, invisible, who dwells in unapproachable light (Psalm 104:2). He alone is worthy of honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Luke Paraphrase:

Jesus told a parable (a story of common earthly experience used to teach spiritual truth) of a rich man, and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man dressed in fine cloths and dined luxuriously on rich foods every day. A poor man named Lazarus (a begger), covered with sores, lay every day at the rich man's gate. He wanted to be given the food that fell from the table of the rich man. Worse, dogs licked his sores.

The poor man died and was carried into the presence of Abraham (founding father of the nation of Israel). The rich man also died and was buried. In Hell, the rich man was in torment, and he saw Abraham and Lazarus far off. The rich man called to “Father Abraham” and asked him to send Lazarus to cool the rich man's tongue with a wet finger, because of the flames of Hell. But Abraham reminded his “Son,” the rich man, that he had received good things in life, while Lazarus had suffered evil things. Now Lazarus was comforted in Abraham's presence, while the rich man suffered. Also, there was a great chasm between Abraham and the rich man, so that it was impossible for anyone to cross from one to the other.

So then, the rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to warn the rich man's five brothers, so that they could avoid torment in Hell. But Abraham told the rich man that the brothers had Moses and the prophets (God's Word; the Jewish Bible; our Old Testament); let them hear the Scriptures. But the rich man said that they would not listen to the Scriptures, but would repent if someone would return from the dead. Abraham replied that if the brothers didn't listen to Moses and the prophets, they wouldn't be convinced if someone arose from the dead.

Commentary:

God's Word is always fulfilled, and it is fulfilled over and over as the conditions for its fulfillment are met. In fact, fulfillment is the defining characteristic, the "hallmark," of God's Word ( Deuteronomy 18:21-22). The Northern Kingdom of Israel, of the Divided Monarchy, didn't heed the warnings of God's Word, and it was fulfilled by the the fall of Samaria to the Assyrians in 721 B.C.. The ten tribes of  the Northern Kingdom were carried of into exile, and because of assimilation, effectively ceased to exist. The remnant of weak and poor of  the Northern Kingdom remained, but were assimilated into the aliens brought in by the Assyrians to pacify the conquered land, and became the Samaritans at the time of Jesus.

The two tribes of  the Southern Kingdom of Judah didn't learn from the example of the Northern Kingdom, and did not heed God's Word of warning, so they were conquered by Nebuchadnezzar and carried of into exile in Babylon for seventy years from 587 to 517 B.C., as the prophet, Jeremiah, had foretold (Jeremiah 25:12).

After seventy years, Judah, the remnant of  Israel returned to the Promised Land, a renewed people. But they forgot the lessons learned from the Exile, and were unprepared for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.(Christ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah). Consequently Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Roman Army, and the Jews were scattered throughout the world. Israel ceased to exist as a nation until re-established following World War II. The temple has never been rebuilt.

Nominal Christian nations today, especially America, are well-advised to heed the warning of Amos' prophecy. Are we comfortable and at ease in our nations today? Do we imagine ourselves to be great nations? Do we think we will not be held accountable by the Lord for the economic and social injustices we are committing?

Today many are living in luxury and indulgence, without concern for the poor and disenfranchised. But the day is coming when that revelry and ease will end, and they will be forced into exile.

The history of God's dealing with his people recorded in the Bible shows that when his people turn away from trust and obedience in the Lord, the Lord lifts his providence and protection, which they have enjoyed without realizing and acknowledging its source. Without that providence and protection, God allows people to experience suffering and trouble, in hope that they may repent and return to obedient trust in God's Word.

The Bible also reveals that the Lord has compassion upon the poor and oppressed, and that he expects us to do likewise. Those who seek worldly wealth, pleasures and acclaim, will ultimately come to eternal ruin.

Jesus told a parable (a fictional story of common earthly experience, used to teach spiritual truth) about a rich man and Lazarus. The rich man enjoyed wealth, comfort and pleasure, while ignoring the plight of the poor, hungry, sick, Lazarus, at his very gate, whom he must have walked right past every day. God does ultimately punish those who ignore the warnings of his Word, and ultimately blesses and comforts those who have suffered injustice.

The history of God's dealings with his people recorded in the Bible is also deliberately intended by God to be a series of parables (metaphors) for life in this world. For example, we are all in bondage to sin and death in the "Egypt" of this present world order. Jesus is our "Moses" who leads us out of  "Egypt," through the "sea" of baptism into Jesus, and through the "wilderness" of this lifetime. Jesus is our "Joshua" (Jesus is the Greek equivalent of "Jeshua," which is the post-exilic form of  "Joshua") who leads us through the "river" of physical death, (without getting "wet feet;" Joshua 3:14-17; i.e., without being affected by physical death), and into the eternal kingdom of Heaven.

Another intentional metaphor is the Exile. In one sense, we are all in exile in the "Babylon" of this world. Jesus is the one who leads us back to the "Promised Land" of God's eternal kingdom, as "renewed" people of God. Those who aren't renewed by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, remain in eternal exile in the "Babylon" of  Hell.

The Bible is the Word of God, and Jesus Christ is the "living Word," the fulfillment, embodiment, and example of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-3, 14).

The Jews had the Bible texts, but failed to recognize and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus did rise from physical death, and his resurrection was witnessed by over five hundred eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-7), and by every truly "born-again" Christian since, including Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8; compare Acts 9:3-5).

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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 19 Pentecost - C 
First Posted October 4, 2010;
Podcast: Monday 19 Pentecost - C 

Psalm 95:6-11 – God's Kingship;

Paraphrase:

“O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand" (Psalm 95:6-7).

Would that you would heed his voice today! Don't harden your hearts, as the Israelites did in the wilderness at Meribah (Exodus 17:1-7), and at Massah (Numbers 20:1-13; compare Psalm 106:32-33), when they demanded proof of the Lord, although they had seen his works. The Lord loathed that generation for forty years. He said of them that they erred in their hearts and were not obedient to God's ways. So God swore that they wouldn't enter his rest.

Commentary:

The Lord is our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). Jesus is God made visible in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28; John 1:18; 14:7). Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:14).

His sheep know his voice and follow him (John 10:4). Jesus asks: Why call him Lord and not do what he says (Luke 6:46; compare Matthew 7:21-27)? With practice, Christian disciples learn to know his voice and follow him. Christian discipleship is a spiritual growth process.

Meribah means “to test” in Hebrew, and Massah means “find fault.” The places were springs at Kadesh (Numbers 20:13; 27:14; Deuteronomy 32:51). It was there that the Lord provided water from the rock (Exodus 17:5-6). In that region water lies below the limestone surface.

Coming out of Egypt, through the wilderness, before arriving at Mt. Sinai, the people were thirsty and complaining. They had been hungry and had grumbled about lack of bread and meat, and God had provided manna (bread from heaven) and quail (Exodus 16:3). Still, they doubted that God would provide them with water (Exodus 17:3).

Numerous times, the Israelites had seen God's works of deliverance, from the ten plagues that gained their release in Egypt (Exodus 7:8-11:10), the crossing of the Sea (Exodus 14:22-31), the manna and quail, and the water from the rock (Exodus 17:5-7). But at the border of the land God had promised to give them, they disobeyed his command to enter and possess it. That was the final act of rebellion which caused God to condemn them to forty years of wilderness wandering (Numbers 14:2b-10, 20-35).

The adults who rebelled against God's command to enter the Promised Land died in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb, who had advocated entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:26, 31-35). God had intended to give them rest from their wandering in their own Promised Land, but they wouldn't enter when he commanded, so he forbade them to enter.

The history of the Exodus from Egypt, wandering through the wilderness, and entry into the Promised Land is deliberately intended by God to be a parable, a metaphor, for life in this world. We're all in slavery to sin and death in the “Egypt” of this current world order. Satan is “Pharaoh.” We pass through the “Sea” of baptism into Jesus Christ on “dry ground” while unbelievers are prevented and ultimately destroyed.

We are led through the wilderness of this lifetime by the “pillar of fire and cloud” (Exodus 13:21-22), which is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, our “Moses.” Jesus is the “rock” (1 Corinthians 10:4) in the wilderness who provides “living water” (the Holy Spirit; John 4:10; compare 7:38-39). Jesus' body, sacrificed on the cross is the bread of life which came down from heaven (John 6:31-35, 41, 48-51).

Jesus is our “Joshua” (“Jesus” is the Greek form of the name), who leads us through the “river” of physical death on “dry ground,” (without being affected by it) and into the eternal Promised Land of God's kingdom in heaven: The rest from our earthly struggles and wanderings which God has prepared for us.

God calls us to enter that Promised Land; that rest; and now is the time to begin. We have the good report of Jesus' testimony. Born-again Christians are “Caleb,” who also have the fore-taste of heaven through the indwelling Holy Spirit, and testify that it is a good land. The Lord has done many great works for us. Do we recognize and acknowledge them? Will we trust and obey God's command to enter and possess the Promised Land, or will we be condemned to die eternally in the wilderness?

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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 19 Pentecost - C 
First Posted October 5, 2010;
Podcast: Tuesday 19 Pentecost - C 


Deuteronomy 10:12-21 – What the Lord Requires;

Paraphrase:

What does the Lord require of his people but to live according to God's ways, to love and serve him with all our souls, and to keep his commandments, which are for our own good. The heaven of heavens and the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. But the Lord chose the patriarchs of Israel and their descendants above all other peoples. So let's not be stubborn anymore. Let us “circumcise” our hearts.

The Lord our God is great, mighty, and terrible; he is God above all gods, and Lord above all lords, perfectly impartial, and who cannot be bribed. He gives justice to the widow and orphan. He loves the sojourner and gives him food and clothing. Remember that we were sojourners in Egypt. We are to fear the Lord God, serve him, and cling to him. We will be bound by an oath in his name. He is our God, whose great and terrible works on our behalf we have witnessed. It is he whom we praise!

Commentary:

God has given us his Word 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). His Word is given to us for our best interest, so that we can have the good life that God intended and designed us to have. In order to get the benefit of his Word we must do it; we must apply it daily in our lives.

God has shown his love for us in the goodness of Creation, and in Jesus Christ, whom he sent to die in place of us, so that we could live eternally with him in heaven. He has called us to be the special people of God through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus, as he chose Israel through Abraham. But we are free to accept or reject his call, as was Israel.

When we realize his love and all the good things he has done for us, we will want to love and serve him and keep his commandments (John 14:15). The only way we can return his love is by obedient trust in his Word.

We become his people, not by some outward ritual, but by an inner commitment; by becoming obedient to his Word from our hearts and souls (the part of us which is eternal). As we become obedient to his Word in Jesus Christ, we will be “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8), by “baptism” with 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).

God is perfectly impartial and is not influenced by bribes, or by the rich and powerful. He gives justice to the poor and powerless because they are the ones who are deprived of justice by the rich and powerful of this world.

We are all, in a sense, sojourners in the “Egypt” of this world. It is the Lord who provides the food, clothing and necessities of life in this world to each of us. He is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving!

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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 19 Pentecost - C 
First Posted October 6 , 2010;
Podcast: Wednesday 19 Pentecost - C 

2 Timothy 1:3-14 -- Truth Entrusted to Us;

Paraphrase:

Paul recalled Timothy's tears (at their last parting) and longed to see Timothy, so that Paul might be filled with joy. Paul was thankful to God for his own religious heritage as he recalled the faith of Timothy's mother and grandmother. He urged Timothy to apply the gift of the Holy Spirit that he had received through his discipling by Paul. The gift of the Holy Spirit is not one of timidity, but of power, love and self-control.

Paul urged Timothy not to be ashamed to testify to the Gospel, or of Paul who was imprisoned (for testifying to the Gospel), but to be willing to suffer for the Gospel in the power of God. God saved us and gave us a holy calling (to serve God and proclaim God's Word), not because we are worthy but because of his own goodness and grace (undeserved favor) which he gave us in Christ ages ago (Christ has been designed into Creation from the very beginning; John 1:1-5, 14). Now Christ, our Savior, has been revealed, and has abolished death and revealed life and immortality through the Gospel.

Paul was appointed an apostle (messenger) and teacher of that Gospel, and so was suffering because of it. Paul didn't feel ashamed of his suffering because he knew Jesus, was certain of what he believed, and was sure that Jesus is able to guard what had been entrusted to Paul until the Day of Christ's return. So Paul urged Timothy to follow Paul's example, in the faith and love that he had in Christ, and to guard the truth entrusted to him by the Holy Spirit which dwelt within him.

Commentary:

Timothy was apparently already a Christian when Paul came to Lystra, in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey; Acts 16:1). Paul discipled Timothy until Timothy was “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the “baptism” (gift) of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Believers are to wait within the Church (the New Jerusalem), being discipled by mature, born-again  Christians, until they have been born-again, before going into the world with the Gospel (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).

The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is given to be used. Born-again Christians should not be timid, but should act in the power, love, and self-control which the Holy Spirit supplies; not in our own strength, nor without love or self-control.

We should not be intimidated by the reaction of worldly people to the Gospel. We're going to suffer for the Gospel, if only through ridicule, unpopularity, and opposition, but we are to accept that suffering in the power which the Holy Spirit provides. When we suffer for the Gospel, the Holy Spirit comforts us greatly.

I personally testify that it requires effort for a newly born-again Christian to learn to testify publicly, and that we will experience opposition to the Gospel message. As we keep “rekindling” the gift of the Holy Spirit, we will gain ability and experience.

Jesus has been designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). We are all born into this world physically alive, but spiritually unborn. This Creation has been designed to allow us the opportunity to be spiritually “reborn” to eternal life. Jesus has revealed eternal life and immortality through his physical death and resurrection. Over five hundred eyewitnesses to the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), and every born-again Christian since, personally experiences the risen Jesus and testifies that he is eternally alive.

Jesus came to proclaim and teach the Gospel (good news) of forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. The Gospel was not devised by man, but was taught by Jesus during his public ministry, and by revelation to his born-again disciples (Galatians 1:11-12), and recorded in the New Testament of the Bible.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God; the Spirit of Jesus (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17) who guides born-again Christians into all truth (John 16:13).

All born-again Christians are appointed to be apostles and teachers of the Gospel. Born-again Christians will have a daily personal relationship with Jesus. They will know in whom they believe, and will learn by experience that Jesus is able to guard them and the truth they have been given until he returns on the Day of Judgment.

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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 19 Pentecost - C 
First Posted October 7, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday 19 Pentecost - C 


Luke 17:1-10 – Forgiveness and Faith;

Paraphrase:

Jesus warned his disciples that they would surely experience temptation, but anyone who tempts a disciple and causes him to sin will suffer such consequences that he would be better off being tied to a millstone and drowned in the sea. We must watch out for ourselves. If a brother (or sister; believer) sins we should rebuke him; if he repents we should forgive him. If he sins against us seven (or however many) times in a day and repents, we must forgive him.

The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, and Jesus replied that if they had faith as tiny as a mustard seed, they could command a mulberry tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey.

Jesus told them a parable about the duty of a servant. If a master has a servant plowing a field, when the servant returns, will his master have the servant sit down and eat while the master serves his servant? No; he will have the servant first feed his master, and then the servant may eat. Does the master thank his servant because the servant has done what the master commanded? So then, when disciples of Jesus have done what they have been commanded, they should say that they are unworthy servants, because they have only done their duty.

Commentary:

If a believer falls into temptation, his sin will be forgiven if he repents. Repentance is more than just regret; it is a change of mind, and a commitment to change our purpose and life.

The fate of an unbeliever who causes a believer to sin will be terrible, because if he remains without faith in Jesus, he has no forgiveness, and will ultimately be condemned to eternal death in Hell with all evil. Sin is disobedience of God's Word. The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God's one and only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

If a fellow believer commits sin we should try to restore him, in love (Galatians 6:1). The Lord will forgive us no matter how many times we need it, so we must follow the Lord's example. If the Lord forgives the repentant sinner, so should we.

Faith isn't a matter of quantity or size. Just having any faith at all is sufficient. Faith is not like wishing on a star, or over birthday candles. Faith is not getting whatever we believe if we believe “hard enough.” True saving faith is trust and obedience in Jesus Christ. If we truly believe in Jesus we're going to do what he says.

The Lord is our master. As his servants, we shouldn't expect to be pampered and rewarded for doing what he commands us; it is our duty, as his servants. We can't expect to take it easy after having finished one assignment; we must keep working until Jesus returns.

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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 19 Pentecost - C 
First Posted October 8, 2010;
Podcast: Friday 19 Pentecost - C 

Ephesians 4:22-28 – The New Nature;

Paraphrase:

Christians are to stop living according to our old carnal nature of deceitful lusts, and change our thinking and our actions to live according to the new nature which is the likeness of the righteousness and holiness of God.

Let us no longer deceive one another, but speak honestly with our brethren, for we are all members of one body. Get angry, but don't sin; don't prolong anger, since that would make one vulnerable to temptation. Let the thief stop stealing and get an honest job, so that he will be able to give to the poor. Don't say anything evil. Say only what is uplifting, as suits the occasion, gratifying listeners. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). Put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice; instead, be kind tenderhearted, and forgiving of one another, as God has forgiven us through Jesus Christ.

Commentary:

Before we believed in Jesus, we lived according to the standards of the world, pursuing self-interest. But now, believers are to live according to God's Word in the Bible, and in the example and teaching of Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified (John 1:1-3, 14). We are to seek to please the Lord, rather than ourselves.

We should be honest and forthcoming, especially with our Christian brethren. In the wider sense, all people belong to the family of mankind.

It is alright to get angry; there are injustices that we need to be angry about, but let it be controlled and constructive anger. We must not hold  grudges; instead we must forgive, remembering how much the Lord has forgiven us.

Most people admit to having a bad temper. I used to have a terrible temper myself. I would become verbally, but not physically, abusive. I have learned to control my anger, so that perhaps I may calmly tell the person I'm angry with what I'm angry about, but I also forgive and forget. Remembering how much the Lord has forgiven me, the sins of others against me seem slight in comparison.

We should give to others in need, instead of taking for ourselves. We should work at honest jobs, if possible, so that we can help others, rather than being a burden. In my case, I was unemployed for a long time, but the Lord wonderfully provided for me and my family. I work for the Lord, in a job he gave me, and he has provided my income.

We should be careful of our talk. There's an old saying that, if one cannot say something good, one shouldn't say anything at all. We should refrain from speaking evil, which includes criticizing someone “behind their back,” and gossip. Obvious examples of evil talk are profanity and dirty jokes. Let our talk glorify the Lord and encourage our listeners.

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). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we have personal daily fellowship with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. We are given the Holy Spirit so that we can be able to serve and please God, and we should use the gift for that purpose. When we deliberately do what is contrary to God's Word it grieves the Lord.

In the thirty years or so that I've been a Christian, I've had a gradual but radical change in attitude and behavior. I used to think I was a pretty good guy, but now I'm ashamed of many things I used to do. There aren't many people who knew me then who are still in touch today who are able to see the change in me.

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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 19 Pentecost - C 
First Posted October 9, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday 19 Pentecost - C

Matthew 9:1-8 – Healing a Paralytic;

Paraphrase:

Jesus returned from the east side of the Sea of Galilee to his own city (Capernaum). Some people brought a paralytic, lying on a bed, to Jesus. Jesus saw their faith, and, addressing the paralytic as his son, told him to be encouraged, his sins were forgiven.

Some of the scribes (teachers of the Law of Moses; the Bible) who were present said to themselves that Jesus was blaspheming. Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked them why they were thinking evil in their hearts. Jesus asked them if it were easier to say “your sins are forgiven,” or “rise and walk?” Jesus pronounced forgiveness because he wanted people to know that the “Son of man” had authority to forgive sins.

Then Jesus told the paralytic to get up, pick up his bed and go home, and the man did so. The crowd was afraid when they saw what Jesus had done, and they gave glory to God for giving men such authority.

Commentary:

Jesus had moved to Capernaum after his hometown, Nazareth, had thrown him out because they were offended by his preaching in their synagogue (Luke 4:16-31).

We're all sinners who fall short of God's standard of righteousness (Romans 3:23). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23). Jesus is God's one and only provision for the forgiveness of sin (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17; Acts 4:12). Forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation are the grace (free gift; unmerited favor) of God, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home).

The paralytic and his friends believed that Jesus could heal the paralytic. They acted on that faith by coming to Jesus. Jesus told the paralytic to get up and carry his bed home, and the paralytic did what Jesus told him.

Jesus' miracles of physical healing, feeding and resurrection are intended to show that Jesus also can heal, feed and raise us spiritually, to eternal life. Jesus' pronouncing of forgiveness of sin was to show that he had authority to forgive sin.

The scribes believed that only God had the authority to forgive sin. They were authorities and teachers of the Bible, which prophesies and describes the Messiah (Christ; God's anointed Savior and eternal King), and they were in the Messiah's presence but didn't recognize or acknowledge him. Instead of rejoicing in the healing and giving glory to God, they accused Jesus of blasphemy.

Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus' word is the Word of God with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Compare Genesis 1: 9). The scribes knew all about God, but didn't recognize Jesus as the Son of God.

Jesus usually described himself as the Son of man, which is true, because of his human mother. It also allows people to form their own conclusion as to whether he is also the Son of God, which is also true, because he was conceived by the Holy Spirit in a virgin (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:34-35).

We are all born physically alive but spiritually unborn. This lifetime is our opportunity to be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) to eternal life, 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). 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).

Is Jesus your Lord (Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 6:46)? Are you Jesus' disciple (John 8:31)? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus (John 14:21)? 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)?