Is Your Name Written Down in Heaven

 

Rejoice Because Your Name is Written in Heaven

 Book of Luke Chapter 10

 Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 

Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 

 Many who deny the deity of Jesus Christ do so by referring to the term firstborn. They claim that if this term relates to Jesus, it must imply that He had a beginning in time, but they are wrong.

 In the Old Testament, the culture was all about the status of the oldest son.

 Deu 21:17  But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

 In reality, the word firstborn denotes priority or supremacy, and this is the way it is used of Jesus Christ.

 Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 

 Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and preeminent in all His creation.

 Heb 1:6  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 

 Heaven's angels will not worship anyone but God!

 Psa 89:27  Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

 God's Messiah will be the firstborn who is resurrected to New Life to rule this entire earth.

 The firstborn of the Church, who are all those whose names are written down in Heaven. Born Again, Regenerated,

 Tit 3:4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 

Tit 3:6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 

Tit 3:7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 Joh 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 

Joh 1:13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 These are those whose names are written down in Heaven.

 If we cannot rejoice because our names are written Heaven, then we need to question our salvation.

 *****Luk 10:1  After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. 

 1) We should be able to tell that there are many disciples of the Lord Jesus, just as there are many more today.

 Most of these disciples would not meet the qualifications to become an Apostle, but many of them were still committed to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 These seventy disciples were so committed that the Lord Jesus could send them to preach and teach the Gospel.

 There may have been at least one hundred and twenty who met the qualifications to be an Apostle, but were not chosen by the Lord Jesus.

 Act 1:12  Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. 

Act 1:13  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 

Act 1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 

Act 1:15  And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) 

Act 1:16  Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 

 2) The Lord Jesus also sent them out two by two.

 This does not mean we are not to go out alone to witness for Jesus Christ, but two together are much stronger against our enemy, Satan. With the two, there could be mutual encouragement and help when help was needed.

 3) There was a tremendous need for people to hear the truth of the Messiah and the truth of the Word of God.

If that need was great at that time, it is certainly much greater now.

 We know that the Lord had sentenced that generation to death, and Jerusalem and the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D.

 We now know that all those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ are sentenced to eternal death, and the Lord Jesus could return at any moment.

 There is certainly a greater need to spread the Gospel!

 4) These seventy were sent as forerunners. They were to prepare the people for His coming.

 Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 We have the same job today!

 Our time to serve the Lord grows short!

 *****Luk 10:2  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

 1) The first thing they were to do was to pray!

 Who is this Lord of the Harvest? We know only one Lord and He is the Lord Jesus Christ!

 Every believer has a duty in this work for the Lord Jesus! 1Co 3:5  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 

1Co 3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 

1Co 3:8  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 

 2) What kind of people are in the world to be witnessed to?

 *****Luk 10:3  Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. 

 Notice that the Lord Jesus Christ does not call them the "Lost Sheep of Israel”; He calls them wolves.

 We see a reversal of sorts; the disciples are now the lambs, and those who are lost are the wolves.

 Going out for the Lord is not a victory march, but it is a bit dangerous and is growing more so today.

 The lambs of God's House are defenseless against the wolves of this world unless they walk in faith and the purpose of the Holy Spirit.

 The key, they must still go out with "faith," but the Holy Spirit will be working on the hearts of those they witness to.

 There is still the danger of persecution.

 It is the wolves of this world who are trying to rid the world of the followers of God.

 So, the next time you see your politician going against the Word of God, remember they are wolves out to destroy your nation and allow sin to rule.

 The next time your preacher preaches against the Word of God, remember they are just wolves employed by Satan.

 The next time your News Source defends sin, remember they are just wolves trying to regain control of our nation.

 *****Luk 10:4  Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. 

 If we do not trust God, then we will never be of much use to Him!

 They were not to worry about money for food, housing, clothing, or an extra pair of sandals.

 If they had to pack and prepare all these things, they would not be able to cover as much ground.

 Friendliness is all good and well for things of this earth and the time we live in, but as witnesses for the Lord, we must think about our eternal salvation.

 Here we see that the Lord Jesus told them not to waste time on needless conversation.

 All their time was to be used on their ministry and prayer.

 The Lord intended to instill in them the urgency and the commitment to enter the Kingdom of God.

 2Co_6:2  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

 As believers, we know that the Lord could return at any moment now, and those who are lost need to understand this.

 *****Luk 10:5  And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 

Luk 10:6  And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. 

 We must clearly understand that the message of salvation is a message of peace with God, our Creator.

 The Lord Jesus said, Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

 One of the greatest things I have realized as a believer is that I can rest each night knowing that I am at peace with God.

 Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

 As witnesses for Jesus Christ, we are to proclaim peace in any household we enter.

 If the head of that household was a man of peace, then God's peace could be proclaimed.

 If the head of that household did not proclaim peace, then the message of God was not to be forced upon that house.

 God will never force anyone to accept His message of truth.

 Rev 22:11  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 

 Psa 81:15  The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. 

 *****Luk 10:7  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 

 We must understand that those who carry the message of the Kingdom of God in truth are worthy to be supported by those who receive the truth of God!

 1Ti 5:17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 

 They were to seek compensation, but they were not to seek luxury.

 They were not to be embarrassed or self-conscious in receiving payment.

 There is certainly nothing wrong with living a simple life!

 Our Heavenly Father is already committed to providing our needs.

 They were to eat whatever food was placed before them without question, regardless of the Jewish food laws.

 *****Luk 10:8  And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 

Luk 10:9  And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 

 The Apostle Paul wrote, guided by the Holy Spirit: 1Co 10:25  Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 

1Co 10:26  For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 

1Co 10:27  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 

 We know that the number twelve has a particular significance in the Bible, and we can be sure that the number seventy also has significance to the Jews.

 Notice the Lord Jesus also gave these seventy disciples the power to heal the sick.

 We are never to take on the sin of that person we are witnessing to, but they must feel that we have compassion on them, and we may have to change our own customs and habits to reach these people.

 Those we witness to must see that they are accepted just as they are, and they should see that we care for their souls just as the Lord Jesus does.

 We must remember that the Lord Jesus died for us while we were still sinners.

 He could have just as easily said: "no Father, I do not want to have anything to do with that bunch of sinners".

 Thank you, Lord, for your precious love for us!

 When the Lord Jesus walked upon this earth, He was the Kingdom of God in the flesh.

 When we take the exact Word of God to others, we are taking the knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven to them.

 One day soon, we will be witnesses to the actual Kingdom of God, and this should also be mentioned.

 We may not know what Heaven looks like, but we know it will be wonderful.

 1Co_2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 We do know more of what the Kingdom of God will be like during the Lord's reign from Jerusalem for one thousand years.

 Zec 8:3  Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. 

 The "Good News" is for those who accept the truth of God's Messiah.

 Those who reject the "Good News" will be told of their coming "Judgment".

 *****Luk 10:10  But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 

Luk 10:11  Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 

Luk 10:12  But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 

Luk 10:13  Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 

Luk 10:14  But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. 

Luk 10:15  And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 

 The Lord's disciples were told to walk away from all those who rejected the truth of God.

 We are not to argue with non-believers. We are never to create a bad situation that might reflect upon our character; we must just leave.

 We have the truth of God, and they can only offer the meaningless thoughts of the Devil.

 1) There would be cities that rejected the disciples of Christ.

 They symbolized God's rejection by shaking the dust off their feet as they left that city. This was a silent testimony that was clearly understood on that day.

 This was a symbol of serious judgment. It meant that not even the dust of that city was worthy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, much less the people.

 That city was to be left to itself just as they had wanted.

 The Lord Jesus will not force the truth upon anyone!

 2) There would be those who professed to be God's People. These were mostly Jews.

 These are people who only make a profession of faith but stick to their old lives, and there is no change.

 The truth is, you cannot claim to be God's people if you reject God's Son.

 The world needs to wake up to this fact!

 The judgment of God would be greater on those who claim to be God's people and reject Him than was God's judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.

 These would include Chorazin and Bethsaida, and would be far worse than the judgment upon Tyre and Sidon.

 We know that Chorazin and Bethsaida do not exist as cities any longer, nor do Tyre or Sidon.

 3) There would be those who had a constant witness.

 Capernaum was the city where Jesus Christ was raised, and Jesus was the One who never committed even one sin.

 He was known as the Carpenter, which means He was a good carpenter.

 The Lord Jesus healed every sick person in this city. Things that only God could do, and they knew this to be true.

 He was accused of having worked these great works with the power of the Devil.

 This is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, which cannot be forgiven.

 The residents of Capernaum went straight to Hell because they rejected God's Son and the truth of the Gospel.

 These are the Scriptures that give us the thought that there are degrees of punishment even in Hell, but there is no joy in Hell at all!

 Mar 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Mar 8:37  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

Mar 8:38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 

 When the Lord Jesus Christ uses the word "woe", it is not a call for vengeance but is a call of deep regret and a warning to others.

 Jud 1:14  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 

Jud 1:15  To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

 When we hear the Word of God by God's called people, we are hearing from God Himself.

 *****Luk 10:16  He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. 

 We must understand that when we speak the Word of God, just as it is written by the Holy Spirit, we are speaking the words of our Savior and our God!

 2Ti_3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 

Rev 22:19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

Rev 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.

 Every person who has lived and who will live upon this earth needs to know what God has said.

 1Jn_4:15  Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

 Act_2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 Rom_13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

 Rev_20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 As witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ, we provide the opportunity to know the truth of Jehovah God. Yeshua. Yahweh.

 Our lesson picks back up as these seventy witnesses sent out by the Lord Jesus Christ have returned.

 *****Luk 10:17  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 

 The seventy have returned with great joy, but they do not speak a word about their preaching and teaching or the results.

 They could only talk about the authority they had over demons.

 They did not mention:

 1) How much they had done for Jesus Christ.

2) How hard the work had been.

3) How strongly the Devil fought back to keep his own.

 They could only talk about the power that is in the name of Jesus Christ.

 Any power we have as Christians comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 

 There is great power in the rich red blood of Jesus Christ!

 1) Demons deceive people. 1 Thessalonians 3:5, Ehphesians 2:2

2) Demons inflict disease. Luke 13-16

3) Demons deceive nations. Revelation 16:14

4) Demons influence the mind. Gen 3:1-5

 Every victory over Satan and his demons should bring great joy!

 Satan is a defeated foe!

 *****Luk 10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

 Satan has fallen from his position in Heaven and can no longer be there where he once had the power of angels.

 Col 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 

Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 

 Satan and his demons may still be able to cause many problems for a short time longer, but Satan is a loser, and we need to remind him of that at all times.

 Joh 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 

Joh 16:8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

Joh 16:9  Of sin, because they believe not on me; 

Joh 16:10  Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 

Joh 16:11  Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

 The power of God given to each believer is for the purpose of defeating Satan!

 *****Luk 10:19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 

 We should understand that if God has called us for some special mission, some special purpose, there is nothing on this earth that can cause us harm until that purpose has been fulfilled.

 Satan certainly has some power: Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

 The Lord's power is far greater: Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 

 1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 

 The Lord Jesus will give His believers power over the enemy: Luk 9:1  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

 Eph 1:19  And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 

 God's servants are perfectly safe against all enemies: Joh 17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 

 These are not the most important things in our lives as Christians.

 *****Luk 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 

 We should rejoice far more in our salvation than in any power the Lord may have given to us.

 Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 

Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 

Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 

Gal 4:7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 

 1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

1Pe 1:4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 

1Pe 1:5  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

 Amen

The Healer Must Be Our Teacher

 Jesus Continued to Heal and to Teach

 Book of Luke Chapter 9 Verses 37-42, 57-62

 

 There is a lot of great material between verse 22 and verse 37, but let's keep to our lesson plan.

 Our lesson begins the next day after the Transfiguration of the Lord.

 We could say that on the Day of Transfiguration, the glory of the Lord Jesus broke out in the presence of His disciples.

 The transfiguration of the Lord Jesus is hard to describe accurately, so it is best to read the Scriptures in the Gospels.

 What is recorded as a record was an absolute historical reality, and not a mere vision.

 Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

 Peter never forgot this day: 2Pe 1:16  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 

2Pe 1:17  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

2Pe 1:18  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 

 Many today worship the Devil, who is Satan, but I wonder if they realize how the devil treats all our children.

 *****Luk 9:37  And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. 

Luk 9:38  And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. 

Luk 9:39  And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. 

Luk 9:40  And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

This is an epileptic seizure.

This does not mean that everyone who has seizures are caused by the Satan but if they do not know the Lord Jesus they need to have faith in Him.

He is still the Healer!

 On the mountain top, there was the glory of the Lord, showing God’s power, but in the valley, Satan was showing the people his power.

 This is the difference between Heaven and Earth.

 We can see a father who has seen his only son, who was tormented by an evil spirit.

 He was begging the Lord Jesus to have pity on him.

 We should ask ourselves why more parents do not see this today and beg for the help of our Savior for their own children.

 We all should know that the Lord Jesus has great compassion for all people.

 This man had lost all control over his son because he was a victim of Satan's power.

 1Pe_5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 This father had no choice but to stand by helplessly and watch the Devil destroy his son.

 We can see this in our lost children today, and we need to go to the Lord Jesus for His help.

 This man had already approached the nine disciples of Christ for their help, and they could not help him for some reason.

 The Lord had given them the power over demons, and they had used it, but for some reason, their faith was not as it should have been.

We saw this in an earlier lesson, and we saw it again in this lesson.

 The Lord Jesus later told them that they had not been praying and fasting as they should have.

 The Lord Jesus gives us many gifts today, but if we will not fellowship with Him daily, that gift will have no power.

 We must never forget who the Lord is! He is the Almighty God!

 Many times, as Christians, we are a disappointment to the people around us who could use our help.

 Only the Lord Jesus knows how many times we have been a disappointment to Him.

 We may not have the powers of Jesus Christ, but we can be attentive and sympathetic to their needs.

 We can certainly begin with prayer at that very moment if we have compassion on them.

 Fortunately for us all, the Lord Jesus is always on time.

 *****Luk 9:41  And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.

 After all the disciples of Christ had seen of the miracles of Jesus, we could ask ourselves how they could have a lack of faith?

 We can also see that the Lord Jesus spoke to the whole generation of Jews and not just to His chosen disciples.

 Where was this father's faith?

Where was the faith of all those who were present?

 The chosen disciples of Christ did not have the power, even though the Lord Jesus had given them that power when He sent them out earlier as evangelists.

 Notice all those present just stood around when the disciples of Christ tried to heal this son, having no concern for the life of this boy, when they too could have been praying.

 What do we do when the Lord is not physically present as He is today?

 Surely, we can all pray!

 Surely, we can all show faith!

 This father could have shown faith after all these were God's people. They could go to the priests. They could make sacrifices.

 This child continued to suffer because no one had enough compassion to seek God for him.

 Jesus said they all were faithless and perverse. Perverse here means morally corrupt.

 The Holy Spirit says: Tit 1:15  Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 

Tit 1:16  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. 

 When God's people act this way, there will be no power in the Church.

 Guess what, we see very little power in the Church today!

 It is not our duty to judge other places of worship; it is our job to make sure our own place of worship is following the Word of God by being obedient in our worship and in our lives.

 *****Luk 9:42  And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. 

 The Devil tried to show his power over the boy, but the Lord just spoke the word, and the Devil had to leave.

 If the chosen disciples of Christ had been following Christ as closely as they should, they would have been able rid this boy of this demon.

 Jesus broke the power of this demon the same way He broke Satan's power; He just spoke with the Sword of His Mouth.

 Rev_2:16  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

 Rev_19:15  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 Rev_19:21  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

 The people who were observing what the Lord did were amazed at the mighty power of God!

 Once more, all those who were observing could only think about the great power of God.

 They marveled at the Majesty of God's Messiah, but we should also understand there is a cost for every disciple of Jesus Christ.

 *****Luk 9:57  And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 

Luk 9:58  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 

 When someone tells the Lord Jesus, "I will follow you wherever you go", it sounds good, but it has to be made very clear why anyone makes such a claim.

 No one can follow the Lord who has not been called!

 A self-commitment is nothing like a Jesus Christ-centered commitment.

 If there is a real calling of "Grace," then that person must let go of all things that might hinder their walk with Christ.

 Rom 1:1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, "separated" unto the gospel of God, 

 Rom 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, "called to be saints": Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called "according to his purpose". 

 It is only the call of God that enables us to believe.

 God's purposes in Himself sum up all things in Jesus Christ!

 Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure "which he hath purposed in himself": 

Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times "he might gather together in one all things in Christ", both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 

 The Lord Jesus Christ must become our Lord of life!

 The Lord Jesus Christ gave up all of Heaven and all of Himself to meet the needs of this dying world we live in.

 A profession of faith is not enough.

Saying, "I am willing to follow" is not enough.Mrk_14:38  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

We must deny ourselves completely!

We must accept the Lord Jesus as the Servant of mankind and become such a servant ourselves.

 There is nothing in our old life that will help us achieve the call of Christ!

 The Lord Jesus led a perfect life, and it must be our goal to do the same, even if we cannot be perfect while we remain in these sinful bodies of flesh.

 We must accept the pattern of life that the Lord Jesus had as our own.

 Luk 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 

 1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 

 The Lord Jesus Christ had no home on this earth because His home is in Heaven. As His disciples, we must share His homelessness in this world because our home is now in Heaven, and we have no attachment to this world to bind us.

 Jesus Christ is the perfect picture of what God wants to see in each of us.

 *****Luk 9:59  And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 

Luk 9:60  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 

 In many cases, it is the son who will take care of his father in their old age.

 The Lord Jesus had invited this man to become one of His disciples, to even become a preacher to preach the Kingdom of God.

 When we decide to follow the Lord Jesus, it means we have decided that this is the most important decision we will ever make, and nothing on this earth is more important.

 We must give up everything in this world for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 It was not a bad thing for this man to bury his father, but the message of salvation is far more important.

This father died lost, rejecting the Lord Jesus as the Messiah.

 Those who are spiritually dead because they have rejected the Lord Jesus are not as important as those who have never had that opportunity, at least to our Savior.

 This is the truth of being loyal to Jesus Christ.

 We must consider that when the Jews rejected the Lord Jesus, it was more important for the Apostle Paul to go to the Gentiles.

 Even those who have rejected the Lord one time are not as important as those who have never heard of the Kingdom of God.

 God has already decided to meet the needs of these in the work of the Sower when one plants, another waters, and another reaps the harvest of the soul for Christ to save.

 Every person is of extreme value to the Lord, and we should know that the Holy Spirit was working hard to bring this man to conviction.

 Those whom God has called to preach need to respond as quickly as possible.

 Mat_9:37  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Mat_9:38  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

 The Lord Jesus knew that this man was hesitating to answer Him, and he just used the burying of his father as an excuse.

 What was the message of Christ? Luke 14:26  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 

Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

It is a hard message, but it is a necessary truth to serve the Lord.

We cannot allow Satan's children to drag us down, even if they are family members.

 The word hate means "to love less". We must love the Lord with all our heart, all our body, and all our soul!

 *****Luk 9:61  And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 

Luk 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 

Following the Lord Jesus Christ is a lifelong commitment!

Here is a man who offered "on his own" to become a follower of Jesus Christ. He was not called.

Looking ahead to the Rapture of the Church is the most important event that we are looking forward to.

To the Jew, the return of Jesus Christ is the most important event they have to look forward to.

These are two separate events!

If we look at those two words "but and first", we see that this man saw something more important that he should do before committing to the Lord, which he said he had already made such a commitment.

Maybe he needed the advice of his family before he made a final commitment.

Maybe he needed someone else's approval before a full commitment to the Lord.

As we saw in the Book of Luke, Chapter fourteen, maybe he was putting his love for his family ahead of his love for Jesus Christ.

Either way, the Lord Jesus knew what was going on in this man's life; he was unwilling to cut the ties of this life and give all of himself to the Lord.

Jesus Christ is the "first" and the "last," and He must be everything to us!

Looking back can be fatal.

Just ask Lot's wife.

Gen 19:17  And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Gen 19:26  But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 

The word commitment fits in right here.

It is true that in order to plough a straight furrow, the farmer must concentrate on a certain point in front of him.

He must keep his eyes fixed upon the goal.

As we serve the Lord, we must know that our work is not done until the Rapture of the Church on a day of the Lord's choosing.

It may be close, but it is not here yet!

It is not the time to quit on God!

We are just too close to going home.

Amen

Chosen and Sent by the Living God

 Twelve Evangelists Were Sent and Five Thousand Were Fed

 Book of Luke Chapter 9

 

 We should understand that God has revealed His program for the Church, and the Church is to follow the program God has given us.

 We do not have the authority to change the program the Lord Jesus Christ lived and died for and then arose in glory to give us an example of our own glory when we reach Heaven.

 We must understand Christ's calling and our own calling.

 We would not understand anything if we were not called of God!

 Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit: Rom 1:1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, "called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God", 

 All God's saints have been called: Rom 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, "called to be saints": Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 We are called for His purpose: Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, "to them who are the called according to his purpose". 

 It is because we are called of God that we can believe!

 God chose us while we were still sinners, just like the Lord Jesus Christ called twelve men who were the outcasts of society.

 God chose us when we deserved death and offered us life!

 This is the same thing the Lord Jesus Christ did when He called His disciples.

 *****Luk 9:1  Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 

Luk 9:2  And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

 1) We already know that the devil's demons can cause sickness and misery.

 Luk 13:11  And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 

 Luk 13:16  And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 

 2) We should also know that demons can influence the mind.

 We know that Satan deceived Eve, and Eve caused Adam to sin.

 2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

 2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

 Satan and his demons can lead weak Christians away from the simplicity of Jesus Christ by telling us that it is hard to live by the commands of God, and most of us will fail. He does not mention God's grace.

 Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 

Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 

 We must keep our minds on Christ Jesus!

 2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

 3) Demons deceive people.

 1Th 3:5  For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 

 Through his demons Satan also works in unbelievers.

 Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 

 4) Demons deceive nations.

 Rev 16:13  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 

Rev 16:14  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 

 5) Demon possession is a reality.

 The Scriptures teach us that there was a great outbreak of demon activity in the time of Jesus Christ, no doubt to oppose Him.

 We see this through all the Gospels and in parts of the Book of Acts.

 We can see evidence of demon possession in the affected person's personality.

 Demons do have some supernatural knowledge and intellectual power and can show supernatural strength.

 Jesus Christ defeated Satan and his demons at the cross:

 Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 

Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 

Col 2:15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 

 Are there demons out there today? We have the power to defeat demons because we have the power to defeat Satan, and that power comes by using the Word of God, as we saw in the temptations of Jesus Christ.

 Jas_4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 As far as the gift of healing, it was given to the Apostles of Christ by Jesus himself to promote the Gospel. These healings were instantaneous, unconditional, and most importantly, purposeful.

 Not just for the purpose of relieving their suffering.

 It was secondary to preaching the Word of God.

 It was to confirm these Apostles as the messengers of God.

 We must understand who our enemies are: Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 Today God heals through answered prayer and not through another person.

 The Lord Jesus gave these men the power to do certain things and then the authority to use that power.

 He does not do this today!

 *****Luk 9:3  And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 

Luk 9:4  And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 

Luk 9:5  And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 

Luk 9:6  And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.  

 We wonder why the Lord told them not to take necessary items with them.

 The Lord Jesus did not want them to worry about anything when it came to their own needs. This would only hinder them in fulfilling their mission.

 They were to travel with "faith" that our Heavenly Father would provide those needs.

 This way, they could dedicate themselves completely to their task.

 They were to have perfect faith!

 Missions and missionaries fail because of a lack of faith!

 We need to believe and trust God everyday knowing that He loves us and He will do what He says He will do.

 We cannot allow material things to become obstacles in serving God.

 We must avoid any appearance of evil or of being evil.

 We must avoid all worldly distractions when serving the Lord.

 The Jews were hospitable people, taught from the beginning by the Laws of Moses.

 Exo_23:9  Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 The disciples were to investigate and search out a receptive family and home and stay there until it was time to move on to another city.

 The family is still most important to God. The Church is to be the family of God!

 The Gospel is a message for the community intended to spread from family to family.

 There is nothing upon this earth that is to be more stable than the godly family.

 Preaching and door-to-door evangelism are still the preferred methods of reaching the lost.

 Act 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Act 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 

 This is the method taught by the Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Lord Jesus told His disciples that there would be places where they would not be received.

 It was the custom of the Jews when they returned from Gentile lands, as they crossed the frontiers of the Holy Land, to shake the dust off their feet.

 This was saying: "we free ourselves from all contact with you" or "we free ourselves from participation in your condemnation".

 It had the same meaning as that of Pilate: Mat 27:24  When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 

 The Apostle Paul also had his method for the Judaizers: Acts 18:6  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 

What did the Lord Jesus say about those who rejected the Gospel? Mat 10:15  Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

 And so, they went forth preaching and teaching the "Kingdom of God".

 *****Luk 9:7  Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; 

Luk 9:8  And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 

Luk 9:9  And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. 

 There was a revival happening in Judah, and it found its way into the halls of government.

 This teaches us that every government always has its ears open to what is happening in Christianity.

 Almost every government will seek ways to stop any revival of Christianity.

 Herod had already murdered John the Baptist, thinking he had stopped the Christian movement, but he was wrong.

 No government exists that can stop the plan of God!

 Some people had said that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead.

 This bothered Herod because he had murdered John by removing his head to give to his wife, and he was feeling guilty because he was guilty.

 The family of Herod was a tangled mess.

 Herodias was the daughter of Aristobulus, another son of Herod the Great. When she married Philip, she was marrying her own father's brother.

 Herod Antipas was another uncle of Herodias, and Herod Antipas talked Herodias into leaving his brother Philip to marry him, further compounding the incest in this family.

 This is why John the Baptist preached against these things, and it got him murdered by the king.

 Not only had some people said that John had risen from the dead, but others had said that Elijah had come back as had been prophesied, and some had even said that Jesus was one of the other prophets that had been raised from the dead.

 The biggest thing we see here is that the imaginations of non-believers will run wild when they realize their guilt.

 What did God say about the conscience? Heb_9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

 What else did God say? 1Ti 4:1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 

1Ti 4:2  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 

 Herod thought that if he could just see the Lord Jesus in the flesh, then he would not feel so guilty and just maybe he could be forgiven.

 Wickedness will bring you to conviction sometimes, but you must act upon it.

 *****Luk 9:10  And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 

 The first thing we notice here is that we all need some private time with the Lord Jesus.

 It is just after this that the Lord Jesus spends most of His time with these twelve men.

 This is also a good example for all of us. We need to tell the Lord what we have accomplished and then seek His wisdom on how to do better.

 There is no time that we should be standing still.

 If we are having results in our ministries, it is only because we know the Lord Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit.

 We should always evaluate ourselves to see how we can improve.

 A desert place is a place that is not cultivated for crops but consists of grazing land.

 Bethsaida was the birth home of Peter, Andrew, and Philip.

 Joh 1:44  Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 

 It seems no matter where the Lord was, crowds of people could always find Him.

 *****Luk 9:11  And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. 

 We should notice that the Lord Jesus always has time for the needy.

 These disciples would soon embark on the greatest mission of this world, but the Lord Jesus would always take time to help those who came to Him because He is our compassionate Savior.

 This lesson is clear. Even when we need our rest, there are still people who need the Lord.

 There are always sheep who need the Shepherd.

 Mar 6:34  And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. 

 In the Kingdom of God, God is the absolute ruler, and we are His subjects; the Word of God is the absolute law, and obedience is demanded.

 Many people are confused about this and think they can alter the Law of God.

 If you are a "Born Again" child of God, you have already felt the healing power of God, but in most cases, healing is not our greatest need.

 It is always our Spiritual needs that are most important, so therefore the Lord does not always heal us as we would think He would.

 Most of the time, we can learn more in our suffering than we can ever learn when we are healthy, and we can get closer to God.

 This was a lesson that these chosen men of God needed to learn.

 Miracles are great, but salvation is greater!

 *****Luk 9:12  And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. 

Luk 9:13  But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. 

 We know that these disciples had been given certain powers when they were sent on a mission, and we do not read where He had taken their powers away.

 So, the Lord tells them to provide their needs.

 These people had certainly been listening to the Lord for several hours, and it may have been hard for them to find food so late in the day.

 We know this was a crowd of five thousand men, and it could have been much larger if there were women and children there.

 The Lord Jesus could have stopped his teaching earlier, but He did not.

 Either way, five thousand people would never find shelter or food to meet their needs in such a short period of time.

 The answer these disciples had was that the people could provide their own needs.

 We know that people just cannot be left to sustain their own needs; we all need God's help.

 Jesus told His disciples it was they who should provide the needs of these people.

 It was more important for these people to hear the message of God than it was to seek food and shelter.

 Joh 6:49  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 

Joh 6:50  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 

Joh 6:51  I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 

 The biggest problem the twelve disciples saw was that there were just not enough resources available to feed these people.

 The twelve men said that they did not have the power to meet the needs of these people. We know that only God has such power.

 There is nothing too hard for God!

 *****Luk 9:14  For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. 

Luk 9:15  And they did so, and made them all sit down. 

 It would have been hard to make sure that every person could eat if this crowd were not organized.

 They were set as if they were an army.

 While this was taking place, the Lord took time to pray. He had what He needed: "five small barley loaves and two fish".

 Mar 6:40  And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. 

Mar 6:41  And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 

 *****Luk 9:16  Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. 

Luk 9:17  And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets. 

 The Jewish barley loaves were broad, thin cakes, and they were broken to eat them.

 The two fish were small fish, maybe no bigger than sardines, and were salted to preserve them.

 The Lord Jesus Christ broke these small cakes and fish, and He gave them to the Apostles, and He just kept on breaking and giving until all were fed.

 The Lord Jesus Christ was meeting the needs of these children of Judah.

 Jesus had first looked up to Heaven, giving thanks to God the Father.

 Jesus thanked God for what He did have, fives cakes of barley and two fish.

 He then blessed what God had already given to Him.

 We should understand that once we do our part in the work God has given to us, then and only then will God multiply our resources.

 What we will see is that there was plenty enough to feed this large crowd, and there was still some leftovers.

 God will provide more than enough!

 Each of the Lord's disciples kept coming to Jesus to fill their baskets until all were fed.

 Joh 6:11  And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. 

 Psa 37:16  A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. 

 By feeding these people in such a desert place, the Lord Jesus shows these Jews He is the new Moses spoken of in the Books of Moses!

 Deu 18:15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 

 Deu 18:18  I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 

Deu 18:19  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

 When everyone had their fill, twelve baskets, one for each Apostle, were filled with what had not been eaten.

 When we study this miracle out, we do not see any indication that any of these people were aware of the miracle that had just taken place beyond His own disciples.

 The truth is that this world belongs to the Lord Jesus: Psa 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 

 *****Luk 9:18  And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 

Luk 9:19  They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 

Luk 9:20  He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

 The Lord Jesus never forgot to thank His Father for what He had done.

 The Lord Jesus also needed strength as He would set out for Jerusalem, where He would soon face the cross.

 We can only imagine the mental anguish upon the Lord as He walked by Golgotha, knowing He would soon die there.

 No doubt this would be part of His suffering for us, even before the cross.

 At the end of His prayer, He then asked His disciples, "Who say the people that I am"?

 There were many Jews who thought that Jesus was the reincarnated John the Baptist.

 Others said He was Elijah who had returned as prophesied.

It was also time for those twelve chosen men who rest their minds on Jesus the Christ of God.

It was time for them to confess without hesitation that Jesus was the Messiah sent from Heaven.

As disciples of Christ Jesus, we must pray before all major events in our lives.

As disciples of Christ Jesus, we too must come to an understanding of the Cross, His death, burial, and His resurrection.

We must pray for strength to withstand the trials of life, to bear our own cross that lies ahead of us.

Psa 91:15  He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 

Psa 91:16  With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. 

Many people just said the Lord Jesus was just a great man who had come their way.

These twelve men needed to have their concept of the Messiah corrected with the truth.

The general saying was that the Messiah would come to be King of Israel and, like King David, save them from their enemies.

Isa 7:14  Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Isa 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

Mic 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 

Mic 5:3  Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 

Mic 5:4  And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. 

Jer 33:14  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. 

Jer 33:15  In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. 

Jer 33:16  In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. 

All these things would be true, but the Lord Jesus first came to save us and start the Church.

Jesus was not the Forerunner John the Baptist.

Jesus was not Elijah returned.

Jesus was not one of the Prophets of the Old Testament who returned.

These are the same false confessions made of the Messiah in every generation.

The Lord Jesus is much more than just some man martyred for His faith.

He was certainly the greatest teacher and the greatest prophet of all time.

He was the only one who could tell us the truth of God.

He was the One sent not only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles.

He was a Great Carpenter.

He did make this world, but many reject this truth.

What is the truth? 1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 

1Jn 2:23  Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 

Again: 1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 

1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 

1Jn 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 

1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 

The Lord Jesus is indeed the Messiah sent from the only true God, Immanuel, with the mission to save all mankind.

The Lord Jesus was not just some man. He is the Almighty Living God!

*****Luk 9:21  And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; 

Luk 9:22  Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. 

The truth is, "Faith" in God cannot be lived out in a vacuum.

A sheltered faith can never be a mature faith!

As believers, we are not to accept the opinion of others; we must know that we know the Lord Jesus is indeed the Messiah sent from God to save us from the penalty of our sin.

The Lord Jesus is indeed the Messiah, but not what the Jews wanted at that time.

The path of His suffering was not an option. It had to take place just as written in the Word of God.

The path to His Kingship will also be just as described in the Word of God.

It was the elders of Judah, the Chief Priests, and the Scribes, who caused Jesus to be slain.

Many of these were the members of the Sanhedrin Court, the Supreme Court of the Jews.

Amen

Kingdom Teaching

 Kingdom Teaching and a Storm Is Calmed

 Book of Luke Chapter 8

 Most ministries do not survive unless there is some support for them. Even the ministries of the Lord had supporters.

 There are certain women who are mentioned in this chapter, but our lesson concerns the ministry rather than those who support the ministry.

 If you support a ministry of the Gospel, then God knows it, and this is the purpose of the Holy Spirit mentioning these precious ladies who supported the work of the Lord.

 Our lesson begins with verse 5, where we will look at some parables.

 What is a parable? A parable is a mode of teaching that takes a familiar event to teach spiritual truths.

 The Lord Jesus used parables to teach us many lessons of the truth of Heaven.

 Why did the Lord Jesus use parables?

 Mat 13:34  All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 

Mat 13:35  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 

 We use the word typology in our lessons, and parable teaching is also a teaching by typology.

 The parable of the Sower:

 *****Luk 8:4  And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 

Luk 8:5  A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 

Luk 8:6  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 

Luk 8:7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 

Luk 8:8  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

 There was a revival going on in the land of Judah. It had begun with John the Baptist and was continued by God's Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.

 Multitudes of people were gathering to hear what the Lord Jesus had to say.

 Who is the Sower in this parable? The Sower is the Lord Jesus Christ.

 The Lord Jesus is not looking for fruit among His people, but as the Sower, He sows the seed which is the Word of God.

 The Lord Jesus preaches the truth of the Scriptures.

 Not some traditional version.

Not some altered version.

Not some version containing the beliefs of man.

 The Lord Jesus preaches the version that is approved by the Holy Spirit.

 When we read our KJV Bibles, we are reading the English version of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures approved by the Holy Spirit.

 Almost all these people who gathered to hear the Lord Jesus knew the work of the sower.

 They also knew that not every seed would produce fruit.

 Not everyone who came to hear the Words of Jesus was sincere, and this teaching would also address those people.

 If the Lord Jesus could not teach them a truth that they could believe, then He would warn all those who had their ears open to His message.

 Just hearing the Word of God is not enough; we must apply the Word of God to our lives and be obedient to it.

 The Word of God will not bear fruit if we do not put it to good use!

 The Parable of the Sower addresses all people who hear the Word of God.

 Every parable is taken from things that happen every day!

 Notice the Sower always goes out, and he sows the seed. If not, there can be no fruit.

 Today, not many will go out.

Today, not many sow the seed, the Word of God.

Today, there are not many who visit and care for the flock.

 Four things happen when the Sower sows the Seed.

 1) Some seeds fell by the wayside.

 This is seed that was sown outside the field. It fell on walking paths and the road.

This seed fell on unprepared ground and was walked on. It was walked upon, and some lay on top of the ground, and birds came and ate it.

 2) Some seeds fell upon rocky ground.

 This was a rock that had very little soil to cover it. This seed grew quickly because the water would lie on top of the rock when it rained, but that water would soon dry up, and those plants would wither away because the Sun would scorch the plants.

 3) Some seeds fell amongst the thorns.

 This seed would sprout, but those plants were soon choked to death by those thorns.

 4) Other seeds fell on good ground.

 This seed produced much fruit and bears fruit a hundredfold.

 Jesus immediately said: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear".

 It is most important that we hear what God has to say so we will know the truth!

 The disciples of Jesus Christ asked, "What do these things mean"?

 They also asked, "why do you teach using parables"?

 *****Luk 8:9  And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 

Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 

 Jesus said that when the truth of God is taught, we are listening to what the Holy Spirit wants us to hear, and we are to respond to it.

 Up until this point, Jesus had been teaching by direct reading of the Scriptures, and He would still do this also.

 Jesus began to teach with parables to reach those who had a sincere desire to understand the Word of God.

 Learning from a parable required people to do some thinking to get the meaning of the Scriptures.

 The Lord Jesus Christ wants us to open our hearts to receive God's message.

 It is important to ask enough questions until we get the true meaning of what God is teaching us, one Parable at a time.

 We will seek the truth of God if we already have a personal relationship with Him.

 Jesus also used the parables to conceal the truth from closed minds!

 Closed minds will not spend much time seeking the truth of God because they are not interested in the truth of God.

 They are carnal-minded.

 Hard-hearted people have no interest in the God of Love.

 If you think you already have it all figured out, you will never understand the truth of God.

 *****Luk 8:11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 

Luk 8:12  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 

Luk 8:13  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 

Luk 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 

Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

 We should understand that the Sower is the Lord Jesus Christ, or one of His disciples today.

 1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 

 The Seed is then the Word of God which is incorruptible.

 1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

 It is the Gospel that brings much fruit.

 Col 1:5  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 

Col 1:6  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 

 Jesus warns us all that there are all types of people in a crowd.

 The fate of our ministries, and how well they grow, depends on those who hear it!

 The success of the seed depends upon one thing only, and it is the condition of the soil.

 The acceptance of the Word of God relies on one thing: the condition of the heart.

 In this parable, the "soil" is in type the "heart".

 1) That seed by the wayside.

 That person by the wayside hears the Word of God. He is present, but he is off to the side. He is not involved in any church, and he lets his mind wander to things he would rather be doing than listening to some preacher. He will not pay any attention to God's warnings.

 Before this person can believe the Devil will come and snatch the Word of God from him.

 This person will never apply the Word of God to themselves.

 2) The seed on the rock.

 It means this person hears the Word of God, even becomes excited over it. He may even make a profession of faith.

 But he fails to count the cost and consider the commitment he must make and the effort it takes to be a Christian, and he will not apply himself and become grounded in the Word of God.

 When trials and temptations come, he will fail, and his profession of faith will be meaningless.

 Luk 9:57  And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 

Luk 9:58  And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 

Luk 9:59  And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 

Luk 9:60  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 

Luk 9:61  And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 

Luk 9:62  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

 3) The seed among the thorns:

 This person receives the Word of God and honestly tries to live for Christ.

 The Church and its activities appeal to him, and he joins, even calling himself a Christian, but he cannot overcome the thorns of worldliness.

 He is unwilling to cut his ties with the world. He tries to live a double life.

 He violates the command of God: 2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

 He never becomes a child of God!

 We must separate ourselves from the world to be a child of God!

 1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

 1Ti 5:6  But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

 2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 

2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 

2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 

2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 

2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

 4) The seed on good ground.

 These are the ones who accept the Word of God with an honest and good heart.

 They hear the Word of God, and they keep it.

 They will bring forth fruit that will last because they are patient as they witness for Jesus Christ.

 They honestly seek to learn and know the truth of God; the Church will grow.

 Act 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 

 1Th 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 

 They are devoted to Christ and committed to the Gospel.

 They do not allow the Devil to snatch away the truth of God.

 The Lord Jesus adds to this truth:

 *****Luk 8:16  No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. 

Luk 8:17  For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. 

Luk 8:18  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. 

 A candle must be lit to fulfill its function.

 A candle is made for one purpose only, and that purpose is to give light.

 A couple of things we must understand:

 1) All fruit that is gathered is for God. We cannot save anyone; we can only lead them to the Lord, who can save them.

 2) The light that remains is for the neighborhood. Once we are saved, we are to learn how to make our light as bright as it can be. 

 3) This candle is given by God Himself, and it cannot be purchased; it is a gift of God to each believer.

 This candle is useless to God unless it is used.

 This candle represents our Christian Life.

 Mat_5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 This is the life we have when we have been "Born Again" into the family of God.

 This life is only useful to God when our candle is lit!

 This candle is God-given, but it must be we ourselves who can only light our candle.

 We must take the initiative to light our candle and not try to hide it.

 The Lord Jesus Christ is the only spark that can light our candle!

 Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 Joh 11:9  Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 

Joh 11:10  But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him. 

 Joh 12:36  While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. 

 Candles can be used as decoration. We can be a life that beautifies others. This is not the primary use of our life.

 You can use the wax from a candle to fill a hole. We can be a life that fills in the gaps in society. This is not the primary use of our lives.

 Our life can be like an ornament to attract attention. This would be a life centered on us. This is certainly not what God wants from us.

 Our life must be able to shine freely. Eph 5:8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 

 Our life must be like a candle that is set in a high place. Our High Place must be the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Our life must be bright and not dim.

Our life must be strong in Christ and not weak.

 If we try to hide our light, it is because we are ashamed of the true Light, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

 We must understand that there are no more mysteries in the Bible. The Gospel was hidden for a time period but it is not to be hidden now.

 There are no secret ways to get to Heaven! The Lord Jesus Christ explained the Gospel well enough for us to understand these things.

 In fact, Jesus said we should know the way to Heaven by now.

 Joh 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

 We must understand as we live out our lives in this wicked world that the truth is very narrow.

 If we do not understand the Gospel of Grace, we have learned the wrong lesson!

 Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

 We can think, we can guess, and we can suppose but we cannot stray from the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Only the truth of God will bring rewards!

 If we do not use what the Lord has given to us, those rewards will be taken away.

 Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 

 We must believe what the Lord Jesus says.

 He gives us this example:

 *****Luk 8:22  Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 

Luk 8:23  But as they sailed, he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 

When the Lord told His disciples they were going over to the other side, they should have believed Him.

Jesus, the Son of Man, needed the help of the disciples to get away from the crowds that had gathered.

Most of these disciples had made their living on the Sea of Galilee. They knew this Sea and the suddenness of storms on this Sea.

Jesus, the Son of God, said we are going to the other side, and when He said this, these men should have believed what Jesus said and accepted it as the truth.

We could say this boat ride was a test of faith.

God will test our faith from time to time!

We will face many storms in our Christian life!

We must understand our sovereign God can do anything He so pleases at any time He so pleases!

1Ti 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The Man Jesus was so tired that He fell asleep, but it did not change His plan.

The Lord Jesus was trusting that the skills of these men would get them to the other side of Galilee.

The Lord Jesus was present, but He was not actively involved in the task of rowing.

Then came the storm, and it was a terrible storm.

This little boat was in jeopardy of sinking, but for one thing.

The Lord Jesus had said that they were going to the other side, and it was a sure thing.

*****Luk 8:24  And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. 

They felt that only the Lord Jesus had the power to save them when the Lord Jesus had trusted that they had the skills to reach the other side. He knew all along what they would do. This was a test of their faith; they were never in jeopardy.

Any place where the Lord Jesus is present is a safe place, no matter if He is asleep!

These disciples said they felt they were about to perish yet; they also had said that the Lord Jesus was the Messiah.

This shows that they had doubts that Jesus was the true Messiah.

They were desperate enough to wake up the Lord Jesus.

Just as that fever had left Peter's mother-in-law, just as all disease had left many people when the Lord spoke and said leave, the Lord Jesus spoke to the wind, and immediately the wind stopped blowing, and the Sea was calm.

Then the Lord had a question for them.

*****Luk 8:25  And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. 

We had better believe that Satan had his wickedness involved with this storm, so the Lord Jesus stood on His feet when He could have rebuked the wind with just His words. Satan would try to murder the Lord Jesus at every opportunity.

We must understand that the people of God must have absolute faith in our Savior.

We must also understand that if we are afraid, then it did not come from God, and if it did not come from God, it must have come from the Devil.

They had seen many miracles in their time with the Lord Jesus, but they felt that no one could control nature, and they were wrong again.

Jesus had said they were all going to the other side, and not one of them could have perished.

When the Lord describes the Rapture of the Church, we do not have to doubt that it will be real.

1Th 4:13  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 

1Th 4:14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 

1Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

Amen