Weekend Sermon--Sermon on the Mount(pt 9)

Matthew 5:10-12

     I hope that everyone had a very merry Christmas.  This year for Christmas, my brother took me out to a nice buffet style restaurant.  I know that I ate way too much, but the food was excellent. 
     2012 is just about over, and I for one am glad to see it go.  This has been a very difficult year in many respects.  I've been seriously under-employed most of the year, and I'm still looking for more work.  I've had a lot of financial and physical hardship this year.  Through it all, the Lord has seen me through with a true awareness of His presence.
     I'm especially glad to have the Lord with me in the really hard times.  This past week, I found out that one of my Dad's friends passed away.  He was just a young man.  Just yesterday, one of my Internet friends passed away.
     Hopefully, 2013 will be a much better year.  In the coming year, I'm trusting that the Lord will supply me with enough so that I can get everything I owe up to date.  I'm also going to sell my house this year.  Living there is just a painful reminder of loss.  It's time to move on.
     One of the highlights of the year that I hope to continue in 2013 is this blog.  I truly enjoy posting these messages and interesting items about dogs and other animals.
     It is my hope that each of you will have a truly wonderful and happy New Year.  In Philippians 3:13-14, the Apostle Paul said, "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  This is a great verse to meditate on as we move from 2012 to 2013.
     Last week, we focused on peace and how that as believers in Jesus, we should be a people who pray for peace and seek to be peacemakers wherever the opportunity arises.
     In today's message, we come to the end of the beatitudes section of the Sermon on the Mount.  The words that Jesus speaks in today's verses are words that truly must be viewed with an ultimate and eternal perspective.
     In Matthew 5:10-11, Jesus says that blessed are those who are persecuted and blessed are those who are reviled when they do what is right and pleasing to the Lord and when they stand up for Jesus.  In Matthew 5:12 Jesus says to, "Rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
     No one likes to be persecuted whether it is for serving Jesus or not.  Persecution is never pleasant. 
     Those of us in the Western world, for the most part, don't suffer any great persecution for naming the name of Christ.  However, in some parts of the world, if a person converts and becomes a follower of Jesus it can cost him his life.
     I have a great deal of respect and admiration for my brothers and sisters in Christ who stand for Jesus and the Gospel in the midst of persecution and tribulation.  Great will be their reward in Heaven.
     No matter where we live, those who stand for Christ and seek to live a holy life will suffer adversity.  Paul states this in II Timothy 3:12 where he says, "All that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."  In fact, persecution is the way a believer knows if he is truly following the Lord.  It is a test to know if you are truly in the faith.
     If we are really living in accordance with the commandments and teachings of Jesus, our lives will be different from the lives lived by those who are apart from Christ.  We will be walking in the light while they are still in the darkness.  As we saw in our study of I John, the darkness despises the light.
     I'll give you an example.  When my Dad became a Christian, many of his old friends ridiculed him because he wouldn't go out drinking and gambling with them like he did in the past.  These guys constantly made fun of him for being a Christian.  My Dad wasn't the type to let that kind of thing bother him, but it is an example of how the world treats those who desire to follow Jesus.
     Persecution really comes when a believer tries to go full out for the Lord in proclaiming the Gospel and Christian values.  Even many who claim to be Christians will harass the one who seeks to bring others to Jesus.
     I know that this is true in my own life.  When I was working in evangelism, I often went out in the neighborhoods sharing Christ.  The most negative reactions I received were from church people.
     Jesus is telling us in this passage that no matter what level of persecution we may face from insult to death, the important thing is to always follow Him.  No persecution, no matter how severe, can compare to the glory that awaits those who long to see Jesus face to face.
     You may be facing persecution for following Jesus.  Don't be discouraged.  It is a sign that you are a follower of Christ.  Ask Jesus for strength, and keep following His teachings and keep sharing His love with others.
     I would like to thank everyone who has read this blog this year.  I hope that you have a good 2013.  May God bless you.  Amen.
    

Best Dog, Cat and Animal Books and Movies of 2012

As many of you who read this blog know, I love animals.  I've read quite a few dog, cat and animal books this year, and I've watched a few good animal movies as well.  Here is my list of the best books and movies about animals for 2012. 

Best Dog Book

The best dog book I read in 2012 by far was "River Dog" written by Mark Shand.  This book was published a few years ago, but I just found out about it this year and read it.  The author tells of his adventures in India and Bangladesh as he and a dog named Bhaiti travel down the river.

Best Animal Book

"The Elephant Whisperer" by Lawrence Anthony was my favorite animal book.  This book was also written a few years ago.  This book tells the story of how Anthony brought a herd of elephants to his game reserve in South Africa.  These elephants were marked for destruction, but Anthony gave them a home and built up a trusting relationship with the herd's matriarch.

Best Cat Book

My favorite cat book is a book I've read many times.  It is an old classic called "The Cat Who Came For Christmas" by Cleveland Amory.  No matter how many times I read this book, I never get tired of reading about the author and his cat Polar Bear.

Best Dog Movie

"Red Dog" was my favorite dog movie of 2012.  This Australian film told the story of an Australian Kelpie Dog who made a difference in the lives of many people in the Australian Outback.  Another dog movie I liked a lot from a few years back that I just saw this year was "Marley and Me"

Best Animal Movie

My favorite animal movie was a film about ducks shown on "Nature" on PBS.  I also enjoyed their program about Siberian tigers.

Best Cat Movie

I didn't see any movies this year with cats.

Weekend Sermon--Sermon on the Mount(pt 8)

    I'm here.  We had a bad winter storm where I live.  Wednesday night we had thunderstorms for about five hours.  Then the rain changed quickly to snow at about three in the morning.  As soon as it started snowing, the wind picked up.  We had blizzard conditions until the snow came to an end about six hours later.
     We only received about three inches of snow, but the winds were terrible.  We had sustained winds of thirty-five to forty miles per hour with wind gusts as high as fifty-five.  These winds kept up for most of Thursday.
     These winds actually damaged my house.  I have one of my gutters blown off, and some of the siding on the back of my house was strpped off.  Thankfully, none of my tall trees blew down on the house.
     Last week, we continued our series about Jesus' teachings on the Sermon on the Mount by focusing our attention on Jesus' words, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
     I discussed some of the different meanings concerning what being pure in heart is.  I mentioned the fact that we become pure in heart when we receive the imputed righteousness of Christ at the time of our salvation.  I also mentioned the need for holiness in the life of the believer and the importance of following the commandments and the teachings of the Lord.  Finally, I discussed the importance of motivation and having the right attitude of heart versus a righteousness that is simply external.
     Today, we focus on one of Jesus' beatitudes that is so appropriate during this Christmas season.  In Matthew 5:9 Jesus states, "Blessed are the peacemakers:  For they shall be called children of God."
     When I think about the Christmas season, one of the first things that comes to my mind is that it is to be a time of peace.  In the Christmas story recorded in Luke's Gospel, the angels said to the shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men."
     The first advent of Jesus was the birth of the peace that only Jesus can bring into the world.  Jesus was prophesied to be the one who would bring about true peace.  Isaiah 9:6 records that one of the names of the Messiah was to be "Prince of Peace."  Verse 7 goes on to say, "Of the increase of his government and peace, there shall be no end."
     Jesus came into this world to bring to all who would believe in Him a peace that passes all understanding.  The human race in its fallen state is at war against the things of God.  However, Jesus Christ through His death and resurrection allows those who would trust in Him to have peace with the Heavenly Father.  Jesus wants to bring peace to the souls of troubled men and women.
     Because the ultimate goal of Jesus is to bring peace upon this world, those of us who are numbered among His followers should do all that we can to bring peace to the world and to our little corner of the world.
     As believers in Jesus, I think that we should be a people that continually pray for a resolution to the conflicts that are raging in the world today.  Right now, there is war in Syria and Afghanistan.  The Congo, where my cousin was once a missionary, is still in the midst of strife, and it seems like the Holy Land is always on the brink of conflict.  As followers of Jesus, we should be in prayer for peace in these places and wherever war rages and people are dying.
     In one of the churches where I used to minister, we made it a habit each Sunday to pray for peace in all of the countries experiencing conflict.  We prayed for some countries for years.  But, thanks be to God, peace did come to many nations we prayed for including Ireland, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
     Besides praying, Christians should be those who work for peace wherever possible.  Most of us won't have the chance to be actively involved in peace efforts on a global scale.  But we should take every peacemaking opportunity that we can.
     On our own local level, we as believers should try to be the voice of reason and peace in meetings and in gatherings.  We should be those who seek reconciliation between those striving against each other among our family and friends.
     The best way that we can be a force for peace is to spread the Gospel of the Prince of Peace.  We need to tell others about how Jesus can transform their life and give them the true peace that only He can give.
     True peace will not come to the entire world until Jesus comes and establishes His eternal Kingdom that will have no end.  At that time, the Bible says in Micah 4:3 that, "they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks:  nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."  At His coming, the reign of the Prince of Peace will bring peace to all of the created order.  I love the words of Isaiah 11:6-7 that state, "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox."
     There is a great day of peace coming.  As Jesus' followers, let us work for peace in all of our relationships because our God loves peace and those who seek peace.
     During the Christmas season, if you don't know the peace that Jesus can bring, I hope that you will accept Jesus' gifts of love and peace during this time of His birth.  Merry Christmas.  Amen.

Update

    Where I live, we are supposed to have a terrible winter storm over the next couple of days.  If the roads are really bad, I might not be able to post a sermon this week.  I will try to do so before the weekend is out.  However, if I am not able to get to the library, I wanted to wish everyone Merry Christmas.

Weekend Sermon--Sermon on the Mount(pt 7)

Matthew 5:8

   
     I have a lot to thank the Lord for this week.  Things are going well in my writing.  I have had some of the best weeks in my writing career lately.  I am very thankful to the Lord for giving me these opportunities.  Also, this week I finally sold an old set of commentaries that I had for sale for over two months.
     I'm trying to get into the spirit of Christmas, but I'm having a hard time this year.  I just got my Christmas cards mailed out, but I haven't even thought about doing any shopping for presents.
     Please keep the nation of Syria in your prayers and continue to pray for peace.  Also, please continue to pray for those who were affected by hurricane Sandy.
     In last week's sermon, I wrote about Jesus' words, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."  We saw that the Lord has been merciful and gracious to us.  He has forgiven our sins, and He expects us to be merciful and forgiving as well.  Mercy and compassion are great attributes of our God.
     This week, we once again focus on one of Jesus' statements from the beatitudes.  In Matthew 5:8 Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
     What does it mean to be pure in heart?  Just as we saw when we looked at the other beatitudes, I believe that there are at least a couple of different meanings to this statement as well.
     First of all, what does it mean to be pure in heart?  For one thing, being pure in heart means being forgiven from sin and cleansed from all unrighteousness.  The Scriptures are clear that there are no works or good deeds that we can do to fee ourselves from sin or atone for our sins.  That is why it was necessary for Jesus to come to this earth and to live a holy and sinless life.  He took our sins upon Himself and paid our sin debt.  When a person comes to Jesus in repentance and faith, that person is cleansed from sin and receives the imputed righteousness of Christ.
     To be pure in heart also means living a life of holiness.  In fact, it is commanded of all believers that they live a life of holiness.  I Peter 1:16 says, "you shall be holy, for I am holy."
     Christians should have the desire to live a holy life in obedience to God.  But what does it mean to be holy and live a life of holiness?  First of all, we are to be set apart for the glory of God.  As believers, we are to be, as Scripture says, a "peculiar people".  This means that we live a life that is distinguished from that lived by those who are still in sin and entangled in this world's system.
     Something that disturbs me is the fact that many who name the name of Jesus Christ seemingly share the same value system of those apart from Christ.  Several surveys have been done showing that the values of evangelical Christians differ little compared with those who have no religious affiliation.
     I know many who go to church on a regular basis, but they still watch the same violent and immoral types of entertainment that are prevalent throughout Western society.
     As Christians, we are to be a people who follow the example of Jesus.  If we don't think that Jesus would engage in some type of activity or entertainment, then we shouldn't either.  We need to be a people who reflect the values of Christ.
     Living a life of holiness is all about following the greatest commandment and the second like unto it.  We are to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength and love our neighbor as our self.  By living the law of love, we will live a life of holiness that is pleasing to God.
     Also, by pure in heart it means having the correct interior motivation.  In Jesus' day, the religious leaders made a great show of living a life of ritual, outward purity.  They made sure that everyone noticed that they were living in accordance to the law of Moses.  But, they didn't fool Jesus who knew what was in the heart of a person.  Jesus said that the religious leaders were like whitewashed graves.  They looked good on the outside, but on the inside, they were full of dead men's bones.
     Our motivation is key.  By pure in heart it means doing things with good intentions not just because we feel like we have to do something or God will be angry with us.  There is an example of this in the Old Testament.  II Chronicles 25:2 records that king Amaziah, "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart."  The inward life of holiness is more important than the outward life of show.
     The beatitude says that the pure in heart will see God.  It is only through a life of holiness that we will be able to see God.
     God is a holy God.  I don't think that we can fully grasp what this means it is so awesome to contemplate.  Isaiah 6:3 says that the angels cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory."  In Revelation 4:8 the Bible says that the four living creatures around the throne of God never cease saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
     With our sin, we could not approach God.  But, when we are covered with the righteousness of Christ, we are pure and holy before the Father.
     Living a life of holiness also keeps us in fellowship wit the Lord now.  Sin breaks fellowship.  Living for the Lord keeps us in a right relationship with Him.
     Only Jesus Christ lived a perfect and holy life.  Only what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection can give access to the Father.  If you've not already done so, I urge you to put your trust in Christ today.  Amen.
    

Weekend Sermon--Sermon on the Mount(Pt. 6)

Text--Matthew 5:7

     This has been quite a week.  The weather in my part of the world has been so warm this week it felt like summertime instead of December.  It's getting dry again, and our drought situation keeps getting worse.  I had a really good week writing, for which I thank the Lord.  I hope that everyone's week went well.
     I'd like to ask everyone to pray for peace in Syria.  So many have lost their lives these past months, and the war keeps raging.  Let us be in prayer for peace wherever there is conflict in the world.
     In last week's message, I focused on Jesus' words, "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."  Those without Christ can satisfy their spiritual hunger, and those who know Jesus should have the desire to follow the commandments and teachings of the Savior.  Those who live for Jesus will be rewarded at His return.
     We also looked at Luke's version of Jesus' statement and focused on the problem of hunger in this world.  We saw that the Lord will end all injustice when He establishes His eternal kingdom on earth.  Those who lacked will have all that they need.  The exploiters and greedy will come under judgment.
     Just this week, I read about instances of exploitation.  Two of the cases were overseas.  In one instance, workers were found working in terrible conditions for very low pay manufacturing products for American companies.  Another instance involved children being forced to work as long as 19 hours a day to make Christmas decorations for the American market.
     Here in the United States, a major financial corporation decided to fire 11,000 workers so that the company could make more profit.  The other instance here involved a major company that wants to fire all of its full-time employees and hire only part-time employees.  There reason for this is so that they don't have to pay for their employee's health insurance.
     These are instances of what Jesus meant when He said in Luke, "Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry."  These kind of things do not go unnoticed by a just and holy God.
     Now let's turn our attention to our Scripture for today.  Jesus says in Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
     God is a God of mercy.  This is clearly attested to in Scripture.  The Lord brought His people out of bondage into a land of promise.  However, time after time, they turned their backs on God and worshipped false gods.  God would bring judgment upon them, and then the people would repent and cry out to God for mercy and deliverance from their oppressors.  God was merciful and delivered His people over and over and over again. 
     Look at us, the Lord loved us so much that He gave us His Son.  As I Peter 1:3 says, "...His great mercy has cause us to be born again to living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
     Because God is merciful, He expects us to be merciful as well.  Just as we have been forgiven, we ought also to forgive.
     Jesus told two stories about being merciful.  The first story is the familiar account of the Good Samaritan.  While others passed by the injured man lying in the ditch, the Good Samaritan stopped and helped the man.  The Good Samaritan showed mercy to his fellow man and was a true neighbor to one in need.
     We as believers in Jesus are to be merciful and remember that there but for the grace of God go I.  There are many in this world who have great needs both physical and spiritual.  We need to help reach out a hand of mercy to help lift up the fallen.
     Another aspect of mercy is forgiveness.  This is where Jesus' second story comes in.  Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive someone 7 times.  Jesus said that Peter should not forgive 7 times but 70 times 7 times.  Jesus told the story of a man who owed an enormous debt.  The main begged his creditor to forgive the debt, and the debt was forgiven.  However, the man who was forgiven an enormous debt was not willing to forgive someone who owed him a very small amount.  When word of this came back to the creditor that had forgiven the man's enormous debt, the creditor revoked his forgiveness and had the debtor thrown into prison.  Jesus said that if we were not willing to forgive, we would not be forgiven.
     God had mercy on us and forgave us of a debt of sin that we could never pay.  He now expects us to forgive and show mercy to those who have wronged us.
     Earlier, I gave some examples of how the rich are exploiting the poor.  I'll come right out and say that I really don't like these kind of people.  However, if they would truly repent and amend their ways, God would forgive them and have mercy upon them.  The Lord expects me to do the same because I too have been forgiven and received the abundant mercy of the Lord.
     Everyone who shows mercy and forgives others will receive forgiveness and mercy from the Lord.  How can we not be merciful and forgiving people as believers in Jesus when Jesus has done so much for us.
     The Lord is willing to be merciful to anyone who repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Don't think that your sin is too great for the Lord to forgive.  Trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross, and believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.  Accept Jesus as the Lord of your life and start going in a new direction.
     If you're having trouble in the areas of mercy and forgiveness, remember the abundant mercy of the Lord.  Ask the Lord to give you His strength to be the kind of person that He desires you to be.  May God bless you.  Amen.
    

Two Good Animal Books

I have just finished reading two excellent books written by Lawrence Anthony.  The books are "The Elephant Whisperer" and "Babylon's Ark".  The first book is about the author's game reserve in South Africa.  The book details how Mr. Anthony took in a herd of rogue elephants.  At first, the elephants escaped, and the wildlife authorities said that they would be shot if they escaped again.  However, Mr. Anthony built up trust with the herd's matriarch named Nana.  The herd began to trust Mr. Anthony, and adjusted to their new life.  The second book tell the story of the rescue of the Baghdad Zoo during the Iraq War.  Mr. Anthony went to the zoo, and with the help of some of the zoo's staff, brought the remaining animals back to health and rebuilt the zoo.  I highly recommend both of these books.  Mr. Anthony has a third book called "The Last Rhinos" that I am reading now.

Weekend Sermon--Sermon on the Mount(Pt 5)

Matthew 5:6 and Luke 6:21&25

     It's good to be back and able to do the weekend sermon again.  I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  I had a nice holiday.  Thursday, I watched the football games.  On Friday night, my brother and his wife took me out to eat for our family Thanksgiving.  It was really good.
     Since our Dad passed away, I've become a lot closer to my brother.  He is my Dad's son from my Dad's first marriage.  My brother is a lot older than me, and we didn't get to spend much time together growing up.  It's nice to get to know him better now.
     The last time I posted a sermon, we continued in our series of messages on Jesus' teachings in the Sermon in the Mount.  We looked a Jesus' statement, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." 
     The meek are those who have a humble and gentle heart that imitates the humble heart of Jesus.  The meek follow the example that Jesus set during His time on this earth.  They imitate the sacrificial love of Christ.
     People with a worldly perspective don't understand how someone who is meek will inherit the earth.  Jesus here is talking about ultimate things.  When Jesus returns, those who have follwed Him and served Him will rule and reign with the Lord.  Only those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will live forever with the Lord at His Second Coming.
     Today, we turn our attention to the next in the list of beatitudes given by the Lord.  In Matthew 5:6 Jesus says, " Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."  Luke records this beatitude in a slightly different way in Luke 6:21 where Jesus says, "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied."  Like the rest of the beatitudes recorded by Luke, Jesus gives an opposing statement in Luke 6:25 where He says, " Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry."
     What does it mean to hunger and thirst after righteousness?  I believe that there are a couple of meanings to this statement.  First of all, there are those who have yet to come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord who have a hunger and an emptiness in the depths of their soul. They are looking for something to fill the spiritual void in their life.
     Many people are searching for something to provide meaning in their lives.  This is one of the reasons that there are so many different religions and spiritual groups in this world.  People are seeking to satisfy their spiritual hunger.  They want to be free from self.
     Thanks be to God that many people who are spiritually hungry hear the true message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.   They come to realize that faith in Jesus is the only answer to their spiritual hunger.  Only a relationship with the risen Lord can satisfy their soul.
     When a person comes to faith in Jesus, that person is freed from guilt, shame and sin.  He is cleansed from sin and washed in the blood of the Lamb.  That individual receives the imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ and becomes a new creation in Christ.  The hunger of their soul is satisfied.
     This beatitude also has a meaning for those who are already followers of Jesus.  It should be the desire of our heart to want to follow the commandments of the Lord and live a life of righteousness and holiness.  It should be our desire to diligently and earnestly seek to be imitators of our Lord.
     Those of us who place all of our efforts into living a life of righteousness for Jesus will be rewarded when we die or when Jesus comes again.  The Bible says that Jesus is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Jesus will give to each of us according to what we have done.
     Now, let's look at  this beatitude from Luke's perspective.  Luke's account says, "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied."
     Their are many people in this world who do not have enough to eat.  To me, this is an unbelievable tragedy.  In a world with so much food, there's no excuse for people going hungry except for man's inhumanity to man.  Injustice, political strife, and a lack of giving are, for the most part, the major causes of hunger. 
     As believers in Jesus, it is our duty to help feed the hungry where we live and around the world.  Every church that has the ability should have a food bank or some similar ministry to help alleviate the problem of hunger.  We also need to work to end the injustices that cause so many to go without.
     When Jesus returns, He will institute justice.  No one who went without will do without in Jesus' kingdom.  Everyone will have enough, and they will be full and satisfied.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
     When Christ returns, He will judge those who didn't pay people working for them enough to eat properly.  He will judge those who didn't provide from their abundance to those who lacked.
     It is my prayer that if you don't know Jesus as Lord that you will consider coming to Him.  He is the Bread of Life who can satisfy the hunger in your soul.  Jesus is the only way.
     Next week, Lord willing, we will continue our study of these important words from the Lord.  I've been reading a lot of good animal books lately, and I hope to post some reviews this week.  May God bless you. Amen.

A Good Dog Book

     I just finished reading a book called "The Dog That Talked to God".  The book is published by Abingdon Press.  In this book, the main character is a widow named Mary Fassler who lost her husband and son three years earlier.  Since this time she has stopped talking to God, and she blames God for the death of her family.  Rufus is the name of the miniature schnauzer the woman buys.  Rufus begins talking to his new owner one night when they are out on a walk.  Rufus mentions that he talks to God.  The rest of the book is the story of  how Mary rebuilds her life and her faith in God with Rufus' help and the help of her friends.
     I really enjoyed this book.  Rufus is a great canine character and a great dog.  My only criticism of the book is that the ending seems very rushed.  Otherwise, I highly recommend it.

Weekend Sermon--Sermon on the Mount(Part 4)

Matthew 5:5

     I'd like to start this week by giving thanks to the Lord for providing me with some good writing opportunities.   Please keep praying that I can find enough work to get back on my feet again.
     Let us also continue to remember in prayer those affected by Hurricane Sandy.  The last I heard, there were still a few places where the power was still out.
     One last prayer request regards the tension in the Middle East.  With the renewal of strife between Israel and the Palestinians, let us pray for peace in this troubled region of the world.
     In last weeks message, I focused on Jesus' statement, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."  All of us experience trying times, loss and sadness in this life.  Christians aren't exempt.  However, when Jesus returns in power and great glory, our sorrow will be turned to gladness.
     I don't know about your individual circumstances.  I can only speak for myself when I say that I've had enough sorrow in my life to last an eternity.  I really look forward to the day when I can be reunited with my family on that day when the Lord will wipe away every tear from our eyes.  I want to enter into the fullness of the joy of the Lord.
     In today's message, we come to the beatitude that is probably the most misunderstood and the one that is the most ridiculed by those who don't believe in Jesus Christ.
     In Matthew 5:5 Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
     I've heard many skeptics ridicule this verse and say that Jesus couldn't have gotten it any more wrong.  The meek don't inherit the earth.  The meek are the ones who are ground down under the foot of the oppressor.  If you don't fight back or fight to get what is yours, you will never get anywhere in life.
     Another verse that we will come to later in our study of the Sermon on the Mount is ridiculed in the same way.  That is the verse where Jesus tells His followers to turn the other cheek and not retaliate against those persecuting you.
     The first thing that we need to understand is that the wisdom of God will often seem like foolishness to the unregenerate person because their thinking is clouded by a sinful nature.  They can't see things from God's perspective.  The are walking through life with spiritual blinders on.
     So, what are we to make of this verse?  Who are the meek, and how will they inherit the earth?
     The meek are those who have a humble heart and a gentle spirit.  They pattern their life after the example lived out by the Lord Jesus Christ.
     A person who is gentle and humble of heart does not live their life with selfish intentions.  The main goal of their life is to find ways to be of service to others.
     Jesus explained this when He taught His disciples about servant leadership.  Jesus said that whoever would be the greatest in the kingdom of God would be the one that was the servant of all.  Jesus gave us an example of humble service when He washed His disciples feet in the Upper Room.
     Jesus displayed His gentle and humble heart when He left the riches of Heaven and took upon Himself human form.  Jesus said in the Garden of Gethsemane, "not my will, but thine be done."  Then he walked up Calvary's mountain and died on the cross for the sins of the world.
     Because of what Jesus has done, the Bible says that the Father has given Him a name above every name.  One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  He will be King over all the earth.
     Those who seek the path of Jesus will rule and reign with the Lord when He comes again.  Those who imitate the humble heart of Jesus will inherit the earth.  It will be an earth free from sin.  It will be an earth filled with righteousness.
     David wrote about the same idea in Psalm 37:11 where he said, "But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace."
     In Luke 1:52, Jesus' Mother echoes the same theme as her Son when she says, "He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate."
     The meek will inherit the earth.  However, it won't be now.  In the world we live in, people are not rewarded by society for living a life according to the principles of Jesus.  As the Scriptures state, "Those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."
     As Christians, we look to the ultimate outcome.  Things won't always be the way that they are now.  Jesus is coming, and His reward is with Him.  On the day of His coming, the Lord will reward everyone of His followers according to what they have done.
     If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior, I hope that today you will make the decision to follow Christ.  Jesus invites everyone to follow Him. 
     Next week is Thanksgiving here in the United States.  I only have computer access at the library, and the library is going to be closed most of the week. So, next week I won't be able to post a sermon.  I will be back with a sermon in two weeks.  I may post a dog book review or two before then.  May God bless you.  Amen.
    

Weekend Sermon--Sermon on the Mount(Part 3)

Text:  Matthew 5:4

   
     I always enjoy election day.  I have a lot of fun watching the results come in.  I've always had a great interest in politics, and I minored in political science in college.  I just hope that now that the election is over that both parties can work together for the good of the country.  I'm glad and thankful to God that I live in a country where I can have the freedom to vote.
     Please remember to continue to be in prayer for those who have been affected by the storms on the east coast.  They got hit by the hurricane, and now they have been hit by another storm.  Hopefully, things will improve for folks out there and they will get all the aid and assistance that they need.
     Last week, we started examining the meaning of the beatitudes given by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.  We looked at the statement about blessed are the poor in spirit and Luke's similar statement from Jesus about blessed are the poor.
     Those who recognize their need for God and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will be a part of the Lord's kingdom.  Those who have suffered in poverty in this life will have all they need in the coming kingdom.  Those who have exploited and oppressed the poor will face the judgment of God.
     Today, we focus on Jesus' statement found in Matthew 5:4 which states, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."  Once again, Luke records a similar statement by Jesus that is somewhat different.  In Luke 6:21b Jesus says, "...blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh."  Luke also records Jesus as stating the opposite of this beatitude in Luke 6:25b which states, "...Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep."
     What are we to make of these verses?  I think that there are several meanings to what Jesus is saying here.
     First of all, I believe there is a very spiritual application.  Those who mourn over sin and recognize their need of repentance and forgiveness will receive the comfort and forgiveness that only Jesus can bring.  True sorrow over sin leads to the joy of knowing Jesus as Savior and the reality of spending eternity in the presence of Christ.
     Those who have no sorrow for sin and mock the teachings of Jesus in this life, will face an eternity of separation from Jesus who is the source of all true joy and happiness.
     Another meaning for me from these words of Jesus has to do with the incredible sorrow that is often encountered in this world.
     Just today, I was thinking about all of the fun things that my Mom and I used to do together.  I think that one of the most fun days we spent together was when we went to the big art gallery in the major city that is about 40 miles north of where I live.  We spent hours in that place.  I remember that Mom really enjoyed looking at all the displays of beautiful Asian art at the museum. 
     My Mom and Dad have both passed away, and I really miss them.  It makes me very sad that they are gone.  I know that they are in Heaven now with Jesus, but it hurts me to be separated from them.
     One day, because of what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection, I will be with my folks again.  We will be reunited, and it will be a wonderful time of joy.  The Bible says that one day, Jesus will wipe away every tear and those who are in Christ will live a life of happiness forever.
     I am sure that many of you have lost someone you love, and even though many years may have passed, you are still sad.  Something in life just won't ever feel the same again.  Thanks be to God that one day all will be well again.  Jesus will make everything new, and all will be restored to the way God originally intended it to be.  I long for that day.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
     Also, I think that this verse refers to those who mourn because of injustices that have happened in their lives.  I know some people whose life has just been one heartache after another.  Many have been abused mentally and physically.  Others face a lifetime of fear and destitution.  Probably the saddest thing of all is the fact that many people will go through life never feeling as if anyone has ever really loved them or cared about them.
     Jesus cares.  If you put your trust in Him, He will be there making sure that all of the hardship and suffering endured in this life is just a memory that will be nothing compared to the joys awaiting with Jesus for all of eternity.
     Finally, I believe that those who mourn for the state of this world will be comforted.  Some of us realize that this world is not the way that it is supposed to be.  Children aren't supposed to die of preventable diseases.  In a world filled with food, no one should have to go hungry.  Animals that God lovingly made shouldn't be on the brink of extinction.  Some of us ask God for a better day.  That day will come.  When Jesus returns, all the wrongs will be made right.  Those who have lacked will have an abundance.
     Those who have caused the injustice and those who have laughed at those who mourn will themselves mourn on that day when the power of the glory of the Lord is revealed.
     There is hope in Jesus.  Believe in Him. He will not let you down.  Amen.

Weekend Sermon--The Sermon on the Mount(Part 2)

Text: Matthew 5:3 and Luke 6:20 and 24

     What a week it has been.  I can't get over the terrible devastation the hurricane caused.  It's horrific.  Before I do anything else, I want to pray for the people who were affected by this storm.

          Lord, I pray that your loving presence will be with those who have been hurt by the
          storm this week.  Please help everyone to get the help that they need to rebuild and
          move forward.  Give special comfort to any who lost a loved one this week.  Thank
          You Lord Jesus.  Amen.

    After my Mom passed away, my Dad and I thought about moving out to the east coast.  We didn't do it because my Dad was always afraid to be too close to the ocean because he worried about hurricanes.  He said he'd rather deal with the Kansas tornadoes.
     Last week, we began a series of messages on Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.  I went over some of the theories of interpretation concerning this important passage of Scripture.
     As I said last week, I'm going to teach the Sermon on the Mount as if its precepts are for today, and Jesus expects each of His followers to obey His words as best as they possibly can.
     We just briefly touched on the beatitudes last week.  This week we will go into greater depth about the first of the beatitudes given by our Lord. 
     Jesus said in Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Luke records the words of Jesus a little differently in Luke 6:20 that states, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."
     Unlike Matthew's account, Luke records Jesus as making some additional statements that are the opposite of the beatitudes.  In Luke 6:24 Jesus says, "But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full."
     Let's look at both of these passages.  In the Matthew passage, Jesus is saying that the poor in spirit have God's favor upon them.  Who are the poor in spirit?  I think that the poor in spirit are those who recognize that they are totally dependent upon God.  They realize that they are sinners and that they cannot do anything to earn salvation or earn God's favor.  They realize the importance of grace.
     Jesus told a parable that illustrates someone who is poor in spirit.  In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, Jesus told about two men who went to pray.  The Pharisee began his prayer by stating all the good deeds he had done.  He prayed, he fasted and he certainly wasn't anything like that no good tax collector.  One the other hand, the tax collector wouldn't even lift his eyes to the heavens.  He bowed and said, "Lord be merciful to me a sinner."  Jesus said that the tax collector was the man who went home justified.
     This tax collector was poor in spirit.  He recognized his absolute need for God.
     The poor in spirit are blessed because they have received the gift of salvation and abundant life through Jesus Christ.  Also, those who trust in the Lord will rule and reign with Jesus Christ when he comes again and establishes His kingdom on this earth.  He will rule and reign forever.
     Now, Luke records Jesus as saying something similar, but it is not the same.  Jesus in Luke says, "blessed are the poor" and does not add the words in spirit.  What does this mean?
     I believe that in this context, Jesus is speaking about people who are monetarily poor.  Contrary to what I was taught in church as a boy, the Lord does care about social justice.  A reading of the prophetic books of the Bible demonstrates this clearly.  The Lord cares for the poor and the oppressed in society, and He expects the governments of the world to take care of their most vulnerable citizens.
     There is a vast amount of oppression of the rich against the poor in this world.  Just look at how large multi-national corporations pay workers in Third World countries terrible wages and make people work in substandard conditions.  All the while the company is raking in the profits.
     I'll give you an example I read about recently while I was researching an article for a client.  Several years ago, an island nation in the Pacific decided to pass a minimum wage law because some companies were paying very low wages.  Some of the biggest employers on the island were tuna canning plants owned by firms based in the US and Europe.  After the minimum wage was passed, these companies pulled their factories out and went to another nation where they could pay less money. 
     God sees all of this, and the day of judgment will come when Jesus Christ returns.  When Christ returns, those who have been oppressed, the least of these in society, will receive justice.  All greedy oppression will cease immediately under the reign of Jesus.
     In Luke's account, Jesus says, "Woe to you who are rich."  Does this mean that Jesus is opposed to the wealthy.  He is if the rich aren't doing what is right with their wealth of if they have obtain their wealth through the oppression of their workers.
    Jesus is opposed to the wealthy making huge profits and paying their workers little.  Jesus is opposed to people having vast resources and not using them to alleviate the suffering in the world.  James talks about this in his epistle.
     One day, all the wealth in this world won't make one bit of difference.  When Jesus comes again, He will bring woe to all who have oppressed the poor, the laborer, the widow , the orphan and the underprivileged of the world.
     We all have the responsibility to use what God has given us to bring honor and glory to the Lord and make this world a better place. 
     Next week, Lord willing, we will continue in our study of the Sermon on the Mount. May God bless you.  Amen.

Weekend Sermon--Sermon On The Mount

     This has been quite a week for me.  I had to come up with a lot of money for some bills, and I didn't know how I was going to get them payed.  Thank the Lord Jesus that He provided the funds in answer to my prayer.  I am grateful to the Lord for His provision.
     Last week, we finished our study in I John.  I hope that everyone who went through the series learned something.  I mentioned last week that I was considering some different options concerning what to present for the weekend sermon  in the upcoming weeks.  I've decided to start a series of messages on the Sermon on the Mount.  This is a vital teaching of Jesus, and I know that there is much to be gained from a thorough study of these words from the Lord.  I pray that you will be blessed as we look at these words of Jesus together.
     The Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew chapters 5,6 and 7.  A similar teaching in a shorter version is found in Luke chapter 6.  In all likelihood, Jesus probably preached these words on several different occasions using some material at one time and adding or subtracting material as the case warranted.  Along with the Upper Room Discourse recorded in John's gospel, the Sermon on the Mount is one of Jesus' longest recorded teachings.
     Before we get into the heart of the Sermon on the Mount itself, let's explore some of the different theories of interpretation concerning this teaching.
     Some believe that the Sermon in the Mount presents an impossible standard that no one can measure up to.  In other words, Jesus was presenting the requirements that needed to be fulfilled in order to keep the law and be in right standing with God.  Since no one could possibly live up to the requirements set forth in the Sermon on the Mount, this demonstrates that no one can keep the law.  Therefore, it is necessary to trust in Christ by faith alone apart from works for salvation.
     While I absolutely agree that we are saved by grace through faith apart from works, I don't believe that this interpretation is correct.  I don't see this as Jesus' intention at all because He never mentions anything concerning this in the Sermon on the Mount itself.
     Another interpretation similar to the one just mentioned holds that the Sermon on the Mount was all about the law and was no longer in effect after Jesus' death and resurrection.  What this interpretation basically says is that the Sermon on the Mount is not for today.
     Once again, I do not agree with this interpretation.  Jesus repeats some of what is in the Sermon on the Mount in various ways elsewhere in the gospels.  Also, many of the teachings in the Sermon on the Mount are echoed in later New Testament writings especially in the epistle of James.
     One other interpretation that I'd like to mention is the one that holds that the conditions of the Sermon on the Mount will only be applicable during the Millennial reign of Christ.  They are teachings about the future Kingdom.
     Again, I don't agree for the same reasons I stated before.  Most of these dispensationalist theories set up too much of distinction between the way in which God operated  throughout the Bible and will operate in the future.  They split the Bible into too many different ages.
     I believe that the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount are for today and that they are to be taken literally.  The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount are the manifesto of the followers of Jesus Christ.  He expects His followers to do their best as they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live up to the principles taught in the Sermon on the Mount.  Of course there are some things that will not receive their  ultimate fulfilment until the return of Christ.  However, we are to strive to live our lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus right now.  It is hard.  There are some difficult teachings in the Sermon on the Mount as we will see in the weeks to come.  However, that doesn't mean that the contents of this great message should be ignored simply because they are difficult.
     My approach as we go through the Sermon on the Mount will be to find practical ways to live out those things that Jesus expects of His followers.
     The Sermon on the Mount begins in Matthew chapter 5.  Jesus went up the hill and called His followers to Him.  This is important.  As we will see, Jesus taught with authority.  Under His authority as God come in the flesh, He would actually change some of the Old Testament laws.  This demonstrated to the people that He was divine.  He was greater than Moses, and He was instituting new laws and interpretations for His Kingdom.  The Sermon on the Mount is a display of Jesus' ultimate authority.
     Chapter 5 opens with a familiar passage of Scripture known as the Beatitudes.  These appear in a slightly different form in Luke 6.
     Often, the word blessed used here is translated as happy.  I'm not sure that this is the best interpretation.  Living according to these principles won't make anyone happy necessarily.
     I think that the point Jesus is trying to get across here is that those who live according to the principles of the Beatitudes will have the favor of God on their lives that will lead to ultimate blessing in the age to come.
     Next week, Lord willing, we will look at some of these individual Beatitudes in greater depth.  May God bless you.  Amen.

Weekend Sermon--I John 5:13-21

     Today it is so windy that I thought I would be blown away.  I think windy days are my least favorite.  It was so windy today that it blew a little kid off of his feet as he was going into the library this morning.
     In last week's message we focused our attention on the various interpretations of Jesus' coming by water and the blood.  Without going through all that again, I said that I believe that this refers to Jesus' baptism and crucifixion.
     This week, we find another controversial section in I John.  It is actually one of the more controversial passages in the entire New Testament. 
     Before we get into that, let's start with verse 13.  John states that we can know that we have eternal life.  That's actually been John's theme throughout this entire epistle.  There are characteristics that identify the true follower of Jesus.  The follower of Jesus does not habitually commit sin.  When a sin is committed, the true follower of Christ confesses his sin and receives forgiveness from the Lord.  Also, the true follower of Jesus believes in the deity and true humanity of Christ.  Finally, the true follower of Jesus obeys the commandments of the Lord.  John has spoken of these characteristics of Christians over and over again in this epistle.
     Verses 14 and 15 once again take up the subject of prayer and receiving what we ask for when we ask for that which is in accordance with the will of God. 
     I said what I had to say on this subject in a prior message.  This whole subject is hard for me to understand, as I mentioned before.
     Now we come to the controversial section of the chapter in verses 15 through 20 where John talks about sins that are not unto death and the sin that leads to death.
     There are several theories as to what the sin unto death is.  First of all, Roman Catholic scholars use this section of Scripture as proof of the existence of venial and mortal sins.  A venial sin can be confessed in general confession, but mortal sins lead to spiritual death and must be confessed to a priest.  I am not a Catholic, so I do not believe in this interpretation.  I believe in the priesthood of the believer.  Any sin that we commit can be directly confessed to God.  John himself says this in the first part of this epistle.  If we are in Christ, we have direct access to the Father.  No human being needs to stand between the believer and God.
     Another interpretation of this passage holds that the sin unto death is the failure to accept Jesus as one's Savior before death.  Those who's names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life will experience eternal damnation because they failed to recognize their need for Christ during their lifetimes.
     I don't think that this view makes any sense at all.  John commands that we shouldn't pray for someone committing the sin unto death.  We are supposed to pray that the lost will come to know Jesus.  It is not Jesus' will that any should perish but that all come to repentance.
     The denomination that I was raised in had a view of this passage I've not heard anywhere else.  They believed that a Christian could sin and lead a carnal life to the point that they were unrecognizable as a believer.  They also believed in the doctrine of eternal securtiy.  They believed that the sin unto death occured when God took the life of a habitually sinning Christian so that person would not sin to the point of losing their salvation.
     I don't believe this theory at all.  The whole point of John's epistle is that if a person is habitually sinning, this demonstrates that they are not a true follower of Jesus in the first place.  The true follower of Christ obeys and does not follow the ways of the world in a consistent manner.
     Finally, another view held by many, and the one that I hold, is that this passage refers to the unpardonable sin referred to by Jesus during the time of His earthly ministry.  The unpardonable sin is the blasphemy against the Holy  Spirit.
     Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit  occurs when someone attributes the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan.  This is what the pharisees did when that said that Jesus cast out demons and performed miracles by the power of the devil.
     How can this be done today?  I think that this sin can be committed today when people call certain manifestations of the Spirit the work of the devil.    For instance, some people say that speaking in tongues is of the devil.  I don't believe that tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Spirit, but I do believe that it is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  I would never say that it was of the devil. 
     I'm sure that there are many other opinions about this passage.  I leave it to you to study the issue further.
     John concludes his letter by warning his readers to stay away from idols.  We should keep our eyes on Jesus and worship Him alone.
     With that we have come to the end of I John.  I have really enjoyed the opportunity to share my thoughts on this book with you.  I hope that you've been blessed by this study.
     I'm not sure what I'm going to focus on in the coming weeks.  I'm considering going through I Peter or the Sermon on the Mount or possible just studying various Psalms.  If anyone has a preference, let me know.  May God bless you.  Amen.

A Good Dog Book

     I may have mentioned this book in the past.  If I have, I'm sorry.  My memory isn't what it was.  One of the best books I've read about dogs is a book called "The Cruelest Miles".  The two authors last name is Salisbury.  This book tells about the mushers and their dogs that brought the life saving serum to Nome, Alaska during the diphtheria epidemic.  The authors go into great detail, and the lives of the mushers are really brought to light.  There is also a great deal of good information about the two hero dogs of the story, Balto and Togo.  I highly recommend this book.

Weekend Sermon-- I John 5:6-12

     I hope that everyone has had a very good week.  This was a very good week for my writing work.  I'm very thankful to the Lord that I had quite a lot of writing work this week.  Please continue to pray that I can find more work, and get back on track.
     Last week, there were several blessing of the animals services in my area.  I saw a lot of cute dogs being blessed at the Episcopal church in the next town over from me. 
     The blessing of the animals takes place during the time of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  St. Francis had a special relationship with animals.  He would often preach to the birds.  He also tamed a wolf and commanded the wolf not to take from the flocks of the people of the town of Gubbio.
     There are several other stories about saints and their relationships with animals.  One the the stories I like is the story of St. Roch.  St. Roch ministered to plague victims in the Middle Ages.  Eventually, St. Roch contracted plague and was on the verge of death.  A dog from a nearby estate discovered the saint and took bread to the saint each day.  One day, the dog's owner followed the dog and discovered St. Roch who was then taken to the estate where he recovered.  When it was time for St. Roch to depart, the dog went with him.
     Some other saints that have interesting animal stories associated with them are St. Macarius, St. Columba and St. Cuthbert. 
     Animals, especially dogs, have been a very important part of my life.  I don't know if I'd have made it on this earth as long as I have without my dog.  I've always said,  and I believe it with all of my heart, that Toby was the dog Jesus sent to be my friend.  I will always be eternally grateful.
     On another animal note, this last week I saw a wonderful program about Siberian Tigers on the Nature program on PBS.  These are some of the most beautiful and majestic creatures that God placed on this planet. 
     It's sad that many of the tigers seen in this film were poached.  It just sickens me that human beings can destroy such fantastic creatures.  Mankind often so casually destroys that which God has made.  I don't know if I will be able to live in a world without wild tigers.  It is too horrible to even consider it.
     As followers of Jesus, I believe that it is our responsibility to be caretakers of this planet.  Christians should be the greatest environmentalists and conservationists on this earth.
     With that said, let's get into our study of I John.  Last week, we discussed the faith that overcomes the world.  We overcome the world by our faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross and by believing that Jesus is divine.
     In today's passage, we focus on a somewhat controversial section of Scripture.  Verse 6 states, "This is the one who came by water and blood.  And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is truth."
     The one who came by water and blood is Jesus.  But what does it mean that Jesus came by water and blood and that these testify that Jesus is the Son of God?
     Some scholars believe that the water and the blood refer to Jesus' birth and death.  Others believe that the water and blood refer to the water and blood which flowed  from Jesus' side on the cross when Jesus was pierced by the Roman soldier's lance.  Another major interpretation of this passage views the water and the blood as referring to the elements of the Lord's Supper.
     I disagree with these views.  The view that is probably the most favored, and the one I hold, is that the water refers to Jesus' baptism, and the blood refers to the blood Jesus shed on the cross.  The Spirit is the Holy Spirit.
     How does the baptism of Jesus testify to Him?  When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River, the voice of the Father came from Heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased."  At the same time, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descended on Jesus as Jesus came up out of the water.  The water and the Spirit testified that Jesus was the Christ the Son of the Living God.
     The blood testified to Jesus because He shed His blood for the redemption of sin.  God raised Jesus from the dead.  Therefore, the sacrifice of Jesus was accepted.  The resurrection verified the sacrificial death of Christ.
     The Holy Spirit continues to testify as to who Jesus is and what He did.
     What is interesting is that Jesus talked about three witnesses to His ministry.  I've written a sermon on this blog about that.  So, read that sermon to learn more on that subject.
     What does this all mean?  It means that God testified that Jesus is the Messiah.  Jesus is the Son of God.  It means that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  We can only have a relationship with the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Whoever denies the deity of Jesus has called God a liar because the Father has testified and bears witness concerning the Son.
     Lord willing, we will look at another controversial passage in I John, and that will conclude our study of this epistle.  May you know the love of Jesus this week. Amen.

Good Dog Movie

   I read a book about the Australian dog called Red Dog a few years ago, so I was looking forward to the Red Dog movie.  The movie finally made it to America, and I watched it last week.  I really enjoyed this movie.  Some of Red Dog's actions reminded me of Toby.  Without giving anything away, I just want to say that the movie has some very sad moments.   I think that this film should be rated PG-13 and not PG.  With that said, I highly recommend Red Dog.  It is a good dog movie for adults.

Weekend Sermon--I John 5:1-5

     I'm sorry that I wasn't able to post a sermon last week.  I've not been feeling very well.  I think the stress of living is getting me down.  I am doing better this week, and I thank the Lord for His goodness to me.  Please keep me in your prayers that I might find deliverance from these many stress filled situations.  Thank you.
     The last time I posted a sermon, we finished I John chapter 4.  We focused on the important truth that perfect love casts out all fear.  I told a little bit about how the church of my youth taught about a Jesus who wasn't the man of love, but He was someone to be feared. 
     I remember once the pastor said that if you love anything on earth too much, God will take it away from you so that you would love God more than anything on earth.  For a long time, when Toby was first with me and he developed ulcerative colitis, I thought that it might be God's punishment for loving Toby too much.
     I am so thankful that I came across books written by people who showed me the truth about Jesus.  My life was turned around, and I grew to have a close relationship with Jesus my Savior, Lord and friend.  I realized that Jesus wouldn't put some sickness on my friend like that.  Jesus wants us to love Him more and more not love others less.
     Today, we begin chapter 5 which is the last chapter of I John.  Versus 1 through 3 of this chapter reiterate John's theme of loving God and obeying God's commandments as evidence of our love.
     Verses 4-5 state, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that overcomes the world-our faith.  And who is the the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the  Son of God."
     These two verses are often misinterpreted by many ministers today.  Some teach that we can overcome problems or sickness or debt by having enough faith.  If we can generate enough faith, the problems will vanish. They view faith as some type of cosmic force that is used by Christians.
     I don't think that these two verses are talking about this at all.  What John is saying is that when we are born, we are born into this world system of sin.  We are sinners.  The only way to be free from sin is by placing one's faith and trust in Jesus.  We must believe that He is who He claimed to be, believe He died and rose again and accept Him as Savior and Lord by faith alone.
     When we place our faith and trust in Jesus, we are taken from the kingdom of darkness and are made children of the Heavenly Kingdom.  We become new creations in Christ.
     However, the ultimate fulfillment of these verses, and of our salvation, is yet to come.  The fullness of the overcoming power of Jesus will be manifest when He returns to this earth in glory and with great power.  This world system that has waged war against the holiness of God will be abolished.  Jesus Christ will rule and reign in righteousness as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  There will be a new Heaven and a new Earth.
     Our faith in Jesus also allows us to overcome in this world, but not through using faith as some type of formula.  Because we are in Christ, we know, or should know, that no matter what problems beset us now, they will not have the ultimate victory.
     I have a lot of health problems now and have had since birth.  However, one day, because of Jesus, I will be set free from these things. Just like my parents are now free.  My Mom is in Heaven with Jesus restored to perfect health.  My Dad is with the Lord and is free from all pain.  They have overcome the world through faith in what Jesus did on the cross.  Jesus won the victory.
     One day, all of us who are in Christ will fully overcome all of this old world's problems.  At death, we will be with Jesus, and everything will be perfect, right and good.  Hopefully, Jesus will return soon.  He could come today.  What a great day it will be when Jesus comes back to Earth again.
     It is my hope and prayer that all those who read this message have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  I pray that you are trusting Jesus Christ alone, apart from works, for your salvation.  I hope that you are ready to meet the Lord Jesus should He return this very day.
     You can have assurance of salvation.  If you've never come to Jesus, trust Him now.  Recognize that you are a sinner.  Repent of your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you.  Believe that Jesus is God and has died on the cross and that He rose again.  Then, ask Jesus to come into your heart and be you Savior and Lord. 
     Next week, Lord willing, we will continue our study of I John.  It is a controversial section that we are coming to.  God bless you.  Amen.
    

Update

If everything goes according to plan, I will have a new weekend sermon posted tomorrow.  I thank the Lord that I am feeling a little bit better.  Thank you for your prayers.

Update

There will be no weekend sermon posted this week.  I am very sick.  I feel like I'm completely worn out.

Thanksgiving

   I want to thank the Lord for allowing me to get a religious article accepted for publication.  I am grateful for the opportunity to write and bring glory to God.

Weekend Sermon- I John 4: 13-21

     I hope that everyone had a good week.  I'm always happy when it's time to do the sermon for the week.  I thank all of those who have been praying on my behalf.  I don't have any really good news to report, so I definitely still need prayer.  People many say that the economy is improving, but I haven't seen it yet.  I'm thinking about selling my house, paying off what I owe, and then starting over in some other part of the country.  Most days, I'm not quite sure what to do.
     No matter what may be happening in my life now, I know that God has blessed me greatly.  This week marked three years since my Mom passed away.  I was truly blessed by God to have such a wonderful Mom.  I miss her everyday as I do my Dad.
     I watched a moved called "Red Dog" this week.  The dog in that movie reminded me a lot of Toby.  I look forward to the day when I can be reunited with my family.  Thank you Jesus that they were a part of my life, and are now with you forever.
     In last weeks message, we examined the great love of God.  This has been, and will be a continuing theme in I John.  God gave His ultimate expression of love by sending His Son the Lord Jesus to be the Savior of the world.  Even though we were the enemies of God.  God provided a way back to Him.  He provided a way that our sins might be forgiven.
     There's something I wanted to add on this point.  We often don't extend the effects of the sacrifice of Jesus far enough.  Much of the time, ministers(myself included) focus on the effect of Jesus' death for the human race.  However, Jesus' death had cosmological significance. 
     God created a perfect universe with no sin.  Everything operated in peace and harmony throughout the entire cosmos.  When sin entered the picture, the perfection of the cosmos was stained.  Things were thrown out of order, and disorder came that was never intended by God.
     Jesus came into this world to restore the original order of the universe.  People are part of that order, but we are not the entirety.
     Because Jesus has conquered sin, death, hell and the grave, the second portion of the overall redemption is coming.  When Jesus returns, all things will be restored to the original state of perfection.  Everything will be made right again.  I can hardly wait for that day.
     In our passage today, John is again stating the importance of love in the life of the believer.  John also reiterates the fact that one must accept Jesus Christ as Savior of the world to be in a right relationship with God. 
     In verse 17, John picks up a slightly different emphasis on what love is all about.  The verse states, "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world."
     When Jesus comes again, part of the coming entails the idea of judgment.  The Bible is clear that there will be two judgments.
     The first judgment well determine those who are the true followers of Jesus.  The second judgment is only for believers.  We are not judged for sins, but it is a judgment of our works done for the sake of Jesus.
     What John is saying in our passage is that those who have experienced the love of Jesus don't have to fear these judgments.  As John says in verse 18, "perfect love casts out fear."  Those who are in Christ have passed from death to life.  We are under no condemnation.  Jesus has paid it all.
     I think that there is another application in these verses as well.  A few weeks ago, I posted a message about how Jesus was portrayed in the church of my youth.  Jesus was presented as being against you.  He was looking to find you in an error and bring some type of punishment on you.  You were always afraid.
     That wasn't the Jesus I came to know.  The Jesus I discovered was a loving friend.  He was a God who cared. The true follower of Jesus understands who Jesus is.  Jesus is love personified. 
     The bad and horrendous things in our lives don't come from Jesus.  Jesus brings what is good and wonderful in life.
     I'm going through a bad time right now, but I don't believe for one second that Jesus is causing it.  Jesus is helping me in the hard times.  Jesus is assuring me that everything will be right ultimately.  One day, no matter what the world tries to throw at me, I will be with Jesus.  When I am with Him, everything will be good.
     John finishes chapter 4 by once again encouraging us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Jesus love us, so we should love one another and this world for whom Christ died.
     Jesus loves you.  That is the greatest thing I can tell you.  Accept His love in your life.
     Next week, we will begin the final chapter of I John.  It is a chapter with some controversial passages.  May God bless you this week.  Amen.

Weekend Sermon--I John 4:9-12

     I thank the Lord this week for the awareness of His presence through what has been a very difficult week.  Lately, just when I think that things are getting better, the hammer falls, so to speak.  I had a plan to get out of my financial mess, and my entire plan crumbled this week.  Please pray that I can get back on track in this area of my life.  I need a decent job that I can do.  With my bad leg, its hard to find jobs.  I need more writing jobs or an office job.  Once again please pray.  I am beginning to get worried that I'm going to lose my house.
     I would also like everyone who reads this blog to pray about the situation occurring in the Middle East.  Let us pray for peace, and pray for the families of those who lost their lives in the Libyan embassy attack.
     In last week's message, I focused on the fact that the Lord who dwells within us is greater than the power of the evil one or the power of this world's system.  We who believe in Jesus have His power to overcome those things that life tries to throw at us in order to get us off track in our walk with the Lord.
     We also focused briefly on the importance of love in the Christian faith.  As I stated last week, love is what the Christian religion is all about.  God has demonstrated His love for us.  As those transformed by the love of God, we are to show love for our brothers and sisters in Christ and for those who need to experience the love of Jesus in their lives.
     This brings us to verses 9 and 10 of chapter 4 which state, "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  Herein in love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
     In these verses, which are two of the clearest and wonderful verses in the Bible, John states the way God showed love to the human race.
     God loved us in spite of the fact that we didn't love Him.  All we like sheep had gone astray.  We wanted to do our own thing in our own way.  This began with Adam and Eve and continues right down to today.
     The Bible says that there is no one who does what is good.  There is no one who seeks after God.  Furthermore, the Bible says that man in his unregenerate state is actually God's enemy.  We are at war with the law of God.
     In most instances, someone won't go out of their way to do something for just a neutral stranger.  We definitely don't sacrifice or go out of our way for an enemy.
     But, God loved us even though we were His enemies, and we didn't show anything but hostility and disobedience to Him.
     Because He love us,  God sent His Son, Jesus into the world to be the propitiation for our sins.  Jesus bore our sins in His body on the cross.  The wrath of God against sin was poured out on Jesus who took upon Himself the punishment we deserved as sinners.
     God didn't have to do this.  There was nothing that mandated that He provide a way of atonement for those who didn't love Him.  God sent His Son, and Jesus came into this world because God loved us so much that He was willing to make such a magnificent sacrifice.
     Now that we know the love of Jesus, we must choose to accept what Jesus Christ has done and submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, or we can reject Jesus Christ.  However, God is seeking all, and whosoever will may come.
     Those of us who have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord realize the great love of God for us.  Now we are to respond to the love of God by loving others.  Someone who has truly been transformed by Jesus will truly be a person of love. 
     We love the world in two ways.  First of all, we show true love for this world when we tell others the good news of what Jesus has done for us.  In other words, we are obedient to the Great Commission.  Second, we show love by helping to meet the needs of the hurting inside and outside of the church family.  We feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and afflicted and stand up for justice.
     As John says in verse 12, people in this world see the love of the Lord when they see that His followers are people of love.
     I don't know who may be reading this right now, but if you want to know what real love is, then turn to Jesus.  Jesus loves you, and He want to have a relationship with you.  Turn to Him in repentance and faith.
     To those who have already given their lives to Christ, be people so filled with the love of God that it flows out to others.  Share the love of Jesus with those you know by sharing the Gospel with them.  Do good and try to help as many people in need as you possibly can.  May you all know the love of Christ this day.  Amen.

Weekend Sermon--I John 4: 4 and 7-8

     I hope that everyone had a nice Labor Day holiday weekend.  I know that my weekend was good.  I thank the Lord for an unexpected financial blessing. Please pray that I will find more work.  It's still a struggle.
     Last week, I wrote about Isaiah chapter 55 and some of the wonderful words contained in that passage of Scripture.  While we were in our study of I John last time, we looked at the warning John gave to test the spirits to see if they were from God.
     We looked at those points that characterize false teachers.  False teachers usually try to add additional revelation to the Bible, and they in some way try to diminish the person and/or the work of Jesus.
     Our rule of faith and practice is the Bible.  The Bible is God's word.  We need to be students of the word so immersed in the word that we know the truth so well that we can easily spot those teachings contrary to the revelation from the Lord contained in the Bible.
     As we continue in I John, I'd like to focus on verse four.  This verse has a great deal of meaning to me.  John says, "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
     If we have given our lives to Jesus Christ, we have the Holy Spirit in our heart.  We have a relationship with the Lord, and we have His abiding presence with us always.
     The world, and this world system, are under the control of the evil one.  I think that as we look at the problems and tragedies in this world it is easy to see that there is much injustice and evil in the world.
     The forces of evil are arrayed against those who are the children of God.  The evil one wants nothing more than to see a Christian fall into sin and become unfruitful  in the work of the Lord.  As the Bible says, the devil is like a roaring lion going about and seeking whom he may devour.
     I know that in my life there are many times when it seems like all of the bad things in this world are pressing in against me and trying to drag me down.  These last years since my parents died have been so hard I can't even describe it adequately.  A lot of sadness coupled with health problems makes me feel like I want to quit.  Death, sadness and pain, which are the works of the evil one, sometimes seem to get me all the way down.
     Thanks be to God that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  The God whose Spirit dwells within me is greater than what this evil world tries to throw at me to get me down
     I really don't know how those without Jesus in their lives get through the times when evil besets them.  I know that I've only made it these many years in this fallen world because I have a relationship with Jesus who lives in me and cares about me and gives me the strength when my strength is on the verge of failing.
     I don't have the power in myself to overcome temptation and the evil the world brings against me.  The power to overcome is from Jesus.  He has the power.  Through His death and resurrection, He has defeated the power of evil.  Through Jesus, we are more than conquerors.
     If you are going through a hard time in your life, and you don't know how your going to make it through, call out to the Lord Jesus to be your strength.  Ask Him to fight the battle.  The one who loves us and gave Himself for us will strengthen us, enable us and fight for us so that we can have a victorious and abundant life.
     In verses 7 and 8 of chapter 4, John instructs his readers to be people of love.  John says that God is love.
     Love is what the Christian religion is all about.  God loved us and made a way of redemption.  Because God loved us, we should love the world that God loves.  The Bible says that the world will know that we are Christians by our love for one another. 
     Probably the greatest chapter on love in the Bible is I Corinthians 13.  In this chapter, Paul details what love is all about.  I urge you to read this passage and found out about true love.
     Of course, our great example of what true love is is found in Jesus.  Jesus' entire life and ministry was about His great love.  People were attracted to Jesus because they realized that He truly loved them.  Jesus loved the world and loved us so much that He gave His life as a ransom for the sins of the world.
     As believers in Jesus, let us follow His example of love.  Amen.

Thanks and Praise

    I wanted to thank everyone for praying about my financial problems.  The Lord has provided, and I give Him the praise.  I also wanted to thank the Lord for something that happened this morning.  I was getting ready to mow the lawn, and the mower wouldn't start.  Thankfully, my neighbor fixed my mower for free.  Praise the Lord.

Weekend Sermon--Isaiah 55

     This upcoming weekend is the Labor Day holiday, and I for one am certainly in need of a long weekend to try and recuperate.  This summer has been way too hot.
     I want to thank the Lord for providing a very important financial need in my life this week.  I'm still looking for more work, and I ask for your prayers in this matter.
     This week, I am going to take a break from our study of I John and look at one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.  Isaiah 55 is filled with wonderful verses that are very familiar to those who study God's Word.
     This chapter begins with the words, "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters, and you who have no money come buy and eat.  Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost."
     Isaiah is telling about God's free gift of salvation.  There is no price.  Human beings could never earn their way to salvation.  Salvation is a gift from God.
     Later, in the New Testament, Jesus encountered the woman at the well in Samaria.  Jesus offered this woman living water promising her that if she drank of the living water, she would never thirst again.
     Jesus wasn't speaking about literal water.  He was the living water.  Jesus is the Savior of the world.  Whosoever will may come to Jesus and receive forgiveness of sins and become a new creature in Christ Jesus.
     Another passage echoing the words of Isaiah is found in Revelation chapter 22.  In the New Jerusalem, the Apostle John saw, 'the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and from the Lamb."
     Another well-known passage from Isaiah 55 is recorded in verses 8-9.  Here, the Lord says that His ways and thoughts are high above the thoughts of man.  In fact, the Lord says that His thoughts are higher above man's thoughts as the heaven's are above the earth.
     This verse tells me that it is not possible for me to always know what God is trying to do.  God is God.  I am certainly not.  As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I don't understand sometimes what God is doing especially when prayers go unanswered or hard times strike myself or others.  I can rest in the knowledge that God is in control.  He has a plan, and He is bringing all things together towards the fulfillment of His plan.  It is up to me to have faith in His leading and will.
     Verse 11 is an important verse to me.  The Lord says that His word will not return to Him empty.  It will accomplish God's purpose.
     As someone called to minister, it is part of my duty to proclaim the word of God and teach the Bible which is God's word.  Most of the time, I have no idea what effect this is having.  Take this blog for instance.  I post a sermon each week and pray that God will use it for his honor and glory.  I don't know what my words will accomplish.  However, I do know that when the word of the Lord is proclaimed, something will happen.  For instance, the word can be rejected or simply ignored.  At other times, the word is received, and sometimes through the power of the Spirit, it makes a difference in someone's life.  One way or another, God will accomplish His will.
     Finally, the final verses of Isaiah 55 speak about a time in the future when all things will be made new.  This is when Jesus returns to earth again.  Just as Jesus came to earth on Christmas Day, one day, Jesus Christ is coming back to earth in power and great glory.  Every eye will see Him and everyone will bow before Him and proclaim that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 
     When that day arrives, Jesus will restore everything to the perfect state that existed on earth before the fall of man.  There will be peace.  There will be no more sorrow or pain.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
     Jesus offers His gift of love and salvation to all.  If you've never surrendered your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, I pray that you will do so today.  I pray that everyone will have a great holiday.  Amen.

Weekend Sermon--I John 4:1

     I hope that everyone has had a good week.  It's been so dry where I live that we've been moved up to exceptional draught status.  This weekend we're supposed to finally get some substantial rain.  We need the rain, I just hope we don't get any severe weather.
     I talked about unanswered prayer last week as we finished our examination of I John chapter 3.  As I said last week, it's often difficult to understand why our prayers go unanswered.  It's just something we have to accept and still believe and trust in the goodness of God.  It's important to remember that God is working out all things for our good.  God is working out all things for the fulfillment of His ultimate plane for the universe.
     We now move into chapter 4 and the Apostle John's discussion about testing the spirits to see if they are from God.
     John begins in verse 1 by stating, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
     I believe that what John is speaking about here is the spirit of truth versus the spirit of error.  John is warning his readers not to simply believe someone because he says that he has a word or prophecy from the Lord.  Not everyone who claims to be speaking for the Lord is really doing that.  As John points out, there are many false doctrines.  That was certainly true in John's day.  In John's time, some were teaching that Jesus had not come in the flesh.  Others taught a type of antinomianism that said that since Christians were under grace they could sin freely knowing they were forgiven.  Still others taught that believers were still obligated to follow the Old Testament ritual law in order to be accepted by God.  Paul dealt with this problem extensively in the epistle to the Galatians.
     Of course, as history progressed, more and more false teaching arose.  Arianism was one of the greatest threats to the doctrinal integrity of the church.  Also, the church faced heretical movements such as Donatism, Docetism and Apollinarianism.
     False teachings are among us to a great extent right down to our present day.  One of the main features of false teachers is that they use the same theological terms as orthodox Christians, but they place different meanings into the term.  They pour there false beliefs into familiar terminology.
     For instance, the Jehovah's Witnesses will speak about Jesus, but in their belief, Jesus is not equal with the Father.  They have an erroneous belief concerning the deity of Christ.  In fact, there beliefs about Jesus are similar to the ancient Arian heresy.
     John talks about testing whether or not a person or group is really speaking the true doctrine.  There are two things I've found that are almost always present in teachings that are in error.
     First of all, most false teachers want to add to the Bible.  For instance, false teachers may accept the Bible as authoritative, but they then want to add something else.  The Bible isn't sufficient.  Many times, another book is added to the Bible such as the Book of Mormon.
     Many of my ancestors were members of the Swedenborgian Church.  This church accepts the Bible. However, you can't really understand the Bible, they believe, without the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.  The Bible is not sufficient.
     Others will say that additional revelations through prophecy or words of wisdom are a continuing revelation equal with Scripture.
     The biggest mark of a cult or false teaching is what they do with Jesus.  John focuses on the false doctrine that was present in his day.  John says that anyone who teaches that Jesus did not come in the flesh is teaching false doctrine.
     Most cults and false teachers in some way diminish the person and work of Jesus Christ.  Some will say that Jesus is the Son of God, but He is not equal with God.  Many will claim that Jesus was just a man who was adopted by God at the time of baptism.
     Probably the greatest false teaching diminishes what Jesus did on the cross.  The Bible is clear that Jesus died for our sins.  Jesus paid it all. He accomplished all that is is necessary for our salvation by His death and resurrection.
    False teachers will teach Jesus plus.  They will say you need Jesus plus good works, or Jesus plus some other ritual.  In their opinion, Jesus isn't sufficient.
     When judging the truth of a particular teaching, the most important thing that we can do is to test how a teaching measures up with what is revealed in Scripture.
     If we are student's of God's Word, we will become so familiar with the truth that we will be able with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to determine truth from error.
     We need to be like the Bereans.  When they heard the teachings of Paul, they searched the Scriptures diligently in order to see if the things that Paul taught were true.
     If you don't have a regular practice of reading and studying the Bible, I urge you to begin today.  Studying church history is also very helpful.  Many of the same doctrinal errors the church faces today have occurred at various times throughout the history of the church.
     May God bless you this week.  Amen.