Enough

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:25)

Jesus spoke thirty-nine parables and performed thirty-seven miracles that we know about. Following our Lord’s resurrection as John was finishing his gospel account of Jesus, John said, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples which are not written in this book: but these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His name.” (John 20:30-31)

But, what does our text say?  It would be sheer speculation to attempt to name the unrecorded things Jesus did and said. John did not name them. He simply said that Jesus did many other things not written.

God’s Spirit-inspired Word gives us all we need to know of our Savior to make us one of His disciples and to make us desire to love and serve Him. If we had needed more then God would have given us more.

What a Mighty God we Serve!!!

Children: Blessings from God

“Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” (Psalm 127:3)

I have the unique privilege of being the pastor of an elderly gentleman who is one of nineteen children, all born to the same couple. The children grew up learning how to work in the house, in the field, in the barn, in the garden or any place where there was work to be done. The older children became “baby-sitters” to the younger ones. They had no swimming pool in the back yard: just a creek not too far from the house. There was no television or other electronic gadgets. They raised most of what they ate. They were loved, nourished and cared for. Their parents, as most parents of that day, considered children a gift from God.

Sadly today many parents consider children domesticated nuisances; a hindrance to obtaining more “stuff,” a finer car, a nice boat and a larger house.

When we read the Biblical record it becomes evident that children were considered special blessings from God. The Bible tells us to “bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” and to “train up a child in the way he/she should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.” (Ephesians 6:4 and Proverbs 22:6)

Saved from the Gutter-most to the Uttermost

“Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

                                                                                         

Jesus, our High Priest, has an unchangeable priesthood.  It is not diminished through use, through time, or through some so-called intellectual arguments against it. Because His priesthood is changeless, all people may come to Him for complete salvation.

There are those living in the gutter of sin. We have seen them.  They are like the discarded cartons, beer cans, old newspapers being washed down the gutter between the sidewalk and the street.  They are the drunks, addicts, prostitutes - the lost of humanity.  But Jesus is able to save from the “gutter-most to the uttermost.”  He came into the world to save sinners.

We also know of sophisticated, well-respected, well-dressed sinners.  They are just floating down a different gutter to the same destination as the sinners in the other gutter.  Jesus can save them from their gutter-most to His uttermost also.

Standing On the Promises

“And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised: There hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant” (I Kings 8:55-56).

These are the words of Solomon as he stood at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem.   

Someone has counted between 3,500 and 4,000 promises in the Bible.  The number of promises is pretty amazing, but more amazing is the content of each one.  More amazing still is the fact that God has never broken a promise.

Only God could promise eternal life and then keep His promise (I John 2:25).  He alone could promise to stay with us as our constant companion giving us strength and comfort following salvation (Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:18-20).

He promised to send His Son, the Messiah, to be born in Bethlehem (Micah5:2), and that He would die for our sins (Isaiah 53:1-12), and that He would rise from the dead (Job 19:25).  More than 300 times in the New Testament we are promised that Jesus is coming again.

Read the Bible.  Search for the promises.  You can’t stand on the promises if you don’t know what they are.

One Way

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) 

One may go to Nashville, Tennessee on any one of a number of roads.  Interstates 40, 24 or 65 will get you there from north, south, east or west.  Or you may travel 31W, 31E, 431, 70 or a number of other roads.  Thousands of people travel those roads every day to get to Nashville.

However, despite the many religions in the world with claims to the contrary, there is only one way to heaven.  That one way is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Peter said, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

If there is another way other than Jesus to be saved and go to heaven, God sent Jesus to the cross for no reason.  Receive Jesus Christ by faith and be saved today.

Let Others See Jesus in You

“…Sir, we would see Jesus.” (John 12:21)

In some churches, on the pulpit where the pastor places his Bible, someone has inlaid the words of our text in wood so that any preacher who stands behind that sacred desk will see them. The congregation wants to see Jesus.

I was making afternoon visits with a pastor whom I was helping in a revival. We came across a gentleman who had recently moved into that community. When we asked him about his former church and the name of the pastor he said, “I can’t remember his name, but he bragged on Jesus a lot.” That’s the highest compliment that can be given any preacher.

Christian, you are saved and going to heaven and it’s possible for you to live the Christian life because of Jesus. The world, your friends and your family want to see Jesus in you. Does your life brag on Jesus and give testimony to your salvation?

Brotherly Love

“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1)

In the old song, “Give Me the Old Time Religion,” one of the verses says, “Makes me love every body, makes me love every body, makes me love every body, it’s good enough for me.”

Many years ago in a church I was part of as a teenager an elderly gentleman had this phrase in many of his prayers, “Lord, bind us together in brotherly love and tender compassion.”

The word that is used here in our text represents tender affection. It is the word Peter used when Jesus asked him after His resurrection, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter responded, “Lord, you know I love you. Peter was not willing to say, “I give you my life sacrificially. But I do have tender affection for you.”

In our text God is saying “Have tender affection for one another.” That’s good counsel for church fellowship today when tenderness is too often missing.

Unnamed Heroes

“...and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, sawed in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11: 35-38)

Seventeen names are mentioned in the “heroes of faith,” in Hebrews chapter eleven. They are prominently listed throughout the Bible. But there are “others” whose names we do not know. The writer of Hebrews says simply of them, “of whom the world was not worthy.”

There are “others” around the world today in lands that do not accept the Christ of the Christian faith nor the believers who make up that faith. Many are experiencing torture, separation from families, and death.

Churches in America have a host of “others” also. They are not the movie stars and famous singers that strut across the pulpit area of our churches. They are not the ones whose names we put on the sign out front to draw a crowd. They are the ones that keep the lights on, that pray in secret or private, that sacrificially pay the bills, that love one another even when they themselves are despised and rejected.  Are you willing to be one of the “others” in your service for the Lord?

The Desire to be Like Others

“…now make us a king to judge us like all the nations…we will have a king over us; that we also may be like all the nations.” (I Samuel 8:5, 19, 20)

Every parent has no doubt heard these words: “Everyone else is going. Why can’t I go too?” Or, “All my friends wear________” (You fill in the blank)

Israel had existed many years with God as their ruler and king. Now they wanted to be “like all the nations.” It did not matter to them that all the nations they wanted to mimic were idolatrous, exceedingly sinful, enemies of God and “thorns in the side” of Israel.

Today, as a result of her sins, and her rejection of Jesus to be the Messiah, Israel is “on the shelf,” so to speak, not to be restored again until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Read Ezekiel 37)

We are now in the “Church age,” with the apostate churches growing stronger as they, like Israel, desire to be like the rest of the world, changing the entire structure of the church to make it user friendly and less offensive. Their only rationale for change is, “That’s what all the churches are doing today.”

Being like everyone else is not what a disciple of the Lord is.

Stand Still and Listen

“…stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God.” (I Samuel 9:27)

Samuel the prophet was prepared to anoint Saul the Son of Kish to be the first king of Israel. Samuel had been directed of God to choose and anoint Saul who knew nothing about leading a nation. It is at this point that Samuel tells Saul to “stand still that I may show you the word of God.”

The people of Israel had sinned in asking for a king, the Bible says. But God allowed it. As they prepare to enter uncharted waters Samuel says to the nation basically what he had said to Saul: “Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which He did to you and to your fathers.”  (I Samuel 12:7)

“Standing still” is the opposite of running ahead of God at your own pace.  Neither is “Standing still” being lazy. It is taking time to hear God’s direction. God spoke through Isaiah saying, “Come now and let us reason together saith the LORD…” (Isaiah 1:18) It is much more difficult to get folks to stand still and hear the Word of the Lord than it is to get them excited over a ball game or a pizza party.

Stand still, giving God your undivided attention that He may show you His word. You can do that in your private devotions at home. Or you can do that at church as you listen to the sermon God has given the pastor for that day. Hear the Word of God.

Reactions to the Resurrection

“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, ‘We will hear thee again of this matter.’ Howbeit certain men clave unto him and believed…” (Acts 17:32, 34)

There are all kinds of reactions to the message of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. At Athens there were at least three reactions to Paul’s message of the resurrection.

First, some mocked. They belittled the idea of a dead person coming back to life. They derided and made fun of the idea.  The Bible says, “He seemed to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.” (Acts 17:18)

Another reaction at Athens is found among many folks today. “Others said, ‘We will hear you again of this matter.’” They put it off. “I want to wait a while,” they said. Maybe their intentions were good but there is no Biblical record of their ever accepting the living Christ for salvation. Postponing your decision for salvation is itself a decision. Not to say, “Yes, I accept this,” equals saying, “No.”

Another reaction to the resurrection is to believe it, accepting what God’s word says about it by faith. That’s the surest way to peace, joy and happiness.

What is your reaction to the resurrected, living Christ whose resurrection we observed last Sunday and will observe every Lord’s Day until He returns?

Noah Believed God

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

When Noah was told to build an ark it had never rained on earth. The Bible says a mist watered the ground. (Genesis 2:6) For God to say a flood would come and destroy every living thing, including man, seemed far fetched to those living around Noah. But Noah believed God.

Noah took God’s warning seriously. People must take the Biblical warnings of God seriously today. The subjects of death, hell, heaven, the way to heaven, judgment and the second coming of Jesus are just as true today as they were when they were first spoken and written by holy men of God. Parents, notice these words: Noah believed God, was moved with fear, and prepared the ark for the saving of his family. Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives were safe inside the ark, a type of Christ. The rest of the world outside the ark perished.

We should make sure our families are safe in Jesus. Take more seriously getting your family under the sound of the gospel than getting them to a concert or sports event. Good concerts and sporting events in themselves are not necessarily sinful. But, the rewards of introducing families to the Lord and showing them how to walk with Him are much greater than what they will receive from earthly pleasures.

Jesus, Our High Priest

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession” (Hebrews 4:14)

Whoever it was that Holy Spirit commissioned to write the book of Hebrews, he tells us in verse fourteen above that we have a great high priest. He uses the present tense word, “Have,” not past tense, “had,” or future tense, “will have.” He is our current, always on the job, interceding high priest. He is Jesus, the Son of God. We need not move away from our professed faith, or as some translations have it, “let us hold fast our confession of Jesus as our Savior.”

Verse fifteen tells us of our high priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. On earth, He was God, but was robed in flesh. He got hungry, thirsty, tired, sleepy, sad, and angry and knows our infirmities. When He was tempted He did not yield to the temptation.

Finally, in Hebrews 4:16, as a result of who our high priest is, we are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. If you are a Christian, a believer, these verses are addressed to you. Your salvation started when you believed on Jesus for salvation, but it did not end there. Jesus, your high priest, is available to help you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, every moment of every day all the way to the grave and beyond.

The Savior’s Complete Sacrifice

“…the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied…He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:10, 11, 12)

For the past few days our attention has been focused on the cross, crucifixion and death of Jesus as we have been looking at the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah. This chapter is an excellent discourse on the suffering and death of Jesus, especially as we were approaching Easter Sunday and our Lord’s resurrection.

As we close this brief survey study in Isaiah 53 look with me at God’s hand in our Savior’s death. God saw the travail of Jesus’ soul and was satisfied. The sacrifice was complete. The debt had been paid for man’s sins. God’s Son suffered willingly, obediently with no complaint. God was satisfied that sufficient blood of the divine Son of God had been poured out for man’s redemption.

Finally, His resurrection, followed by His ascension to the right hand of God finds Christ there as our High Priest making intercession for us, the transgressors. The Bible asks the question, “Who is he that condemneth?” It is followed by this answer: “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)

The gospel is not complete without the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Are you trusting what He did in His death and resurrection? If not, do it now.

…My Redeemer Lives

“If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” (Job 14:14)

Apparently Job had observed the stump of a tree that had been cut down. He said, “There is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease… yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.” But, in his observations Job had never seen a human resurrection or anyone who had experienced resurrection. That prompted the question in our text.

Even with his question Job had faith. He said, “I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins (ligaments) be consumed within me.”  (Job 19: 25-27)

When Jesus comes again all the Christians, true believers, will be raised from their graves and given new bodies. Just as the tree was “cut down,” so some people were “cut down” in youth, some as teenagers, and some in old age. If the Spirit of Christ indwells that person the Bible says he/she will be raised from the dead. They shall live again. It’s all because Jesus lives.

Auburn Baptist Church
115 North Lincoln
Auburn, Kentucky

The Grave: A Temporary Stop before Resurrection

“And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9)

In the cemetery where my parents are buried there are some good, Godly people. In that cemetery are also buried some indecent scoundrels. One man in that cemetery was guilty of breaking his marriage vows numerous times. Another was a known drunk. There is the body of a young acquaintance that died honorably in battle in Vietnam.  Also in that cemetery is a well known and highly respected family doctor who was the attending physician when each of my siblings and I were born. He was a deacon in the church that cares for the cemetery where all of these and many more are buried.

In the cemetery where Jesus was entombed were perhaps the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus, one of them accepting Christ and the other belittling and rejecting the Savior. Later, Joseph of Arimathaea, the rich man who begged the body of Jesus and placed Him in his own tomb hewn out of rock, would be there.

Jesus was the only perfect and sinless man to ever be placed in that or any other cemetery. Jesus needed Joseph’s tomb for three days only and then He would vacate it for a higher plane. Sunday was coming and nothing could hold Him in the tomb beyond that. It’s a story that never ends. There is more tomorrow.

Celebrate the Risen Christ

Auburn Baptist Church
115 North Lincoln
Auburn, Kentucky
Sunday at 11:00 am

For Others

“He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? For He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.” (Isaiah 53:8)

According to jurisprudence of that day, there were a number of illegalities in the trial of Jesus. First of all, there was no witness for the defense and no witness for Jesus was sought. Secondly, all witnesses, whether for the prosecution or defense, were to speak from certain factual knowledge and never from hearsay. Third, the vote or verdict of the judges was to be taken down in writing and each standing in turn from the oldest to the youngest was to read his verdict. But, our Lord’s “guilty” verdict was by tumultuous accusation. There was no justice in the trials of Jesus. The main concern that day and the night before was to get rid of Jesus by whatever means necessary.

Isaiah assures us that the arrest, trial and capital punishment of Jesus was for the sins of others, not for Himself. As we approach Easter and you read about Jesus’ death at Calvary be assured that He died for you.

Celebrate the Risen Christ

Worship Service Sunday at 11:00 am
Auburn Baptist Church
115 North Lincoln
Auburn, Kentucky

The Willing Sacrifice

“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

Isaiah, writing some seven hundred years before Christ, seems to be writing beneath the cross of Jesus. It was this passage of scripture that the Ethiopian Eunuch was reading while sitting in his chariot. Not understanding what he was reading, God sent Philip the evangelist to him. The Eunuch asked, “Of whom is this man writing, himself or some other man? And Philip opened his mouth and began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus.” (Acts 8:34-35) The man believed the scripture and was saved and baptized.

Jesus was the willing sacrifice. He never protested the events against Him either around the cross or on the cross. Remember, He could have called twelve legions of angels to rescue Him, but did not. He went to the cross willingly as a sheep to the slaughter. He bore the pain and suffering without complaint for you and me. Praise our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Come celebrate the Risen Christ

All

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

One would think that man, being created in the image of God, would be righteous, holy and always walking the straight and narrow path. But when Satan came into the Garden of Eden with his temptations, man chose the line of least resistance and went astray. In our straying we incorporated a lot of sin into our lives.

The word, “all,” in this verse excludes no one. My parents and siblings were included. My grand parents and their grand parents all the way back to Adam and Eve were included. My children are included in the word, “all.” Romans 3:23 says that we have “all” sinned and come short of the glory of God. We have a sinful nature.

Jehovah God laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all. There’s the word “all” again. There is one cure and only one cure for “all” of us. All of the sins of all humanity were laid on the Savior. The wages of sin is death. We can pay with eternal death in a place called hell or we can by faith accept the Savior’s payment which He made for us at Calvary. He has already paid it all if you will accept it.

Come celebrate the Risen Christ! 

The Vicarious Atonement

“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4)

On the cross of Calvary Jesus bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. He had no sins of His own for which to die. The lashings of the scourge, the spittle in His face, the smitings and His death were for us. The Jewish religious authorities were seen prophetically as saying that Jesus was smitten of God, that God was giving Him what He deserved because He had blasphemed God by saying He was the Christ, the Son of God.

Verses 4, 5 and 6 tell of His vicarious atonement. He was not getting what He deserved; rather He was getting what we deserved. The Word says He was wounded for our transgressions and that He was bruised for our iniquities.

The song, “I should have been crucified,” explains it well:
                        I should have been crucified;
                           I should have suffered and died:
                        I should have hung on the cross in disgrace,
                           But Jesus God’s Son took my place.

Come Celebrate the Risen Christ

Come celebrate the Risen Christ,
this and every Sunday morning at 11:00 am

Auburn Baptist Church
115 North Lincoln Street
Auburn, Kentucky

The World’s Reception of the Christ

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.” (Isaiah 53:3)

Our text tells us something of the world’s reception of Jesus when He came into the world in the first century. We are told that there would be no beauty that we would desire Him. John the Apostle wrote that “Jesus came unto His own but His own received Him not. (John 1:11)  Our text prophesies that men would despise Him. Folks would hide their faces from Him. Men would count Him as nothing, a big zero with the outside line rubbed out. They crucified Him.

Would Jesus be received more readily today, or would we crucify him again if He were bodily in our world? Billy Graham said in a recent devotional that Jesus would be crucified more quickly today than in the first century. I agree. It is what many of us have been saying for many years. Take away the entertainment which churches use to draw a crowd, the acceptance of non-repentant sinners into the membership and take away raffles, cake sales, car washes, yard sales and other non-Biblical means of raising money for doing God’s work and we will see that He is despised and rejected today as much as He was in the first century.

Thankfully, there are those strong believers who adhere to the Christ of the Bible, the One who is the only way of salvation, the living Christ.

Open Season and Open Game

“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from Him for a season.” (Luke 4:13)

Since his appearance in the Garden of Eden the devil has returned over and over again to fight against God and man. The Bible says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” However, never think that because you resisted him today and he fled from you that he won’t be back with a different strategy at a time unannounced, when you least expect him. Our text tells us that the devil departed from Jesus, “for a season.”

In the book of Revelation we are told that Satan will be bound a thousand years, during which time there will be perfect peace on earth. After that the Bible says he will be loosed , “a little season,” during which season he will go about deceiving folks again, just like he does today, and gathering an army to fight against God’s people. Finally, the devil will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where he will be tormented day and night for ever and for ever.

The devil considers today “open season,” on all of God’s creation. And whether or not you are saved, Satan sees you as “open game” during this “open season.” You need the Lord because you are defenseless against the devil. If you have never received Jesus by faith then admit you are a sinner in need of the Savior and receive Him by faith.

Hide God’s Word in Your Heart

“…It is written…” (Luke 4:4)

When Jesus defeated the devil in the wilderness He did it by using the word of God. He did not go to denominational headquarters and get a study guide on how to defeat the devil.

The Psalmist said, “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11) There was no time to look in a concordance or a subject index on each of the temptations. God’s word was hid in His heart. That was enough.

In our battles against the devil we are told to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17) Jesus knew what was written and simply quoted it. The devil was no match then nor is he a match now against the word of God. Read it. Study it. Memorize it, hiding it in your heart. Meditate upon it. Use it. God will bless you as you saturate yourself in His word.

The Only Cure for Sin-sickness

“And Jesus answering said unto them, ‘They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance’”

 (Luke 5:31-32)

Murmuring is not one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit but there are those who feel it is their responsibility and privilege to murmur. Similarly, the scribes and Pharisees murmured against the disciples of Jesus for eating and drinking with the publicans and sinners at the feast in Levi’s house.

“Well people do not need a physician,” Jesus told them, “just sick people.” In like manner he informed them that He did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

The problem with the scribes and Pharisees was that they did not see the need to visit the Great Physician. They were sin-sick and did not know it. Until a physically ill person realizes he is sick he will not make an appointment with a physician. And, until a person sees the need of the Savior, the Great Physician, he will not come to Him in repentance and faith. Levi and the other publicans saw their need for a visit with Jesus. Have you seen that need yet? Have you allowed Him to apply the cure for your sin-sickness?

When a Starving Soul finds the Bread of Life

“And Levi made Him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and or others that sat down with them.” (Luke 5:29)

It has been said that evangelism is a starving man who has found food telling another starving man where to find food.

Levi left his former lifestyle and occupation and followed Jesus. Soon, perhaps that evening or the next day, Levi made Jesus a great feast in his house. It should come as no surprise that many of the invited guests were fellow publicans, tax collectors. These were the people he knew. They were the ones with whom he socialized. They were his business associates. He knew their longing to be loved and accepted. He had been starving for the bread which Jesus gave him. So, he made the great feast for Jesus and he invited his companions. Others came also.

Perhaps you recently received the “Bread of Life” and you are a changed person. Invite the people in your circle to feast with you. There is enough to go around. Invite them to hear the gospel message of Jesus with you Sunday morning when you meet with other hungry souls who have found food.

Jesus Wants You: Follow Him

“And after these things He went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and He said unto him, ‘Follow me.’ And he left all, rose up, and followed Him.” (Luke 5:27-28)

Jesus not only sees where we are, who we are, as we are, and what we are, He calls us to Himself to follow Him.

Levi, known to us as Matthew, who wrote the gospel bearing his name, was a tax collector. He collected taxes from the Jews for the Roman government. He was considered by the Jews to be a traitor, a sinner of the worst kind. He was sitting at his place of occupation, waiting for the receipts to come in. He was allowed by the Romans to keep anything he could collect over and above the government’s demands as long they got theirs. That is who he was and that is where Jesus saw him.  Most people despised and shunned him. But Jesus said, “Follow me.”

Levi made no excuses such as, “I can’t afford to leave my lucrative income; I’m too sinful and despised; Allow me think it over; Let me see what the Roman government might think.”

The text says he did three things. First, he left all. Second, he rose up. And third, he followed Jesus. All three happened immediately and not in succession. God honors that kind of response to His call.

Simple Faith in the Profound Christ

“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.”
(John 20:30-31)

In our English Bibles we find thirty-seven miracles of Jesus recorded. John the apostle records eight miracles, acknowledging that his list is not complete. The ones he wrote were for the purpose of bringing his readers to saving faith in Jesus.

Many precious souls are in heaven today because John wrote the things of Jesus Christ, proving that He is the Christ, the Son of God. Accepting that message they believed and were given eternal life. That message, written by John in the first century, is the same message one can read today. I challenge you to read John’s gospel over and over.

The message, while very profound, is very simple. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” (Acts 16:31)  I pray that the Holy Spirit will help those who read John’s gospel message of Jesus will believe and be saved.

Leave a Good Inheritance

“A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children…” (Proverbs 13:22)

Sometimes I think it would be good to be able to have a big stash of money and real estate to leave my grandchildren. But then I see families torn apart for years, fighting, and quarreling over an inheritance.

The writer of our text is not speaking of things, money, houses and lands, necessarily. There are better things than money that one might leave his heirs. Many a good man has died penniless. Our Savior was one of them. The Bible says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1) It is better that one’s grandchildren be left a good, honest and respected name than an abundance of goods with a disgraceful character and a smudged reputation.

How is that good name passed down to one’s grandchildren? The beloved, Apostle John gives us a hint when he says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 1:4) A good name, trustworthiness, honesty, Godliness, impeccable morals and a good example are passed down from grandparents to parents to children. In writing his second letter to Timothy, Paul called to remembrance the unfeigned or real faith that was in Timothy, which was first in his grandmother Lois and then in his mother Eunice. (II Timothy 1:5)

Don’t let money, goods, things, gold and silver be the only inheritance your grandchildren inherit from you. The memory of you in church with them regularly and teaching them the things of God at home as well as at church is an excellent inheritance.

The Two Classes of People

“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.” (John 3:18)

Basically, there are only two classes of people in the world. There are “believers,” and “unbelievers.” These two classes are illustrated by the two men on crosses on either side of Jesus when He was crucified. One said, “If thou be the Christ come down from the cross and save yourself and us.” The other man said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

There was no faith expressed in the word, “if,” spoken by the first man. There was abundant saving faith in the words, “Lord, remember me…” spoken by the other one. Both men were condemned by unbelief before going to the cross. Both men were sinners. One died a condemned man, condemned by his unbelief. The other died an un-condemned man, declared so by his faith. 

You are represented by one of these men and are in a class with him. If you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ you are condemned already. Your verdict of “guilty,” is already in. If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ you are not condemned. I encourage you to place your faith in Jesus Christ now.

Don’t be a Fool

“The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God…’”(Psalm 14:1)

Today is, “All Fools Day,” or to most of us, "April Fools Day.” Practical jokes will be in abundance. I’ll be honest; I enjoy pulling April Fools jokes. I have never pulled an April Fools joke on myself.

In our text the fool says in his heart, there is no God. He is pulling a joke on himself all the while thinking everyone who acknowledges God is a fool. He does not say there is no God openly or publicly. He says this in his heart, down in the hidden recesses of his being. He does not wish to be criticized by his fellow man, most of whom declare the existence of God.

The Bible says he is a fool that does not acknowledge God, the all mighty Creator, all powerful all knowing and all wise God. Such a person who denies God is a fool, not just one day in a year, but every day. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.”