Week of 20 Pentecost - C
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Podcast Download: Week of 20 Pentecost - C
Sunday 20 Pentecost - C
First Posted October 10, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday 20 Pentecost - C
Habakkuk 1:1-3 -- The Righteous Shall Live by Faith;
Psalm 95:6-11 2:1-4 -- God's Kingship;
2 Timothy 1:3-14 -- Truth Entrusted to Us;
Luke 17:1-10 -- Forgiveness and Faith;
Habakkuk Paraphrase:
The prophet complains to God that he is surrounded by trouble and
injustice, violence, strife, and contention. His call to God for
help seems to go unanswered. So the prophet waits for God's reply.
The Lord answered the prophet and gave him a vision which the Lord
told the prophet to write down in clearly understandable form, so
that anyone who reads it can flee from disaster. The vision
(of divine justice) will be fulfilled in due time. It will come in
the end; it is not an empty promise. If it seems slow in coming,
wait for it. It will surely come; it cannot be delayed. Watch and
see: the righteous shall live by faith, but the unrighteous shall
fail.
Psalm 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).
Give heed to his voice today! Don't harden your hearts as the
Israelites did at Massah and Meribah in the wilderness (Exodus
17:1-7), when they tested the Lord and demanded proof, although they
had experienced the Lord's deeds on their behalf. The Lord loathed
those people for forty years, and declared that their error was deep
within their hearts and they do not keep God's ways. In anger, God
swore that they could not enter his rest (in the Promised Land).
2 Timothy Paraphrase:
Paul recalled Timothy's sorrow at their last parting and longed for
the joy of visiting with Timothy again. Paul was thankful of his own
religious heritage when he recalled the faith of Timothy's mother
and grandmother. Paul urged Timothy to apply the gift of the Holy
Spirit which Timothy had received by his “discipling” by Paul. The
gift of the Holy Spirit is one of power, love, and self-control; not
timidity.
Paul urged Timothy not to be ashamed to testify of the Lord Jesus,
nor of Paul, who was in prison (for preaching the Gospel). Timothy
should be willing to endure suffering for the Gospel by the power
which God supplies. God saved us and gave us a holy calling (to
proclaim the Gospel) not because of anything we did to deserve it,
but because of God's grace (unmerited favor; free gift) which he
gave us long ago in Christ, and which has now been revealed in the
coming of Jesus. Jesus' coming has abolished (eternal) death and
revealed (eternal) life and immortality through the Gospel.
Paul was suffering (in prison, awaiting martyrdom) for the Gospel
for which he had been appointed (by Jesus) a preacher, apostle, and
teacher, but he was not ashamed. Paul knew and believed Jesus, and
was confident that the Lord could guard what had been entrusted to
Paul until the Day of Christ's return. Paul urged Timothy to follow
his example by the faith and love we have in Jesus, and faithfully
guard the truth entrusted to him by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus told his disciples that they would experience temptations, but
those who tempt his disciples (“little ones”) will suffer such
consequences that they would be better off being tied to a millstone
and downed in the sea.
Jesus warns us to watch out for ourselves. If a fellow believer
sins, we should rebuke him; if he repents, we must forgive him, even
seven times in a day.
The disciples asked the Lord to increase their faith. Jesus replied
that if they had any faith at all (as small as a mustard seed) they
could command a mulberry tree to be rooted up and planted in the sea
and it would obey.
Jesus used the parable of the unworthy servant to illustrate
obedience to God: If a master had a servant plowing a field or
tending sheep, when the servant finishes and returns, would the
master have the servant sit down and eat while the master serves
him? Wouldn't the master require the servant to serve his master
first? Does the master thank his servant for doing what he was
commanded? No; the servant has only done his duty.
Commentary:
Saving faith is obedient trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus is God's only
provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal death and
destruction (Acts 4:12; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right,
home). Faith is not getting whatever one believes if one believes
“hard enough.” Faith is not “wishing on a star.”
The Christian life in this world requires faith. There are going to
be times of trouble and times of temptation. There will be times
when we call to the Lord for help and don't receive an immediate
answer.
Testing the Lord and demanding proof are the opposite of faith. The
Israelites witnessed, over and over, the saving acts of the Lord in
their behalf. They had seen the Ten Plagues in Egypt (Exodus
7:8-11:10) to gain their freedom, the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus
14:21-31), and God's provision of meat (Quail) and manna in the
wilderness (Exodus 16:1-21), but still insisted on “proof” in order
to believe God's Word. They refused to enter the Promised Land on
God's command (Numbers 14:1-10), so they were condemned to wander in
the wilderness for forty years until they died (Numbers 14:26-35).
The only adults allowed to enter were Joshua and Caleb (Numbers
14:36-38), who had advocated for entry and possession of the
Promised Land.
Timothy was apparently already a Christian believer through his
mother and grandmother, but was not born-again until Paul discipled
him. Paul is deliberately intended by God to be the prototype and
example of a modern, post-resurrection, born-again disciple and
apostle of Jesus Christ, as we also can be. Paul (Saul of Tarsus)
was discipled by a born-again disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:10-17),
until Paul was reborn (Acts 9:18), and then Paul began to fulfill
the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) which Jesus gave to his
disciples to be carried out after they had been born-again (Luke
24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). Timothy is an example of Paul's fulfillment
of the Great Commission.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is powerful, but it is modulated by love
and self-control. We must overcome our timidity in order to apply
the power of the Holy Spirit by proclaiming the Gospel boldly. But
it must not be proclaimed without love and self-control.
Discipleship is learning to be guided and empowered by the Holy
Spirit to proclaim the Gospel. At first I was timid, and found it
difficult to testify even in Church Sunday School. But with practice
and experience it became easier to testify, even out in daily life
in the world. As I grew spiritually, I had more experiences of God's
faithfulness and more opportunities to testify.
By the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit we walk through the
wilderness of this lifetime, experiencing God's saving acts on our
behalf. These experiences are intended to help us grow to spiritual
maturity. As we experience God's power and faithfulness, our faith
in his ability to deliver us grows.
I have suffered (nothing which can compare to Paul's suffering) for
the Gospel, even within the nominal Church. For example, I was
prevented from continuing an adult class on spiritual growth, which
broke my heart. But the Lord comforted me and gave me other
opportunities.
The Lord has opened my mind to understand the Scriptures (Luke
24:45) and has revealed God's eternal truth to me (1 Corinthians
1:17-29; 2:1-7). I have a daily personal fellowship with the Lord
Jesus Christ. I know him in whom I have believed, and am sure that
he can keep me uncompromised until the Day of the Lord.
We shouldn't expect special recognition and commendation for
testifying to the Gospel. Someone shared the Gospel with us, and we
have received the benefit, so we should be eager to share the Gospel
with others (Matthew10:8b).
The Lord has commanded his born-again disciples to go into the world
to make (born-again) disciples of Jesus Christ, teaching them to
trust and obey all that Jesus teaches (Matthew 28:19-20). This is
only our minimum obligation as servants of the Lord.
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 20 Pentecost - C
First Posted October 11, 2010;
Podcast: Monday 20 Pentecost - C
Psalm 111 – The Fear of the Lord;
Paraphrase:
Let the Lord be praised! In the congregation of the upright I will
give thanks to the Lord with my entire heart. The works of the Lord
are great; they are studied by all who delight in them. His works
are full of honor and majesty, and his righteousness is eternal. He
is gracious and merciful, and his wonderful works will be
remembered. He feeds those who fear him; he constantly remembers his
covenant.
He has revealed the power of his works to his people, and has given
them the heritage of the nations. His deeds are faithful and just;
his laws are trustworthy and eternal, to be obeyed in faithfulness
and uprightness. He has given his people redemption; his covenant is
forever. Awesome and holy is his name! “The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who
practice it. His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10).
Commentary:
I believe that the meaning and purpose of life in this world is to
seek and find fellowship with God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27). This
is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ by
the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John
1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey him (John
14:15-17).
By the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit we have personal daily
fellowship with the Lord. We experience his goodness, love and power
personally as we trust in his Word, and our faith grows. When we
experience trials, we can recall what the Lord has done for us,
recorded in the Bible, and from our own personal experiences, and be
encouraged and strengthened. If we study the Lord's works we will
delight in them and agree that they are indeed great.
Until one has the appropriate awe and respect for the power and
authority of God, one doesn't know enough!
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 20 Pentecost - C
First Posted October 12,
2010;
Podcast: Tuesday 20 Pentecost - C
Ruth 1:1-19a – Steadfast Love;
Paraphrase:
As a result of famine in the land, a man, Elimelech, and his wife,
Naomi, of Bethlehem, and their two sons, named Mahlon and Chilion,
went to Moab (east of the Dead Sea) to live. Elimelech died, and the
two sons took Moabite wives named Orpha and Ruth. After ten years
the sons also died. Naomi decided to return to Judah, since she had
heard that the famine was over, and she urged her two
daughters-in-law to stay with their families in Moab.
The daughters wept and intended to return with Naomi, but Naomi
discouraged them since there was no hope for them to to remarry in
Naomi's (immediate) family. Orpha wept and turned back to Moab, but
Ruth clung to Naomi. Ruth vowed to go with Naomi and dwell with her,
and accept Naomi's people and God as her own; she would die and be
buried with Naomi. When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to
go with her, she stopped trying to convince her otherwise, and the
two went to Bethlehem.
Commentary:
Bethlehem was the birthplace of David, the shepherd-king of Israel,
the forerunner of the Messiah; of Jesus, the “Son” (descendant) of
David, and eternal heir to David's throne. Moab, east of the Dead
Sea, was hostile to Israel.
Naomi tried to do what she thought was best for her
daughters-in-law, rather than her own self-interest, but Ruth chose
to sacrifice her self-interest, for love of Naomi. Although it
seemed unlikely that Ruth could remarry into Naomi's family, she
eventually did marry Boaz, the kinsman of Ruth's first husband,
Naomi's son, (Ruth 2:1-4:17) and she became the great-grandmother of
David.
Ruth was a “Gentile,” a non-Jew, but she accepted the Lord God of
Israel and committed her life to live accordingly. This is the point
of the Gospel: All who accept Jesus as Lord become the “chosen
people of God,” the spiritual children of Abraham.
Ruth was willing to give up the prospect of remarriage into Naomi's
family, but she was eventually rewarded.
There is a spiritual famine in this world. God's people must go out
into the world, into the territory of the enemy of God's people. We
must love them, to the extent of accepting them into our families.
We must offer them the opportunity of accepting our Lord. Some will
receive the benefit of salvation.
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 20 Pentecost - C
First Posted October 13,
2010;
Podcast: Wednesday 20 Pentecost -
C
2 Timothy 2:8-13 - Courage and Perseverance;
Paraphrase:
We are exhorted to remember the Gospel of Jesus Christ, risen from
the dead, descendant of David, the great human shepherd-king of
Israel. This is the Gospel which Paul preached, and for which he was
imprisoned and shackled. But God's Word cannot be shackled. Paul
endured all sorts of persecution for the Gospel for the sake of the
elect,* so that they may also obtain salvation (from eternal
condemnation), which in Jesus leads to eternal glory.
Paul quotes what is probably an early Christian Hymn, to the effect
that as we die with Jesus (crucify our human lusts and desires) we
will also live (eternally) with him. We will reign with Jesus
eternally in God's kingdom in Heaven, if we persevere. Those who
deny Jesus, he will also deny. He will remain faithful, even if we
are faithless, because faithfulness is his nature.
Commentary:
David is the illustration and forerunner of Christ (Messiah). David
was shepherd-king of Israel; Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John
10:11), and eternal heir to the throne of David, in fulfillment of
God's Word (2 Samuel 7:12-13; Matthew 1:1; 21:9).
The world can restrain apostles (messengers; of the Gospel) but not
the Gospel (“Good News” of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life
with God in Heaven). The world hated and crucified Jesus, but in
doing so they fulfilled the Gospel (1 Corinthians 2:8). If the world
hated Jesus, Christians cannot expect better treatment.
Once Christians have been “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8; Luke 24:49;
Acts 1:4-5, 8) we are to go into the world and proclaim the Gospel
to others (Matthew 28:19-20), so that they can be saved from eternal
condemnation and receive forgiveness, salvation and eternal life
through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. Not everyone will
appreciate our proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must
not fear or be discouraged by rejection and persecution, but must
persevere. If we do we will eventually receive glory with Jesus in
Heaven.
To follow Jesus, we must sacrifice our own lusts, desires, and wills
in order to do his will. We must die to ourselves so that we can
live for and with him. We really don't know what we want or what is
best for us. If we do we will find that God's will for us is so much
better than what we think we want for ourselves.
We are all chosen to receive forgiveness and salvation through faith
in Jesus. We are not forced to accept Jesus; it's our free choice.
But if we refuse or fail to accept Jesus as our Lord and personal
Savior, he will reject and deny us on the Day of Judgment (Matthew
7:21-23; 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6, 8-10).
A Christian is by definition a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple
of Jesus Christ (Acts 1l:26c). Only Jesus gives the gift (“baptism”)
of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples
who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The indwelling Holy Spirit
is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life
(2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It
is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself whether one
has been born-again (Acts 19:2).
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)?
* Chosen; for mercy and favor. Actually we all chosen for mercy and favor, forgiveness and salvation. But God won't force it on us. The question is, do we accept election, by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ?
Thursday 20 Pentecost - C
First Posted October 14, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday 20 Pentecost - C
Luke 17:11-19 – Ten Lepers Cleansed;
Paraphrase:
On his way to Jerusalem, as Jesus passed from Galilee to Samaria, he entered a village. There he encountered ten lepers who stood at a distance and asked Jesus for mercy. When Jesus saw them, he told them to go and show themselves to the priests. They were healed as they went. One who saw that he was cleansed turned back and fell at Jesus' feet, praising God and giving thanks to Jesus. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked why, since ten were cleansed, was this “foreigner” the only one to return and give praise to God. Jesus told the Samaritan to rise and go on his way; he had been healed by his faith.
Commentary:
When the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel with the fall of Samaria in 721 B.C., all the able-bodied were deported and the ten northern tribes effectively ceased to exist. Only the weak and disabled were allowed to remain, and captives from other conquered lands were brought in to settle and pacify Northern Israel. These intermingled with the remnant of the northern tribes and became the Samaritans, of mixed race and religion.
Lepers were ritually “unclean” and were not allowed to mingle with healthy people, and weren't allowed to participate in worship in the temple. They had to be examined by priests to be certified “clean” (leprosy-free) before they could rejoin the community. It would take faith to go to show themselves to the priests, knowing and seeing that they were leprous.
Leprosy is symbolic of sin. In a sense, we are all spiritual “lepers” in need of spiritual healing. We are “cleansed” as we come to Jesus and become obedient and trusting and do what he says.
The Samaritans, who were regarded by Jews as racially and religiously “illegitimate,” were more receptive to Jesus than the Jews (John 4:7-42). Most Jews never accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah, and called for and crucified Jesus (Matthew 27:23, 25).
Jesus' miracles of physical healing, feeding, and resurrection were intended to demonstrate that he also has the power to heal, feed and resurrect spiritually. People who came to Jesus only for physical needs received only that. Physical healing lasts only until the next illness; physical feeding lasts only until the next mealtime; spiritual healing, feeding, and “resurrection” (“re-birth;” John 3:3, 5-8) are for all eternity. The one who received spiritual healing was the Samaritan who returned to the feet of Jesus.
In my experience, it is often easier to evangelize those outside the nominal Church than within. Often, nominal Church members haven't read their Bibles, and hold on to Church doctrines they've been taught (see False Teachings, sidebar, right, home).
We all die physically once and then comes judgment, not reincarnation, and not “nothingness” (Hebrews 9:27). There is a Day of Judgment coming when Christ returns at the end of time. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, who have trusted and obeyed his teachings will have been “born-again” in this lifetime, and will enter eternal life. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord and Savior, and have refused or failed to trust and obey his teachings will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
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 20 Pentecost - C
First Posted October 15, 2010;
Podcast: Friday 20 Pentecost - C
Ephesians 5:15-21 – Righteous Living;
Paraphrase:
Be careful how you live your lives, not as the foolish, but as wise people. The days are evil, so make the most of your time. Don't be foolish; understand the Lord's will. Don't practice drunkenness and debauchery; instead be filled with the Holy Spirit. Address one another with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs. With all your heart, sing and and make melody to the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father with all your heart always, for everything.
Out of reverence for Christ, be subject to one another.
Commentary:
The times are indeed evil. America is no longer a Christian nation. There has been a shocking rise in gangs, drugs, sex, and violence. We must be careful not to conform to the values of the society around us.
Instead of pursuing our carnal (fleshly) desires we must seek to know and do God's will. If we sincerely seek God's will with the intention of doing it he will reveal it to us, but not to “window-shoppers” who are not committed to doing it.
The way to seek God's will is one day at a time, in daily devotional “quite time” with prayer, Bible reading, and meditation. When I was beginning my daily walk with the Lord, I used a devotional booklet like this devotional, and it seemed that the Lord was underlining certain phrases. So then I would pray it back to the Lord for confirmation that I had understood, and then would work on that idea for the day.
A Christian is by definition a “born-again” disciple of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c; John 3:3, 5-8). One must be 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). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible to know for oneself with certainty whether or not one has been born-again (Acts 19:2).
Christian discipleship is a spiritual growth process. Once we have been born-again, we need to be “discipled” by the indwelling Holy Spirit to spiritual maturity. We must make ourselves available to his guidance through daily devotional “quiet time,” and then follow that guidance during the day. We must give up what we think we want, in order to do what the Lord wants, but we will find that his will for our lives is so much better than our own.
It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we experience the love and joy of the Lord. We experience the indwelling Holy Spirit as a daily ongoing event.
We can have great fellowship with other born-again Christians, relating to each other in spiritual terms. That fellowship is far more rewarding than secular fellowship, such as centering around drinking and secular conversation.
Let us remember to always give thanks to the Lord, regardless of present circumstances. We can only truly praise the Lord by the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 8:15-17). We can trust the Lord to comfort us in trials, bring us through them, and deliver us from bad circumstances.
Jesus is the Lord of lords and King of kings; the very Son of God, and yet he came to serve us. He set the example for us to follow (John 13:3-17). Instead of relating to other people for what they can do for us, we should care for them and find ways to serve them.
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 20 Pentecost - C
First Posted October 16, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday 20 Pentecost - C
Matthew 22:1-14 - Parable of the Marriage Feast;
Paraphrase:
Jesus was teaching in the temple (Matthew 21:23) and he told a parable (a fictional story of common earthly experience used to teach spiritual truth) of a wedding feast. He compared the kingdom of heaven to a marriage feast provided by a king for his son. He sent his servant to call the invited guests, but they would not come. He sent other servants to them, saying that the king had killed his oxen and fat calves and everything was ready, and they should come to the feast. But the invited guests made light of the invitation. One went off to his farm, another to his business. The rest seized the king's servants, treated them shamefully and killed them. The king was angry and sent his troops to kill the murderers and burn their city.
Then the king told his servants that those who had been invited weren't worthy, but since the feast was prepared, they were to go into the highways and byways and invite everyone they could find. The servants did so, and brought back both good and bad people, so the dining hall was filled with guests.
When the king came in to his guests, he noticed that a man was present without a wedding garment, and, calling him “friend,” he asked the man how he got in without a wedding garment. The man was speechless. The king ordered his attendants to bind the man and cast him into outer darkness; “there [people] will weep and gnash their teeth. For many are called but few are chosen” Matthew 22:13c-14).
Commentary:
The Kingdom of Heaven is like this marriage feast. God is the king, Jesus is the bridegroom and the Church is the bride. We are all invited to the marriage feast in heaven (Matthew 26:26-29), but we need a “wedding garment,” which is 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). The “outer darkness” is Hell.
We are all eternal beings in physical bodies. We are all born into this world physically alive but spiritually unborn. This lifetime is our only opportunity to be spiritually “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit.
The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is not conferred by some Church ritual such as (water) baptism or “confirmation” (“affirmation”) of baptism. (see False Teachings, sidebar, right, home). The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, daily, ongoing event (Acts 19:2).
How many people in our world today are letting worldly pursuits keep them from responding to the invitation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How many people today are hostile to that Gospel and the messengers of it?
We're all sinners, “bad people,” who fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, right, home), but when we respond in faith (obedient trust) to Jesus' invitation, we receive the “wedding garment” of Jesus' own righteousness (Romans 3:22; 5:17b, 21; 10:3-4; Philippians 1:11; 2 Peter 1:1).
No one can get into God's kingdom in Heaven without the “wedding garment,” the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Just being “members” of the nominal Church won't save us. Just singing in the choir or teaching Sunday School won't save us. Calling ourselves Christians or even “born-again” won't save us (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46). Only a personal relationship with the Lord through the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit will save us from eternal condemnation and eternal death in Hell with all evil.
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)?
