The Teaching Ministry Of Christ

The Certainty Of Christ's Teaching

Book of Luke 8


What is preaching in the Word of God?

Preaching is the act of proclaiming the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ" in a public setting.

God chose preaching as the means of reaching the lost with the "Gospel"!

Rom 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

To be a preacher, you must be called of God and then sent:

Rom 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Whom God sends to preach, He first converts, He will then kindle in him beyond the average man, a love for lost souls.

Jesus Christ is the "visible representation" of the Triune God and surely we make narrow God, unless we think of Him as Triune!

Surely we slander God, unless we make "atonement" as much the work of the Father and the Holy Spirit, as of the Son, Jesus.

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

AND, Jesus Christ was a preacher!

Jesus, by this time, only had about 18 months before He would face the passion of His cross.

Jesus Christ had a preaching ministry!

Jesus Christ was sent to preach!

Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

The Book of Leviticus teaches us of the Jubilee Year when all the slaves were set free and the land returned to the owners and all debts paid.

The truth is, it is Christianity that has abolished slavery!

Jesus Christ preached the equality of all men as the children of God!

Jesus Christ preached of the eternal and everlasting Jubilee Year for all believers!

*****Luk 8:1  And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
Luk 8:2  And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
Luk 8:3  And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

From this time forward Jesus left Capernaum to preach village to village and city to city.

Jesus preached in Judea, Samaria; Jerusalem and Sychar but Jesus spent most of His time in the towns and villages of Galilee.

This province was despised by most Jews.

This was the training that the 12 disciples needed in order to begin the Church after Jesus' departure back to Heaven.

This is when these disciples would certainly learn what is later referred to as, the "Apostles Doctrine".

Act 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

The Church of today needs to return to the "Apostles Doctrine"!

The Apostles Doctrine is the doctrine of Christ Jesus!

Jesus Christ was faithful and consistent in preaching and proclaiming the "Gospel"!

The truth is, every true minister, and ministry of the "Gospel" needs some help.

Luke mentions some women who devoted themselves to supporting the ministry of Christ Jesus.

We can understand this Mary, as the Mary from Magdala to distinguish her from the other Marys. It is a mistake to think of this woman as a person of bad character. She had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities and as we all are. She was just a sinner saved by the "Grace of God".

Herod Antipas had a steward named Chuza. Chuza had a wife named Joanna who along with Mary Magdalene ministered to the Lord Jesus Christ during this time and remained a follower of Him even after His death and resurrection.

There was another precious sister named Susanna who along with these other two Mary Magdalene and Joanna ministered to Christ Jesus with their own substance.

We can also see that there were many others and it is those many other unnamed people in the background who have moved the preaching of the "Gospel" throughout this world.

In most cases, it is those many unnamed Christians behind the scenes that carry the burden of the work in every  church.

We also see that the message of Christ Jesus had reached into the political structure but it had also been received by some that were rich by the standards of that day.

They supported this ministry as it reached out, for God has compassion on all and is not willing that any should perish.

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

The truth is, that those that find the pathway to Hell will have to stumble over Jesus Christ to get there, so that His ministry can never be blamed.

These precious ladies supported a ministry of the truth!

This financial help allowed the disciples to follow the Lord Jesus Christ full time.

The "Gospel" is the truth and it is "good news"!

Jesus touched on many things but He did not preach religion and ritual, Jesus did not preach ceremony and ordinance, Jesus did not preach laws and rules, nor works and deeds.

Jesus preached the "good news" of the Word of God.

Jesus preached the message that His Father in Heaven sent Him to preach!

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus preached the "glad tidings" of His Father's Kingdom, because He had no message of His own.

Joh 5:43  I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Joh 5:44  How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

We can see that discipleship and stewardship are the keys to moving the "Gospel" throughout this world.

The supporters of the ministry must do so out of devotion to Christ and we see that there is always a place for everyone to serve!

It not so important to have your named written down in the Word of God, as it is to have your name written down in the "Lamb's Book Of Life"!

AND, Jesus Christ taught in a specific way.

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

We should realize that the nation of Israel was in a state of revival even though it was an occupied nation at that time.

This revival had begun with John the Baptist and now continued through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Multitudes of people were flocking to hear the preaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We should be able to judge the size of these multitudes by the feeding of the 5000 which only counted the men and not women and children.

Remember Jesus spoke with an authority that no one else possessed!

Jesus did things that they had only read about in the Scriptures!

BUT, Jesus also knew that most of these that came to Him were not sincere.

Joh 2:25  And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

It is because of this that Jesus taught with parables!

This is what the parable of the seed is all about!

This parable has a message for everyone who hears it!

The main message of this parable, is that just hearing the Word of God is not enough for salvation!

*****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.

This seed of course represents the "Gospel Seed" the Word of God!

Notice this parable was taken from everyday happenings. Most all people are familiar with some of the things of the farmer because we all eat.

**The first thing we see is that there must be a sowing of the seed!

Not everyone will be like the farmer. Many will never sow the "Gospel Seed".

We should also see that God does not establish things that are fully formed, like a seed they must grow into usable things.

SO, we can see that the seed is alive. "The Gospel Seed" is the "Living Word Of God"!

Jesus said:

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

**We next see that we must be careful where we sow the seed.

*Some will always fall on the wayside!

The wayside is the pathway that passes by along side the field.

Here the soil is hard, the seed will be trodden down and the fowls of the air will devour it.

These are the hard hearts that have been trampled by years of sin and the seed cannot grow there.

*Some seed will fall on shallow soil over rock!

This seed grew quickly but having no depth of soil it soon just withered away.

These are the people who hear the Word of God but also the ones who have a form of godliness but they forsake the old paths for some modern excitement, They mistake feelings for religion and noisy display for real conviction.

*Some seed will always fall among the thorns.

It is here where the seed will grow but those thorny weeds will choke the life out of the growth making it useless.

*Seed needs to be planted in well prepared ground!

Good ground is the only place seed will grow and produce fruit.

We cannot always produce the same amount of  fruit or even the the same kind of fruit but they are still God's fields prepared for the harvest.

Notice what else Jesus says: "He that has ears to hear, let him hear".

We should clearly understand that nothing on this earth determines the true worth of man more clearly than the way he acts in regard to the Word of God!

The Word of God must be sown in the heart and not on the heart.

Head knowledge is not the same has heart felt saving knowledge!

For the Word of God to have the proper effect it must be mixed with faith in the hearts of those who hear it.

Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

We must understand that a parable is an earthly story with a Heavenly meaning.

The stories are true and the heavenly meaning is true!

*****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.

Before Jesus explained this parable to His chosen disciples, He first explained to them why He was teaching with parables.

Up unto this point, Jesus had been preaching and teaching with direct statements with clear illustrations.

Jesus had seen that most people were repelled by this teaching because it destroyed the Oral Laws that the Scribes and Pharisees insisted on.

Now Jesus would preach and teach using a lot of parables.

1) Jesus wanted to open the hearts of those who were truly seeking God!

To every farmer, the soil preparation is the key to a fruitful harvest!

Parables required those who heard them to think about the words that had been said.

A person who was truly seeking God would search until they could find the meaning of the words that Jesus spoke.

All those that knew farming techniques would understand about the seed and the soil.

Jesus wanted those who heard to think about the "Gospel Seed" and the condition of the "Heart"!

All those who clung to their sin would not see, nor would they understand the teaching of Jesus because it required a change to take place in their heart!

The mystery for us all to learn hear is, "how so many people who have the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of God fail to do so because of the condition of their heart"!

The Word of God leads to salvation, salvation leads to eternal life. Parables provide a vision of life!

The seed of the farmer then represents the "Gospel Seed", the Living Word of God!

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

**We should understand that the Sower of the "Gospel Seed" was on this day Jesus Christ.

Today all those who have been called to be ministers of the Word of God sow the "Gospel Seed"!

1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

**The Seed then is the "Word of God" or the "Word of the Kingdom of God"!

The "incorruptible seed".

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

The "Gospel Truth".

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:

**The ground where the seed is sown is the "heart".

Just as there is all types of ground there are all types of hearts.

Just like the ground can be prepared for the seed, the heart can be prepared for the "Gospel Seed".

Just like this farmer sowed on all types of ground, the "Gospel Seed" is to be sown throughout the world.

Just as it is the condition of the ground that can cause it to bear fruit, it is also the condition of the heart that can cause it to bear fruit.

*****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.

We see this person by the wayside has heard the Word of God.

This is a person that is off to the side out of the way and does not get involved.

This is a person who sees Christ as a Prophet and a Preacher and may not even miss a Church service but doubts the promises of God.

Before this person accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior, the Devil comes and snatches the Word away!

Before this person can apply the Word of God to his life, salvation has already eluded him.

Act 28:27  For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

We should be clear, the success or the failure of the Word of God to bring salvation, is not due to Satan but the hardness of our own heart. Satan can only bring temptation!

*****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.

This is a person who hears the Word of God and becomes excited over it. He may even profess a belief in Christ Jesus and make a profession of faith before the world.

He does not count the cost!

He does not become rooted and grounded in the Word of God!

He does not apply a commitment to learn of Jesus Christ!

SO, when trials and temptations come he falls away.

His profession of faith is burned up in the heat of trials and temptations.

Luk 6:49  But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

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.

*****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.

This is a person who receives the Word of God and honestly tries to live for Christ!

He may actually profess Christ as his Savior.

He still has a problem of separating himself from the world.

He tries to live a double life. He has one foot in the church and the other foot in the world.

He may even bear some fruit but it never ripens and is never able to be plucked.

The thorns of life will soon choke the message of the "Gospel" out of him!

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.

*****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.

These are those who have an honest and a good heart.

They have been plowed with the "Gospel Plow".

They keep the Word of God and apply it to there lives!

**Their hearts are honest!

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

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.

**Their hearts are good!

They were devoted and and committed to the truth.

Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

**They hold on tightly to the Word of God refusing to allow Satan snatch it away!

Joh 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

**They bear fruit with patience!

They endure and grow in the Lord.

They constantly weed themselves so the fruit is not choked out.

They continue steadfastly in the Word of God.

They no longer even resemble who they were before Christ came into their heart.

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.

Psa 92:13  Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Psa 92:14  They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

For what is the purpose of a life in Christ?

*****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.

A life in Christ is for the purpose of giving that life to others!

This candle is then a gift of God.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This candle or the life in Christ cannot be purchased nor can it be earned!

This candle or the life in Christ must be used to be of any benefit!

This candle or the life in Christ must be lit, it is not fulfilling until reaches it's primary function!

***The primary function of the candle, or the life in Christ is to glow!

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.

A candle can also decorate and beautify. A life in Christ is a beautiful thing.

The wax of a candle can plug holes and fill gaps. A life in Christ will fill the gaps in any society.

A candle can be an ornament to attract attention. A life in Christ will attract the attention of sinners.

A candle is just a piece of wax with a cord in it's center until it is lit.

Each Christian must show enough initiative to light up their life in the ways of Jesus!

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.

***A life for Christ cannot be hidden!

A life in Christ that is hidden serves no purpose at all.

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.

***A candle should be placed high on a candle stick. A life in Christ Jesus must burn as bright as physically possible.

Php 1:20  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Php 1:21  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

***A candle must be seen by all those that enter into the house.

Psa 66:16  Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

We must remember, we are not that light for that light is Jesus!

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.

We must also remember that no secret can be kept from our Lord!

*****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.

It is a fact that we all have some things in our past that we would rather not let the world know but nothing can be hidden from God.

We will always try to hide our sin and shame.

Much sin is done in the dark and behind closed doors.

Much sin is done when we are out and away from friends and family.

Many try to hide things in diaries and some even have secret bank accounts.

Many even try to hide abilities and talents.

And the secret Christian will even try to hide the Light and the Truth of Jesus Christ

Secrets have a tendency to make us feel safe!

Secrets have a tendency to make us feel that we have escaped punishment!

But what did Jesus say? "For nothing is secret"

There may be some things that others will not find out about us, but nothing can be hidden from God and He will make known the things that need to be made known!

Ecc 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The truth will always be the truth and no lie is of the truth!

*****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.

Jesus has already said "he that hath ears, let him hear".

Now Jesus warns us all how to hear.

The truth is, we must hear the Word of God and then we must use what we hear and apply it to our lives!

If we do not use what we hear to our own benefit and the benefit of the lost, then that that we have can be taken away from us!

1) We must take heed on how we hear.

We sometimes hear wrongly. We can think, we can guess, and we can suppose we understand what we hear but God says to take heed and to discern everything we hear concerning the Word of God.

We must always make sure we hear the truth.

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.

Jesus Christ is the truth!

2) We need to watch how we hear!

It is only by knowing the truth and then doing the truth can we be rewarded.

Some will say rewards are not important as long as we have salvation.

But when the Lord Jesus calls your name, not many want to be sitting in the corner twiddling their thumbs while all the others are casting their crowns at the feet of Jesus.

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.

3) It is the law of God!

We must alway be moving forward trying to get even closer to God.

Standing still is always going backwards!

Heb 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
When we are not certain of the teachings of Jesus Christ then we are failing the Lord who has brought such a great salvation to all who will believe.

Joh 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Questions?

Let's Pray!

The Power Of Jesus Christ

The Certainty Of Christ's Power

Book of Luke 7


What is the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ?

The answer to every question is Jesus Christ!

The answer to every need is also Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ bridges the gaps and the differences between all of mankind!

We have only one thing to do on our part and that is we must have "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.

In order to see the power of God the one requirement is faith!

Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Faith begins with hearing and then believing the Word of God!

*****Luk 7:1  Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

Jesus had just finished teaching about having the right attitude.

The right attitude when attached to faith in the Lord gives God something to work with!

We know that Jesus was called a Nazarene because He was raised in Nazareth.

We know that Jesus had been rejected by His hometown of Nazareth and He had made His headquarters in Capernaum.

It can be understood that Jesus did not have a house in Capernaum but it was a place He could take shelter.

Mat 8:20  And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Just as He and the disciples were returning to Capernaum, Jesus was approached by the elders of the city.

*****Luk 7:2  And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
Luk 7:3  And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

The first thing we see is that having great faith and the right attitude leads to those who have great care!

A Roman Centurion would be in command of at least 100 men.

A servant to a Roman Centurion would have certainly have been his slave.

What we see in this Scripture is a Roman Centurion who had a slave that he honored and considered him to be a precious human being.

This was in all probability a Jew!

In the society of that day, a slave was not much more than a tool to be used until it was worthless and they had absolutely no rights as a human beings.

A slave could be mistreated or even killed without repercussions.

This Roman commander had a slave that he cared very much about.

Most owners of slaves would have just gotten rid of that slave and just replaced him with another but this soldier seemed to care for people.

We also see that Jesus was well known by the government officials and the elders of the synagogue.

BUT, This soldier had something that was missing from the Jewish people, it's called "faith".

This soldier had heard of the things that Jesus had done and he simply believed!

Jesus the "Miracle Worker", Jesus the "Great Physician", Jesus the "Master Teacher" was coming to town.

It does not say that these Jewish elders had any faith at all. They only thought of this Centurion as someone who did not cause harm to the Jewish people.

**A lesson we can see as Christians, is that those of "great faith" will feel unworthy to approach the Lord.

Another lesson we can see is that the government always has it's eyes on Christians.

But we must also understand that there are even some in the government that can be reached with the "Gospel" and it will change their relationship with the people for the better.

In contrast when a man that has been trained to take lives meets the Savior who is the giver of life, it is the Lord. our Savior, who always wins.

Most soldiers truly develope a brotherhood with those who fight by their side.

AND, The Lord Jesus Christ has a message of love and brotherhood!

This soldier knew he was a terrible sinner.

This soldier knew he was unworthy.

BUT, this soldier was not too proud to ask for help!

This soldier found someone to intercede on his part!

As Christians we simply must not ever allow our unworthiness and the fear of rejection to come between us and the Lord!

The truth is:

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Our world today is filled with people who do not even want to hear the 'Gospel" because they know it exposes them of the truth.

AND, The truth is we must humble ourselves before the Lord if we  wish the blessings of God!

Isa 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

**Next we will see that great "faith" will seek out God!

*****Luk 7:4  And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
Luk 7:5  For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

A Roman soldier would have knowledge of all the pagan gods of Rome and if he sought them, which he probably did, he had found that nothing comes from false religion and hope is not a word that is used by false religion.

No doubt he had heard many times of the God of Israel and had heard of the great things He had already done and he had since heard many of the Jews speak of the Messiah who had authority over all God's creation.

Hope will always draw us to our God!

Jer 32:27  Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

There are several times we see the Centurion soldiers in the New Testament and every time they are seen as favorable.

The one most remembered is Cornelius who reached out to Peter.

A Centurion at the cross who was convinced that Jesus was the true Son of God.

A Centurion to took the Apostle Paul to Rome.

It can be said that the God of Israel had made a great impression upon them all.

This Centurion had actually built s synagogue for the Jews of Capernaum to worship God and may have even worshiped with them there.

We see in this man a "man of faith" who "loved God".

What is the truth of God?

1Co 8:3  But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Those that see "typology" in the Scriptures can see this man who loved the Jewish people even though he is hated and despised by most all of them.

We see a "Gentile" who did what he could to aid in the worship of Jehovah God!

Even his Jewish enemies felt the need to intercede for him with the Lord Jesus Christ.

This Gentile, Roman Commander exhibited more faith in Christ Jesus than all those in Capernaum!

*****Luk 7:6  Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
Luk 7:7  Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.
Luk 7:8  For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

We must understand that "faith" is the key that unlocks all the doors of Christianity and everlasting life!

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.

Faith comes from a belief in the truth and confidence in the Word of God and it's truths.

If we cannot believe that there is a God, we have nothing to base our "faith" upon!

If we cannot believe in a Supreme Being, then we have to admit that everything we see happened by accident, which in itself is impossible!

Jesus Christ is the sovereign Lord of all creation and "ALL" power is subject to Him!

Jesus Christ is the "Rewarder" to "all" those seek Him and He will use His power in behalf of those that seek Him!

This Centurion had diligently sought our Lord.

This Centurion had believed in the power and the authority of our Lord.

This Centurion had "great faith" because he believed that Christ Jesus could just speak and things would happen!

This Centurion understood the Genesis record of creation!

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
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:
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

This Centurion understood the truth because he believed that the Word of Christ was all that was needed!

The Lord Jesus Christ does not have to be present for our needs to be met!

This is why our prayers are so important!

This is the reason we should ask in the name of Jesus!

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.

This Centurion understood what the word authority really meant!

Authority is the right to command!

This Centurion could issue an order and it would be carried out, whether he was there or not was not important.

He understood that Jesus need only to speak and whatever He said would be done.

This is the "faith" that is lacking in our prayer life today!

This is the "faith" that is lacking in our churches today!

Psa 37:5  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

What could Jesus do but only do as He said He would do, by the Word of God.

*****Luk 7:9  When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Luk 7:10  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

This Gentile Roman Centurion had exhibited greater "faith"in the Word of Jesus Christ, than most all the Israelites to whom He had first come.

This Gentile Roman Centurion had caused the hand of God to be moved, a great example for us all!

Notice Jesus did not embrace this man for who hew was or what he had done in his past. Jesus embraced him for His "faith"!

Even today it is hard to find the same "faith" this soldier exhibited, even in the Church.

The Lord Jesus healed this servant because He could!

The Lord Jesus is truly the Messiah!

The power of the Lord Jesus Christ has not diminished in all these years. It is our lack of "faith" that has made the church weak in this day and time!

For Jesus to meet our needs, we must believe that He can meet our needs, after all why pray if we do not believe that God is who He says He is!

AND, The power of God is in His Son Jesus!

Mar 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

There are still many doubters in the world so Jesus decided to help a mother.

*****Luk 7:11  And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

Nain is 6 miles from Nazareth and a day's journey from Capernaum.

Nain is also the same area where Elisha had raised the son of a Shunammite woman.

2Ki 4:34  And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
2Ki 4:35  Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

We know that the most phenomenal event in history is the resurrection of the dead.

Every believer shares this promise of God!

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.
1Th 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Many people just have a hard time believing this thing so God, by the Holy Ghost, included this resurrection in the Word of God.

In this incident in Nain there were many eyewitnesses this day and this miracle could not be denied!

We must first understand that a widow left entirely on her own had very little chance of survival at that day and time.

The loss of this son would probably be a loss this widow would never overcome!

In the middle east today, it is only Israel that gives women the freedoms they deserve so they can in fact survive in this world.

As Jesus entered into Nain, He came upon a funeral procession.

*****Luk 7:12  Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
Luk 7:13  And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

Aren't you glad we serve a God with compassion?

Compassion is the suffering of one for another and a sensation of sorrow for some one else's sorrows.

Aren't you glad we serve a God who can be touched with our own sorrows?

Jehovah God will get close and personal with those He loves!

The Lord Jesus Christ was touched by the broken heart of this mother.

She was already a widow with only one son and she had outlived her son which we all expect not to happen.

None of us want to bury our own children!

She was a woman alone in a world that was already harsh and rough on women!

The family name would die out with the death of her son but the Lord Jesus had compassion of her.

The size of the crowd told Jesus how much this mother had been loved in the community.

We can see that she had loved and cared for many of them throughout her years.

Throughout the Word of God we see our Lord who is always touched and moved to help all those who have helped others!

Psa 103:13  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
Psa 103:14  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

We also notice that in this case no one asked Jesus for His help.

We have a God who will at all times act on His own compassion!

After all God sent His Son to save us while we were all yet sinners!

Normally Luke used the name Jesus but on this occasion, by the Holy Ghost, Luke writes that it was the Lord who saw this woman who was so loved by this community.

It is the Lord who holds the sovereign power of the universe!

It was the Lord of compassion who had seen this woman!

It was the Lord of all power who could do something about it!

We have a God who can have compassion on a single individual, located in an unknown place, totally out of touch to the rest of the world!

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It was the Lord who spoke to this woman and gave her assurance.

Thank goodness we have a God who is not way off but a God that is near enough to see the troubles we have!

Jer 23:23  Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?
Jer 23:24  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

Thank goodness we serve a God of mercy!

Lam 3:21  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lam 3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Our Lord is also our example of the compassion we are to have for one another!

It is only this same compassionate, loving God, who holds the power of resurrection!

*****Luk 7:14  And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
Luk 7:15  And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.

**We must clearly understand that the Lord Jesus Christ has the power to by-pass all religious beliefs without compromising on the Word of God!

Jesus has the sole power over life and death!

**We must clearly understand that Jesus has the power to stop a death processional without speaking a Word.

Jesus simply walked over and touched the bier.

Our lesson is that we to must be obedient if we wished to be raised from the dead!

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

**We must clearly understand that Jesus has the power to raise the dead just by saying "Arise".

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Joh 11:27  She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

This mother, who could already see death in her own future because of cruel world now saw life because of Christ Jesus.

*****Luk 7:16  And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people.
Luk 7:17  And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.

What is it to fear God? The truth is we should have absolute fear of the power of God but to those that know Him, our fear is coupled with love and hope.

We truly serve an awesome God!

If we have a reverent fear of the Lord it will keep us from being so careless with the Word of God but also be an incentive to live as Jesus and as an example to all others in the righteousness of Jesus.

Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

When this young man sat up, who was dead, the city of Nain saw something they had never witnessed but had only been talked about since the days of Elisha.

What is the truth? God is the giver of all life and it is only God who can restore life!

Our lesson should also be that we serve a God who is always ready to show His compassion.

Jesus was only glorified as a great prophet because Elisha had done a similar thing many years before Jesus.

BUT, more important these people realized that after more than 400 years God had again visited His people!

This is the thing that was broadcast throughout the region!

Israel might not know who Jesus is but they certainly know they have a compassionate God!

Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Heb 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased

What these people missed was the "Grace" of God.

What the world of today misses is the power in the Word of God!

AND, more important when will people realize that the Lord Jesus Christ will return just as He promised!

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 can be certain of the power of Christ Jesus!

Most of our world today question the Messiahship of Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist was locked up in prison by this time and He did not so much doubt the Lord Jesus as He wanted proof that he had not wasted his time as a preacher of the Word of God.

We will all suffer doubts from time to time.

*****Luk 7:18  And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things.
Luk 7:19  And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
Luk 7:20  When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?

None of us will ever go through this life, even after salvation, without an occasional period of doubt.

John the Baptist was experiencing such a time.

The one thing we should always remember, when it comes to the Word of God, honest questions never disappoint God.

God only judges rebellion against His Word!

God will meet and answer every honest question from those who trust Him in "faith"!

It seems that while John was in prison some of his followers began to follow Jesus and they had returned to tell John what they had seen.

John was truly enthused about what he had heard but we must remember John was still expecting the King of Kings to restore Israel to her glory as the prophets had said.

What John heard was that when people tried to encourage Jesus to be king that He would withdraw and discourage their actions.

Luk 5:15  But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
Luk 5:16  And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

John needed assurance that Jesus was much more than some prophet or some healer but truly the Messiah.

John sent two of his disciples just to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah.

Just as in the temptations of Satan, Jesus answered them with the Word of God.

*****Luk 7:21  And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
Luk 7:22  Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
Luk 7:23  And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

When we look back on the "Gospels" of the Lord Jesus Christ in faith we can see that the ministry and the message of Jesus Christ proved that He was the Messiah!

One thing should be very clear to us in the end, it is sin to question the methods God uses to accomplish His will on this earth or in this universe.

**Jesus first demonstrated His powers. Jesus cured many and restored sight to man who were blind.

Jesus was saying, "if you want to judge Me, judge Me on what I do".

Jesus confessed to be the Messiah.

Jesus proved He was the Messiah with His actions.

Jesus demonstrated to the world that "there is a God".

A God that is above all the natural world.

A God that could heal any and all disease.

A God that truly loves His creation and had compassion for sinful man.

A God who had the perfect plan of salvation for all those that would believe.

**Only Jesus and not some prophet could fulfill the prophesies of the Old Testament.

Jesus was saying to the disciples of John, that God's idea of the Messiah is far different from what man had made it out to be!

Jesus said to the disciples of John, there are far greater things than the things of this earth.

Act 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

**Jesus said to John's disciples, there far more people than just the people of Israel.

**Jesus said, before the wrath of God comes, must come the blessings of God.

Isa 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

**Jesus told the disciples of John to tell him to be patient!

The personal ministry of Jesus the Savior must be complete before the political ministry of King Jesus can begin!

And Jesus ends by saying blessings comes to those that are patient waiting on the Lord to complete His ministry of salvation.

Before the Kingdom Jesus can be established, those who will live there must be established!

1Pe 2:7  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

The power of God is certain through the testimony of Jesus Christ!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

Jesus Christ's New And Living Way

The Certainty Of Christ's New Living Way

Book of Luke 6:20-49


What is materialism? Materialism is believing the things of this world have great value.

Jesus taught just the opposite of this false belief.

Jesus warns those with such beliefs that severe judgment is coming to them!

Christians sometime have the wrong idea about the promises of Jesus.

Happiness is sought by most all people in this world but there is no moral meaning in happiness.

We certainly are to be happy Christians but our happiness comes from our "blessedness"!

It is blessedness alone that can satisfy the mind and the heart!

These Scriptures today are called the "Beatitudes".

David wrote of the blessed man in the Book of the Psalms:

Psa 32:1  A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Psa 32:2  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Blessedness begins with the forgiveness of sins and then a New Spirit!

*****Luk 6:20  And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luk 6:21  Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Luk 6:22  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

We will be able to see the "Spirit of the Gospel" in these Scriptures.

When we see this word "poor", we should not assume that Jesus is referring to those in poverty or who are financially poor.

Hunger, and those living in the slums are not pleasing to God!

The riches and the bountifulness of this world are under the control of evil men who are led by Satan.

It's ridiculous to use corn to put in gasoline when much of the world is starving for food.

This world has the ability to feed all it's people, yet even in America there are people on starvation!

SO, Jesus was not talking about "material poverty".

Matthew writes this way:

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

It is all those "poor in spiritual needs" that concern the Lord Jesus!

***To be poor in spirit is to be helpless in the sight of God!

Only God can fill this void and He chose to do this through the Lord Jesus Christ!

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you

***To be poor in spirit is a lack in understanding that true blessings and the blessings of eternal life, come only from a personal relationship with God!

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

***To be poor in spirit is to be humble in the sight of God.

Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

When we acknowledge that we are poor in spirit, we will turn away from the things of this world.

When we acknowledge that we are poor in spirit, we will place our attention on God and His kingdom.

Joh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The opposite of being "poor in spirit" is to be "full of Jesus".

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.
2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

We have no righteousness in our selves without the righteousness of Christ Jesus!

Those who know their spiritual needs will have the kingdom of God!

The same goes for those that hunger.

It is not  those with physical hunger but those with spiritual hunger who will be filled!

Being hungry is not a blessing, but a starving spirit will crave righteousness!

Righteousness means not only "to do right" but also "to be right"!

Today there are many in our world who say they have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior but there is no change in the way they live.

This is false security!

If we are filled with the righteousness of Jesus Christ then we will be righteous, not only to be right with God in a personal relationship, but we will be a doer of righteousness to all those around us because Jesus is our example of righteousness in every way.

We simply have no righteousness of our own!

Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Those that think that no matter what they do they are still acceptable to God, but the truth is they live in a world of false righteousness.

The Bible never mentions righteousness without the example of living righteously!

***Self-righteousness leads to legalism!

God gives us the examples of the Pharisees and the Scribes and the Sadducees who followed the laws of Moses but inside were still filthy.

Luk 11:39  And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

Works will never get you saved!

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

***Self-righteousness leads to being judgmental!

Jesus Christ never says in these Scriptures, "blessed are the righteous" because there are none that are righteous!

Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Jesus says blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness.

It is they who will be filled!

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

We cannot be perfect while still in the flesh but we can be led by the Holy Spirit in the ways of righteousness!

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Those who weep and mourn are the sorrowful.

These are the broken hearted, the desperate, the the helpless.

They weep over sin.

They are broken hearted over evil and suffering from evil.

It is sad that many of us had to reach rock bottom before we realized we needed a Savior.

Thank goodness for the long arms of God!

It is these same people who after their own salvation, who, when they see the suffering of others can be a great witness for the Lord.

It is those who have been through personal tragedies once they are saved can relate to those others who are suffering from personal tragedies.

Our example of these things is still Jesus Christ when we can relate our own suffering by seeing Jesus Christ suffer through the things of the cross!

We may ask any question but Jesus Christ is still the answer to every question!

The promise is that we will all laugh about all these things and all tears will be wiped away one day in Heaven where we will gather with our Lord!

Those that are hated by men are all those who are persecuted for Christ sake.

Being persecuted means being hated, being reproached, being banished, and being martyred.

Those who take a stand for Jesus Christ will be cast out of the land.

Even in America the Christians are being asked to leave!

It is already happening in those places controlled by terrorist but also other governments!

But what is God's answer?

*****Luk 6:23  Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Christians will suffer in this world, because we are not of this world, just pilgrims passing through!

Joh 15:18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Christians will suffer because we speak of sin!

Joh 15:21  But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
Joh 15:22  If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

Christians will suffer because the world is in the hands of the "Deceiver"!

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Joh 8:45  And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

But the rewards will be great in Heaven!

Act 5:41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pe 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Thank goodness there is a much greater reward than those 70 virgins of the Muslim faith!

But there are "woes" to many others!

*****Luk 6:24  But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
Luk 6:25  Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Luk 6:26  Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

We started this lesson by mentioning "materialism" which is having confidence in the things of this world.

And there are many who preach a prosperity "gospel" which also do not follow the Word of God.

God gives us a strong warning of all these things.

There is a warning to the rich!

The rich are those that have put back much after meeting the needs of their family.

Luk 21:1  And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
Luk 21:2  And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
Luk 21:3  And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
Luk 21:4  For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

***The rich are warned because because wealth can pull a person away from the Kingdom of Heaven.

It is difficult for a rich man to enter into Heaven!

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.

Riches lure and attract, riches become some imaginary power or force that reaches out to draw us away from the true power of salvation!

Most of the rich, embrace their riches and not the God who allowed them to have those riches!

The wealthy are usually honored and envied.

The wealthy seem to have power over others.

Their downfall, is that the wealthy become self-sufficient and all about themselves.

The rich loose focus on the things that money simply cannot buy, which are peace, love, joy, goodness, and faith!

The rich loose focus on events that money cannot save them from, such as death, disaster, disease, and accidents.

What does the Bible say:

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, "working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth".

This has nothing to do with tithing!

It is still true that the rich still get richer while the poor get poorer.

In this wealthy world there are more starving, sick, naked and people living on the streets than there has ever been and governments concentrate on global warming, weapons of warfare, and outer space which are in the hands of God.

We see that riches simply make men selfish!

The more they get the more they want.

They are never satisfied with enough riches!

The rich simply loose thought to compassion and a love for people.

In most every case the rich live with the rewards of this world and miss out on the riches of the glory world!

1Ti 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

It is "People" who are the true riches of this world we live in!

Joh 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

***The full are warned because they are the opposite of those who hunger for righteousness.

They are so full of themselves and of the things this world has to offer that they forget about the things of God!

Rom 1:28  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

The judgment on the full is that they will one day hunger!

Luk 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luk 16:24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
Luk 16:25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

***The merry are also warned.

Laughing means they mock sin.

They indulge in the entertaining of their flesh.

They indulge in carnal and sinful things.

Laughing means they pay no attention to the real world and live in their own little world.

Their conscience is seared.

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

Laughing means they deny the truth!

2 Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

The Judgment on those who laugh now, is that they will mourn and weep in Hell.

***The warning is strong to those full of self-pride and those who compromise the Word of God.

These are the opposite of all those who are persecuted for Christ's sake!

The worldly, will always speak well of those that live a worldly lifestyle!

Those of the world seek the attention,or they seek a position, or honor, and the praise of others.

2Pe 2:1  But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

After His warnings, Jesus will always gives us the answer to the problems!

*****Luk 6:27  But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Luk 6:28  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luk 6:29  And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Luk 6:30  Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luk 6:31  And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

What is the truth of the Word of God? Many just refuse to accept it as the truth and they simply will not hear.

Every true preacher realizes that when he preaches there will always be those in hearing range that will simply close their ears to the truth.

It was the same this day of Jesus!

Jesus was preaching the changed life after salvation and most people will refuse to change the way they think and therefore refuse to repent.

Jesus preached the only form of human relationships that will work!

Jesus preached:

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.

The truth is no Jew was about to love the Romans!

And no Jew was about to love a Samaritan!

Most of the people who gathered at the feet of Jesus that day did not want to hear His message!

***As believers we are to love all mankind and this includes our enemies.

We are simply to respect and honor all men!

No matter the individual, they have a soul that is in need of the God who made them!

Of course this goes against human nature.

Human nature is to hate, strike back, and wish hurt on all our enemies.

Self-preservation is not in itself a sin!

Love does not mean we are to accept wicked behavior!

Love does not mean we are to compromise on the Word of God!

Love does not mean we are giving away a license to sin!

***As believers we are to show mercy and compassion to all humans, in fact on all God's created beings.

Our reaction to our enemies should never be based on their hate for us!

In fact the terrorist of today will use these things against us.

Jesus says to do good to them which hate you!

Doing good goes beyond words and includes doing good things for those who hate so much.

We are to seek some way to reach them with the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ!

Every human being will face some crisis in this world and it may be that even our enemies can be reached during such a personal crisis.

Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

***Be a blessing to them.

Speak softly and use kind words no matter their reaction!

Rom 12:14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

***Pray for them.

Today in our world we face more and more of those who despite-fully use us.

It seems the entire world hates the Christian and even attempt to shame us and hurt us personally.

They twist the Word of God into some false thing and then they persecute those who stand on the truth.

If you are a Christian, you have already seen the proof that prayer works!

We simply do not spend enough time praying for our enemies.

We certainly do not spend enough time praying for the lost!

What did Jesus do while He was nailed to the cross?

Luk 23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Luk 23:35  And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Luk 23:36  And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
Luk 23:37  And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

Even while Jesus was praying for them they were still mocking Him!

There is no greater example of our own prayers for our enemies than this prayer of Jesus!.

Jesus paid the price for the sins of all mankind, including His enemies!

When we pray for those that persecute us, we get all the benefits!

***Offer the other cheek.

These words were spoken to drive home the meaning of this sermon.

Let's see how Jesus handled this situation as our example.

Joh 18:22  And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
Joh 18:23  Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

Jesus Christ teaches us patience in bearing injuries and not to seek private revenge but if need be, to suffer more than to show our own temper.

Men and most women find these things hard to do!

The truth is, it's better to be struck again than it is to sin in the face of God!

If some one steals your cloke, it is better to given him everything than to sin in the face of God.

God never told us not to defend our homes, God told us to not seek revenge!

The Apostle Paul responded to such a thing in this manner:

Act 23:2  And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Act 23:3  Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

We see in both cases that it is God who will revenge His people!

We should do all we can to avoid sin!

We are to help everyone that has a need by realizing the greatest need they have is salvation!

We are to give but God stills says to use discretion!

Psa 112:5  A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

Deu 15:8  But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

Even in our verse, God says to give but He does not say to give everything we have!

We must remember we are not of this Earth, just pilgrims passing through. The treasures of this Earth must have very little meaning to us!

If we get too possessive of material things, then we are going against the Word of God!

We simply do not live for the things of this world!

1Ti 6:17  Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
1Ti 6:18  That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

The total purpose of working in a materialistic world is to meet our own needs and to have enough to help those in need!

Act 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

There are some things in the Bible that are known as the golden rules.

One of those is: "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise"

*****Luk 6:32  For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
Luk 6:33  And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
Luk 6:34  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

What Jesus is saying is that a believer's behavior must surpass that of a sinner's behavior!

Sinners also love those who love them.

Sinners also do good to those that are good to them.

Sinners also lend seeking to gain or some future favor.

What Jesus is saying is if we cannot live by the Word of God, we are no better than a non-believer!

The world sees goodness as love.

The world sees doing good and lending as being neighborly.

The truth is, these things by themselves will not get you saved.

Jesus Christ denied Himself in order to win the world!

Jesus Christ died to save His enemies!

Jesus Christ did good to those that hated Him!

Jesus Christ loved His enemies!

**Jesus Christ died for the ungodly which includes me and you!

Rom 5:6  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

**Jesus Christ died for sinners:

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

**While we were the enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him, by the death of His Son:

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

BUT, We are saved by His life!

Jesus Christ walked out of that grave because death could not hold Him.

2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
2Co 4:11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

We must clearly understand, No amount of good works can get you into Heaven!

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

It takes the denial of oneself for the sake of reaching the enemies of God!

*****Luk 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luk 6:36  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

What is the truth? There is no reward unless we live as Jesus said!

*If we do our best to live as Jesus said, then our reward will be great!

All that we suffer and lose on this earth will be restored. In Job's case all he lost was doubled.

All that suffer in the name of Jesus Christ will gain eternal life and inherit all that our Father in Heaven has!

Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

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.

*If we do our best to live as Jesus said, we will be adopted into the family of God and be a child of the Highest.

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.

*If we do our best to live as Jesus said, we will be acting like a child of God!

1Jn 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1Jn 2:29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

We are not doing things right until we do the things that Jesus said to do!

And we are to remember, we have only one Judge who can judge our ways and that is the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****Luk 6:37  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Luk 6:38  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

If we become judges instead of witnesses and then condemn because we are unforgiving of others, then all others and God Himself will treat us the same.

When we become Judges then we will also be judged!

If we have condemned someone then we will also be condemned!

If we refuse to forgive then we will also be unforgiven!

These things will happen here on this earth but also by our Father in Heaven.

To be a true believer is to possess a spirit of giving!

To be a true believer is to be unselfish!

To be a true believer is to have a cup that continues to run over!

Psa 23:5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Psa 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

The truth is we will receive what we give!

We will get out of a life for God what we put into it!

God saved us for many reasons but He would taken us on to Heaven if we did not have important things to do after our salvation!

Isa 58:6  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isa 58:7  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Isa 58:8  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.

The greatest reward we can have is when we see Jesus we will be just like Him!

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Remember when we are giving for the Lord, we are not just giving but we are certainly sowing!

Questions?

Let's Pray!

The Authority Jesus Christ Is Certain

The Certainty Of Christ's Authority

Book of Luke 6:1-19


What is authority? Authority can be said to be "legal power".

Mat 7:28  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
Mat 7:29  For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

The Scribes, which many of them were also Pharisees, for the most part, just read the Scriptures. They taught in a cold and lifeless manner.

They did not have the power of the Holy Spirit!

They taught more about themselves, in their own name, by their own interpretation and by their own authority!

Jesus taught as the Lawgiver.

120 times Jesus used the words "I say unto You" because He had the authority of Heaven and not of men!

Jesus had direct authority and all the power of the Holy Spirit!

Let's begin:

Luk 6:1  And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
Luk 6:2  And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

When people speak about religion, they speak of form and ritual, rules and regulations, ceremonies and services.

What does God say?

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

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

Placing religion above mankind and above the needs of mankind is exactly what the religionists do today!

This is exactly what these Scribes and the Pharisees and even the Sadducees did at the time of Jesus.

True Christianity is knowing that God is meeting the needs of His creation!

***Meeting man's needs is much more important than religion and ritual!

***Doing good and saving life are much more important than religion and ritual!

Jesus came to seek and to save and these things remain the most important things for the Church!

The events of these Scriptures took place on two different Sabbaths.

Luke begins with "real needs" are more important than "religion and rituals".

The disciples that followed Jesus were hungry that morning because they had not eaten since the previous day.

As they were passing a corn field they began to pluck and eat some of the corn.

There was no law against this, for it was permitted by the Laws of Moses to eat some of the corn as they passed by.

Deu 23:25  When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour's standing corn.

Their crime, according to the Pharisees, was rubbing the corn in their hands to remove the husk and silks.

This was twisting the Word of God into a man-made false thing.

BUT, Working on the Sabbath day was a serious offence to these orthodox Jews.

Law after law had been written to govern activities on the Sabbath.

In fact many a person were condemned and actually lost theirs lives for breaking the laws of the Sabbath during the time of the Pharisees.

We should consider that God gave the seventh day, the Sabbath, as a day of rest during creation week.

Our good health demands that we have a day of rest!

To the Jews, it was the Laws of Moses that had kept them together throughout these centuries and all the Law was important to them!

The Temple and the Sabbath became the glue that held that nation together and made them a distinct people from all other people as they remain even in our day.

This is one of the reasons that Jesus was so greatly opposed by the Jewish religious leaders of that day and by all the false religions of today.

When we allow religion and ritual, ceremony and position, and security to become more important than the basic needs of human life, which begin with a personal relationship with God, compassion for all others, true worship and the mercy of God, then we have a false understanding of what God is saying!

Jesus Christ shows the entire world that human needs are far more important to God than religion and religious rules!

We should still consider:

1) We must not ignore the Word of God nor the worship of God but there are some needs that require an immediate solution.

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

2) Jesus Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath and every other day of the week, and it is He who decides when a need supersedes religious ceremony and He gives us these examples.

Mat 20:25  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mat 20:26  But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27  And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Mat 20:28  Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

These Pharisees that approached Jesus this day were probably Scribes because of that word "certain".

Many Scribes were also Pharisees but not all Pharisees were Scribes. Some Scribes were also called Lawyers.

Most of these Scribes were committed to the Jewish Faith.

These Scribes had two primary functions:

1) The Scribes made copies of the written Word of God, at that time only the Old Testament.

They were meticulous to keep count of every letter in every word!

They clearly understood that God had given them the Scriptures and those words were the greatest things in the life of the Jewish nation!

To the Jews the Word of God was considered the most precious possession in all the world.

This holds true today for every believer!

The Word of God is the most important thing that we can possess!

2) The Scribes, studied, classified, and taught, the moral law.

It was in this function where the Oral Law began to take it's place.

There was at one time so many oral rules and regulations that they were contained in 50 volumes and these Jews began to place the oral Law above the written Law of God.

Mat 12:10  And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
Mat 12:11  And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
Mat 12:12  How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

The Scribes began to feel that it was they who produced the oral Law and it was they who had God's final Word.

This is thinking with the exalted mind of man.

This is the way most every false religion has had it's beginnings!

There are to many today who feel like it is their own interpretation of the Word of God that is correct and all others are wrong but that's not what God says.

Rom 3:4  God forbid: yea, "let God be true, but every man a liar"; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, "that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation".
2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Mat 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled".

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".

God says what He means and God means what He says and God has never given us the freedom to change the Scriptures He has given to us!

Christ Jesus answered them with a simple question!

*****Luk 6:3  And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
Luk 6:4  How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
Luk 6:5  And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

It is real important that we read and study the Word of God "ourselves", so we can know when we are hearing the truth from those who preach and teach!

The "shewbread" in the Temple and in the Tabernacle symbolized the "Presence of God" who is the "Bread of Life"!

There were 12 loaves brought into the House of God and taken to the Holy Place by the Priests and placed on a table before the Lord.

This was intended as a "Thanksgiving Offering" expressing appreciation and praise to God for providing food for the people.

This bread symbolized the everlasting covenant between God and His people.

The bread was to changed every week and the old loaves became food for the priests.

There was great respect for King David for he had brought peace to all of Israel by defeating all her enemies.

The intent of the Words of Jesus was that no ceremonial law was to ever over ride the general principle of God providing for His people!

And Matthew made this thing even more clear, with that actual words of Jesus:

Mat 12:7  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

The Laws of God were never intended to be a burden!

The Laws of God are to be for our guidance and then our example of striving for perfection.

God is a God of "mercy"!

The Lord Jesus Christ must be our Lord everyday and that includes the Sabbath.

The Sabbath was the seventh day of the Jewish week and from Friday at 6 PM until Saturday at 6 PM it was to be a time of rest.

Works of necessity were always allowable on that Sabbath, after all the Sabbath was to be spent in the service and to honor the Lord of the Sabbath.

For instance, the shepherds had to work 7 days a week and the super religious despised them for this because they could not keep the oral laws they had put in place.

As Christians the seventh day is Sunday because Sunday was the day that Jesus Christ arose from the tomb and is therefore the Lord's Day!

The blessings of Jesus Christ are promised to the suffering saints who live by the Word of God and the "Gospel" of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Woe to all those who trust in the riches of this world and show contempt to God's people!

Those who were so super religious ignored the Word of God and condemned the Lord and Savior who is the fulfillment of all the Word of God that they so boasted about.

*****Luk 6:6  And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
Luk 6:7  And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Luk 6:8  But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
Luk 6:9  Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
Luk 6:10  And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Luk 6:11  And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

Jesus first showed the religionists that "real needs" are more important than religion and rituals.

Now Jesus will show them that "doing good and saving life" are much more important that religious rituals.

The truth is a one handed man has a major disability even in our day but in that day of Jesus it was a serious disability. This man would not be able to take care of his own needs.

Those who were super religious and had placed the oral Law above the written Word of God were like hawks ready to attack, if Jesus made an attempt to heal this man's hand.

They were not watching for another miracle, they were watching that they may accuse Him of ignoring their precious "man-made oral Laws"!

Healing on the Sabbath was considered to be work!

Our God is "omniscient", knowing all things, but He did not need that power to know what those religionists were doing this day!

Jesus was causing them to be honest in their conclusions and be willing to understand the truth of God!

To do good and save a life will always supersede religious rituals!

That's what salvation is all about, doing good and saving lives!

Why preach the Word of God if salvation is of so little importance!

Salvation is the ultimate healing, the ultimate saving of life!

As it was on this day that this man stood before the Lord:

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.)

In fact there is no better day to do good than on a day of worship!

If we refuse to help those in need, when we are able, no matter the day, then we are doing evil.

Rom 13:10  Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

And as religionists do, they became very mad, they were filled with madness!

We must consider that the nation of Israel was based upon the Word of God.

The Ten Commandments and the Books of Moses were the laws of Israel from their beginning.

It was these religionists who were causing these things to change and not the things that Jesus did.

America was founded on the principles of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ and it is the Liberals and the Religionists who are changing everything we stand for and not the Word of God.

Extreme legalism and extreme devotion, were the two major traits of the Pharisees and most of the Scribes.

Those Sadducees were even more liberal than the Pharisees were legalistic!

These traits, when attached to someone with a self-centered heart will lead to abuse!

Legalism takes away from the "Mercy" and the "Forgiveness" of God.

God detests a "holier than thou are" attitude!

Pride is also a hindrance to every Christian!

There is no such thing as perfect obedience to the Word of God and any of us can easily become hypocritical!

Personal achievements do not influence the hand of God and nor does seeking recognition!

We must walk the talk. We cannot teach one thing and practice another thing in our lives!

And, God does not need our permission to work in someone's life!

Doing good and saving lives is what God intends for us all to do!

God is still in the life saving business!

Mic 6:7  Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Mic 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, "but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God"?

What is the will of God?

It is the will of God that we all be more like His Son Jesus!

Luk 19:10  For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

If what we do makes the Liberals and the Pharisees of today mad, then we should also be like Jesus in this and continue on in the work of the Lord.

So what if they get mad, they will always be this way!

*****Luk 6:12  And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Jesus was the perfect Son of God, so we must remember Jesus did not have to pray for forgiveness. In reality Jesus was always praying for His people, the lost and the saved!

It is a fact the God uses people to get His message of salvation into this world!

It does not matter about their size, their shape, their color, or their nationality, God is no respecter of persons!

So how does God choose His people?

1) Jesus chose His people after prayerful consideration!

Here we see that Jesus continued all night in prayer.

Most of the time we can count the time we pray all day in minutes and we are usually making requests for ourselves and then for the people we know.

We forget that prayer is also a great means of developing our personal relationship with the Lord!

God wants to hear from us, everything about our day!

We pray for the arm of God and forget to pray for the face of God!

When we climb in our closet and get alone with God it is then that we can just talk as friends talk.

Mat 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

All other times as we go about our daily task, if we are aware of God's constant presence, we will be talking to Him rather than talking to ourselves!

1Th 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

Thinking of and talking to God is fellowship prayer and any improvement in our relationship with the Lord is always beneficial.

But we also need that consecrated closet prayer.

We need some time alone with God!

It was time for Jesus to pick those who would be the first messengers of the New Testament church and Jesus needed much closet prayer!

*****Luk 6:13  And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Luk 6:14  Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Luk 6:15  Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Luk 6:16  And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

Our Lord Jesus prepared all night for the decisions He made on this day!

A great example for us all!

Jesus had to be willing to choose those His Father had chosen!

Joh 17:12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: "those that thou gavest me I have kept", and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Did Jesus pray long and hard before He chose Judas, sure He did!

Joh 6:70  Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

There many disciples following Jesus at that time.

The term "Disciple" means "to learn", "a learner", and it always means a pupil of someone else!

In the day of Jesus, a disciple would attach themselves to a teacher and follow that teacher wherever they went.

They not only learned from what that teacher taught but they learned from that teacher's life!

After the ascension of Jesus back to Heaven, the disciples are all those who confess Jesus as the Messiah!

Act 11:26  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Jesus Christ chose twelve men in which 11 of those would be Apostles.

The term "Apostle" means a disciple "who is sent".

An Apostle was a man chosen directly by the Lord Jesus and under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus even said He was an Apostle sent by His Father:

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Jesus is called the Apostle and High Priest of our profession of faith, which is Christianity!

Heb 3:1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

There may have been others that were called apostles but there is a distinct difference between these and the ones that Jesus chose.

There were 12 Apostles chosen specifically by the Lord.

There were 12 Apostles trained by the Lord.

There were 12 Apostles that saw Jesus after His resurrection.

There were 12 Apostles that were to carry forth the message of Jesus Christ which came from His own mouth.

The Apostles are the foundation of the Church with Jesus being the Head Cornerstone!

When we stray from the teachings of the Apostles we stray from the "Gospel of Jesus Christ".

Act 2:42  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Act 2:43  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Act 2:44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

What was the Apostles statement of faith?

A belief in God the Father Almighty, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary; crucified under Pontius Pilate, and buried; the third day He arose from the dead; He ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. And in the Holy Ghost; the holy Church; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; the life everlasting.

To vary from this statement is to distance yourself from the Church of the Living God!

To believe these things is to acknowledge Jesus as God and to know that there is only one God and He is the God of the Bible and all religions simply do not worship the same God!

My God is Jesus and I am an ambassador for Christ!

I am a Christian only if I try to be like Jesus Christ!

And, It should not astound me that my Lord will choose some people for a special calling!

It should also not astound me that my Lord will choose people with very diverse personalities!

Many of the Apostles were fishermen but at least three were also businessmen. Peter James and John.

One  was probably a rich man, Matthew.

One was a political Zealot and would have been an enemy of Matthew, Simon Zelotes.

It was the zealot's goal to overthrow the Roman government and all Jews who worked with them, and Matthew was a tax collector.

One was deeply religious, Nathanael, his name meaning "gift of God" and also called Bartholomew.

All the Apostles were given to edify the Church:

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

The twelve that were chosen that day who were still called disciples were these.

1) Simon who is also called Peter, Simon Peter, and Cephas.

Simon Barjona or Simon son of John. Fisherman and Business man.

2) Andrew, the younger brother of Peter who spent most of his time in the background but whenever we see him, he is always bringing someone to Jesus.

3) James the son of Zebedee, fisherman and business man but also bold and full of energy. James was the first Apostle to die for the Lord.

4) John, younger brother of James, fisherman, business man, he said he was the disciple that Jesus loved and the only apostle who died of old age.

5) Philip lived in the same city of Peter and Andrew, Bethsaida. Philip"s best response when asked if Jesus was the real Messiah, was "come and see" for yourself.

6) Bartholomew also called Nathanael, "the Israelite with no guile". Nathanael was from Cana and tradition says it was Nathanael who was the bridegroom at the wedding of Cana.

7) Matthew, son of Alphaeus. The Tax collector and also a rich man. He was also called Levi and hated by the Jews and called Matthew the publican which meant to the Jews that he was a worthless man.

8) Thomas, sometimes called Didymus which signifies he had a twin. Thomas is often seen as the doubter.

9) James, son of Alphaeus but not considered to be the brother of Matthew. Probably a cousin or at least a kinsman of the Lord Jesus.

Called James the less probably because he was short.

Some believe that Mary had another sister named Mary or Miriam and it was she that was married to this Alphaeus.

The Bible also says that Mary herself had a son named James and a son named Joses and one named Jude and a son named Simon, along with some other children.

10) Simon called Zelotes. Also called Simon the Canaanite. Before he was called by the Lord he was a member of a fanatical sect of religionists, that we may even say was a terrorist in our day.

11) Judas the brother of James the Less. Also called Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus.

12) Judas Iscariot, the traitor. Judas the man from Kerioth, also had a father named Simon.

Jesus chose men from all walks of life and a lot can be said about Judas Iscariot but the main thing we see is that God will give everyone a chance to repent even when He knows they will not.

No one that faces the Lord on Judgment Day, can say they did not get a fair chance.

Everyone that ended up in Hell and that will end up there, had to stumble over Jesus Christ to get there!

Rom 1:19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

There will be no excuses accepted on Judgement Day!

Questions?

Let's Pray!