Having Victory in your Life

 The Eternal Victory of the King

Book of Matthew Chapter 28

There is so much of this world that knows about the Lord Jesus Christ that His existence cannot be denied!

All human history has been transformed by the person of Jesus Christ!

Even the calendar was changed because of the truth of Jesus Christ.

The Roman ruler of the known world acknowledged the truth of Jesus Christ.

So we can see that the resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important event in all of history.

It is the greatest day for all Christians and all humanity!

You cannot be a Christian and deny the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Word of God does not give Christians the option of denying the deity of Jesus Christ!

You are not a believer, if you deny the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You are not a believer, if you deny the true life and death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You are not a believer, if you deny the "bodily" resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we say the "Good News" the "Gospel" then these are the things that should come to mind!

1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 

1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 

1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

1Co 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Verse 1

*****Mat 28:1  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 

Sunday, the first day of the new week should remind all who have been "Born Again" that we cannot die. Oh, we may give up this wicked body of flesh, but our souls are bound for Heaven to be forever with our Holy God.

Sunday is the Lord's Day!

As Saturday, some say the Sabbath, the day of rest ends, we should lift our eyes toward Heaven and on the Lord's Day gaze upon the face of our Creator. 

Sunday is the "Day of the Lord" and the day we need to worship the Living God!

It is the day to claim the Word of God for the coming week and all weeks in our future.

It is the day to show our gratitude for all the things our Lord has provided and to thank Him for all the things He has promised to provide!

It is the day to show the world we truly love the Lord.

It is a day to lift our eyes toward Heaven and just "Praise the Lord"!

It is the third day after the Lord Jesus was buried that Mary Magdalene and that other Mary, which to me means she was not the mother of Christ Jesus.

Surely the mother of our Lord would not have been described as "the other Mary".

She may have even been the sister to the Mother of Jesus as there were many forms of the name Mary such as Miriam.

We know at the death of the Lord Jesus she was with Mary the mother of Christ.

Joh 19:25  Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 

It was these two Marys, that came to the tomb at the dawning of that Sunday morning.

*****Mat 28:2  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 

Mat 28:3  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 

Mat 28:4  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 

As these two saints of God approached the location of the Tomb of Jesus there was suddenly an earthquake.

We should note that no one saw the Lord Jesus Christ exit from that tomb.

In fact the Lord Jesus Christ had left this tomb before any of these things occurred.

This angel had rolled away this stone that had been rolled into place by Joseph of Arimathea.

Mat 27:59  And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 

Mat 27:60  And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. 

We must never think that this angel removed the stone for the Lord Jesus to exit the tomb. He removed the stone so these women and any others could look into the tomb and see that Jesus was no longer there.

There had been at least four soldiers guarding the tomb of Jesus from the moment He was buried, and it can be said that these hardened soldiers became so afraid that they passed out.

Mat 27:63  Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 

Mat 27:64  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 

Mat 27:65  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 

Mat 27:66  So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. 

This also should give us some idea of how we may react when we first see the Lord face to face.

Every precaution was taken to ensure that no one came to remove the body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our Savior did not need any help to leave that tomb!

Joh 10:17  Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

We should also understand that these guards, once they awoke, were also afraid for their own safety.

This tomb was like a jail in the sense that a guard could be executed for allowing a prisoner to escape, especially one whom the government had taken such precautions.

We should understand that the power of God is awesome, but it can also be terrifying.

These guards witnessed things that were unbelievable, and they did not know what to do.

Remember these were hardened soldiers who had been through many of the wars of Rome.

They became so afraid of their lives they went to the Chief Priest rather than their own commanders.

For these women, they did not know what to think, seeing all these things. Their only concern was for our Savior.

This is also a great lesson for us.

No matter what is going on in this world, we must stay focused upon our Savior!

This angel answered because he understood the conversation that was taking place between these women.

*****Mat 28:5  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 

Mat 28:6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

We can be sure that these believers were afraid just as any of us would have been.

This angel calmed their fears by saying "I know you are seeking Jesus".

The same Jesus who was crucified because there is only one Jesus Christ.

It is this one event that brought recognition to Christianity even though it is still being denied.

These women saw a real angel and maybe two according to the Book of Luke.

Luk 24:3  And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 

Luk 24:4  And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 

Luk 24:5  And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 

It is possible that there were even more angels about the tomb only showing their selves to converse with those who came.

These angels appeared as men and nowhere in the Bible do, we see women mentioned as angels. 

Angels are the messengers of God!

These women had no reason to fear because they came because they loved the Lord!

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 

Mat 7:8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

The Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself to be crucified for all mankind, but it is important that we believe this!

2Co 5:14  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 

2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 

2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

Knowing these women still had doubts these angels said come and see.

Much of the world had an opportunity to see the truth of the Lord, but the Lord Jesus said we need to have "faith".

They also told these two Marys to tell His disciples that the Lord Jesus had risen from His death and was going to Galilee just as Jesus had told them.

As they hurried to tell the disciples they met the Lord Jesus Christ who called out to them.

We can read about this thing in the four Gospels, and we can believe them all as the truth.

We should note that the Lord Jesus used the phrase "my brethren" even at this time.

The one thing we know for sure about these things is that this tomb is still empty, it was only needed for three days.

When those guards awoken, they feared for their lives so much so they reported to the Chief Priests rather than their own commanders, for they would have been put to death!

They may have even taken the money they were given and left Israel.

*****Mat 28:11  Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 

Mat 28:12  And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 

Mat 28:13  Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 

Mat 28:14  And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 

Mat 28:15  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 

1) We should understand that there is no excuse for trained soldiers to fall asleep on guard duty.

There were enough of them that they could sleep in shifts.

This thing would be under the penalty of death for a Roman soldier to do such a thing.

2) The followers of Jesus Christ had no motive to steal the body of Jesus Christ. 

The things that He had said He would do could only occur if He was in that tomb.

The disciples never made such a plan to kidnap the body of Christ.

What could they have possibly done with the body of Christ if they did possess it?

3) We should understand that the theft of the body of Christ would have been a Capital Crime punishable by death because the tomb had been sealed with the seal of Pilate and that of Rome.

None of the disciples were ever brought to trial nor arrested.

4) These soldiers realizing these things went to the only place that might save them from death.

They realized they may have seen an act of God.

They were very familiar with the false gods of Rome who were said to have such powers.

5) They were certain that no one would believe what had happened to be the truth.

So we see the Chief Priests and the Elders of Israel sough to discredit these things the soldiers reported.

It seems that money still works to buy a new story or to create lies.

What we need to understand is that the truth will always prevail.

Pro 12:19  The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 

Pro 12:20  Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. 

Treachery had been used to arrest the Lord Jesus Christ.

An illegal court had tried Him.

False charges had been brought against Him before Pilate.

Now bribery was being used to discredit the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

As believers we know that the truth will always prevail.

Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

We know many things the disciples did from the other three Gospels, but we now read where the disciples went to Galilee just as the Lord Jesus instructed.

*****Mat 28:16  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 

Mat 28:17  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 

We see that Matthew closes out what the Holy Spirit gave to him with the command to all Christians.

To Matthew the Lord Jesus Christ was the Son of David as prophesied and the soon coming King of Israel and King of all the world.

Mat 1:1  The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Mat 5:35  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Now Matthew writes that the Lord Jesus is risen just as He had said.

Now in the power of the resurrection, we are all to go forth proclaiming the Lord Jesus and His eternal kingdom.

The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee to meet their Savior as He had instructed but some still had doubts that Jesus would be there.

We can trust what the Lord tells us because He would never lie to us!

We have appointed places where we are to meet the Lord and we should never doubt that He will be there!

1) We will meet Jesus in our worship if it is in Spirit and Truth.

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Our worship is not where we go, our worship is where Jesus is at, and He is only in places that preach the truth!

Mat 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

2) We will meet Jesus in our Bible study.

Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

3) We will meet Jesus in our prayers.

Joh 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Joh 14:14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

4) We will meet Jesus in our devotions.

There is a good chance that not just the eleven disciples met the Lord Jesus at Galilee.

1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 

1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 

1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 

1Co 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 

1Co 15:5  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 

1Co 15:6  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 

1Co 15:7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 

1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 

We should be able to say that more than 500 people, some believing and some in doubt until they saw Him, if we need more proof of the Resurrection Messiah.

The Lord Jesus is real, and He is our Savior and He will return as the King of this world!

If you want to remove your doubts just go and visit the Lord Jesus Christ and you will find Him.

Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

Though many still doubt, believers know that the Lord Jesus Christ has the power of God because He is God!

*****Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

The Lord Jesus has the power of God for one main reason, to save those who are lost.

Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 

Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 

Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

To those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ, you should know that you will still bow to Him.

His authority is over all the known universe and all the invisible creation.

He is the Lord of the angelic host.

Isa 2:12  For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

The Lord Jesus Christ will rule this world for 1000 years!

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

The most important thing to the believer is His power to forgive sins.

Joh 5:22  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 

Joh 5:27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 

There is no one or nothing that has more power than the One True God!

The power of the Lord Jesus Christ gives us confidence that our sin has been forgiven and we have that personal relationship with our Creator.

He asks only one thing of us.

*****Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 

Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Some mistake this as a commandment only to Pastors and Preachers and other such men but this commission is for every believer!

There is no more important Scripture in all the New Testament!

As believers we are to replicate ourselves.

We are to go each of us to make disciples who will then go forth themselves in a continuous fashion.

The Church is set forth as a place to worship the Messiah.

The next phase of the Church is to make disciples.

Any other business of the Church comes after these two things have their priorities in place.

Feeding, clothing, and helping others beyond the teaching of the "Gospel" should never be undertaken until these commandments of the Lord are working as commanded!

The Lord Jesus Christ came to seek and to save and He gave His life to accomplish these things.

What did He teach us?

Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Teach the "Gospel" no matter where we are located understanding that wherever God has placed us is our mission field.

Baptizing is just making a public confession of our faith, but our Lord Jesus was baptized, and we should follow in His ways.

We must know that God is a Holy Trinity that cannot be denied.

The Lord Jesus says, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit) which is Jehovah God the Great "I Am" of the Bible.

After our salvation we are to follow as best we can in all the things of Jesus Christ.

To ignore these things is to reject the truth of the Messiah!

What the Lord Jesus Christ did must be studied and studied to the point of learning so we can teach others.

The things that the Lord Jesus Christ taught should rule in our life and our societies today.

Our world has reached this point of wickedness because the Lord Jesus Christ has been rejected!

We must understand we are never alone; the Lord Jesus is with us forever, even here on this earth and forever with us when he takes us home to a place prepared for us!

Amen

Not a Gospel of Works

 The Cost of being a Part of the Kingdom

Book of Matthew Chapter 19

Today we see the story of a rich young ruler and this rich young ruler should also give us a picture of those in America today who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ.

This lesson is not about riches. 

There were no rulers that were not appointed by Rome or through Rome.

This person in all likely hood was a young ruler of a synagogue.

This man would have at least been 30 years old.

Most the rulers of the synagogues were chosen because they were free from the need to work for a living.

They could devote themselves full time to the duties of the synagogue.

Most of them of course, were Pharisees and they followed all the traditions of the Pharisees, the "oral law".

What are some questions that will be answered as we go through this lesson?

1) Christ denied that He was good. Was this true? He did not deny that He was the Master!

2) Christ taught this man nothing of believing but told him to keep the law. Jesus Christ is the only One who kept all the Law!

3) Christ told this man to sell all he had. Does God really require this of us to be saved?

This passage of Scripture is used by many to do away with "Grace" and keep to the "Law", but those who do this miss the whole point of the message of Jesus.

This passage also teaches us, those who think that they have goodness within themselves, when as the Lord says, there are none good but God! 

This is typical of religionist!

The main question they all have is: how do I obtain eternal life?

Mar 10:17  And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 

Luk 18:18  And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 

He is saying: what work can I do to gain eternal life?

Just as he had inherited his riches he asked: how do I inherit eternal life? To inherit the things of God is impossible though we will share in the inheritance of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We cannot inherit what God gives as gifts to those who love Him!

How did Matthew see it? Remember Matthew was an eyewitness to this event.

*****Mat 19:16  And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 

The first thing we notice is that this young man, probably a ruler of a local synagogue, was ignorant of eternal life.

We should understand that there are only two groups of people in the world and they both already have the promise of eternal life.

Life with the Lord will be wonderful, but life in the pits of Hell will be so horrible it will be as eternal damnation.

Many people do not believe in a Hell, but you cannot believe in Heaven and reject that there is a place called Hell.

This young man should have known this.

Dan 12:1  And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 

Dan 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 

Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

We need some of the wisdom of our Heavenly Father to avoid that damnation!

This young man went to the right source in seeking the wisdom of the Lord Jesus.

This is the most important information that we must seek as humans, but the mistake that is made the most is that we may be able to do some work to obtain this eternal life which is impossible.

The "Gospel of Grace" is not a "Gospel of Works"!

This young man who had tried his best to be obedient to the Laws of Moses had realized he had no assurance of eternal life with Jehovah God.

What was his problem? There were some things he was not going to give up even for Jehovah God!

The one fact we had better understand is, that we can have all the religion in the world and put on top of that all the goodness in the world, and yet without the Lord Jesus Christ we cannot know how to obtain eternal life. We can only obtain eternal death!

Eternal life is not some reward we can earn!

Eternal life is a gift for acknowledging the truth of God's Messiah!

2Jn_1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

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 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. 

How did the Lord Jesus respond to this question?

*****Mat 19:17  And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

Mat 19:18  He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 

Mat 19:19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

The one thing this young ruler got right is the fact that there is life in another world.

Every individual who lives needs to understand this truth!

Very few of those who are rich will ever admit that there is something this important that they cannot purchase with this world's riches.

Many people, especially the young and add to those the rich, just do not realize the peace of mind and the sense of completeness that comes from knowing these things are forever settled while we live in this natural world. 

Yes, there is the natural world and there is the spiritual world.

We are born sinners into this material world, and we have the ability to make choices, but we will live and die by our choices.

The Lord Jesus made this truly clear to this young man, "there is none good but God".

This young man looked upon the Lord Jesus as a good man, not as the Messiah.

This young man was ignorant of who he was speaking to, in fact rejecting Him as the Messiah.

God had given the children of Israel the Laws of Moses and also the sacrifices that were to be made yearly in order for them to be received into Paradise.

The New Covenant had not yet begun so this young man was still under the Old Covenant which would soon be done away with, but not on this day he was with our Lord.

Heb 8:13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. 

These are things that only God can do, and His name is Jehovah.

Only Jehovah is good! The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

The Lord Jesus Christ is certainly much more than a "good teacher" yet He is the only One who can teach us the "Good Things" of God!

Note: the Lord Jesus tells each of us the same thing today.

He would tell each of us to keep the Commandments.

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment. 

Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 

Mat 22:40  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 

We might ask ourselves what is our greatest hindrance in getting to to Heaven? Self-righteousness.

*****Mat 19:20  The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

As far as this young man was concerned, he was perfect.

If he had kept all of the Laws of Moses as He had said, then he already knew he had eternal life according to the Old Covenant with God.

In reality we already know that only the Lord Jesus Christ was able to keep all the Laws of Moses.

The real truth is that the Lord Jesus looks into the heart as we have said many times.

There is one law that we all break routinely.

It was first in the Old Covenant and first in the New Covenant.

Old Covenant:

Exo 20:2  I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 

Exo 20:3  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Deu 6:4  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 

Deu 6:5  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 

New Covenant:

Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 

Over and over again the Lord Jesus had proved He was the Anointed One sent from God, but to this young man the Lord Jesus was just a good teacher.

The first need for any of us is, to realize that we are just lost sinners in need of a Savior.

This young man felt that he was perfect and without sin.

So what did this young man lack as he felt he must have some work to do?

*****Mat 19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 

Instead of trying to accumulate more riches, the Lord Jesus said you must "repent", change direction, change the way you think, give your riches to the poor those riches will just weigh you down if you give your heart to the Lord.

If we love our neighbors, we will help them in their hour of need!

We should understand that this was a test for this rich young ruler, and we cannot apply this to everyone who is rich.

We are all rich compared to what our parents had as far as material things.

I have said that the greatest sin is the ignorance of the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is still true.

In reality, until we realize that we are just sinners in a lost and dying world, we will never realize that we are ignorant of our own selves.

He had boasted that his obedience to those old laws was exact.

In truth he needed a new heart.

In truth he needed a new sense of guilt.

In truth he needed to know the reality of sin.

We get hung up on what the Lord Jesus said about those riches, and we forget what Jesus actually said.

The Lord Jesus said "if you want to be perfect then follow Me"!

When the Lord says to "Come", then it is time to Come!

This young man with such riches had to expose his true god, riches.

*****Mat 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 

Mat 19:23  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 

Mat 19:24  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 

When the Lord says to come then it is time to drop everything and go to Him!

The very first thing we all must do is to go to the Lord when He calls!

Today the Lord calls through the Holy Spirit and we must not be fooled; the Holy Spirit may one day quit calling us.

Gen 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man,

We must walk by the Holy Spirit who will never lead us astray but will always lead us to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 

Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 

Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 

Self-Righteousness has no place in the New Covenant, just as it had no place in the Old Covenant.

This young man probably at least 30 years old could not depart from his worldly things, therefore he could not accept Spiritual things.

Riches are a great obstacle for those who are rich to overcome!

Wealth, materialism and pride have taken many a person to Hell and they will many more.

There are many interpretations for that phrase "eye of a needle".

This is a lesson for another time.

If we take what Jesus said literally and we should, then we can say without a doubt that a rich man unwilling to part with his worldly goods will never make it into Heaven.

A camel cannot pass through any needle.

A camel in the time of Jesus was the largest of the animals Israel.

If there was a small door called the "needle's eye", then it was certainly impossible for a fully loaded camel to go through that door or that gate that was made for humans.

Camels cannot get into Heaven and humans unwilling to part with their worldly goods will certainly not get into Heaven.

Only those who have repented and followed the Lord Jesus Christ and who come when He calls, can get into God's New Heaven!

The disciples were astonished at these words of the Lord!

*****Mat 19:25  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 

Mat 19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 

Just who can be saved? 

Act 8:37  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 

Pretty simple!

Did Jesus just teach these things as fact?

What had these disciples been taught?

What has been taught throughout all generations?

What has much of the Church been taught?

1) That prosperity is God's blessing.

2) That prosperity is the reward for righteousness and obedience.

3) That earthly treasures come to those who are obedient to the Lord.

Jesus Christ just burst that bubble right here in this passage!

We must clearly understand that salvation is of Jehovah God!

With men salvation is impossible!

Salvation is by "Grace" and only by the "Grace" of God.

Prosperity is no more a sign of obedience than being poor is a sign of disobedience!

God promises to meet our needs.

God is concerned for our Spiritual blessings.

Righteousness and prosperity have nothing to do with each other!

Wealth is seldom a good thing for anyone!

Wealth in many cases bring worldly difficulties.

The goal of most every poor man is to be rich.

Why is having wealth such a problem?

Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 

God does choose to bless some more than others, but this is just what God does and we can be sure He has His own reasons.

In fact we must consider just what are true blessings and not many of us would say money.

For instance it would be a great blessing to me if I knew all my family here on earth would also be in Heaven.

What do we know for sure?

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. 

We must not forget our purpose; our purpose must match God's purpose!

If God allows us to have more, it may be because there are those who have a need.

God also expects us to enjoy life, but He does not necessarily allow for us to live extravagantly.

Man was not made for worldly things; worldly things were made for man.

The problem is, we allow ourselves to become slaves to these things and with this slavery we lust for more and more in a never-ending cycle.

If we use any wealth that God gives us for promoting the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ, then we see what God expected us to do with it.

Anything that takes our heart away from the Lord is then an abomination!

Jer 17:5  Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

It seems that no one upon this earth has the know-how to break the power of lust for riches.

From the time we are born until the time we die we seem to want more and more!

Just as the Lord Jesus Christ is our only hope, He is the only hope for the rich.

It is only the Lord Jesus who can break all chains of bondage!

Our desire for Heaven must outweigh any desires we may have for the things of this earth!

We must also remember there is nothing too hard for God!

He is in the business of saving lost souls!

To be saved is to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Again Peter steps in with a response.

*****Mat 19:27  Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 

Mat 19:28  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

What had Jesus said to that rich young ruler to do? "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me".

It is those treasures in Heaven, no matter what they are, that are far more important than anything of this world!

As hard as it sounds, to be saved it is really quite simple, it is all about Jesus Christ!

The Lord Jesus Christ is the stumbling block for all unbelievers!

It is not about being poor any more than it is about being rich!

Peter was just wondering if he had done enough.

Had these disciples done enough? We know that one never did.

In fact none ever did enough because it is not about works.

We will find that the Lord Jesus Christ has done all the works and the key to salvation is simply, do we have faith in the work that the Lord Jesus has done?

We must forsake this world for the privilege of living in the Glory World!

Forsaking all does not mean we are to not support our families and it takes worldly riches to get those things.

Peter still had a home.

Mat 8:14  And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

Serving the Lord means we put the Lord first even above our families, but it does relieve us the duty to provide for our families.

We are to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and if our family chooses not to then we are to continue with Christ.

The truth is when we put the Lord Jesus first in our lives, we find that life becomes more balanced!

Luk 18:29  And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 

Luk 18:30  Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. 

The Lord Jesus also said these words.

When we follow the Lord Jesus Christ we will never regret having done so!

We will find that we have changed the way we think.

2Co 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

How do we lose our rewards?

1) Not forsaking all for Christ Jesus.

2) Thinking we have given up more than some others give.

We are never to attempt to bargain with God!

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

If it is in this world, it is worthless in Heaven!

Amen

Jesus the Messiah

 Jesus Dealt with Questions

Book of Matthew Chapter 9

We can talk about the greatest of the traits of God, but we should understand that every trait of the Lord is perfect.

There is no weakness in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The world will certainly look upon humility as a weakness, but it is not.

The world will look upon compassion as a weakness, but it is not a weakness.

The world will look upon love as a weakness, but love is not a weakness.

The world will look upon forgiveness as a weakness, but forgiveness is a great trait to have.

The Lord Jesus is perfect in every trait the world calls a weakness and yet there is no power in the world that can stand against the power of God!

We have already established that Capernaum was at this time the base of operations we could say of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus had been busy since His time of temptation, though Satan stood against Him every day!

Jesus had been in Gadara where He had met a man who had been possessed with the devil and Jesus had caused that horde of demons to leave this man.

The one thing we know for sure is, that Jesus can heal anybody, anywhere, and at any time if they will only trust Him.

Gadara was on another side of the Sea of Galilee and Jesus had been asked to leave Gadara and He left.

We should completely understand, the Lord Jesus will never force Himself upon anyone. 

This is a choice we must make ourselves and we must invite Jesus to come into our hearts.

Jesus left Gadara but not before He left a great witness of the truth behind.

Jesus was now returning to Capernaum where we pick up our lesson.

*****Mat 9:1  And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 

Mat 9:2  And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 

The palsy was a disease that caused the loss of muscular motion. 

Either in the whole body or in parts of the body. We will meet a man here who could no longer walk.

We might say if this man was in such bad shape, why does this passage begin with forgiveness?

It is really simple! It is far better to be forgiven of our sins than to be healed of any sickness.

If we are healed of one thing it will not be long until we are sick or weak from something else.

When you are forgiven of your sin by the Lord Jesus Christ, you are forgiven throughout eternity.

It is foolish to believe that our Savior has the power to forgive us our sins and then does not have the power to keep us saved.

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Why was this man forgiven? "Faith"!

Notice the joy in the voice of the Lord for being able to forgive this man and then add to that He healed him.

You will never receive anything from the Lord Jesus Christ unless you have saving faith!

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

We must believe there is a God who is All-Powerful, and we must believe that he is in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ!

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. 

As we will learn as we continue in our study of the Book of Matthew, unbelieving religious leaders had already sent out spies to spy upon Jesus.

*****Mat 9:3  And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 

The scribes who were the men who made handwritten copies of documents, especially of the Old Testament Scriptures and the Books of Moses, the first 5 books of the Bible.

The one thing these scribes got right was the fact that only Jehovah God can forgive sin, because no matter what sin we commit, we sin first against God!

God expects us to treat each other as we would treat ourselves and most of us love ourselves!

When God says, "Thou shall not", He means it.

The Lord Jesus did not blaspheme because He is God! God cannot deny Himself!

God the Father (Jehovah), God the Son (Jesus), God the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost).

Listen to what this passage says. These scribes spoke within themselves.

Jesus knows our every thought!

This is kind of scary. I know I have had some terrible thoughts that would greatly shame me if anyone else knew them, but Jesus does know them, and this is another reason we need Him to forgive us.

Mar 7:20  And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 

Mar 7:21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 

Mar 7:22  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 

Mar 7:23  All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. 

Jesus knew exactly what these hypocrites were thinking!

*****Mat 9:4  And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 

Mat 9:5  For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 

Mat 9:6  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.

We must understand that sin is a great evil. If we get this one right, then we will understand that "faith" is a great blessing!

You see Jesus did not concentrate on the suffering Jesus concentrated on his "faith".

Does this mean that Jesus does not see our suffering? No not at all!

When "faith" is present, then suffering, just as sin, can be done away with!

In typology these men spoken of with palsy, represent the Children of Israel who are paralyzed in unbelief and cannot move forward until the blindness has been removed from their eyes.

Rom 11:7  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 

Rom 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 

Rom 11:9  And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 

Rom 11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 

Rom 11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

They have stumbled at the truth of the Scriptures and paralyzed, but we already know this will end after they go through the seven years of tribulation.

We must understand, we are still "heathen" until our sins are forgiven.

No amount of healing can take place until our sins are forgiven!

To Jesus it was just as easy for Him to say "rise up and walk" or 'thy sins are forgiven" for only He knows what is in our heart!

The truth is all mankind are disabled and sick "spiritually"!

What is the truth of the job Jesus has given us to do?

1) We must realize it is our job to get the disabled to Jesus Christ.

2) We must acknowledge that only Jesus Christ has the power to help.

3) We must persist and persevere until we get the disabled to Jesus Christ.

Our lost children and grandchildren are not just someone we love they are spiritually disabled!

We must not miss that Jesus knows the rejection of religionists.

Religionists think only evil when the name Jesus is mentioned!

We also note that these evil and wicked men did acknowledge that Jesus had the power to heal.

They did not recognize that this healing power as being the power of God.

They rejected Jesus for many reasons and one of those reasons was that He could heal anybody at any time, and their thinking was that God would certainly not heal sinners.

The Lord Jesus asked, "Why do you have evil in your hearts"?

Why is this world so afraid that Jesus is real? 

Because their hearts are so full of evil wickedness!

You know what Jesus did not do? He did not show any fear.

He just went about the business He came to do. He was not intimidated by evil men!

What did this man who "was" paralyzed do?

*****Mat 9:7  And he arose, and departed to his house. 

Mat 9:8  But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

You see anyone can say "I forgive you" or even "rise up and walk", but if there is no action from those sayings then they are only loose words.

The Lord Jesus spoke our world into existence!

Col_1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

There will always be action in the Word of God, so we can depend upon the Word of God as being the truth and it is not important that the world believe, it is important that we believe as individuals.

When the Lord Jesus says your sins are forgiven, then it is not necessary for the world to believe!

Salvation comes to those whose sins are truly forgiven!

The fact is, the Messiah did truly come, and He will return a second time for separate reasons.

Salvation means truly saved and not ever lost again!

Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 

The sad fact is that some people attempt to glorify God, yet they will not receive forgiveness.

Just recognizing that someone has the power of God is not enough for forgiveness.

Forgiveness begins in our own heart and the Lord sees into the heart!

It is not even important that we marvel at the power of Christ! 

It is important that we recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and not just some prophet and not some man who went around doing good!

Col_1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

1Jn_4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1Jn_5:1  Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

The Lord Jesus Christ is certainly Emmanuel the God Man!

All those who witnessed these things marveled and glorified, but they did not recognize our Savior.

Then Jesus spots Matthew.

*****Mat 9:9  And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. 

In this passage we will see a short introduction to the person of Matthew, known as Levi before accepting the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mar 2:14  And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. 

Luk 5:27  And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 

Luk 5:28  And he left all, rose up, and followed him. 

If Matthew had written this book without the Holy Spirit, he would certainly have used more words to describe himself, but as Christians we know our old life is in the past but forgotten by the Lord and we begin a new life just as Matthew did.

The name Matthew means "Gift of God". He was the son of Alphaeus and was a publican or today we would say tax collector.

We all hate the tax collector!

Custom, as it was called was not for Israel but for Rome. A man such as Matthew would be located at the gates of every city, town, village, and along each highway.

They collected money that was paid for goods.

Many of these tax collectors would collect more than was due and they became rich. Rome did not care as long as Rome received what was called for.

They were called "Publican" which means an employee of low degree.

1) They were Jews who worked for Rome.

2) They collected more that was required.

On this day Matthew began working for the Lord and he and the Lord made a big deal of it making a feast to celebrate his last day as a Publican and his new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

What we should understand is that Matthew wanted all such as himself to meet the Lord.

*****Mat 9:10  And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 

Mat 9:11  And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 

Matthew was a hated man, but he found that God loved him.

Luk 15:1  Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 

Luk 15:2  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 

Matthew had decided no more needed to be known about himself, and he moved on to tell the world about a Savior who loved all sinners and who came to save them.

When everyone else saw a man as a traitor who worked for Rome, Jesus saw a disciple who would become an Apostle.

The Bible teaches us to pay our taxes:

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

Rom 13:3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 

Rom 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 

Rom 13:5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 

Rom 13:6  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 

Rom 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 

Rom 13:8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 

"As much as we can" we must live in peace with our governments.

The Lord Jesus saw the loneliness of Matthew, his lack of purpose, a man who needed a Savior.

What did Jesus see when He saw me?

What did Jesus see when He saw you?

What does Jesus see when He looks at His world today?

This world was created for Jesus to show His power!

One day for the Church at the 'Rapture" and seven years later one day of "Judgment" for those who reject Him!

Mar 8:34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

Mar 8:35  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 

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. 

This is why today, during the Church Age is the "Day of Salvation"!

Jesus sat down with these sinners and joined them in a meal.

Then the super religious, who rejected all sinners and rejected that they were sinners or that they were self-righteous, looked upon Jesus with disgust.

We should acknowledge that the first thing that Matthew did was to bring all his old friends into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2Ti 2:2  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 

This is exactly what we are all to do today. To bring every sinner into contact with the one and only Savior.

Even Jesus cannot save a self-righteous man or woman!

*****Mat 9:12  But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 

Mat 9:13  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 

Those who are whole are all those who think they do not need our Heavenly Savior!

What is the reality of this passage? It reminds us of the last Church Age that we are now in!

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

The so-called modern-day church has forgotten that there is never a day that we do not need our Savior!

Jesus is not allowed inside the modern church. 

The teachings of Jesus about abortion are forgotten.

The teachings of Jesus about the sodomites and the lesbians, and those who cannot determine what sex they are, all forgotten.

We either accept the Word of God as it is written and believe what Matthew wrote and Jesus said. 

Those that are whole do not need Jesus!

When we place ourselves above the Word of God, then we have rejected the God of the Bible and He is the Lord Jesus Christ!

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God. 

Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 

Joh 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 

Joh 1:5  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 

Just like Jesus says, "go your way and learn what this means".

Jesus did not come to this earth to save those who have made themselves to be righteous!

Jesus came to save me a dirty rotten sinner! He can save you to.

Sin is a sickness and a sickness that affects our minds.

This sin sickness needs a Heavenly Physician!

Sin is the sickness of the spirit. Our spirit cannot be healed, but needs to be replaced by the Holy Spirit.

Sin is a sickness of the flesh. Our flesh cannot be healed, but needs to be replaced, we need to be Born Again!

We are foolish to believe our sin sickness cannot be healed and it begins with repentance!

Do not be one of those who continue to walk with the fatal disease of sin believing the Devil!

A merciful Physician named Jesus, brought the tools needed to heal us all and it begins with "Faith"! 

You see, we just need a "Blood Transfusion", we need to be washed in the blood of Jesus.

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

A merciful God came down from Heaven to put a stop to animal sacrifice and sacrificed Himself that we might be saved!

Then Jesus was confronted by men who had become the disciples of John the Baptist.

*****Mat 9:14  Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 

By this time John the Baptist was in prison because he was not afraid to preach the truth to the government of Israel being led by King Herod.

It would not be long before John would be beheaded because of a political farce.

John had told his disciples that he had to step back so he would not draw people away from Jesus.

Joh 3:27  John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 

Joh 3:28  Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 

Joh 3:29  He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 

Joh 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease. 

John's disciples were a bit confused, so they watched Jesus for a while, and then had some questions.

Jesus will always receive our questions, but we must be prepared to know that what Jesus says is the absolute truth!

We cannot question the Word of God!

How, did Jesus answer?

*****Mat 9:15  And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 

Mat 9:16  No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 

Mat 9:17  Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. 

We have talked a little about fasting.

When we fast, we prove to the Lord that we are serious about some request and are willing to give up something that we need if He would consider filling our request. A fast should always be about godly things such as beginning a ministry.

The disciples of Jesus did not seem bothered by the fact that John was in prison and be willing to fast and pray to God that he might be freed.

The Lord Jesus speaks wonderfully here.

Remember Jesus is God in the flesh and if He wanted John out of prison, He would have just caused it to happen as He did for the Apostle Peter.

John the Baptist had a large following, but we must remember his message.

Joh 1:7  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 

Joh 1:8  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 

Joh 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

The Lord Jesus was that Light that John preached of and this message was fulfilled and had no real meaning.

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world!

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.

John's disciples, just as the disciples of Christ, were to become little lights just as we are today!

Mat_5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Mat_5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

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.

The little lights, of the world is the Church and as commanded we must not allow our light to go out!

How could the disciples of Jesus mourn for John, when the Lord Jesus Christ was with them every day?

We fast today because the Lord Jesus is back in Heaven being an intercessor for our prayers.

When you put a patch on an old garment to repair a hole all people will see is that patch.

The religion of Judaism cannot be patched to become Christianity.

Christianity is something new that the Lord Jesus has built from the ground up.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and we are the Body of Christ.

Eph_5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

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.

You cannot take Christianity and pour it into Judaism, it will rot Judaism, and both would fail.

A bottle in this passage is really a skin that was used to contain the juice of the grape.

You could only use these things one time, because the juice would cause the wine skin to rot, and you would lose the grape juice.

You cannot take Judaism and pour it into Christianity, because Judaism is all about the Law and not Grace.

Rom_6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Rom_6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Gal_2:21  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Gal_5:4  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

These things are not hard to understand if you trust the Lord Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

We must just remove our own thoughts and concentrate on what the Lord has done for us.

He has reconciled us back into the favor of God!

2Co_5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co_5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Amen