Because Of His Everlasting Kindness and Mercy, and Long-Suffering, Jesus Is Still Calling You Into His Fold Today! - Part 2770

Throughout the new testament gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus often speaks in parables, wherein He asks questions that force us to think outside of both current and historical societal norms. Interestingly, it is in this context that Jesus intentionally sets us apart from the world in our faith journey - so that we can increasingly become like that city on a hill for Him in everything that we do. 

In Luke 14, for example, Jesus is asking a number of questions to the lawyers and Pharisees, and when these could not respond, draws conclusions that should have changed their perspectives; transformed their minds and hearts. Indeed, toward the end of the chapter, Jesus says to them, "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; [but] men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Luke 14:28-35)

But we are getting ahead of ourselves here. First, the context. Herein, Jesus has went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, and when He did, the lawyers and Pharisees watched Him. And behold there was a certain man before Him which had the dropsy. So Jesus asks the lawyers and Pharisees, "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?" But they did not respond.

Not surprisingly, Jesus heals the man, saying to the Pharisees, "Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?" Note that they did not have an answer to these things. (Luke 14:1-6) 

Jesus does not stop there. He then asks about those who are bidden to a wedding feast -- eventually concluding that whosoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted. In this example, Jesus is offering an invitation that is outside the norm, and one that the Pharisees would not understand. That is, when ye make a dinner or supper, we are not to call upon our friends, or brethren, or kinsmen, or rich neighbour to attend -- because these all have the means to call you back and repay you for your kindness. To offer recompense for your kindness.

Instead,  Jesus is instructing those of us who believe in Him by faith, and have taken on His precious, holy Name in water baptism to be different. That when we make a feast, we should be calling the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and that, when we do, we shall be blessed. Let's read Jesus' instructions here again -- specifically from His Word.

Jesus said, "But when thou make a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind; and THOU SHALT BE BLESSED, for they cannot recompense thee; for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." (Luke 14:14) 

How many are now turning the page? How many have said that these instructions are just for the lawyers and Pharisees? Or for that particular moment in time -- when Jesus walked this earth? 

What happens next? 

"And when one of them sat at meat with Him heard these things, he said unto them, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." Then said He unto him, "A certain man made a great supper, and bade many; and sent His servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, "Come, for all things are now ready;."

And they all with one consent began to make excuses. One said, "I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused." And the second, "I have bought five yoke of oxen and I go to prove them, I pray thee have me excused." And another, "I married a wife, and therefore I cannot come." (Luke 14:18-20)

The servant comes back and shows his Lord these things -- the people's excuses for not being able to attend. [Please note that the reason that I capitalize the L in Lord is because Jesus is speaking from His own perspective here.]

What does the Master of the house do? He asks His servant to go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, "Lord, it is done as Thou commanded, and yet there is room." And the Lord said unto the servant, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and COMPEL them to come in, that My house may be filled. For I say unto you -- that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of My supper." (Luke 14:21-24)

Note what happens -- then drew unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him. All the while, the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." Jesus goes on to speak in numerous parables -- a good read -- about the parable of the lost sheep, the lost piece of silver, the lost son, and then the unrighteous steward. (Luke 14-15-16) 

Throughout the scriptures, we are encouraged to understand that no weapon formed against His anointed, His blessed body of Christ church -- can prosper. And that, also, this same Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and He will come again -- "and receive you unto Myself; that where I AM, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." (John 14:3-4)

Don't ever lose that first love that we had for the Lord Jesus, when we first came to Him -- for He is still inviting those who are lost to come to His wedding feast -- even in the midst of such turmoil -- or as the world suggests -- living in unprecedented times -- but the Lord, well, He knows our hearts, and He is forever stretching out His hands so that we might find abundant life in Him. 

Stand in the offering plate.

 

The New Testament Is Not An Addendum To The Old Covenant - Part 2769

"I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh" saith the Lord, and as a consequence your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Similarly, your old men shall dream dreams and upon my servants and upon my handmaidens, I will pour out of My Spirit. So the question is this. Have you received the Holy Ghost since you exercised your faith towards the name of the Lord JESUS? [If you have not received the promised Holy Ghost according to the scriptures, then why not?]

This was a question the apostles asked in Acts 19:

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" And they said unto him, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." And he said unto them, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" And they said, "Unto John’s baptism." Then said Paul, "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 19:1-5) 

Why? Because these disciples wanted to receive the truth with glad hearts. Thus, when Paul spoke to them about receiving the Holy Ghost, these desired more. It is for this reason they willingly were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, because they too wanted to be clothed in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus. 

But there is more. These disciples already knew there is only One Lord! That there is only One Faith, and only One Baptism. This is the shortened version of confession of the faith that the scriptures render. In this context then, we (as did the disciples in the example above) ought to examine ourselves to see whether we are earnestly contending for this confession of faith. This confession of our faith that was once, and only once delivered from JESUS to us by His holy Spirit.

Moreover, the ministry of His Spirit declares that if any man has not the Spirit of JESUS the Christ then that person has not as yet accepted redemption nor has he or she obeyed the opening tongue spoken ministry of the Holy Ghost as recorded in Acts chapter two. Paul in Galatians declared, "Who has bewitched you that you not obey the truth?" Evidently you started out in looking at and believing in only JESUS alone! You were doing so well hungering for more of God with singleness of heart. What happened?

Well, in some cases you may have met a religious person who had church-ianity but had never experienced the free redemption that Christianity offers. What they did not tell you is that the Old Covenant is not the New Testament. Neither is the New Testament an addendum to the Old Covenant. The Old Testament is a covenant of works while the New Testament is intended to be a testament of love and grace neither of which are dependant on you.

Another way of looking at the differences is that in the old testament, the laws (commandments) were physical. In the new testament, the laws are written in our hearts. The law in the old physical circumcision. In the new testament, our relationship with the Lord Jesus if founded through circumcision of the heart.

Further, God in the New Testament redeems to Himself a people who previously were not a people at all. The New Testament was necessary because God walked away from the former Covenant when those He had covenanted with had walked out from the Old Covenant demands. But this New Covenant is a Covenant between God who is Spirit and God Himself as a Son. This New Covenant was a ‘God In Christ Covenant.' Most of all, it involved the death of the testator - JESUS.

We as believers then are the benefactors of all contained in that everlasting Covenant of God in Christ. We as believers do not have a Covenant. Rather, we are the recipients of all that JESUS was heir to. All of JESUS the Christ inheritance has been bequeathed to us as HIs LAST WILL and TESTAMENT. One does not work for an inheritance. No, an inheritance is considered a gift!

Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul said to the Galatians, "My labour that I have bestowed upon you - was it all in vain?" You started out well, but now you are endeavouring to work for salvation. Let me remind you says Paul that Christ died for all of our sins. Christ died for yesterday's sin, today's sin and even tomorrow’s sin.

This is why JESUS was raised from the grave -- for our justification! When Jesus ascended to Heaven, JESUS SAT down. So why are you still working for your salvation? Admittedly, you may work because you have salvation, but we do NOT work to obtain salvation. Salvation is the free gift Of God!

If you've been led astray by a modern day religious culture, start afresh. Read Acts 2 and do as the Holy Ghost commanded. As for me and my house, we will by God’s grace serve none other than the God who loved us and gave Himself for us. 

Peace be on the ISRAEL of God! Stand in the offering plate. 

Jesus Said, Seek Me And Ye Shall Find The Treasure! - Part 2768

"Now therefore hearken unto Me, O ye children, for blessed [are they that] keep My ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed [is] the man that hears Me, watching daily at the posts of My doors -- for whoso finds Me finds life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord ... teach a wise man and he will increase in learning." (Proverbs 8:32- Proverbs 9:9)

And it came to pass the day after Jesus had healed a certain centurion's servant that Jesus went into a city called Nain. We read that many of Jesus' disciples went with Him and much people as well. Now when Jesus came nigh to the gate of the city, behold there was a dead man carried out -- the only son of his mother, a widow. As it is in death, many people accompanied the woman.

But when Jesus saw the woman, He had compassion on her, saying, "Weep not." And He came and touched her and they that bare the dead man stood still. Jesus then said, "Young man, I say unto thee, arise." And he that was dead sat up and began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all; and they glorified God, saying, "That a great prophet is risen among us, and, that God hath visited His people." And this rumour of Jesus went forth throughout all of Judaea and throughout all the region about.

And the disciples of John the baptist showed him of all these things. And John calling two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, "Art Thou He that should come? Or look we for another?" (Luke 7:19)

When the men were come unto Jesus they said, "John the baptist hath sent us unto Thee, saying, "Art Thou He that should come? Or look we for another?" (Luke 7:20)And in that same hour, He cured many of [their] infirmities, and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind, He gave sight. Then Jesus answering, said, "Go your way and tell John what things ye have seen and heard: how the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he -- whomsoever shall not be offended in Me." (Luke 7:22-23)

Note that once John's messengers had departed, Jesus began to speak further unto the people concerning John the baptist.

"What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled and live delicately are in king's courts. But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you and much more than a prophet. This is [he] of whom it is written, "Behold, I send My messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before Thee." (Luke 7:24-27; Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1)

Then Jesus said, "For I say unto you -- among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist, but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." (Luke 7:28)

And all the people that heard [Him] and the publicans justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John but the Pharisees and lawyers ... the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of John the baptist. (Luke 7:30)

Apostle Paul later related after his conversion on the road to Damascus, "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:27)

But is this not what is happening within both the societal and modern day religious culture today? To the poor the good news gospel of repentance and reformation of one's heart is preached and wholly accepted as taught in His Word. In fact, His Word accepted gladly into our hearts without question. But the Pharisees and lawyers? Those which are "gorgeously appareled and live delicately in the king's courts" -- these mock the commandments of God because their souls were/are not of God. The scriptures are clear on this point. The Pharisees and lawyers chose to turn a deaf ear, preferring instead to reject the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of John the Baptist.

"But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him." (Luke 7:30) Or, if we consider the more accurate rendering in the Greek -- "rejected for themselves the counsel of God."

However, note that the Pharisees and lawyers not only rejected John's baptism unto repentance but also Jesus the Christ who stood before them. The ultimate plan of salvation that was decided before the world was even formed -- the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Christ so that we -- you and I -- could be reconciled unto Himself.

These "learned" men despised the commands of God, including the baptism of repentance which was ordained of God. In so doing, these revealed their aversion and abhorrence to the gospel of the kingdom of God and His righteousness, rejecting the very instructions of our Lord and Christ. Sadly, the salvation message of repentance and water baptism in Jesus name is still being rejected today.

Even when we know that Jesus, "through the Holy Ghost" had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen, and that we are instructed to continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, there are those learned -- gorgeously appareled and live delicately in the king's courts -- rejecting the counsel of God. (Acts 1:1-4; Acts 2:37-42) Even though we see the counsel of God displayed on the day of Pentecost and His church in which Jesus is the Head established, we reject the counsel of God by not aligning our teachings on repentance and baptism with those taught in the scriptures.

When the people pricked in their heart asked Peter, standing with the eleven -- "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized EVERY ONE OF YOU in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:37-38)

The good news gospel message of the new testament. His life giving message. His love for us shown on an old rugged cross for all the world to behold. His precious blood shed so that we might have life in Him, clothed in His righteousness, and baptized into His name. We either accept His counsel gladly or we become like those Pharisees and lawyers standing in the place of Jesus -- in the king's court /man-made religion -- rejecting the counsel of God.

This is why the Lord Jesus then told the Pharisees and lawyers that rejected the counsel of God against themselves -- “Where unto then shall I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, “We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.” For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, “He hath a devil.” The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, “Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!” (Luke 7:29-37)

Yes, wisdom is justified of all her children. He hath made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

"Now therefore hearken unto Me, O ye children, for blessed [are they that] keep My ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed [is] the man that hears Me, watching daily at the posts of My doors -- for whoso finds Me finds life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord." (Proverbs 8:32- Proverbs 9:9)

Stand in the offering plate.