Church guide

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 13:47-50 (47) "Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. (48) When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. (49) This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous (50) and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Taking a look at today’s scripture: Just as the net catches all kinds of fish, the gospel message goes out to all kinds of people. At the end of the world, the angels will separate the wicked people from the godly. Like the fish that are thrown away, the wicked will be thrown into the fire--a metaphor for judgment. (see Matthew 13:40-42). The parable of the fishing net deals with the dividing of people much as the parable of the wheat and weeds does. It would appear that Jesus is explaining that the world will remain divided right up until the end, and the Church will not reform the world, ushering in the kingdom. Instead, there will be both the wicked and the just right up to the end of the age. We are to obey God and follow Jesus’ example of telling others about God’s grace and goodness, sharing with them the message of forgiveness, salvation, redemption and hope. However, in doing so we must realize that we cannot dictate who is part of the Kingdom of Heaven and who is not. This sorting will be done at the last judgment by those infinitely more qualified than we. Our part to play in all this as Believers is to love God for ourselves first and foremost and to show it by doing whatever He asks us to do; and we are to love people as God told us to. We are to share the Good News and remain faithful to God, remembering the whole time that God’s Love is the key to it all. In referencing the two greatest commandments, there are those who say that in order to love our neighbor, we must first love ourselves. I don't believe that is so much what Jesus is saying here. Rather, I believe He is saying, "Just as you already love yourself, care for yourself, and think about yourself, you are to love your neighbor in the same way." You see, according to 1 John 4:19, loving my neighbor is not dependent upon loving myself, it is dependent upon loving God. “We love because he first loved us”. The ability to love God and to love people are inextricably linked. The problem is, most of us separate the two because of our "TV dinner" spirituality. Think of it like this, in a TV dinner, the Salisbury steak, peas, mashed potatoes, and cherry cobbler are all in separate compartments. And that's just what we do spiritually. "Oh yes, I love God," we say. "I'm going to worship Sunday night." But on Monday we call our boss an idiot behind his back, and on Wednesday we complain about how our neighbor idles his car too early in the morning. Yet Sunday finds us worshiping the Lord once again. We compartmentalize our lives thinking that how we treat people has nothing to do with our relationship with God. Our walk with God is not a TV dinner. Rather, if we really love God, we'll inevitably love people, and our lives will become like a chicken pot pie. No longer compartmentalized, the peas, potatoes, and chicken will all be mixed together. Truly, if our love for God is genuine, it will naturally flow into a love for people.

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 13:31-32 (31) He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. (32) Though it is the smallest of all seeds (planted), yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches." Taking a look at this parable: No one parable can completely describe God’s Kingdom in all its aspects, so Jesus gave several. Through this parable, Jesus might have been explaining how his Kingdom would have a small beginning. “Small as a mustard seed” was a proverb by which people then referred to something unusually small (e.g., “faith as small as a mustard seed,” Matthew 17:20). Indeed, it began with Jesus alone and, upon his ascension, was left in the care of twelve apostles and just a few hundred other followers. Jesus compared this beginning to the mustard seed, which was the smallest seed that a farmer used. The mustard seed was so small that it would take almost twenty thousand seeds to make one ounce. Modern critics have pointed out that the mustard seed is not the smallest seed that exists. But I think maybe we should realize that Jesus was not making a scientific statement, as much as he was making a comparison statement. Though the mustard seed is not the smallest seed in all of creation, it was used in rabbinic proverbs to designate the smallest of things. No other seed so small produced such a large plant. Jesus’ point might have been that just as a tiny seed will grow into a large plant, so God’s Kingdom will produce many people who truly believe. Jesus did not directly interpret this parable. However, its meaning may be that the sphere of professing followers, sometimes called Christendom--would have a small beginning but would grow rapidly into a large entity. This group could include both believers and unbelievers, as indicated by the birds lodging in the branches of the tree. For you see, birds were depicted in other parables, as emissaries of Satan (Matthew 13:4; Mark 4:4; Luke 8:5). Matthew 13:33 (33) He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough." Taking a look at this parable: Like the parable of the mustard seed, this parable stresses small beginnings with great growth. Yeast permeates and transforms; thus, we see another aspect of the Kingdom. In other Bible passages, yeast is used as a symbol of evil or uncleanness (see Matthew 16:6). Here it is a positive symbol of growth. Although yeast looks like a minor ingredient, it permeates every part of the dough. Although the Kingdom had small beginnings, it would grow to have a great impact on the world. Matthew 13:34-35 (34) Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. (35) This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet: “I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.” “I will speak to you in parables”: Possibly Jesus taught about the kingdom community in parables because the church itself was part of the things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world, and would not be revealed in fullness until later. Paul expresses this same idea about the church in Ephesians 3:3-11. Ephesians 3:3-11 (3) As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. (4) As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. (5) God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. (6) And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. (7) By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News. (8) Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. (9) I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. (10) God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (11) This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 13:24-30 (24) Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. (25) But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. (26) When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. (27) "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' (28) "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' (29) "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. (30) Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'" Matthew 13:36-43 (36) Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." (37) He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. (38) The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, (39) and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. (40) "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. (41) The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. (42) They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (43) Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. Taking a look at today’s scripture: As Jesus and His disciples came into a house away from the crowd they asked for an explanation of this “wheat and weeds” parable. First, He said, the sower of the good seed is the Son of Man, the Lord Himself. Second, the field is the world into which the good news is spread—the world in which we now live. Third, the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The good seed in this parable corresponds to the seed in the first parable that produced a fruitful crop. The weeds are the sons of the evil one (Matthew 13:19) that had been sown among the wheat by the enemy… the devil (Satan). Fourth, the harvest is the end of the Age, and the harvesters are angels for Matthew 13:49 says this, “That is the way it will be at the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous.” “The end of the Age” represents the conclusion of the present Age before Christ establishes the messianic kingdom. Therefore, it would seem the parables in Matthew 13:1-58 cover the period of time from Christ’s work on earth to the time of the judgment at His return. At His second coming, the angels will gather the wicked and throw them into judgment (Matthew 13:40-42; Matthew 13:49-50; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelations 19:15). “At that time there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”: Matthew frequently mentioned this reaction to judgment (Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:42, Matthew 13:50; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30), and Luke mentioned it once (Luke 13:28). Each time it is used, it refers to judgment on sinners. “Weeping” suggests sorrow and grief (emotional agony of the lost in hell), and grinding of one’s teeth speaks of pain (physical agony in hell). These are some of the many references in Matthew to judgment. Something to consider: There are true and false believers in churches today and throughout the world, but we should be cautious in our judgments because only Christ is qualified to make the final separation. It's more important to judge our own response to God than to spend our time analyzing the response of others’. In essence, make sure of where your heart is, for whether we like to think about it or not, there is a day of judgment coming, and only those whose sins have been covered by the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) will be able to stand in the face of judgment, and shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 13:10-17 (10) The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" (11) He replied, "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. (12) Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. (13) This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. (14) In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. (15) For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' (16) But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. (17) For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. Taking a look at today’s scripture: Jesus revealed that understanding the truth of the gospel comes as a gift of God. The you to whom Jesus spoke was the group of his true followers. God had given this understanding of the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven to the disciples as a permanent possession, a distinguishing mark of discipleship. They understood, though only partially, the “secret” that God’s Kingdom had arrived among them in the person of Jesus. Those who have not been given this knowledge are those who willfully reject the gospel message. To those who are open to Jesus’ teaching, God will give more understanding and an abundance of knowledge. In contrast are those who are not listening—Jesus says that even what they have will be taken away from them. Those who were “not listening” were the religious leaders and the vast majority of the Jews. They thought they were privileged and secure as God’s chosen people, but they would lose that position. We are responsible to use well what we have. When people reject Jesus, their hardness of heart drives away or renders useless even the little understanding they had. “People see what I do, but they don’t really see. They hear what I say, but they don’t really hear, and they don’t understand.” - The parable of the farmer accurately pictured the people’s reaction to all of Jesus’ parables. The parables could not penetrate the hard soil of unbelief already characterizing unbelievers’ hearts. These unbelievers had already rejected Jesus; no amount of explaining or talking would make any difference. The soil of their heart was hard; the seed of the word would not grow; the parables would be nothing more than strange stories to them. Jesus was not hiding truth from sincere seekers because those who were receptive to spiritual truth were given the ability to understand the illustrations. By quoting from the prophet Isaiah, Jesus was explaining to this inner group of followers that the crowd resembled the Israelites about whom Isaiah had written. God had told Isaiah that the people would listen but not learn from his message because their hearts had hardened beyond repentance. Yet God still sent Isaiah with the message because even though the nation itself would not repent and would reap judgment, some individuals would listen. The Kingdom of God was a mystery to the prophets of the Old Testament because, though they wrote about it, they did not understand it (as Paul explains in Romans 16:25-26). The believers who knew Jesus personally received spiritual insight that illuminated the mystery. In these words, Jesus was explaining that he was the fulfillment of the prophecies (see 1 Peter 1:10-12). The disciples were blessed because they could see and hear what the prophets had foretold. God gave them spiritual enlightenment to understand and accept the person and message of Jesus. “Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them”: This phrase means that we are responsible to use well what we have. When people reject Jesus, their hardness of heart drives away or renders useless even the little understanding they had. “Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them”: ‘And I would heal them’. I love this line in verse 15 of today’s reading because in it we see the heart of the Father. Sometimes we want to categorize God as ‘wanting to see us fail’, when in fact, it is His desire that all would know Him. Paul wrote the following to Timothy; 1 Timothy 2:1-4 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” If you are struggling to understand God--His plan, His will, His ways--pray for understanding. Pray, and ask the Father to make clear to you the reality of Jesus Christ. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s Truth (Word) to you that you might choose to live fully and completely for--and because of--Him. I will be praying for you, ‘Asking God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. I will also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.’ to live for Him. (parts taken from Colossians 1:9-11)

Come, Let’s Learn Together: The first part of today’s reading (v. 1-9) are what is commonly referred to as ‘The Parable of the Sower’. The second part of the reading (v. 18-23) is Jesus’ explanation regarding the meaning of the parable. Matthew 13:1-9 (1) That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. (2) Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. (3) Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. (4) As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. (5) Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. (6) But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. (7) Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. (8) Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (9) Whoever has ears, let them hear." Matthew 13:18-23 (18) "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: (19) When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. (20) The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. (21) But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. (22) The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. (23) But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." Taking a look at today’s reading: In Jesus’ interpretation of the Parable of the Sower, He compared the four results of sowing to four responses to the kingdom message. This was the message preached by John, Jesus, and the apostles. First, when one hears the message but does not understand it, the devil (evil one; Matthew 13:38-39; 1 John 5:19) snatches away the Word that was sown. This is seed sown on the path. The next two results - represented by seed on rocky places that had no root, and by seed among the thorns (worries and wealth) that choke it out - speak of hearers’ initial interest, but after what we might call ‘the initial emotional response’, they do not allow God’s Word to penetrate deep into their heart, giving it a place to permanently reside. The seed on rocky soil speaks of a person who hears the Word but falls away (literally, “is offended,” skandalizetai; Matthew 13:57; Matthew 15:12) when he faces trouble for having expressed interest in the Word. Lastly, we find that only the seed that fell on good soil had an abiding result and the production of a crop that increased 100, 60, or 30 times what had been sown. The one who believes Jesus’ word (the man who hears the Word and understands it) will then receive and understand even more (Matthew 13:12). The difference in these results was not in the seed but in the soil on which the seed fell. People respond differently to God’s Word, because they are in different states of readiness. Some are hardened, others are shallow, others are contaminated by distracting worries, and some are receptive. The receptive people’s hearts are like good soil—they hear the word and accept it. These are the true disciples—those who have accepted Jesus, believed his words, and allowed him to make a difference in their lives. So--Are you allowing Jesus and His teachings to truly make a difference in your life?

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 12:46-50 (46) While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. (47) Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." (48) He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" (49) Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. (50) For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Taking a look at today’s scripture: "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" - Jesus knew why his family had come, yet he used their visit as a lesson in discipleship. A relationship with Jesus was not limited to those in his immediate family. Jesus opened this relationship to all people. His question could be rendered, “Who are the types of people who can have a family relationship with me?” Jesus pointed to his disciples and answered his own question. The types of people who can have a relationship with him are those who do the will of the Father in heaven. They listen, learn, believe, and follow. Obedience is the key to discipleship. In these words, Jesus explained that in his spiritual family, the relationships are ultimately more important and longer lasting than those formed in his physical family. If you believe on Him whom the Father has sent, He embraces you as His family. Hebrews says He is not ashamed to call us brethren. Hebrews 2:10-17 (10) In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. (11) Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. (12) He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises." (13) And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." (14) Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— (15) and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (16) For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. (17) For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Through Jesus Christ we have become part of God’s family; as a matter of fact, scripture tells us that we are His children (Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:2). The families we are born into on this earth are only temporary relationships, for even in the best of circumstances, eventually, we are separated from one another because of the death of our physical bodies. However, being part of God’s family means we will be family for eternity, because God is eternal, and that which belongs to Him becomes eternal as well. What an awesome, humbling and gracious gift we have been given – to become children of the Living God- through Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Friend.

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 12:38-45 (38) Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you." (39) He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. (40) For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (41) The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. (42) The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. (43) "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. (44) Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. (45) Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." Taking a look at today’s scripture: The Pharisees and the teachers of religious law wanted Jesus to authenticate by a sign the special relationship he claimed to have with God. In a separate incident recorded in Matthew 16:1-4, the Pharisees and Sadducees would ask Jesus for a miraculous sign. Jesus responded to both requests the same way. Jesus refused to give the religious leaders a sign. Instead, he explained that a sign would come in his timing and that the sign would be unmistakable. The only sign they would get would be the sign of the prophet Jonah. Jonah was a prophet sent to the Assyrian city of Nineveh (see the book of Jonah). As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so Jesus would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. Jesus’ resurrection would prove that he is the Messiah. Three days after his death Jesus would come back to life, just as Jonah had been “brought back” to life after spending three days in the fish. The people of Nineveh will condemn those of Jesus’ generation on judgment day. The pagans repented at the preaching of Jonah, but the Jews and their religious leaders refused to repent at Jesus’ preaching. Someone greater than Jonah refers to Jesus himself and his proclamation of the Kingdom’s arrival (see also Matthew 12:6). Jesus was their promised Messiah. The religious leaders who knew prophecy should have been the first to proclaim Jesus as God’s Son. Instead, they rejected him; thus, they will face condemnation for their refusal to believe. The queen of Sheba had traveled from southern Arabia to see Solomon, king of Israel, and to learn about his great wisdom (1Ki_10:1-10). This unbelieving Gentile recognized the truth about God when it was presented to her, unlike the Jewish religious leaders who refused the truth even though it was staring them in the face. That queen will rise up against this generation and condemn those who refused to believe someone greater than Solomon—the Messiah himself. To further describe how it will be with this evil generation, Jesus told a parable focusing on the attitude of the nation of Israel and the religious leaders in particular. There is danger in attempting to be neutral about Jesus. Unfilled and complacent people are easy targets for Satan. The desert (arid place) was believed to be the habitation of demons. Because demons need a place to live (rest), this demon returned to its former home. In its absence, the demon’s “home” had been cleaned up, but it was still empty. Therein lay the problem and the crux of Jesus’ teaching. The nation had been swept “clean” by the teaching and preaching of John the Baptist and of Jesus. Many had come to repent. But if the nation did not turn around, truly repenting from sin and turning to Jesus as their Messiah and Savior, they would be no better off than a clean but empty house. Into that house comes worse evil than before. Jesus pictured the demon finding seven other spirits and returning to the clean house. The person, now filled with eight demons instead of one, is definitely worse off than before. God’s people, this evil generation, privileged with prophecy and promises, would be faced with horrible judgment for rejecting their Messiah. And for those of us Today—we too will be without excuse. Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” You can make all the excuses you want, but if you reject God and His ways, in the end your excuse will hold no weight with Him. Those who refuse Him will face condemnation and judgment—though it pains me to think of it, there simply is no other way to put it. Choose God—Choose Jesus, the Messiah—Choose Eternal Life.

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 12:33-37 (33) "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. (34) You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (35) A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. (36) But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. (37) For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Taking a look at today’s scripture: Just as a good tree bears good fruit and a diseased (or bad) tree bears inedible fruit, so the fruits of a person’s life will show the quality of his or her character. Fruit - that which originates or comes from something; an effect; result of. Our character is part of the fruit that our life produces, and our character is revealed by our conduct; both in word and deed. Jesus called the Pharisees a brood of snakes (see also Matthew 3:7; Matthew 23:33), rebuking them for their accusation against him (Matthew 12:24). Jesus called them evil, as seen by the “fruit” of their words. Therefore, he reasoned, because they were evil, how could they possibly speak what is good and right? The Pharisees could not hide the evil in their hearts behind their status, robes, and position; their words betrayed their true character. Jesus explained that words matter—each person will give an account on judgment day of every idle word he speaks. The definition of the word used here for idle is - inactive; useless; lazy, shunning the labour which one ought to perform word. So perhaps “idle” refers not to mindless small talk or carefree jokes, but rather to broken promises, unkept commitments, or unfulfilled vows. Such words are better indicators of a person’s true character than his or her carefully planned and prepared statements and speeches. “For by your words” – or in accordance with, perhaps speaks more to outward evidence of the inward attitude of the heart. While the Pharisees asked for evidence of Christ’s claim, they overlooked the clear evidence that was to be seen in His miracles. The word used for “word” includes that which we utter, as well as, the actions that we take. Jesus did not only claim to be Messiah, but His claims about Himself were made evident by the things He did. Romans 10:9-10 says this, “If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” To believe means to trust fully in, rely or totally depend upon. Does that definition describe just the words that you speak, or does it also include how you actively live out your claim of belief in Jesus Christ?

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 12:22-32 (22) Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. (23) All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" (24) But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." (25) Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. (26) If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? (27) And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. (28) But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. (29) "Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. (30) "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. (31) And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. (32) Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Taking a look at today’s scripture: Though the text does not state who brought this demon-possessed man to Jesus…”they”may refer to the Pharisees. It’s possible the Pharisees discovered this man and realized the difficult nature of his case. He was both blind and mute, so communication with him was almost impossible. The man could not see what someone might want him to do, and while he could hear instructions, he would not be able to respond. No matter who brought him the fact remains that Jesus immediately healed him by removing the demon, and the man both spoke and saw. The people were astonished (existanto, “were beside themselves”) and asked, Could this be the Son of David? In other words, “Is not this the promised Messiah, David’s Descendant who has come to rule over us and bring healing to our nation?” While the people were asking this question, the Pharisees were concluding that Jesus’ power must be attributed to Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Knowing what the Pharisees were thinking, Jesus defended His authority. This was one of the few times He did so, but the issue was clear. Jesus gave three arguments to answer the claim that He was working by Satan’s power. First, He said if He were casting out a demon by Satan’s power, then Satan would be working against himself; and to do so would divide Satan’s kingdom and bring it to destruction. Second, Jesus asked them about contemporary Jewish exorcists, those who were able to cast out demons by the power of God. The apostles had been given that authority (Matthew 10:1) and others were thought to possess such power. Jesus was saying in essence, “If you believe exorcists work by the power of God in casting out demons, why do you not think I have that same divine power?” Third, by driving out demons, He was proving He was greater than Satan. He was able to go into Satan’s realm (the strong man’s house), the demonic world, and come away with the spoils of victory. Since He could do this, He was able to institute the kingdom of God among them (Matthew 12:28). If He were driving out demons by Satan’s power, He certainly could not be offering the people God’s kingdom. That would be contradictory. The fact that He was coming to establish the kingdom clearly showed that He worked by the power of the Spirit of God, not by Satan’s power. The religious leaders and teachers were on the brink of making a decision that would bring irreversible consequences. They were about to attribute incorrectly to Satan the power of the Holy Spirit exercised through Jesus and thus to commit the blasphemy against the Spirit. In reading through the various commentaries, it is commonly thought that when Jesus asks the question, “How can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?”, that he is referring to Satan as the strongman. However, in light of verses 31-32, I want to suggest that you also think of it this way: The Holy Spirit is our “strongman”. Acts 1:8 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 1:18-21 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” The Holy Spirit is God’s power working in and through us today. The passage in Ephesians tells us that the same power that was used to raise Christ from the dead is the same power available to those who believe. So it stands to reason that if you deny this power, you deny the very thing that has the ability to keep you strong in your faith, ultimately helping you to achieve the Hope of Salvation—Hope for a future. If we deny the power of the Spirit, we deny the very thing that leads us and guides us in all Truth. The power that helps us to be His witnesses—to testify of that which we know to be true in our own lives, because of Christ Jesus. We deny the power God has sent to us—the power to live our lives as He intended. When we close down this avenue...we shut down the way the God has provided for us—and for that, there will be no forgiveness.

Remembering Jesus’ Sacrifice today. He Is Risen!

Jesus Christ is risen!

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 12:9-21 (9) Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, (10) and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" (11) He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? (12) How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." (13) Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. (14) But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. (15) Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. (16) He warned them not to tell others about him. (17) This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: (18) "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. (19) He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. (20) A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. (21) In his name the nations will put their hope." Taking a look at today’s scripture: It was the Sabbath, and according to his regular custom, Jesus went to the synagogue. There was a man with a deformed hand. Jesus’ reputation for healing (even on the Sabbath, see Mark 1:21-26) had preceded him, but would he dare heal on the Sabbath with Pharisees watching? Healing, they argued, was practicing medicine, and they had a law that a person could not practice his profession on the Sabbath. As they pointed to the man with the deformed hand, the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus by asking him if it was legal to work by healing on the Sabbath day. Their motive, however, was not to gain information; they were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him. Sabbath rules said that people could be helped on the Sabbath only if their lives were in danger. Instead of answering the Pharisees’ question, Jesus responded with an illustration and a question of his own. A sheep that had fallen into a pit was in danger. If this occurred on the Sabbath, the sheep’s owner was allowed to pull it out, even though this constituted work. If it is acceptable to do good to a sheep on the Sabbath, doesn’t it also follow that people can do good for other people on the Sabbath? Jesus told the man to reach out his hand. The moment the man did so, it became normal. The Pharisees were outraged. In their fury, they determined to kill Jesus. Ironically, the Pharisees had accused Jesus of breaking their law about healing on the Sabbath, yet they were planning (on the Sabbath) to kill him. Jesus was not afraid of the religious leaders. Jesus had been aggressively confronting the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, but here, however, he decided to withdraw from the synagogue before a major confrontation developed. Despite his withdrawal, Jesus could not escape the crowds. Many people continued to follow him, and Jesus had compassion on those who were sick, and he healed them; however, he also warned them not to say who he was. Possibly Jesus did not want people coming to him for the wrong reasons, or perhaps this was in keeping with the type of King he came to be. The people knew that the expected Messiah would be a king, a quotation from Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 42:1-4) showed this; but look how it described what kind of king—a gentle ruler who brings justice to the nations. Jesus’ rule as King was not going to be full of ‘pomp and circumstance’, unbearable rules or ‘lording over people’ ruthlessly. His Kingdom was all about bringing people into right relationship with the Father, through Love and Grace. If Jesus had waited until another day to heal this man, he would have been submitting to the Pharisees’ authority, showing that their petty rules were equal to God’s law. If he healed the man on the Sabbath, the Pharisees could claim that because Jesus broke their rules, his power was not from God. But in the end, Jesus made it clear just how ridiculous and petty their rules were. God is a God of people, not of rules. Being a God of people means meeting them at their greatest points of need; and mankind has no greater need than those of mercy, forgiveness and grace from God. We need Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Savior—our soon coming King.

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 12:1-8 (1) At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. (2) When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." (3) He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? (4) He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. (5) Or haven't you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? (6) I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. (7) If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. (8) For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." Taking a look at today’s scripture: Jesus and his disciples, still in Galilee, went out walking through some grainfields. The disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off heads of wheat and eating the grain. They were not stealing grain; God’s law called for this kind of sharing among his people (Deuteronomy 23:25). But harvesting was forbidden on the Sabbath (Exodus 34:21). The disciples, however, were picking grain because they were hungry, not because they wanted to harvest the grain for a profit, therefore, they were not breaking God’s law. However, this is an example of how the religious leaders took God’s law and added their own interpretation to it. By doing so the religious leaders claimed the disciples were technically “harvesting,” because they were picking wheat and rubbing it in their hands. Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees contains four arguments explaining why his disciples’ actions were lawful to do on the Sabbath. Jesus reminded the Pharisees of an example from the life of King David. This story is recorded in 1 Samuel 21:1-6. Each week twelve loaves of special bread (the Bread of the Presence), representing the twelve tribes of Israel, were placed on a table in the Tabernacle. After its use, it was to be eaten only by priests. On one occasion, when fleeing from Saul, David and his men had been given this consecrated bread to eat by Abiathar, the high priest. The loaves given to David were the old loaves that had just been replaced. God did not punish David because his need for food was more important than the priestly regulations. When Jesus compared himself and his disciples to David and his men, Jesus was saying, in effect, “If you condemn me, you must also condemn David.” Jesus responded to the Pharisees’ accusation with a second answer, using an example from the priests who served in the Temple. Jesus again repeated the question, “Haven’t you ever read in the law of Moses?” to show these self-righteous Pharisees that while they had the law memorized, they really didn’t understand it. The Ten Commandments prohibit work on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). That was the “letter” of the law. But because the purpose of the Sabbath is to rest and to worship God, the priests had to perform sacrifices and conduct worship services—in short, they had to work. Their “Sabbath work” was serving and worshiping God, which God allowed. So, even though they technically broke the Sabbath, God held them guiltless. Just as the priestly duties in the Temple surpass Sabbath regulations about work, so Jesus’ ministry transcends the Temple. The Pharisees were so concerned about religious rituals that they missed the whole purpose of the Temple—to bring people to God. Because Jesus Christ is even greater than the Temple, how much better can he bring people to God. Our love and worship of God are far more important than the created instruments of worship. Jesus used a third proof from the Old Testament prophets to answer the Pharisees. Jesus repeated common Old Testament words (1 Samuel 15:22-23; Psalms 40:6-8; Isaiah 1:11-17; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6). The statement “I want you to be merciful; I don’t want your sacrifices” means that rituals and obedience to the law are valuable only if carried out with an attitude of love for God. The Pharisees’ rigid guidelines had caused them to be unable to see beyond the letter of the law. So in condemning Jesus and his disciples, they had condemned those who aren’t guilty. The disciples were no more guilty of breaking the law than priests who did their duty on the Sabbath. Jesus’ fourth answer to the Pharisees’ accusation focused on who he was. When Jesus said that he was master even of the Sabbath, he was claiming to be greater than the law and above the law. To the Pharisees, this was heresy. They refused to believe that Jesus, the divine Son of God, had created the Sabbath. It is important to note that, Jesus was not condoning disobedience to God’s laws. Instead, he was emphasizing discernment and compassion in enforcing the ceremonial laws, something the self-righteous Pharisees did not comprehend. The Pharisees were splitting hairs with their technicalities about reaping, threshing, and winnowing. They failed to understand compassion for people’s basic needs--in this case, the disciples’ hunger. Putting their own twist on things is not just limited to the Pharisees of Jesus’ time; people still do it today. They fashion scripture to say what they want it to say; they take their forms of worship—traditions and rituals handed down through the years—and they make them to be something holy and therefore unchangeable. They forget that in our acts of worship and remembrance of God—prayers, singing, taking of Communion, baptism, our very lives--the form does not matter as much as the intent of our heart. "It all speaks of Me," declares Jesus. "It all points to Me." So when you read the Scriptures, don't get hung up in the regulations, rituals, and technicalities. They are all shadows that point to Jesus. Rather, when you read the scriptures, look for Him--become enamored with Him—see His heart.

Today is Good Friday, the day that we remember Jesus' death on the cross and what that accomplished for us. This was a dark day for the followers of Jesus as they watched their Teacher and Lord betrayed, rejected, ridiculed, beaten and crucified on a Roman cross. Today is a day for contemplation on the cost of man's sin against God and the sacrifice that it took to remove the curse of death and bring freedom and life to those dead in their transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1). I thank God that this was not the final act of the great drama that was lived out in front of the people of Israel and the world! On Sunday, we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the grave! Come and join us at Church of the Redeemer at 10:00 AM on Sunday, April 21, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with songs of praise & worship, with fellowship, prayer and the Word preached and read! We will also have special choir music and a song by Mike Schwamb, Danell Wright & Lorna Field! Sunday is on the way! https://youtu.be/3myxqlk_XAo

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 11:27-30 (27) "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (28) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Taking a look at today’s scripture: In today’s reading Jesus clearly stated his relationship to the Father of whom he spoke. He made three unmistakable claims to having a special relationship with God: 1. My Father has given me authority over everything. These words explain shared knowledge. There are no secrets between Father and Son and never have been. Jesus is the only source of the revelation that is hidden or revealed (Matthew 11:25-26). 2. No one really knows the Son except the Father. In the Old Testament, “know” means more than knowledge; it implies an intimate relationship. The communion between God the Father and God the Son is the core of their relationship. Those who make Jesus out to be nothing more than a great teacher have ignored such statements as this, statements that force us to a decision as to whether Jesus really is who he claimed to be. 3. No one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. For anyone else to know God, God must reveal himself to that person, by the Son’s choice. How fortunate we are that Jesus has clearly revealed to us God, his truth, and how we can know him. People can approach God only through Jesus—he truly is the only way (John 14:6). While those wise and learned in their own eyes are blinded to the truth, Jesus invites those who are weary and carry heavy burdens. The “wise and learned” Pharisees had placed so many rules and regulations on the people that religion had become like “labor,” and a life of devotion to the Law had become a burden to carry (see Matthew 23:1-4). But Jesus invited the “little ones,” true disciples with eyes open to see the truth, to come to him and find rest from these labors. Jesus was clearly admonishing them to abandon Pharisaic legalism and join him. Those who follow Christ will find refreshment in their renewed relationship with him, freedom from guilt over sin, deliverance from fear and despair, and the promise of continued help and guidance from the Holy Spirit. A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of animals, such as oxen, that is attached to a piece of equipment that the animals are to pull. The law was a “yoke” that was considered hard to bear. Jesus frees people from all these burdens that man has put upon man. Basically Jesus was saying, “Take off the burdensome yoke of the Pharisee-styled law, and take my yoke upon you.” Following Jesus would not be a free ride; Jesus had already described the persecution and rejection his followers could expect (Matthew 10:17-42). They were not free from all constraints; they would carry a yoke, but it would be light in comparison to the rigid laws and regulations the Pharisees put upon them—things I might add that did nothing to bring them closer to God. What we need to see here is that Jesus asked for more than mere obedience to the law. His words focused on Jesus’ care and concern for his followers, his promise of guidance and presence (Matthew 28:20), and the ultimate future rewards. Jesus said, “Let me teach you. Let me be your leader and example, an example of the ultimate servant--humble and gentle. Discipleship requires extraordinary effort and a steadfast commitment, therefore, Jesus’ humble service is the pattern for us to follow. The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God--not the end of all labor. A relationship with God changes meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose. As it always does, this really comes down to personal choice. Will you choose to labor under the empty and meaningless constraints of man, or will you open your heart up to the labors Father has for us—all the while living in His Love, His Rest and His Peace. Man’s way leads only to spiritual death; Jesus’ way leads to eternal life with God, Our Father. What will you choose?

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 11:20-26 (20) Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. (21) "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (22) But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. (23) And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. (24) But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." (25) At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. (26) Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. Taking a look at today’s scripture: For their unbelief, the unrepentant cities would receive judgment and horrors (an expression of grief or regret). The people of Korazin and Bethsaida had seen Jesus firsthand (both cities were in Galilee); yet they stubbornly refused to repent of their sins and believe in him. Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician cities with a long-standing reputation for wickedness (Isaiah 23; Ezekiel 27–28; Amos 1:9-10). God had destroyed those cities for their opposition to his people and for their wickedness as centers of Baal worship. Jesus said that if he had done miracles in those wicked cities, the people would have sat in deep repentance. Sackcloth and ashes were symbols of humiliation, grief for sin, and repentance. Because Korazin and Bethsaida had rejected Jesus, they would suffer even greater punishment than that of the wicked cities who had not seen Jesus. Those people had less opportunity to believe; therefore, they would be accountable for less. Jesus singled out the city of Capernaum for special denunciation. Jesus had made his home in this city (Matthew 4:12-13) and had performed countless miracles there (Matthew 8:5-17; 9:2-8; 9:18-33; Mark 1:23-28). But would it be exalted to heaven for that reason? Instead of being “exalted,” they would be brought down to the place of the dead. Instead of “heaven,” they would experience “hades,” the word for the grave, the abode of the dead. Here Jesus used the term in a general sense for God’s judgment. Jesus was comparing a city (Capernaum) that he personally had visited--in this case, had lived in--with one of the most evil cities in the Old Testament. Indeed, if the city of Sodom had seen Jesus’ miracles, Sodom would still have existed in Jesus’ day. God had destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their extreme wickedness and pride (Genesis 18–19, Ezekiel 16:49-50), Jesus implied that the city would have repented of its sin and therefore would not have been destroyed by God. Capernaum itself would be worse off than the worst of the Old Testament cities, simply because it was the home of the Messiah. Its people had seen Jesus, and they had rejected him. Jesus’ response to this rejection, however, was to praise his Father. He praised God for hiding the significance of his words and miracles from those who think themselves so wise and clever and for revealing them to the childlike (those open to humbly receiving the truth of God’s word). That God had revealed himself in this way was not an accident; it pleased him. Spiritual understanding is not dependent on status, race, or education—it is God’s gift. (See also Isaiah 29:14; 1 Corinthians 1:19-20; James 4:6.) Jesus mentioned two kinds of people in his prayer: the "wise and learned” (clever)—arrogant in their own knowledge—and the "childlike"—humbly open to receive the truth of God's Word. Are you wise in your own eyes, or do you seek the truth in childlike faith, realizing that only God holds all the answers?

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 11:12-19 (12) From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. (13) For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. (14) And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. (15) Whoever has ears, let them hear. (16) "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: (17) "'We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' (18) For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' (19) The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.' But wisdom is proved right by her deeds." Taking a look at today’s scripture: All the teachings of the Scriptures had prophesied about the coming of God’s Kingdom. John fulfilled prophecy, for he himself was Elijah, the one the prophets said would come (Malachi 4:5). John was not a resurrected Elijah, but he took on Elijah’s prophetic role—boldly confronting sin and pointing people to God (Malachi 3:1). Jesus understood how difficult it was for the people to grasp all that they were seeing and hearing. Indeed, many would be unwilling to believe. Only those who were willing to hear would be able to listen and understand. Only those with the desire of true disciples could truly understand Jesus’ words. Jesus condemned the attitude of his generation. No matter what he said or did, they took the opposite view. They were cynical and skeptical because he challenged their comfortable, secure, and self-centered lives. Jesus compared them to children playing a game in the public square. The thrust is that some of the children called out to others to join them, but their companions ignored their invitation and went on playing their own games. Jesus’ generation, like the children in the square, was unresponsive to the calls issued by John the Baptist and by Jesus. Jesus told them that John the Baptist didn’t drink wine and he often fasted, yet that did not satisfy the Jews. They assumed that he was demon possessed (or was merely deranged). In contrast, Jesus (here he called himself the Son of Man) came eating and drinking, but that did not satisfy the Jews either. They labeled him as a glutton and a drunkard who hung out with the lowest sort of people. Many of the Jews in Jesus’ generation, including most of the religious establishment, simply refused to listen and went about their own “games.” But God’s wisdom is seen in Jesus’ deeds. People could see the Kingdom’s power through Jesus’ miracles. Whether the people wanted to admit it or not, these miracles showed that Jesus’ teaching was right. People might reject both the miracles and the teaching, but that will not change the truth nor will it hinder the Kingdom’s arrival. Too often we try to justify our own inconsistencies in the way we live, because listening to God may require us to change the way we live. Are you willing to change your life from selfish living to selfless living?

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 11:1-11 (1) After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. (2) When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples (3) to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" (4) Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: (5) The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. (6) Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." (7) As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? (8) If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. (9) Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. (10) This is the one about whom it is written: "'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' (11) Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Taking a look at today’s scripture: King Herod, also known as Herod Antipas, had imprisoned John the Baptist (Matthew 4:12). While John sat in prison, word came to him about all the things the Messiah was doing. John the Baptist had his own disciples who apparently remained close to him during his imprisonment. They brought news of Jesus’ activities—most likely those deeds that reflected that he was the Messiah (such as those described in chapters 8 and 9). But Jesus’ peaceful teaching and healing ministry may not have seemed to measure up to people’s expectations for a militaristic Messiah. Perhaps John was wondering about the veiled terms in which Jesus was giving his teachings. This caused John to wonder, so he sent his disciples back to Jesus with a question, “Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?” John had baptized Jesus, had seen the heavens open, and had heard the voice of God (Matthew 3:13-17), yet now it would appear he was experiencing periods of doubt and questioning. Jesus answered John’s doubts by telling John’s disciples to go back to John and tell him about what they had heard and seen. Jesus pointed to his acts of healing and preaching. These words reflect Isaiah 35:5-6, Isaiah’s prophecy of the final Kingdom. The Messiah’s arrival was the first phase of this coming Kingdom, and Jesus fulfilled these words. That the Good News is being preached to the poor reflects Isaiah 61:1. “The poor” are the small group of faithful followers, the oppressed and afflicted, who respond to the Good News. God blesses them because they are not offended at Jesus, but willingly accept him as the promised Messiah. As John’s disciples left with Jesus’ message, Jesus took the opportunity to address the crowds. He asked three questions and gave three answers. John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness, and people went out to listen to him (Matthew 3:1; Matthew 3:5). Jesus asked if the people had gone into the wilderness to see a reed, moved by every breath of wind. To compare a person to a reed was to say that the person was without moral fiber or courage, easily tossed about, never taking a stand on anything. Obviously, they did not go to see a “reed”—John’s fiery preaching was anything but that. The people who went out to see him had been attracted by the opposite quality. Second, Jesus asked if they had gone out to see a man dressed in expensive clothes. Obviously, John’s rough attire (Matthew 3:4) hardly qualified. The people who went out to see John might have been curious about his prophetic power in contrast to the worldliness in the palaces and even in their own Temple. In this third question, Jesus asked if the people had gone out into the wilderness to see a prophet. That was, in fact, true—they had. The people knew that John’s appearance meant that something new was about to happen; many believed the age of the Messiah had come. They had seen, Jesus said, more than a prophet. Jesus described John as “more” because he had inaugurated the messianic age and had announced the coming Kingdom of God (see also Matthew 3:3). More than being a prophet, John also had been the subject of prophecy himself, fulfilling Malachi 3:1. Born of women seems to mean simply that John the Baptist had a human mother. A similar expression is used of the Lord Jesus in Galatians 4:4. As great as John was during Jesus’ day, his position as forerunner was inferior to that of the least person in the kingdom of heaven, because that person will have seen and understood the finished work of Christ on the Cross and through His resurrection—events that John would not live to see.

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 10:40-42 (40) "Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. (41) Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. (42) And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward." Taking a look at today’s scripture: In Matthew 10:11-14, Jesus described how the disciples should go about their ministry—staying in homes of worthy people. Those who would welcome the disciples would receive great reward. The word “welcomes” may refer both to hospitality (receiving the messenger) as well as conversion (receiving the message). Jesus’ representatives carry all his authority. Those who welcome the disciples welcome Jesus; those who welcome Jesus welcome the Father who sent Jesus. Again Jesus unmistakably claims his relationship to God. To give a cup of cold water was an important act of courtesy and hospitality. The disciples definitely were “little ones” who were insignificant and despised in the eyes of the world. Those who would welcome the disciples merely because they were disciples would not lose their reward. Because the disciples would come with God’s authority, their acceptance by people would test the people’s attitudes toward God. It is that attitude that leads either to reward or loss of reward. How much we love God can be measured by how well we treat others. Jesus' example of giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty child is a good model of unselfish service, because a child usually can't or won't return a favor. God notices every good deed we do or don't do as if he were the one receiving it. Is there something unselfish you can do for someone else today? Although no one else may see you, God will notice. But know this: we are not doing our good deeds to rack up brownie points with God. The deeds that matter are the ones born out of a genuine, sincere, unselfish and loving heart—for God. Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Come, Let’s Learn Together: Matthew 10:32-39 (32) "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. (33) But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. (34) "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. (35) For I have come to turn "'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— (36) a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' (37) "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (38) Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (39) Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Taking a look at today’s scripture: People have a clear choice. Everyone who acknowledges Jesus Christ (that is, publicly confesses faith in or declares allegiance to him) will be acknowledged by Christ before his Father in heaven. Jesus’ followers would face earthly courts of law where they would have to publicly claim to belong to Jesus Christ, usually at their peril (Matthew 10:17-25). But for the disciple to acknowledge Jesus means that Jesus will claim that disciple as his own before the Father in heaven. However, the person who denies his relationship to Jesus Christ would in turn face denial by Jesus before the Father. These words refer to those whose true allegiance would be revealed under pressure. Jesus was making the astounding statement that each person’s standing before God is based on his or her relationship to Jesus Christ. “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword”: The Jews believed that when the Messiah came, he would usher in a time of world peace. Jesus’ first arrival would not bring that universal peace. The very nature of Jesus’ claims forces people to make a choice. They must choose to believe who he said he is, or they must choose to reject him. Jesus did not come to bring peace but a sword (that ends up dividing or separating) separation of families, friends, and nations. In saying this, Jesus was not encouraging disobedience to parents or conflict at home. Rather, he was showing that the reality of Him calls for a decision by each person. How we choose automatically puts us within God’s family, or outside of it. “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me”: These words applied to the disciples and to all who want to be worthy of Jesus (“worthy” meaning willing to follow and serve, as in Matthew 10:11). To take up your cross was a vivid illustration of the humility and submission that Jesus asked of his followers. When Jesus used this picture of his followers taking up their crosses to follow him, the people knew what it meant. For some, taking up the cross might indeed mean death; for all, it means denying self. “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it”: Clinging to this life may cause us to forfeit the best from Christ in this world and in the next. The more we love this life's rewards (leisure, power, popularity, financial security), the more we will discover how empty they really are. The best way to enjoy life, therefore, is to loosen our greedy grasp on earthly rewards so that we can be free to follow Christ. To follow Christ is a moment-by-moment decision, requiring denial of self. Following Jesus means taking the same road of sacrifice and service that he took. The blessing for us is that he walks with us along the way.

This is a song called “This is the Day” written by Mike Schwamb and sung by Mike, Danell Schwamb Wright and Lorna Field this morning during our service.

The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power. Teen Challenge New Creation Choir.

Just a reminder for those involved in the Teen Challenge Walk for Recovery. The 5K walk is tomorrow, Saturday, 9/12, with check-in at 9:30 AM and the walk at 10:00 AM. Teen Challenge’s address for the walk is 42675 Rd. 44. Reedley. If you didn’t register online or call the Teen Challenge office and you would like to participate in the walk, you can register at the event and pay your 25.00 entry fee. This is a great event for a great cause. Come out and be a part of seeing Teen Challenge open up the doors to their new residential facility! See you tomorrow!

Learning the VBS sings with Kathy and Cindy!

Today we honor the men and women who gave their lives so that we could be free.