Thank you for once again taking time to read this message. It means a lot to me. I hope that you are all doing well, and I thank the Lord for the ministry of doing these messages.
Last week, we looked at the fact that the disciples recognized finally that Jesus was the Messiah. He was God and man. That doesn't mean that they were seeing the entire picture of what Jesus' ministry entailed yet. Peter would rebuke Jesus for saying that He was going to be crucified. This drew a sharp rebuke from Jesus who said, "Get behind me, Satan." Jesus said that they were looking at things from a human perspective and not from God's perspective."
In our message today, I would like us to focus on this statement of Jesus about looking at things from a human perspective and not looking at things the way that God sees it. So much of this is going on today in our world.
We live in a world that is fallen. People have rebelled against God and the ways of God. The Bible is clear that we are like lost sheep who have gone astray. Each has gone to his own way doing what he or she deems right regardless of what the Lord has said about it.
The values of our society are completely at odds with the way of the Lord. For instance, think about what the world's view of success is. In this world system's way of thinking wealth, power, fame and prestige are what make for success. However, that is not what counts for having a successful life in God's eyes. In the Lord's view, being a success in life means following Him and turning your life over to Him. It means that you love God and your neighbor. You do unto others as you would have done to you. It doesn't matter if you are rich and famous. The world and all of its fame and treasure is passing away. The Lord Jesus has called on us to build up treasure in heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt and where thieves do not break in and steal.
When Jesus told the story of the rich man and Lazarus, this world would have looked on the rich man as a success and Lazarus as a failure. But, Jesus turned things around. Lazarus ended up having eternal life in heaven while the rich man lifted up his eyes in hell.
There are other ways that this world's values do not measure up with the way God sees it. For instance, boasting and calling attention to oneself and one's deeds is very common practice. But in God's view, we are to be people who are humble not drawing attention to ourselves and our supposed greatness. We are to realize that all that we have comes to us by the gracious hand of the Lord. He has given us all that pertains to life and Godliness.
One other area I would like to touch on is becoming more prevalent today especially among some famous people and in some political circles. This belief states that self-interest is the most important thing in life. A person shouldn't "waste" money and time on charity. They should make a lot of money and use it for themselves. What is done for oneself is viewed as right. This is the opposite of the teaching of the Lord.
The Bible says that we are to be concerned for the needs of others and not just for ourselves. We are called to follow the selfless example of Jesus who did not come into the world to be served but to serve. Jesus gave His life for the world. He is the ultimate example of humility, doing good and being a person for others. He is our example.
I hope that you will order your perspective rightly. Look at things from God's way and not from the perspective of this fallen world system. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Please pray in regard to my health. I am not feeling well at all. I really need your prayers.
Pray for those who suffered damage in the area north of me from storms. Pray that they will make a full recovery. Also, pray for those affected by the hurricane here in the USA.
Keep praying for peace. Ukraine needs prayers for peace. Keep praying in regard to peace in the Middle East and don't forget about Sudan.
For our prayer focus countries, let us pray for those in the nations of Togo and Benin. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, we will finish Mark 8. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all.
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