Week of 23 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.
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Week of 24 Pentecost - C
Podcast: Week of 24 Pentecost - C
Podcast Download: Week of 23 Pentecost - C
Sunday 23 Pentecost - C
First posted October 31, 2010;
Podcast: Sunday 23 Pentecost - C
Deuteronomy 10:12-22 – The Lord's
Requirements;
Psalm 34 – Psalmist's Testimony of Deliverance;
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 – Paul Facing Death;
Luke 18:9-14 – Righteous Prayer;
Psalm 34 – Psalmist's Testimony of Deliverance;
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 – Paul Facing Death;
Luke 18:9-14 – Righteous Prayer;
Deuteronomy Paraphrase:
The Lord does not require anything too difficult for us to do; only that we should fear (have appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority of) the Lord our God, live according to his Word (and example in the Bible and in Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” fulfilled, embodied and exemplified in human flesh in this world -John 1:1-5, 14), love him, serve him with all our hearts and souls, and keep his commandments and statutes which he has given us for our well-being.
Psalm 34 Paraphrase:
At all times I will bless the Lord, and praise him continually. The Lord will be the boast of my soul. Hear me, all those who are afflicted, and rejoice. Let us exalt and magnify the Lord together.
The Lord answered me when I sought
him; from all my fears he delivered me. Look to him and you will
be radiant with joy; you will never be put to shame. I have cried
to the Lord and he has heard me, and delivered from all troubles.
The spirit of the Lord surrounds, protects, and delivers those who
fear him.
If you try trusting and obeying the Lord, you will find that he is good; you will be glad you took refuge in him. His saints (“holy ones;” those consecrated to the Lord's service) will never lack any good thing.
Listen, children of God, learn from me the fear of the Lord. Do you desire what is really true life, and yearn for long life in which to enjoy good? Then don't speak evil and deceit. Stop doing what is evil and do what is good (according to God's Word); seek and pursue peace.
The Lord sees those who do what is righteous, and hears their cries. But the Lord turns away from evil doers, so that their remembrance is blotted out from the earth. The cries of the righteous are heard (and answered) by the Lord; they are delivered from all troubles. The presence of the Lord surrounds the broken-hearted, and saves those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous experience many afflictions, but are delivered from them all by the Lord; he will not experience damage or loss from any of them. Evil will condemn and destroy the wicked and those who hate the righteous. His servants, those who take refuge in the Lord, will be saved from condemnation, and their lives will be redeemed.
2 Timothy Background:
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was in prison, awaiting his second trial (Acts 23:35; He had been tried and acquitted at the first¹), and certain martyrdom in Rome (Acts 28:16), where Paul was under house arrest and guarded by Caesar's soldiers.²
2 Timothy Paraphrase:
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) told Timothy (Paul's protege) that Paul was on the point of martyrdom; the time of his physical death and his departure to God's heavenly kingdom was at hand. Paul was confident that he would receive the crown,³ the reward of righteousness which the righteous judge, Jesus Christ, would award him at the Day of Judgment. Likewise, all who have loved Christ's first coming will also receive their eternal reward in heaven.
At Paul's first trial (in Rome) there was no one to defend him (all his fellow Christians and disciples had abandoned him), but Paul prayed that the Lord would forgive them. The Lord was with Paul and strengthened him, so that Paul could declare God's Word (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) fully to all the Gentiles. Paul was saved from “the lion's mouth” (a metaphor for violent death; execution). Paul was confident that the Lord would rescue him from all evil, and preserve him unto eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom.
Luke Paraphrase:
Jesus told The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, to teach those who considered themselves righteous by their “works” (keeping the letter but not the spirit of the Law of Moses) but despised others.
A Pharisee and a tax collector (collaborator with the Roman occupying government) went into the temple to pray. The Pharisee stood and prayed “with himself” (Luke 18:11a) saying thanks that he was not like other people: extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even the tax collector nearby. The
Pharisee fasted twice a week and gave tithes (gave 10%) of all he received.
The tax collector wouldn't approach the altar or turn his eyes to heaven. He confessed his sinfulness and asked God for mercy, beating his breast as a sign of remorse. It was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who returned home justified (accepted by God; made right with God). Jesus declared that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, but those who humble themselves will be exalted (in the Day of Judgment).
Theme:
The Lord's requirements; trust and obedience; Paul's example; Jesus' teaching.
Commentary:
God has always intended, from the beginning of this Creation, to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly choose to trust and obey God. In order to provide us with the freedom to choose, God allowed for the possibility of sin (disobedience of God's Word). But God is not willing to tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal heavenly kingdom, so he limited this Creation and we ourselves by time. This present Creation is God's seedbed to grow his obedient, trusting people for his eternal kingdom, the New Creation.
God has given us his Word in the Bible and in the example and teaching of Jesus Christ, so that we can learn and be enabled to do what the Lord requires. The Lord's requirements are not too difficult for us to do; they are for our best interest, possible to do, and intended to make us complete, spiritually mature in mental and moral character (Strong's #G504;* compare: Romans 12:2). God requires us to fear him so that we will keep trusting and obeying God's Word in the Bible and in Jesus Christ, which he has given us for our own well-being. We are to love and serve him with all our hearts and souls.
I personally add my testimony to that of the psalmist: The Lord has heard me when I cried out to him, and has delivered me numerous times from trouble (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right, home). His Holy Spirit protects me and reassures me when I'm afraid or brokenhearted. He has provided for all my needs abundantly beyond all expectations.
The Lord wants us to trust and obey him so that he can show us that his Word is our best interest and that he is powerful and faithful to do what he promises. As we begin to trust and obey him, our faith will grow from the tiny mustard seed (our “yes” to the Lord) of faith, to spiritual maturity, as we personally experience the power and faithfulness of his Word. We will be eager to praise and thank him.
If we want the Lord to hear and answer our prayers we must meet his Conditions for Answered Prayer (see sidebar, top right, home). We can't expect the Lord to listen to us if we haven't listened to him, by reading the Bible completely and reading portions daily, seeking his guidance.
We cannot fulfill his requirements in our own physical strength and ability. 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) makes it possible for us to recall Jesus' teachings as needed (John 14:26), and empowers us to fulfill them (Romans 8:1-11).
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 baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience (Acts 19:2). Anyone not sure of one's own spiritual rebirth hasn't been reborn.
Jesus is the divine eternal truth, our example of trust and obedience to God's Word, and his resurrection and presence within his born-again disciples is the evidence of eternal life beyond physical death (John 14:6). We can begin to experience that truth and that eternal life now, in this world, by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Spiritual “rebirth” is the true, eternal, long life we are promised.
The Lord knows all about us; we can hide nothing from him. If we want to have a personal relationship with the Lord we must come to him in spirit and in truth.
There is a Day of Judgment coming when Christ will return (the Second Coming), as he has promised, to judge everyone who has ever lived in this world. He will judge the living (“quickened”) and the dead (1 Peter 4:5) in both physical and spiritual senses. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord (one who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor, as of a manor) and have trusted and obeyed him will have been spiritually reborn in this lifetime and will enter eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom. Those who have refused or failed to accept Jesus as their Lord, or have failed to trust and obey his teachings will be condemned to eternal misery and destruction in Hell with all evil (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46).
No one can be sure to live to see tomorrow. At the moment of our death, or at Christ's return at the end of time, our eternal destinies will be fixed and unalterable. Today is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2); don't put off a decision until “tomorrow.”
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)?
¹ Easton’s Bible Dictionary,
“Paul,” digital edition, bibledatabase.org - http://bibledatabase.org/eastons.html
² The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Introduction to 2 Timothy, p. 1444, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
³ Wreath; symbol of joy and honor at public celebrations; winners of athletic competitions; The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, 2 Timothy 21:4:6-8n, p. 1447, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
Monday 23 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 1, 2010;
Podcast: Monday 23 Pentecost - C
Psalm 145 -- Song of Praise to God;
Paraphrase:
I will praise and magnify the Lord, my God and King. For ever and ever, I will bless his name. I will bless the Lord and praise his name forever. Great is the Lord and worthy of praise, and his greatness is beyond our comprehension.
One generation will testify to another his powerful acts. I will meditate on his great works and the glorious splendor of his sovereign power and deity. I will declare his greatness and others will join in declaring the greatness of his acts, his abundant goodness, and his perfect righteousness.
“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made” (Psalm 145:7-8).
All his saints (those consecrated to the Lord's service) will bless and praise him, with all Creation. They will declare his power and the glory of his kingdom, so that all people will know his mighty deeds and the splendor of his kingdom. His kingdom and his dominion will endure throughout all generations.
All the words of the Lord are absolutely reliable, and all his deeds are gracious (loving and merciful). He lifts up the bowed down and those who are stumbling. All eyes look to the Lord to supply their food and necessities in due time. The Lord's hand is open to supply the needs of every living thing. All the ways of the Lord are just and kind in everything he does. “The Lord is near to all who call upon him ...in truth” (Psalm 145:18). The desires of those who fear (have appropriate awe and respect for the power and authority of) the Lord will be fulfilled by him; he saves them from all trouble when they cry out to the Lord. All who love the Lord will be preserved, but the Lord will destroy the wicked. I will praise the Lord with my voice, and all living things will bless his holy name forever.
Commentary:
When we accept the Lord as our God and King we will experience his great power, love and faithfulness personally, in our daily lives, and will give him thanks, praise and glory, aloud, to all people with whom we come in contact. I keep a journal of blessings that the Lord has given me, and I use it to recall his goodness and faithfulness when I am experiencing tribulations in my life. I also use it especially to review the year at the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
We must testify to the power, goodness, and faithfulness to our children, and also to older generations who may not have heard or accepted the Gospel. Many “nominal” Christians are failing to pass along the Gospel message to their children. Many children are “raising” themselves, because both parents work and some don't attend a church on a regular basis.
I have proclaimed the Gospel to many seniors, some of whom have been lifelong “members” of a Christian congregation, but have failed to read the entire Bible for themselves, and who may have been misled by false teachings (see False Teachings, sidebar, top right, home). Some of the most difficult people to reach with the Gospel are “nominal” Christians: Church “members,” who have been misled by false doctrines. The Bible is the standard by which all church doctrines must be judged.
Christians are by definition disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c) who have been spiritually “reborn” (John 3:3, 5-8) by the “baptism” (“anointing;” gift) of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Discipleship is not an optional category for “super-Christians.” Jesus warns that it is not sufficient for us to claim that Jesus is our Lord and to call ourselves “Christians” if we fail to trust and obey his teachings on a daily basis (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46).
This Creation has been deliberately designed by God to allow us the freedom and time to choose whether to trust and obey him or not, and the opportunity to learn by trial-and-error that God's Word is true, trustworthy, and reliable, it is in our very best interest, and is possible (Romans 12:2) to do (only) by the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 3:21-26; 8:1-11; Zechariah 4:6).
God created this world very “good” (Genesis 1:31). The evils that exist in this creation are caused by mankind's sin (disobedience of God's Word).
God created this world to allow for the possibility of sin (disobedience of God's Word) so that we could be free to choose whether to trust and obey his Word or not. But this Creation and we ourselves are limited by time, because God is not willing to tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, or at all in his eternal kingdom, or it wouldn't be Heaven.
I'm convinced that the meaning and purpose of life in this world is to seek, find and have fellowship with God, our Creator (Acts 17:26-27; Deuteronomy 4:29; Jeremiah 29:13-14a). This is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (John 14:6) by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The baptism of the indwelling 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).
We will choose, for ourselves, our own personal eternal destiny. Those who have accepted Jesus as their own personal Lord (master) and Savior (from eternal condemnation and destruction in Hell with all evil), and have trusted and obeyed Jesus' teachings, will have been spiritually born-again to eternal life by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit, and will enter God's eternal kingdom in heaven.
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 23 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 2, 2010;
Podcast: Tuesday 23 Pentecost - C
Exodus 34:5-9 – Renewal of the Covenant;
Background: While Moses was on the mountaintop for forty days, meeting with God and receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites grew impatient and unfaithful and asked Aaron, the Priest, to make a golden idol of a calf. The covenant with God had been broken (Exodus 33:1-23).
Exodus:
God promised to reveal his glory to Moses (compare Exodus 33:18). The Lord proclaimed his name (the disclosure of his whole person and character): that he is the God of steadfast love and mercy. God is merciful and gracious (giving us his undeserved favor), he restrains his anger. His love and faithfulness abound to us. He forgives us of the evil we have done, our rebellion against his sovereignty, and our disobedience of his Word, in the Bible and in the teaching and example of Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in human flesh in this world (John 1:1-5, 14).
God is loving, but he is also righteous and just. His righteousness and justice require his punishment against unrepentant sinners, and that condemnation will be visited upon the parents who sin and on their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Moses quickly bowed his head in reverence, and worshiped. Moses prayed that if he had God's favor, that God would be in the midst of his people although they were (unjustly) “proud” and rebellious; that God would pardon their evil deeds and their disobedience of God's Word, and take them as heirs of the blessings of God's particular people, among all the people of earth.
Commentary:
Noah was in the ark for forty days while the Lord destroyed the evil by flood (Genesis 7:4, 12; 8:6). The scouts scouted the Promised Land for forty days (Numbers 13:25). The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years before they could enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33-35), because they rejected the Lord's first command to enter and possess it. Elijah traveled forty days on supernatural food provided him by the “angel” (or Spirit*) of the Lord in the wilderness as he journeyed to meet God at Mt Horeb (Mt. Sinai; 1 Kings 19:2-8). God instructed Ezekiel to hold a vigil for forty days (Ezekiel 4:1, 6). Jonah prophesied that Nineveh would be overthrown in forty days (Jonah 3:4), but Nineveh repented in sackcloth and ashes and God's condemnation was averted (Jonah 3:10). Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness for forty days before Jesus began his public ministry. After his resurrection, Jesus revealed that he had risen from the dead and was alive over the course of forty days (Acts 1:3).
Moses was on the mountaintop in the presence of the Lord for forty days (Exodus 24:18; 34:28), and before he returned the Israelites had corrupted the priesthood and had reverted to idolatry.
God is the faithful and loving, true God. He forgave the Israelites over and over, when they repented and returned to faith (obedient trust) in God. But, like a loving father, he withdrew his providence and protection from them when they refused to heed the warnings of God's Word in the Bible and through his prophets.
His warnings are intended to help us avoid the terrible consequences of disobedience of his Word. God warned the Northern Kingdom of the ten tribes to turn from idolatry to obedient trust in God. They ignored his warning until it was too late. As the consequence, they were conquered by the Assyrians in 721 B.C., the healthy people were carried off to other conquered lands as a program of pacification, and only the least able and least healthy remained and intermarried with other conquered people, becoming the Samaritans, of mixed race and religion at the time of Jesus first coming. The tribes of the Northern Kingdom effectively ceased to exist.
The Southern Kingdom of Judah, of the two tribes, ignored the example of the Northern Kingdom, and were conquered by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 B.C. and were exiled to Babylon for seventy years, fulfilling the warning of Jeremiah 25:11-12. Seventy years was effectively a life sentence for adults at the time of the exile, as forty years had been, for the Israelites who refused God's command to enter the Promised Land.
God intended the Jews to be the prototype of God's particular people. The Jews rejected their Messiah (Christ; meaning God's anointed as our eternal king, priest and prophet) and so lost their inheritance as God's particular people. Jesus became the last faithful Jew, obeying God's Word unto death on the cross.
The Church is the New Jerusalem, the New People of God on earth. Through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus we receive the inheritance of God's particular people.
God's love and mercy are intended to bring us into a right relationship with God, as his particular people, but God will not love and be faithful to forgive sinners forever. There is a Day of Judgment coming for all who have ever lived on this earth (John 5:28-29). Those who have accepted God's offer of love, mercy and forgiveness of sin, through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord (one who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor) will inherit eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom restored to paradise through spiritual rebirth by the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his trusting and obedient disciples (John 14:15-17).
Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord and have refused to trust and obey Jesus will be spiritually unreborn, and will be condemned to eternal death and destruction in hell with all evil. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a personally discernible, ongoing, daily experience. It is possible to know with certainty if one has been spiritually “born- again” (John 3:3, 5-8; 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).
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 23 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 3, 2010;
Podcast: Wednesday 23 Pentecost - C
2 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 11-12 -- Spiritual Growth;
Paul was writing to the Church (the fellowship of believers) at Thessalonica, the capital of Macedonia in Europe, which Paul had founded on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-18:22). He was writing in the name of himself and his missionary companions, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, who had accompanied Paul on that journey.
Paul greeted them with “grace and peace,” the conventional Greek and Hebrew salutations combined, but which are only truly received from God in faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.
Paul and his fellow missionaries rejoiced that the Thessalonian believers were growing in faith and in love among one another. So Paul, Timothy and Silas commended the Thessalonian congregation among the other churches which they visited, for their steadfastness and faith in the midst of the congregation's afflictions and persecutions.
Paul regarded the suffering of the Thessalonian congregation as evidence of the righteous judgment of God, since God uses suffering to bring his children to spiritual maturity. So Paul prayed continually for the congregation, that they would be made worthy of the calling they had received, that through God's power they would fulfill their resolve and works of faith, so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ would be glorified through them by the grace (unmerited favor; free gift) which they had received from God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Commentary:
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was 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 had not known Jesus during Jesus' earthly ministry, but had been confronted by the risen and ascended Jesus on the road to Damascus, where Paul intended to arrest and persecute Christians (Acts 9:1-4).
Paul was "discipled by" a born-again disciple, Ananias, until Paul was spiritually reborn by the “baptism” (“anointing;" “gift”) of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 9:10-18). Then he proceeded to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), which the risen Jesus had given to his (born-again; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8) disciples, his Apostles, to go into the world and make (born-again) disciples (2 Timothy 1:6-7), and teach them to carry on the ministry of discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2). Timothy was just one example of Paul's ministry.
Only Jesus “baptizes” with the Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34) only his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The gift of the indwelling 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 grace (free gift; undeserved favor) of forgiveness of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation from eternal destruction, (endless ruin, not annihilation) is only through God by faith in Jesus. We are all sinners who fall short of God's standard of righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10), and the penalty for sin is eternal destruction (Romans 6:23). God loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally (Romans 5:8). Jesus is God's one and only provision for our forgiveness and salvation (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Christians are by definition born-again disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26c). Discipleship is not some optional category of “super-Christian.” Discipleship is a spiritual growth process to spiritual maturity. It starts with our “mustard seed” of faith, a sincere “yes” to Jesus' lordship in our lives. As we begin to trust and obey the Lord, he will show us that his Word is entirely trustworthy and true. As a result our faith will grow (see Personal Testimonies, sidebar, top right, home) to eventual maturity at the time of Christ's Second coming and the Day of Judgment.
God allowed his only “begotten” son to experience tribulation to a far greater extent than we probably ever will (Hebrews 2:9-18). Jesus experienced temptation to sin, physical abuse, and physical death, in order to show that God delivered Jesus from them. Every truly born-again disciple of Jesus testifies that Jesus is eternally alive, because we have personal daily fellowship with him. Jesus' resurrection from physical death to eternal life demonstrates that there is existence beyond the grave.
God uses our tribulations and persecutions in this world to confirm and build our faith in him. As we trust and obey God's Word in the midst of them, we will learn that the Lord is faithful and powerful to bring us through them and deliver us. We will experience his presence and peace in the midst of the storms of life, by the gift of the Holy Spirit within us.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is given to believers so that they can know the personal will of God for them individually, and be empowered to accomplish their individual calling to ministry of the Gospel (“good news,” of forgiveness, restoration of fellowship with God which was broken by sin, and eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom).
Jesus has promised that there is a Day of Judgment coming for everyone who has ever lived on this earth. Each will be personally accountable to Jesus for what they have done in this lifetime with God's Word, in the Bible and in Jesus Christ, the “living Word,” fulfilled, embodied, and exemplified in Jesus (John 1:1-5, 14). Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, and have trusted and obeyed his teachings, will have been spiritually reborn to eternal life, and will enter God's eternal kingdom in Heaven, paradise restored. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord and have failed or neglected to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction in Hell with all evil (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46).
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 23 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 4, 2010;
Podcast: Thursday 23 Pentecost - C
Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus;
Paraphrase:
Jesus was passing through Jericho (on his way to Jerusalem, where he knew he was going to be crucified; Luke 18:31-34). A man named Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who had become rich, wanted to see Jesus, but because of the multitude following Jesus, he couldn't, since Zacchaeus was short in stature. So Zacchaeus hurried ahead and climbed into a tree near where Jesus would be passing by. When Jesus came near the place, he looked up and called Zacchaeus by name, telling Zacchaeus to come down, because Jesus intended to visit Zacchaeus in Zacchaeus' home that day.
Zacchaeus hurried to come down and welcomed Jesus joyfully. The crowd criticized Jesus among themselves because they were amazed that Jesus would be the guest of a sinner (Jews did not associate with sinners). Zacchaeus promised Jesus that he would give half of his possessions to the poor, and would restore four times the value to anyone he had cheated. Jesus told Zacchaeus that Zacchaeus had received salvation that day, because Zacchaeus was also a descendant of Abraham. Jesus, calling himself the Son of man, declared that he had come to seek and save those who were “lost” (those who were perishing eternally because of sin: disobedience of God's Word).
Commentary:
This is at least the third time that Jesus had foretold his Passion (suffering, death and resurrection) to his disciples, but they didn't understand what he was saying (Luke 9:22, 44-45;17:25). They were now on Jesus' last journey to Jerusalem where Jesus' crucifixion would take place. They were passing through Jericho (about 5 miles west of the Jordan River, east and slightly north of Jerusalem).
Zacchaeus was a superintendent of import/export customs, a chief tax collector. Jericho at the time was a principal producer and exporter of balsam (an aromatic resin of the balsam tree; used as a healing salve and for flavoring), so Zacchaeus would have become wealthy. Tax collectors, as collaborators with the Roman occupying government, were hated by the Jews, and were regarded as sinners (those disobedient to God's Word).
Jesus' knowledge of the presence and character of Zacchaeus demonstrates Jesus' divine foreknowledge (compare John 4:16-19). Zacchaeus was a descendant of Abraham, as much a Jew as anyone in the multitude, and no more or less a sinner than any of them. The Jews considered themselves righteous (doing what was right according to God's Word, the Law of Moses), but no one is capable of keeping all the Law all of the time (Galatians 2:16; James 2:10).
When he encountered Jesus, Zacchaeus confessed his sin. Zacchaeus had become rich while others were poor and lacked basic necessities. Isn't this the same sin of which many Americans and others throughout the world are guilty today? Zacchaeus promised to give half his possessions to the poor. If we did so today there wouldn't be any poverty.
Under the Old Covenant of Law, sacrifices had to be offered continually, for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus is the one sacrifice, for all time and all people, which alone is acceptable to God for the forgiveness of all sins. We are all sinners (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). Under the New Covenant of Grace (unmerited favor; a free gift; to be received by faith: obedient trust; Ephesians 2:8-9) in Jesus, which he instituted at his Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28, note G RSV) we are forgiven and saved from eternal destruction in Hell, which is the penalty for sin (Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
We're all “lost” to eternal destruction because of sin, and Jesus came to save us, but he cannot save people who consider themselves “right” in God's judgment by their keeping of the Law of Moses, who don't acknowledge (confess) their sin and repent (change their ways). Zacchaeus was no worse a sinner than anyone in the multitude, but he received forgiveness and salvation from sin and eternal condemnation, while those who considered themselves “righteous” did not (Luke 5:31-32).
Jesus used the title “Son of man” to refer to himself because it allowed his hearers to decide for themselves who Jesus is, with a hint from Daniel 7:13-14 (compare Revelation 1:13, 14:14-15). Zacchaeus recognized Jesus as the Messiah [Christ; both words mean (God's) "anointed" in Hebrew and Greek, respectively], and received the forgiveness and salvation he acknowledged that he needed. Other Jews, also “sons of Abraham,” did not, because they didn't recognize and acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. I believe that Jews are not irrevocably “lost,” but to be “saved” they will have to accept Jesus as their Messiah (Matthew 23:37-39).
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 23 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 5, 2010;
Podcast: Friday 23 Pentecost - C
Philippians 3:17-21-- Exhortation to Christian Living;
Paul exhorted the Christians in Philippi and all believers, to follow the example of Paul and all “born-again” disciples (students) and apostles (messengers; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Many, even professing (nominal) Christians, are living as enemies of the cross (blood-sacrifice) of Christ. Their minds are focused on earthly things, their “god” is their “appetite” for worldly satisfaction, they enjoy doing things that should cause them shame, and their ultimate destiny will be eternal destruction.
Authentic Christian disciples consider themselves citizens of God's heavenly kingdom, and we wait for the return of our eternal Savior and Lord (One who has power and authority; a master; a ruler; a governor; a prince; a proprietor), Jesus Christ. At his Second Coming, he will transform our mortal bodies to be like his glorified, immortal body, by his power by which he subjugates all things to himself.
Commentary:
There are many nominal Christians today who are not living according to the teaching and example of Jesus or his truly born-again disciples and apostles. Some nominal churches, even mainline denominations teach the false doctrines of “Cheap Grace” (eternal salvation as a free gift, which is true, without the requirement of discipleship and obedience to Jesus, which is false) and the conferring of the indwelling Holy Spirit by some church ritual such as “water baptism.” These false teachings actually hinder their members from seeking spiritual rebirth (see False Teachings, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus said that one must be spiritually reborn by the “baptism” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples (followers) who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The “baptism” of the indwelling 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).
Many people, including nominal Christians, are actually working against the Gospel message by the way they are living. Not everyone who calls themselves “Christians” and call Jesus their Lord are “saved” from eternal condemnation and eternal death. Only those who trust and obey Jesus' teaching and example will be spiritually reborn to eternal life, will be forgiven their sins (disobedience of God's Word), and will enter the Lord's eternal kingdom in heaven (Matthew 7:21-27; Luke 6:46; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right, home).
Jesus has promised to return on the Day of Judgment, when he will judge “the living (“quickened”) and the dead,” (1 Peter 4:5) in both physical and spiritual senses (John 5:28-29). In that day (within our own lifetimes) all who have ever lived in this world will bow before Jesus and will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God (Philippians 2:10-11), but then it will be too late to change our eternal destinies.
Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus' teachings and example will have been born-again in this lifetime, and will enter eternity in heaven with the Lord. Those who have rejected Jesus as their Lord, or have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction and death 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)?
Saturday 23 Pentecost - C
First Posted November 6, 2010;
Podcast: Saturday 23 Pentecost - C
Matthew 22:15-22 – Taxes for Caesar;
Paraphrase:
The Pharisees (a strict, legalistic faction of religious leaders of Judaism) hated Jesus and sought a way to destroy him by entangling him by some pronouncement for or against Roman taxation. They thought that either way Jesus responded to their question, he would offend either the nationalistic faction of Judaism, or the Roman government which was in power over Israel. They sent the disciples of the Pharisees and the Herodians (supporters of the government of the Herods who had been appointed by Rome) to ask Jesus whether it was lawful (according to the Law of Moses, in the Bible) to pay taxes to Caesar or not. The disciples of the Pharisees tried to flatter Jesus and get him to make a rash statement by telling Jesus that they knew that he was truthful and taught the Word of God accurately, without regard to human authority or position.
Jesus was aware of their malicious intent, called them hypocrites (those who consider themselves righteous and pretend to be so, without actually practicing what they profess), and asked them why they were trying to test Jesus. Jesus asked them to show him the coin used to pay the tax, and when they did, he asked whose image and inscription were on the coin. When they answered that the likeness and inscription were Caesar's, Jesus replied that one should give to Caesar what is due him, and to God what belongs to God. The disciples of the Pharisees were amazed at Jesus' answer, and left him without making any further comment.
Commentary:
Anyone would have been right to suspect the motive of the Pharisees' disciples, but Jesus has intimate knowledge of each one of us (for example, see John 1:47-49; 4:16-19). Jesus' word is truthful; what he says will be fulfilled. Jesus' word is the Word of God, with the creative force of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; compare Genesis 1: 9). Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16a, when Satan quoted Psalm 91:11-12 to Jesus in the wilderness, tempting him to jump off the pinnacle of the temple to prove that Jesus was God (Matthew 4:5-7). Jesus is God, with the whole fullness of God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 14:7-11).
The Pharisees were hypocrites because they preached obedience to the Law of Moses, while not fulfilling it themselves. In fact, no one is able to fulfill all the Law, all the time; and if we fail at one point we are guilty of all (Galatians 2:16; James 2:10). Christians are not obligated to fulfill the Old Covenant of Law, provided that we are obligated to the New Covenant of Grace through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Romans 8:1-14). The baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit leads his born-again disciples to know Jesus' teachings (John 14:26) and empowers us to fulfill them (Zechariah 4:6).
Jesus' statement was true and irrefutable. The table was turned on the Pharisees' disciples, forcing them to defend one position or another, or else accept Jesus' reply.
There is a Day of Judgment coming for all who have lived in this world (Matthew 25:31-46). It will come to all, at the moment of our physical death, or if we are still living, at Christ's Second Coming. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, and have trusted and obeyed Jesus, will have been spiritually reborn by the baptism of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to eternal life now in this lifetime, and will enter the eternal kingdom of God in heaven. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, or have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus' teachings will be condemned to eternal death and destruction in hell with all evil.
No one can be sure to live to see tomorrow. At the Day of Judgment, our eternal destinies will be fixed and unalterable. Today is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2b), the only time we can be certain to receive forgiveness of sin and salvation from eternal destruction.
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)?
