Thursday, July 10, 2014
Update
I am sorry that there is no book review this week. I haven't had time to read much. I will post the Weekend Sermon on Saturday.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Weekend Sermon-- Luke 22:47-53
I hope that everyone who reads this blog in the United States had a very enjoyable Independence Day holiday. The day off from work gave me a chance to get a little bit of work done around the house and out in the yard.
I want to thank the Lord for the privilege that He has given me to share His Word with you on this blog each week. I truly enjoy the opportunity to share the message of the love of Jesus with you.
In your prayer time this week, please continue to pray for peace in the Middle East. War continues in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. There always seems to be tension in Israel. Let us all spend some time each day this week praying for peace in this region, and let us all pray for the spread of the gospel in this area as well.
Today, we continue our series of messages about the miracles of Jesus. Our Scripture for the day is found in Luke's gospel. However, this miracle of Jesus is recorded in all four Gospels, and each of the four Gospel's gives a slightly different account of what transpired on this occassion.
Jesus had finished the institution of the Lord's Supper. He knew that the time of His betrayal and ultimate sacrifice was quickly approaching. Jesus went with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. In great anguish, Jesus asked that He might be delivered from what was to come. However, Jesus prayed to the Father, "Not my will, but thine be done."
Judas led the soldiers into the Garden of Gethsemane to betray the Lord. When one of Jesus' disciples saw the soldiers about to arrest Jesus, the disciple unsheathed his sword and whacked off the ear of the High Priest's servant. The Gospel of John tells us that the servant's name was Malchus.
Jesus said to the disciple, "No more of this!" In another Gospel, Jesus is recorded as also saying, "Those who live by the sword will die by the sword."
Jesus then performed a miracle for the one who had joined the party sent out to arrest Him. Jesus touched the ear of the High Priest's servant, and the man's ear was completely restored.
There is a lot to learn from this miracle of the Lord. One thing that I think is really important in this account is Jesus reaction to the use of violence. He did not tolerate the use of force by His disciple. Jesus ordered all of the violence to stop.
I think that this is a message that many Christians really need to pay attention to today. Jesus taught the way of nonviolence throughout His earthly ministry. We see this not just in this passage. Jesus' teachings on nonviolence are clearly on display in His teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount.
Unfortunately, many of those who claim to follow Jesus are not practicing Jesus' teachings about nonviolence. Instead of putting away the sword, we are living by the sword which is directly opposed to Jesus teachings and commandments. In greately alarms me when I see the vast number of Christians who are involved with guns, shooting and violent sports. It is also alarming to see the number of Christians who promote militarism.
Jesus taught the way of peace. As followers of Jesus, it is our responsibility to do what our Lord would do. Jesus taught the way of love and forgiveness. As His followers, we should do the same. I can't believe that Jesus would advocate the current climate of violence and the love of guns that is currently in vogue in the United States.
This miracle account also demonstrates Jesus' principle of loving even one's enemies. In spite of the fact that the High Priest's servant was part of the group sent out to arrest Him, Jesus did good for him anyway. Jesus showed His love even to one who would seek to do Him harm. Of course, Jesus would even demonstrate His love to those who nailed Him to the cross. Jesus prayed, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
This is the same attitude of love and forgiveness that we as Christ's followers need to demonstrate even though it often very hard to do so. Jesus is our perfect example. He sought to overcome evil with good. He overcame the power of hate with the power of His wonder working love. It is love that reaches out to every living thing on this planet. Jesus offers His love and forgiveness to all who would come to Him and receive Him.
Several years ago, I heard a sermon entitled "An Unexpected Witness" based on this same miracle account. In this sermon, the evangelist emphasized the fact the Malchus would forever be a witness to the divine power and love of Jesus. As Malchus continued to serve in the household of the High Priest, the High Priest would continually see the power, glory and love of Jesus everytime he looked at Malchus' healed ear.
Our actions of love and peace are a witness for our Lord. Our demonstrations of love and peace show this world that there is a better way to live. Jesus offers a better way. He offers the way of light, life and love.
Next week, I will try to post another book review on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon will probably be posted on Saturday again next week. May God bless you. Amen.
I want to thank the Lord for the privilege that He has given me to share His Word with you on this blog each week. I truly enjoy the opportunity to share the message of the love of Jesus with you.
In your prayer time this week, please continue to pray for peace in the Middle East. War continues in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. There always seems to be tension in Israel. Let us all spend some time each day this week praying for peace in this region, and let us all pray for the spread of the gospel in this area as well.
Today, we continue our series of messages about the miracles of Jesus. Our Scripture for the day is found in Luke's gospel. However, this miracle of Jesus is recorded in all four Gospels, and each of the four Gospel's gives a slightly different account of what transpired on this occassion.
Jesus had finished the institution of the Lord's Supper. He knew that the time of His betrayal and ultimate sacrifice was quickly approaching. Jesus went with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. In great anguish, Jesus asked that He might be delivered from what was to come. However, Jesus prayed to the Father, "Not my will, but thine be done."
Judas led the soldiers into the Garden of Gethsemane to betray the Lord. When one of Jesus' disciples saw the soldiers about to arrest Jesus, the disciple unsheathed his sword and whacked off the ear of the High Priest's servant. The Gospel of John tells us that the servant's name was Malchus.
Jesus said to the disciple, "No more of this!" In another Gospel, Jesus is recorded as also saying, "Those who live by the sword will die by the sword."
Jesus then performed a miracle for the one who had joined the party sent out to arrest Him. Jesus touched the ear of the High Priest's servant, and the man's ear was completely restored.
There is a lot to learn from this miracle of the Lord. One thing that I think is really important in this account is Jesus reaction to the use of violence. He did not tolerate the use of force by His disciple. Jesus ordered all of the violence to stop.
I think that this is a message that many Christians really need to pay attention to today. Jesus taught the way of nonviolence throughout His earthly ministry. We see this not just in this passage. Jesus' teachings on nonviolence are clearly on display in His teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount.
Unfortunately, many of those who claim to follow Jesus are not practicing Jesus' teachings about nonviolence. Instead of putting away the sword, we are living by the sword which is directly opposed to Jesus teachings and commandments. In greately alarms me when I see the vast number of Christians who are involved with guns, shooting and violent sports. It is also alarming to see the number of Christians who promote militarism.
Jesus taught the way of peace. As followers of Jesus, it is our responsibility to do what our Lord would do. Jesus taught the way of love and forgiveness. As His followers, we should do the same. I can't believe that Jesus would advocate the current climate of violence and the love of guns that is currently in vogue in the United States.
This miracle account also demonstrates Jesus' principle of loving even one's enemies. In spite of the fact that the High Priest's servant was part of the group sent out to arrest Him, Jesus did good for him anyway. Jesus showed His love even to one who would seek to do Him harm. Of course, Jesus would even demonstrate His love to those who nailed Him to the cross. Jesus prayed, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
This is the same attitude of love and forgiveness that we as Christ's followers need to demonstrate even though it often very hard to do so. Jesus is our perfect example. He sought to overcome evil with good. He overcame the power of hate with the power of His wonder working love. It is love that reaches out to every living thing on this planet. Jesus offers His love and forgiveness to all who would come to Him and receive Him.
Several years ago, I heard a sermon entitled "An Unexpected Witness" based on this same miracle account. In this sermon, the evangelist emphasized the fact the Malchus would forever be a witness to the divine power and love of Jesus. As Malchus continued to serve in the household of the High Priest, the High Priest would continually see the power, glory and love of Jesus everytime he looked at Malchus' healed ear.
Our actions of love and peace are a witness for our Lord. Our demonstrations of love and peace show this world that there is a better way to live. Jesus offers a better way. He offers the way of light, life and love.
Next week, I will try to post another book review on Wednesday. The Weekend Sermon will probably be posted on Saturday again next week. May God bless you. Amen.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Book Review
Today's book review is about a book entitled "The Dog Who Could Fly" written by Damien Lewis. This is another book about the WorldWar II dog named Antis who I have written about before. In this new book, the author goes into a great bit of detail about the experiences that Antis and Robert Bozdech shared as they flew bombing missions for the RAF.
In the past, I have recommended two other books about Antis entitled "A Man and His Dog" and the book "Freedom in the Air" by Hamish Ross. The Hamish Ross book gives details about the experiences of Antis and Bozdech after World War II. It tells about the pairs escape from Czechoslovakia and their return to the RAF. This new book focus on World War II almost entirely. It is very in depth and quite interesting giving some information not found in the other two works. As with the other books about Antis, I highly recommend "The Dog Who Could Fly."
In the past, I have recommended two other books about Antis entitled "A Man and His Dog" and the book "Freedom in the Air" by Hamish Ross. The Hamish Ross book gives details about the experiences of Antis and Bozdech after World War II. It tells about the pairs escape from Czechoslovakia and their return to the RAF. This new book focus on World War II almost entirely. It is very in depth and quite interesting giving some information not found in the other two works. As with the other books about Antis, I highly recommend "The Dog Who Could Fly."
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Weekend Sermon
This is a sermon that I posted almost three years ago when I first started posting sermons on this blog. I've decided to post it again this week. Next week, we will return to our series on the miracles of Jesus. May God bless you this week.
Matthew 28:16-20
Haggai 2:4
Hebrews 13:5
In last week's message, we looked at the last words Jesus spoke to the eleven disciples before He finished His earthly ministry and ascended to the right hand of the Father. The main part of Jesus' last words were His Great Commission commanding the disciples, and all believers, to make disciples, baptize new converts and teach them to obey Jesus' commandments. We also examined just a few of the ways we as 21st century believers can carry out the Great Commission.
One part of Jesus' final words that we didn't get a chance to look at in depth was His statement that , " surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." To me, this is a profound and comforting statement.
In its most immediate context, Jesus is letting His disciples know that as they attempted to carry out the Great Commission, He would be with them helping them to accomplish the great task before them. This is the only means by which they would ever be able to accomplish what they did. Just think of it, eleven men went out and preached the message of Jesus, and from that small beginning, roughly 30% of the world now claims Jesus as Savior. If the Lord hadn't been with them during all of the struggles, hardship, and persecutions they faced they would never have made it. But, the risen Lord was with them every step of the way.
Just as the Lord kept His promise to the disciples, Jesus will be with us as well. He will never leave us or forsake us in our attempts to serve Him and in the hard times we face just trying to live our lives, He will always be there.
I know that without Jesus helping me, I'd never have been able to be a witness in the world. Since the time I was young, I've always had a lot of anxiety when it comes to speaking to people for the first time. It takes a lot of work for me to engage socially. Yet, as a young man I felt called to be in Christian ministry. In order to do this, I'd have to talk to people and share the faith.
At one church I went to, they did a lot of door to door witnessing. So, I started working in this ministry. At first, I didn't think that I could do it, but as I began to talk to people, the peace of Christ came over me, and I didn't have any problem speaking to people in this context.
The same held true in the context of speaking at the nursing home and the chapel services at the local Christian School. I know that Jesus was with me, and I felt His presence enabling me to do the task.
In college, I really had to rely on the Lord to help me to be a witness for Him. Without thinking that it would happen, I was thrust into my own little apologetics ministry. I went to a Christian college that somewhere along the line forgot what that meant. I'd have debates with the chaplain often. He didn't believe any of the orthodox doctrines of the faith. Not one to talk much in class, I didn't have any trouble speaking about the Bible and doctrines of the Lord with this chaplain or students. I knew Jesus was with me.
If you will step out in faith to fulfill the Great Commission, I know that you too will be keenly aware of the presence and power of Jesus in you life. He will give you the strength to do what He has asked you to do.
I believe that Jesus' words about always being with us are true in the struggles of everyday life. Jesus said that each day had enough trouble of its own to deal with without worrying about what the next day would bring.
I don't know how people make it in life without the presence of Jesus. I know that I wouldn't have made it this far without Him and His help in the really hard times.
I've faced probably four or five real hard times in my life when I didn't know if I could keep going.
Growing up and having a lot of heartache with church and school, along with a lot of sickness was hard. But, Jesus being with me saw me through.
Losing Toby just about killed me. He was the one Jesus sent to help me. After Toby left, I felt like I was back to square one. But, Jesus being with me saw me through.
When Mom had a massive stroke and Dad and I took care of her those five years before she passed away, I wouldn't have made it without the rock of the presence of Jesus in my soul never allowing me to get too far down.
Four months after Mom died, my Dad had a stroke at the veterinarian's office while he was there to pick up his Akita. He died two weeks later.
I'm still struggling, but I know Jesus is with me not only because His Word says it, I know it because when I pray and meditate I can feel His presence in my soul.
Every one who is alive has faced hard times when they didn't know if they could keep going. Let me assure you, Jesus is with you. He cares. He loves you. He understands and is working all things out for the ultimate good. Trust Him, and pray of His will.
Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us. I know this is true. Let us be faithful to Him in all that we do for His honor and glory.
If your reading this and you've never asked Jesus into you life to be your Savior and Lord, I invite you to do so today. Pray to receive Christ. Repent of your sin, and accept Jesus' Lordship. He will hear you when you call on His name. Amen.
Matthew 28:16-20
Haggai 2:4
Hebrews 13:5
In last week's message, we looked at the last words Jesus spoke to the eleven disciples before He finished His earthly ministry and ascended to the right hand of the Father. The main part of Jesus' last words were His Great Commission commanding the disciples, and all believers, to make disciples, baptize new converts and teach them to obey Jesus' commandments. We also examined just a few of the ways we as 21st century believers can carry out the Great Commission.
One part of Jesus' final words that we didn't get a chance to look at in depth was His statement that , " surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." To me, this is a profound and comforting statement.
In its most immediate context, Jesus is letting His disciples know that as they attempted to carry out the Great Commission, He would be with them helping them to accomplish the great task before them. This is the only means by which they would ever be able to accomplish what they did. Just think of it, eleven men went out and preached the message of Jesus, and from that small beginning, roughly 30% of the world now claims Jesus as Savior. If the Lord hadn't been with them during all of the struggles, hardship, and persecutions they faced they would never have made it. But, the risen Lord was with them every step of the way.
Just as the Lord kept His promise to the disciples, Jesus will be with us as well. He will never leave us or forsake us in our attempts to serve Him and in the hard times we face just trying to live our lives, He will always be there.
I know that without Jesus helping me, I'd never have been able to be a witness in the world. Since the time I was young, I've always had a lot of anxiety when it comes to speaking to people for the first time. It takes a lot of work for me to engage socially. Yet, as a young man I felt called to be in Christian ministry. In order to do this, I'd have to talk to people and share the faith.
At one church I went to, they did a lot of door to door witnessing. So, I started working in this ministry. At first, I didn't think that I could do it, but as I began to talk to people, the peace of Christ came over me, and I didn't have any problem speaking to people in this context.
The same held true in the context of speaking at the nursing home and the chapel services at the local Christian School. I know that Jesus was with me, and I felt His presence enabling me to do the task.
In college, I really had to rely on the Lord to help me to be a witness for Him. Without thinking that it would happen, I was thrust into my own little apologetics ministry. I went to a Christian college that somewhere along the line forgot what that meant. I'd have debates with the chaplain often. He didn't believe any of the orthodox doctrines of the faith. Not one to talk much in class, I didn't have any trouble speaking about the Bible and doctrines of the Lord with this chaplain or students. I knew Jesus was with me.
If you will step out in faith to fulfill the Great Commission, I know that you too will be keenly aware of the presence and power of Jesus in you life. He will give you the strength to do what He has asked you to do.
I believe that Jesus' words about always being with us are true in the struggles of everyday life. Jesus said that each day had enough trouble of its own to deal with without worrying about what the next day would bring.
I don't know how people make it in life without the presence of Jesus. I know that I wouldn't have made it this far without Him and His help in the really hard times.
I've faced probably four or five real hard times in my life when I didn't know if I could keep going.
Growing up and having a lot of heartache with church and school, along with a lot of sickness was hard. But, Jesus being with me saw me through.
Losing Toby just about killed me. He was the one Jesus sent to help me. After Toby left, I felt like I was back to square one. But, Jesus being with me saw me through.
When Mom had a massive stroke and Dad and I took care of her those five years before she passed away, I wouldn't have made it without the rock of the presence of Jesus in my soul never allowing me to get too far down.
Four months after Mom died, my Dad had a stroke at the veterinarian's office while he was there to pick up his Akita. He died two weeks later.
I'm still struggling, but I know Jesus is with me not only because His Word says it, I know it because when I pray and meditate I can feel His presence in my soul.
Every one who is alive has faced hard times when they didn't know if they could keep going. Let me assure you, Jesus is with you. He cares. He loves you. He understands and is working all things out for the ultimate good. Trust Him, and pray of His will.
Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us. I know this is true. Let us be faithful to Him in all that we do for His honor and glory.
If your reading this and you've never asked Jesus into you life to be your Savior and Lord, I invite you to do so today. Pray to receive Christ. Repent of your sin, and accept Jesus' Lordship. He will hear you when you call on His name. Amen.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Update
I am in the process of reading several good books, and I hope to have reviews of them in the coming weeks.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Weekend Sermon-- Luke 8:26-39
Welcome to this edition of the Weekend Sermon. Thank you to all of you who read these sermons. I am sorry that I haven't been posting as regularly as I would like to as of late. There is a lot going on at work, and sometimes I am not able to get to the library during the hours that they are open. In the weeks to come, I hope to get back on the old schedule of reviews on Wednesdays and the sermon on Friday.
I want to thank the Lord for my job. I also want to thank the Lord for providing me with some more writing work this week. I quite unexpectedly was asked to write for a large internet company on a part-time basis. I am very grateful for this opportunity.
Continue to be in prayer for the people of Iraq. This country has know nothing but war and strife for the past several years. Please pray for peace, and continue to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters. Pray for the spread of the love of Jesus in Iraq.
Today, we continue with our series of messages on the miracles of Jesus. In our passage for this week, we find one of the more disturbing miracles that Jesus performed. In my opinion, this miracle has some aspects that are rather difficult to understand. It also provides a lot of meaning for today to those who are willing to look at what it has to teach.
Jesus had told His disciples that they were going to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. While they were enroute, a great storm arose, and the disciples feared that they might perish. Jesus performed a great miracle by speaking the words of peace to calm the storm of nature and the storm of fear in the hearts of His followers.
Eventually, the disciples and Jesus landed in Gadara. When they came off of the boat, they were confronted by a man who was demon-possessed. He wore no clothes and lived in the graveyard. This man was wild. The people of the town had tried to chain him up, but the man was always able to break free.
When this man saw Jesus, the demons revealed that there were many of them possessing the man. They asked that Jesus not torment them before the time. Jesus commanded the demons to leave the man, and the demons were sent into a nearby herd of pigs. When the demons entered the pigs, the herd ran over a cliff into the sea and drowned themselves.
When the people of the village saw what had occurred, they were afraid. They asked Jesus to depart from their village. The man whose life had been restored asked to come along and become a follower of Jesus. However, Jesus told the man to, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you."
This miracle account from the life of Jesus has much to teach us today. One of the things that stands out to me right away is that Jesus cared about everyone, and He wanted to share His message of love with all people. Gadara was a Gentile city. However, Jesus wanted to go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee to share His love with Jew and Gentile alike. Jesus also shared His love with those who were outcasts from society like this man who lived among the graves.
In our world today, there are a host of people who need to hear about Jesus. In many countries of the world, there are only a handful of Christians. The vast majority of the people have never heard the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Only 30 percent of the world's population claims to be Christian. That leaves 70 percent of the world at the very least who do not have a personal relationship with the risen Lord. It tells me that all of the followers of Jesus need to be about obeying the Great Commission to preach the Gospel to every one on this planet.
This miracle also teaches me that Jesus loved and cared about even those who the rest of society despised and who were thought to be beyond redemption. Jesus made sure to help a man who was filled with a legion of evil spirits.
There are many people with problems in the world, yet those in the church often reject them and turn them away. We often aren't like Jesus. We aren't helping the afflicted, we are just making them feel worse about themselves.
We as followers of Jesus need to condemn less and help more. I remember in the church that I grew up in as boy that they wouldn't help the homeless people because they said that they were all drug addicts and alcoholics. How different that is from the attitude of the Lord Jesus who reached out in love to even the most looked down upon people in society.
This miracle also demonstrates to me the power that wealth and greed can have upon people. When Jesus cast out the demons, they went into the pigs. The pigs not wanting to be a habitation of demons drowned themselves. Instead of being happy that a man was set free, the people were angry that their herd of pigs was gone. They cared more about profit than people.
This is true in our society today. Many of the major multi-national corporations exploit the poor and weak. They pay pitifully low wages and provide sub-standard working conditions. This is all done in the name of profit and providing value for shareholders. In many cases, churches and religious groups will invest in these companies thus joining the ranks of the exploiters and putting profit before people.
As members of the church of Jesus Christ, we should always put people above profit. We should stand for justice for workers and for the rights of the poor. The church should be the loudest voice of support for the exploited masses in this world today.
One other important aspect about this miracle that I would like to point out involves the reaction of the crowd. They saw the great miracle that Jesus performed, yet they rejected Jesus and asked Him to leave. People do the same thing today. Many who hear the message of the love of Jesus will turn Jesus away. They refuse to follow Him and make Him the Lord of their lives in spite of all that Jesus has done by dying on the cross and rising from the dead.
Finally, Jesus message to the healed man is a message for us today. Jesus told the man to go home and declare what God had done for Him. Let us declare what the Lord has done for us. He has saved us and given us an eternal salvation that can never be taken away. He has gone to prepare a place for us that where He is, we can be there as well. Jesus has given us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness.
May God bless you all this week. Amen.
I want to thank the Lord for my job. I also want to thank the Lord for providing me with some more writing work this week. I quite unexpectedly was asked to write for a large internet company on a part-time basis. I am very grateful for this opportunity.
Continue to be in prayer for the people of Iraq. This country has know nothing but war and strife for the past several years. Please pray for peace, and continue to pray for our Christian brothers and sisters. Pray for the spread of the love of Jesus in Iraq.
Today, we continue with our series of messages on the miracles of Jesus. In our passage for this week, we find one of the more disturbing miracles that Jesus performed. In my opinion, this miracle has some aspects that are rather difficult to understand. It also provides a lot of meaning for today to those who are willing to look at what it has to teach.
Jesus had told His disciples that they were going to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. While they were enroute, a great storm arose, and the disciples feared that they might perish. Jesus performed a great miracle by speaking the words of peace to calm the storm of nature and the storm of fear in the hearts of His followers.
Eventually, the disciples and Jesus landed in Gadara. When they came off of the boat, they were confronted by a man who was demon-possessed. He wore no clothes and lived in the graveyard. This man was wild. The people of the town had tried to chain him up, but the man was always able to break free.
When this man saw Jesus, the demons revealed that there were many of them possessing the man. They asked that Jesus not torment them before the time. Jesus commanded the demons to leave the man, and the demons were sent into a nearby herd of pigs. When the demons entered the pigs, the herd ran over a cliff into the sea and drowned themselves.
When the people of the village saw what had occurred, they were afraid. They asked Jesus to depart from their village. The man whose life had been restored asked to come along and become a follower of Jesus. However, Jesus told the man to, "Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you."
This miracle account from the life of Jesus has much to teach us today. One of the things that stands out to me right away is that Jesus cared about everyone, and He wanted to share His message of love with all people. Gadara was a Gentile city. However, Jesus wanted to go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee to share His love with Jew and Gentile alike. Jesus also shared His love with those who were outcasts from society like this man who lived among the graves.
In our world today, there are a host of people who need to hear about Jesus. In many countries of the world, there are only a handful of Christians. The vast majority of the people have never heard the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Only 30 percent of the world's population claims to be Christian. That leaves 70 percent of the world at the very least who do not have a personal relationship with the risen Lord. It tells me that all of the followers of Jesus need to be about obeying the Great Commission to preach the Gospel to every one on this planet.
This miracle also teaches me that Jesus loved and cared about even those who the rest of society despised and who were thought to be beyond redemption. Jesus made sure to help a man who was filled with a legion of evil spirits.
There are many people with problems in the world, yet those in the church often reject them and turn them away. We often aren't like Jesus. We aren't helping the afflicted, we are just making them feel worse about themselves.
We as followers of Jesus need to condemn less and help more. I remember in the church that I grew up in as boy that they wouldn't help the homeless people because they said that they were all drug addicts and alcoholics. How different that is from the attitude of the Lord Jesus who reached out in love to even the most looked down upon people in society.
This miracle also demonstrates to me the power that wealth and greed can have upon people. When Jesus cast out the demons, they went into the pigs. The pigs not wanting to be a habitation of demons drowned themselves. Instead of being happy that a man was set free, the people were angry that their herd of pigs was gone. They cared more about profit than people.
This is true in our society today. Many of the major multi-national corporations exploit the poor and weak. They pay pitifully low wages and provide sub-standard working conditions. This is all done in the name of profit and providing value for shareholders. In many cases, churches and religious groups will invest in these companies thus joining the ranks of the exploiters and putting profit before people.
As members of the church of Jesus Christ, we should always put people above profit. We should stand for justice for workers and for the rights of the poor. The church should be the loudest voice of support for the exploited masses in this world today.
One other important aspect about this miracle that I would like to point out involves the reaction of the crowd. They saw the great miracle that Jesus performed, yet they rejected Jesus and asked Him to leave. People do the same thing today. Many who hear the message of the love of Jesus will turn Jesus away. They refuse to follow Him and make Him the Lord of their lives in spite of all that Jesus has done by dying on the cross and rising from the dead.
Finally, Jesus message to the healed man is a message for us today. Jesus told the man to go home and declare what God had done for Him. Let us declare what the Lord has done for us. He has saved us and given us an eternal salvation that can never be taken away. He has gone to prepare a place for us that where He is, we can be there as well. Jesus has given us all things that pertain unto life and Godliness.
May God bless you all this week. Amen.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Weekend Sermon--Matthew 17:24-27
I am glad to be with you today to post the Weekend Sermon. It has been a very stormy week in my part of the world. We are suppossed to have storms again tonight. I am praying that we don't get any severe weather or any more very heavy rain.
This week, I would ask those who read the blog to pray about the situation in the nation of Iraq. War is raging once again in this country. Let us pray for peace. Let us also pray for the spread of the Gospel in the nation of Iraq.
Today, we are continuing with our series of messages on the miracles of Jesus. Our text from Matthew's Gospel recounts a time when a tax collector came and asked Peter a question. The tax collector wanted to know if Jesus paid the temple tax. Peter said that He did. Later, Jesus asked Peter if the kings of the earth took tax from their sons or from others. Peter answered that of course the kings taxed others and not their own sons Jesus then instructed Peter to go fishing. Jesus told Peter to take the first fish caught and open its mouth. Inside, their would be enough money to pay the temple tax for both Peter and Jesus.
To me, this miracle has several interesting aspects. First of all, some Bible scholars do not even believe that this miracle happened. They question the fact that Jesus would perform a miracle that directly benefited Himself. I do not agree with this. As I have stated in the past, I firmly believe that through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that the words of Jesus and the stories about His life that we find in the Gospels are absolutely true. Jesus is the Word made flesh. His words and teachings are the interpretive framework for the entire Scripture. Always look to what Jesus said and did in order to interpret the rest of the Bible.
With that little controversy put to rest, let's see what this miracle account has to teach us. One thing that this account demonstrates to me is the divine nature of Jesus. This is apart from the fact that Jesus performed a miracle. Jesus makes it quiet clear from His words to Peter that He is the King. Those who follow Jesus are sons of the Kingdom. Jesus as the Divine Son of God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the proper object of worship. Those who have given their allegiance to King Jesus will rule and reign with Him some day when He returns to earth once again to establish His Kingdom that will have no end.
As I have said many times in the past, I look forward with great anticipation to the day when Jesus comes again. This past week has been very difficult. There has been a lot of worry and stress. Sometimes the problems of life just seem overwhelming to me, and that has certainly been the case this week.
The thing that really keeps me going is the knowledge that Jesus will make everthing right. All will be well. Jesus is with me now helping me to make it. He will make all things as they should be when I am in His presence some glorious day.
I also see in this miracle account Jesus not only in His divinity, but I see Jesus in His humanity as well. He did something here to help out a friend. Jesus made sure that Peter had enough money to pay his taxes as well.
Often times it is not stressed enough that Jesus was fully human as well as fully divine. Jesus had friends on this earth that were closer to Him than some others. I think that from Scripture we can clearly see that Jesus' best friend was John. Peter and James were also very close friends of Jesus. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were also treasured friends of Jesus as was Mary Magdalene. While He was on earth, Jesus helped His friends and demonstrated what true friendship is really about. In fact, Jesus showed the ultimate example of friendship by sacrificing His life for his friends.
Another instance when Jesus helped His friends and looked after their welfare was on the night that He was betrayed. When He was arrested, Jesus made sure that once the soldiers had arrested Him that they let His disciples go free.
The thing that excites and amazes me is that Jesus says that we can be His friend as well. Jesus is the friend that I truly want to have. He has shown Himself to be my truest and best friend on many occassions throughout my life.
There have been times in life when I have felt very alone and lonely. I know that I would have fallen into a very deep depression or worse if it were not for the genuine awareness of the presence of Jesus in my heart. There have been times in prayer that I can truly feel that Jesus is with me. I don't really know how to explain it, but I know that I have experienced it.
Knowing Jesus as my friend, I know without a shadow of a doubt that He only wants what is best for me. Jesus is not condemning me, and He is not seeking to punish me or make me feel terrible about myself. Jesus cares about me, and He cares about you to.
The Bible says that we show ourselves to truly be Jesus' friends if we do the things that He has asked us to do. If we have truly been touched by the reality of friendship with Jesus we will be filled with His love and seek to spread His love to those around us. We will follow His commandments knowing that He cares for us and He only desires the best for our lives here and for all of eternity.
Jesus desires our friendship. We can come to Him in repentance and faith and receive forgiveness from all of our sins. Please, turn your life over to Jesus today if you have not done so. You will find what true friendship is really all about.
Next week, I will attempt to publish a book review. It may be hard as I am working long hours. I will post another sermon next week on either Friday or Saturday. May God bless you. Amen.
This week, I would ask those who read the blog to pray about the situation in the nation of Iraq. War is raging once again in this country. Let us pray for peace. Let us also pray for the spread of the Gospel in the nation of Iraq.
Today, we are continuing with our series of messages on the miracles of Jesus. Our text from Matthew's Gospel recounts a time when a tax collector came and asked Peter a question. The tax collector wanted to know if Jesus paid the temple tax. Peter said that He did. Later, Jesus asked Peter if the kings of the earth took tax from their sons or from others. Peter answered that of course the kings taxed others and not their own sons Jesus then instructed Peter to go fishing. Jesus told Peter to take the first fish caught and open its mouth. Inside, their would be enough money to pay the temple tax for both Peter and Jesus.
To me, this miracle has several interesting aspects. First of all, some Bible scholars do not even believe that this miracle happened. They question the fact that Jesus would perform a miracle that directly benefited Himself. I do not agree with this. As I have stated in the past, I firmly believe that through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that the words of Jesus and the stories about His life that we find in the Gospels are absolutely true. Jesus is the Word made flesh. His words and teachings are the interpretive framework for the entire Scripture. Always look to what Jesus said and did in order to interpret the rest of the Bible.
With that little controversy put to rest, let's see what this miracle account has to teach us. One thing that this account demonstrates to me is the divine nature of Jesus. This is apart from the fact that Jesus performed a miracle. Jesus makes it quiet clear from His words to Peter that He is the King. Those who follow Jesus are sons of the Kingdom. Jesus as the Divine Son of God is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the proper object of worship. Those who have given their allegiance to King Jesus will rule and reign with Him some day when He returns to earth once again to establish His Kingdom that will have no end.
As I have said many times in the past, I look forward with great anticipation to the day when Jesus comes again. This past week has been very difficult. There has been a lot of worry and stress. Sometimes the problems of life just seem overwhelming to me, and that has certainly been the case this week.
The thing that really keeps me going is the knowledge that Jesus will make everthing right. All will be well. Jesus is with me now helping me to make it. He will make all things as they should be when I am in His presence some glorious day.
I also see in this miracle account Jesus not only in His divinity, but I see Jesus in His humanity as well. He did something here to help out a friend. Jesus made sure that Peter had enough money to pay his taxes as well.
Often times it is not stressed enough that Jesus was fully human as well as fully divine. Jesus had friends on this earth that were closer to Him than some others. I think that from Scripture we can clearly see that Jesus' best friend was John. Peter and James were also very close friends of Jesus. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were also treasured friends of Jesus as was Mary Magdalene. While He was on earth, Jesus helped His friends and demonstrated what true friendship is really about. In fact, Jesus showed the ultimate example of friendship by sacrificing His life for his friends.
Another instance when Jesus helped His friends and looked after their welfare was on the night that He was betrayed. When He was arrested, Jesus made sure that once the soldiers had arrested Him that they let His disciples go free.
The thing that excites and amazes me is that Jesus says that we can be His friend as well. Jesus is the friend that I truly want to have. He has shown Himself to be my truest and best friend on many occassions throughout my life.
There have been times in life when I have felt very alone and lonely. I know that I would have fallen into a very deep depression or worse if it were not for the genuine awareness of the presence of Jesus in my heart. There have been times in prayer that I can truly feel that Jesus is with me. I don't really know how to explain it, but I know that I have experienced it.
Knowing Jesus as my friend, I know without a shadow of a doubt that He only wants what is best for me. Jesus is not condemning me, and He is not seeking to punish me or make me feel terrible about myself. Jesus cares about me, and He cares about you to.
The Bible says that we show ourselves to truly be Jesus' friends if we do the things that He has asked us to do. If we have truly been touched by the reality of friendship with Jesus we will be filled with His love and seek to spread His love to those around us. We will follow His commandments knowing that He cares for us and He only desires the best for our lives here and for all of eternity.
Jesus desires our friendship. We can come to Him in repentance and faith and receive forgiveness from all of our sins. Please, turn your life over to Jesus today if you have not done so. You will find what true friendship is really all about.
Next week, I will attempt to publish a book review. It may be hard as I am working long hours. I will post another sermon next week on either Friday or Saturday. May God bless you. Amen.
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