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LIVING THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER-
Walk the Talk and Walk the Walk
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'Word from Scotland' with Sandy Shaw
Nov 15, 2010
Jesus Christ Saves From Sin And Baptises With The Holy Spirit (Study 8)
We are reading and studying the opening words of the Gospel of John, and already John is pointing to the Cross of Christ, and it is only Chapter 1. Jesus Christ shed His blood and died to take away our sin – not just to reduce it – but to take it away. He is the sacrificial Lamb of God and Paul describes Jesus so accurately as our Passover Lamb.
The Passover Lamb was one year old and without any blemish whatsoever. This speaks of the spotless purity of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
The Passover Lamb offered protection on that night in Egypt and our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, still does and he has done all down through the years. The lamb was sacrificed for sin that was not its own, but for the sins of the people. John knew what he was saying when he referred to Jesus with these words and the writer of the Gospel knew what he was saying too.
Have you noticed how very Jewish Jesus Christ is presented in the Gospel of John? We have a Jewish Saviour and we have Scriptures which are mainly written by Jewish believers and the Son of God was called the King of the Jews. There are many who would like to destroy the Jewish heritage which we have. We are engrafted into the Jewish root through Jesus Christ and Paul speaks and teaches about that so clearly in the Roman letter. We require to teach our people these physical and spiritual facts.
The second thing John says about Jesus is that He is the One Who Baptises with the Holy Spirit.
He is the Saviour, and He is the Baptiser. These are the two main things which John the Baptist says about Jesus Christ.
God told me something in the wilderness. He told me that upon whom I would see the Spirit of God descending and remaining – that would be the One Who is the Lamb of God – the Saviour – and He would be the One Who would baptise people in the Holy Spirit. I use water, but He will use the Holy Spirit. And I saw that happen and that is why I am speaking as I am.
John gives us such a powerful personal testimony. Never underestimate the importance of your person testimony.
God puts His seal upon these words by having them written in His Holy Word.
For years, John had lived in the wilderness – in dry, barren, arid heat – but God had revealed something to him, while he was there in the heart and centre of God’s will, and now it was all beginning to come true.
There was that day when Jesus came to John to be baptised in water, and John did not want to baptise Jesus. John wanted to be baptised by Jesus. John seemed to know that that there was a being baptised with the Holy Spirit. John did not want to be baptised in water, but with the Holy Spirit. He knew there was more. John wanted to experience this powerful baptism which we can experience today. But it was not yet the time for Jesus to begin baptising people in the Holy Spirit.
That did not begin until seven weeks after Jesus had died and was raised from the dead. For them it was three years away, but for us, we do not have to wait.
The risen and ascended and living Lord Jesus Christ continues to baptise men and women in the Holy Spirit with the same consequences – power for service – power to share – power to heal – power to love – power to serve, when it is challenging to serve.
Luke and John and Mary and each of the others experienced this powerful baptism, and Jesus offers that to us and we do not have to wait and struggle.
http://www.liveasif.org
Meet the Author:
Alexander "Sandy" Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Copyright:
'Word from Scotland' Copyright 2010 © Sandy Shaw. 'Word from Scotland' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with their complete bio and a link to http://www.liveasif.org/ 2) 'Word from Scotland' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.
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God is very clear in His Word that no one can walk in unfaithfulness to God and go unpunished. He is a holy and just God. He is pure and holy and will not allow anything that is not pure and holy into His presence. God is God, and we are not. We make ourselves a god when we refuse to acknowledge Him as our Creator and as ruler over every area of our life. Whenever we add something to our manner of living that goes against what God’s precepts are we have rebelled against God. Whenever we go against God’s standard of living we have committed sin. God considers us to be unfaithful and the price for that penalty must be paid. The price is death. The price was death and it had to be paid for any sin. We all have sin, we are unholy. Sin is living life our own way no matter what God says about it. We live in rebellion to Him. He is also a God of compassion and mercy. He made a way where there was no way. He became man and paid the price Himself. God sets the standard because He desires for everyone to come to Him so He can make them holy and pure. He made the way which was at a great cost to Him personally. His part has been done. Our part is to accept the payment He offers and to allow Him access to our heart, so He can cleanse us to make us holy.
In the book of Jeremiah God says His people have forsaken Him and rejected Him. They were still serving Him in the temple as they had always done. They did every ritual just as they should. But it was all external practice and their heart was not right with God and they added something else to worship. They made idols out of wood and practiced other pagan rituals right in the temple of God. They did not trust and worship God alone.
The warnings in the book of Jeremiah are not meant only for Israel to heed. Israel was used as an example for us, to follow what God says. I have selected a few verses from the first twelve books of Jeremiah. There are study tools listed on this site to use if you would like to study further.
In the book of Jeremiah God says His people have forsaken Him and rejected Him. They were still serving Him in the temple as they had always done. They did every ritual just as they should. But it was all external practice and their heart was not right with God and they added something else to worship. They made idols out of wood and practiced other pagan rituals right in the temple of God. They did not trust and worship God alone.
The warnings in the book of Jeremiah are not meant only for Israel to heed. Israel was used as an example for us, to follow what God says. I have selected a few verses from the first twelve books of Jeremiah. There are study tools listed on this site to use if you would like to study further.
Israel was deceived and thought they were secure as God’s chosen people. What happened? It is worth taking a look at the message God gave to Jeremiah, the prophet, that he was to bring to Judah and Jerusalem.
16 I will pronounce judgment on my people for all their evil— for deserting me and burning incense to other gods. Yes, they worship idols made with their own hands!
17 “Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. Jer 1:16-17 (NLT)
12 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the Lord.13 “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jer 2:12-13 (NLT)
17 And you have brought this upon yourselves by rebelling against the Lord your God, even though he was leading you on the way!
18 “What have you gained by your alliances with Egypt and your covenants with Assyria? What good to you are the streams of the Nile or the waters of the Euphrates River? 19 Your wickedness will bring its own punishment. Your turning from me will shame you. You will see what an evil, bitter thing it is to abandon the Lord your God and not to fear him. I, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken! Jer 2:17-19 (NLT)
20 “Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed you and tore away the chains of your slavery, but still you said, ‘I will not serve you.’ On every hill and under every green tree, you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols.21 But I was the one who planted you, choosing a vine of the purest stock—the very best. How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine?22 No amount of soap or lye can make you clean. I still see the stain of your guilt. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!
23 “You say, ‘That’s not true! I haven’t worshiped the images of Baal!’ But how can you say that? Go and look in any valley in the land! Face the awful sins you have done. You are like a restless female camel desperately searching for a mate. Jer 2:20-23 (NLT)
“O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever.13 Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God and committed adultery against him by worshiping idols under every green tree. Confess that you refused to listen to my voice. I, the Lord, have spoken!
14 “Return home, you wayward children,” says the Lord, “for I am your master. I will bring you back to the land of Israel — one from this town and two from that family— from wherever you are scattered. Jer 3:12-14 (NLT)
I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land— the finest possession in the world. I looked forward to your calling me ‘Father,’ and I wanted you never to turn from me.20 But you have been unfaithful to me, you people of Israel! You have been like a faithless wife who leaves her husband. I, the Lord, have spoken.” Jer 3:19-20 (NLT)
“Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins. Jer 4:3-4 (NLT)
11 The time is coming when the Lord will say to the people of Jerusalem, “My dear people, a burning wind is blowing in from the desert, and it’s not a gentle breeze useful for winnowing grain.12 It is a roaring blast sent by me! Now I will pronounce your destruction!” Jer 4:11-12 (NLT)
14 O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts? Jer 4:14 (NLT)
11 The people of Israel and Judah are full of treachery against me,” says the Lord.12 “They have lied about the Lord and said, ‘He won’t bother us! No disasters will come upon us. There will be no war or famine.13 God’s prophets are all windbags who don’t really speak for him. Jer 5:11-13 (NLT)
23 But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me.24 They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’25 Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. Jer 5:23-25 (NLT)
16 This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’17 I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’ Jer 6:16-17 (NLT)
18 “Therefore, listen to this, all you nations. Take note of my people’s situation.19 Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected my word. Jer 6:18-19 (NLT)
“‘Even now, if you quit your evil ways, I will let you stay in your own land.4 But don’t be fooled by those who promise you safety simply because the Lord’s Temple is here. They chant, “The Lord’s Temple is here! The Lord’s Temple is here!”5 But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice;6 only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols.7 Then I will let you stay in this land that I gave to your ancestors to keep forever.8 “‘Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It’s a lie!9 Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours,10 and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, “We are safe!”—only to go right back to all those evils again?11 Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord, have spoken! Jer 7:3-11 (NLT)
4 “Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord says:
“‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back?5 Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back? They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around.6 I listen to their conversations and don’t hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Jer 8:4-6 (NLT)
Are they ashamed of these disgusting actions? Not at all—they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them, says the Lord.13 I will surely consume them. There will be no more harvests of figs and grapes. Their fruit trees will all die. Whatever I gave them will soon be gone. I, the Lord, have spoken!’ Jer 8:12-13 (NLT)
3 “My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot out lies. They refuse to stand up for the truth. They only go from bad to worse. They do not know me,” says the Lord.
4 “Beware of your neighbor! Don’t even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend.5 They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning.6 They pile lie upon lie and utterly refuse to acknowledge me,” says the Lord. Jer 9:3-6 (NLT)
11 “I will make Jerusalem into a heap of ruins,” says the Lord. “It will be a place haunted by jackals. The towns of Judah will be ghost towns, with no one living in them.” Jer 9:11 (NLT)
Jeremiah speaks to the people
1 Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O Israel!2 This is what the Lord says:
“Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.3 Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.4 They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over.5 Their gods are like helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field! They cannot speak, and they need to be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good.”
6 Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power.7 Who would not fear you, O King of nations? That title belongs to you alone! Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms of the world, there is no one like you.
8 People who worship idols are stupid and foolish. The things they worship are made of wood!9 They bring beaten sheets of silver from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz, and they give these materials to skillful craftsmen who make their idols. Then they dress these gods in royal blue and purple robes made by expert tailors.10 But the Lord is the only true God. He is the living God and the everlasting King! The whole earth trembles at his anger. The nations cannot stand up to his wrath.
11 Say this to those who worship other gods: “Your so-called gods, who did not make the heavens and earth, will vanish from the earth and from under the heavens.”
12 But God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens.13 When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.14 The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power.15 Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.16 But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! Jer 10:1-16 (NLT)
7 For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, “Obey me!” I have repeated this warning over and over to this day,8 but your ancestors did not listen or even pay attention. Instead, they stubbornly followed their own evil desires. And because they refused to obey, I brought upon them all the curses described in this covenant.’”9 Again the Lord spoke to me and said, “I have discovered a conspiracy against me among the people of Judah and Jerusalem.10 They have returned to the sins of their forefathers. They have refused to listen to me and are worshiping other gods. Israel and Judah have both broken the covenant I made with their ancestors.11 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I am going to bring calamity upon them, and they will not escape. Though they beg for mercy, I will not listen to their cries.12 Then the people of Judah and Jerusalem will pray to their idols and burn incense before them. But the idols will not save them when disaster strikes!13 Look now, people of Judah; you have as many gods as you have towns. You have as many altars of shame—altars for burning incense to your god Baal—as there are streets in Jerusalem.14 “Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, for I will not listen to them when they cry out to me in distress.
15 “What right do my beloved people have to come to my Temple, when they have done so many immoral things? Can their vows and sacrifices prevent their destruction? They actually rejoice in doing evil!16 I, the Lord, once called them a thriving olive tree, beautiful to see and full of good fruit. But now I have sent the fury of their enemies to burn them with fire, leaving them charred and broken.
17 “I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who planted this olive tree, have ordered it destroyed. For the people of Israel and Judah have done evil, arousing my anger by burning incense to Baal.” Jer 11:7-17 (NLT)
Jeremiah Questions the Lord’s Justice
1 Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. So let me bring you this complaint: Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy?2 You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts.3 But as for me, Lord, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts. Drag these people away like sheep to be butchered! Set them aside to be slaughtered!
4 How long must this land mourn? Even the grass in the fields has withered. The wild animals and birds have disappeared because of the evil in the land. For the people have said, “The Lord doesn’t see what’s ahead for us!” Jer 12:1-4 (NLT)
7 “I have abandoned my people, my special possession. I have surrendered my dearest ones to their enemies.8 My chosen people have roared at me like a lion of the forest, so I have treated them with contempt. Jer 12:7-8 (NLT)
A Message for Israel’s Neighbors
14 Now this is what the Lord says: “I will uproot from their land all the evil nations reaching out for the possession I gave my people Israel. And I will uproot Judah from among them.15 But afterward I will return and have compassion on all of them. I will bring them home to their own lands again, each nation to its own possession.16 And if these nations truly learn the ways of my people, and if they learn to swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’ (just as they taught my people to swear by the name of Baal), then they will be given a place among my people.17 But any nation who refuses to obey me will be uprooted and destroyed. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jer 12:14-17 (NLT)
16 I will pronounce judgment on my people for all their evil— for deserting me and burning incense to other gods. Yes, they worship idols made with their own hands!
17 “Get up and prepare for action. Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say. Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them. Jer 1:16-17 (NLT)
12 The heavens are shocked at such a thing and shrink back in horror and dismay,” says the Lord.13 “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jer 2:12-13 (NLT)
17 And you have brought this upon yourselves by rebelling against the Lord your God, even though he was leading you on the way!
18 “What have you gained by your alliances with Egypt and your covenants with Assyria? What good to you are the streams of the Nile or the waters of the Euphrates River? 19 Your wickedness will bring its own punishment. Your turning from me will shame you. You will see what an evil, bitter thing it is to abandon the Lord your God and not to fear him. I, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken! Jer 2:17-19 (NLT)
20 “Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed you and tore away the chains of your slavery, but still you said, ‘I will not serve you.’ On every hill and under every green tree, you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols.21 But I was the one who planted you, choosing a vine of the purest stock—the very best. How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine?22 No amount of soap or lye can make you clean. I still see the stain of your guilt. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!
23 “You say, ‘That’s not true! I haven’t worshiped the images of Baal!’ But how can you say that? Go and look in any valley in the land! Face the awful sins you have done. You are like a restless female camel desperately searching for a mate. Jer 2:20-23 (NLT)
“O Israel, my faithless people, come home to me again, for I am merciful. I will not be angry with you forever.13 Only acknowledge your guilt. Admit that you rebelled against the Lord your God and committed adultery against him by worshiping idols under every green tree. Confess that you refused to listen to my voice. I, the Lord, have spoken!
14 “Return home, you wayward children,” says the Lord, “for I am your master. I will bring you back to the land of Israel — one from this town and two from that family— from wherever you are scattered. Jer 3:12-14 (NLT)
I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land— the finest possession in the world. I looked forward to your calling me ‘Father,’ and I wanted you never to turn from me.20 But you have been unfaithful to me, you people of Israel! You have been like a faithless wife who leaves her husband. I, the Lord, have spoken.” Jer 3:19-20 (NLT)
“Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.4 O people of Judah and Jerusalem, surrender your pride and power. Change your hearts before the Lord, or my anger will burn like an unquenchable fire because of all your sins. Jer 4:3-4 (NLT)
11 The time is coming when the Lord will say to the people of Jerusalem, “My dear people, a burning wind is blowing in from the desert, and it’s not a gentle breeze useful for winnowing grain.12 It is a roaring blast sent by me! Now I will pronounce your destruction!” Jer 4:11-12 (NLT)
14 O Jerusalem, cleanse your heart that you may be saved. How long will you harbor your evil thoughts? Jer 4:14 (NLT)
11 The people of Israel and Judah are full of treachery against me,” says the Lord.12 “They have lied about the Lord and said, ‘He won’t bother us! No disasters will come upon us. There will be no war or famine.13 God’s prophets are all windbags who don’t really speak for him. Jer 5:11-13 (NLT)
23 But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me.24 They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’25 Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. Jer 5:23-25 (NLT)
16 This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’17 I posted watchmen over you who said, ‘Listen for the sound of the alarm.’ But you replied, ‘No! We won’t pay attention!’ Jer 6:16-17 (NLT)
18 “Therefore, listen to this, all you nations. Take note of my people’s situation.19 Listen, all the earth! I will bring disaster on my people. It is the fruit of their own schemes, because they refuse to listen to me. They have rejected my word. Jer 6:18-19 (NLT)
“‘Even now, if you quit your evil ways, I will let you stay in your own land.4 But don’t be fooled by those who promise you safety simply because the Lord’s Temple is here. They chant, “The Lord’s Temple is here! The Lord’s Temple is here!”5 But I will be merciful only if you stop your evil thoughts and deeds and start treating each other with justice;6 only if you stop exploiting foreigners, orphans, and widows; only if you stop your murdering; and only if you stop harming yourselves by worshiping idols.7 Then I will let you stay in this land that I gave to your ancestors to keep forever.8 “‘Don’t be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because the Temple is here. It’s a lie!9 Do you really think you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and burn incense to Baal and all those other new gods of yours,10 and then come here and stand before me in my Temple and chant, “We are safe!”—only to go right back to all those evils again?11 Don’t you yourselves admit that this Temple, which bears my name, has become a den of thieves? Surely I see all the evil going on there. I, the Lord, have spoken! Jer 7:3-11 (NLT)
4 “Jeremiah, say to the people, ‘This is what the Lord says:
“‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back?5 Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back? They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around.6 I listen to their conversations and don’t hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Jer 8:4-6 (NLT)
Are they ashamed of these disgusting actions? Not at all—they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them, says the Lord.13 I will surely consume them. There will be no more harvests of figs and grapes. Their fruit trees will all die. Whatever I gave them will soon be gone. I, the Lord, have spoken!’ Jer 8:12-13 (NLT)
3 “My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot out lies. They refuse to stand up for the truth. They only go from bad to worse. They do not know me,” says the Lord.
4 “Beware of your neighbor! Don’t even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend.5 They all fool and defraud each other; no one tells the truth. With practiced tongues they tell lies; they wear themselves out with all their sinning.6 They pile lie upon lie and utterly refuse to acknowledge me,” says the Lord. Jer 9:3-6 (NLT)
11 “I will make Jerusalem into a heap of ruins,” says the Lord. “It will be a place haunted by jackals. The towns of Judah will be ghost towns, with no one living in them.” Jer 9:11 (NLT)
Jeremiah speaks to the people
1 Hear the word that the Lord speaks to you, O Israel!2 This is what the Lord says:
“Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.3 Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.4 They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won’t fall over.5 Their gods are like helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field! They cannot speak, and they need to be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good.”
6 Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power.7 Who would not fear you, O King of nations? That title belongs to you alone! Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms of the world, there is no one like you.
8 People who worship idols are stupid and foolish. The things they worship are made of wood!9 They bring beaten sheets of silver from Tarshish and gold from Uphaz, and they give these materials to skillful craftsmen who make their idols. Then they dress these gods in royal blue and purple robes made by expert tailors.10 But the Lord is the only true God. He is the living God and the everlasting King! The whole earth trembles at his anger. The nations cannot stand up to his wrath.
11 Say this to those who worship other gods: “Your so-called gods, who did not make the heavens and earth, will vanish from the earth and from under the heavens.”
12 But God made the earth by his power, and he preserves it by his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens.13 When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.14 The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power.15 Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies! On the day of reckoning they will all be destroyed.16 But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, his own special possession. The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name! Jer 10:1-16 (NLT)
7 For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, “Obey me!” I have repeated this warning over and over to this day,8 but your ancestors did not listen or even pay attention. Instead, they stubbornly followed their own evil desires. And because they refused to obey, I brought upon them all the curses described in this covenant.’”9 Again the Lord spoke to me and said, “I have discovered a conspiracy against me among the people of Judah and Jerusalem.10 They have returned to the sins of their forefathers. They have refused to listen to me and are worshiping other gods. Israel and Judah have both broken the covenant I made with their ancestors.11 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I am going to bring calamity upon them, and they will not escape. Though they beg for mercy, I will not listen to their cries.12 Then the people of Judah and Jerusalem will pray to their idols and burn incense before them. But the idols will not save them when disaster strikes!13 Look now, people of Judah; you have as many gods as you have towns. You have as many altars of shame—altars for burning incense to your god Baal—as there are streets in Jerusalem.14 “Pray no more for these people, Jeremiah. Do not weep or pray for them, for I will not listen to them when they cry out to me in distress.
15 “What right do my beloved people have to come to my Temple, when they have done so many immoral things? Can their vows and sacrifices prevent their destruction? They actually rejoice in doing evil!16 I, the Lord, once called them a thriving olive tree, beautiful to see and full of good fruit. But now I have sent the fury of their enemies to burn them with fire, leaving them charred and broken.
17 “I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who planted this olive tree, have ordered it destroyed. For the people of Israel and Judah have done evil, arousing my anger by burning incense to Baal.” Jer 11:7-17 (NLT)
Jeremiah Questions the Lord’s Justice
1 Lord, you always give me justice when I bring a case before you. So let me bring you this complaint: Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy?2 You have planted them, and they have taken root and prospered. Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts.3 But as for me, Lord, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts. Drag these people away like sheep to be butchered! Set them aside to be slaughtered!
4 How long must this land mourn? Even the grass in the fields has withered. The wild animals and birds have disappeared because of the evil in the land. For the people have said, “The Lord doesn’t see what’s ahead for us!” Jer 12:1-4 (NLT)
7 “I have abandoned my people, my special possession. I have surrendered my dearest ones to their enemies.8 My chosen people have roared at me like a lion of the forest, so I have treated them with contempt. Jer 12:7-8 (NLT)
A Message for Israel’s Neighbors
14 Now this is what the Lord says: “I will uproot from their land all the evil nations reaching out for the possession I gave my people Israel. And I will uproot Judah from among them.15 But afterward I will return and have compassion on all of them. I will bring them home to their own lands again, each nation to its own possession.16 And if these nations truly learn the ways of my people, and if they learn to swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’ (just as they taught my people to swear by the name of Baal), then they will be given a place among my people.17 But any nation who refuses to obey me will be uprooted and destroyed. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jer 12:14-17 (NLT)
LEARN FROM THIS EXAMPLE
The people of Israel made idols, graven images that the pagan nations served and put them in the temple of the living God. They added to God, and didn’t think anything of it. In their eyes they were still doing all God had commanded. Jeremiah 2
They rejected God, the living water, and made broken cisterns that couldn’t hold water. The idols are like broken cisterns. They don’t do you any good. They are not God. They have no power. Living water is said to be the Holy Spirit. Ps 36:5, Is 55:1, John 4:13-14, 7:37-39, Rev 22:17 God says that idols cannot help in the day of trouble.
They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble they cry out to me, ‘Come and save us!’28 But why not call on these gods you have made? When trouble comes, let them save you if they can! Jer 2:27-28 (NLT)
We can’t serve God and something else. We don’t think we have any idols but consider this—we often put far more faith in other things. We trust our own abilities, our reason and logic. We turn to experts to help us with many things. We have cell phones and the internet at our fingertips. We have many resources that we can turn to in time of trouble. But what about God? Do we only turn to Him when we have exhausted all else? We do have idols and they may have replaced God in your life or you may have just added them to God. Either way you have angered God by doing this. The people of Israel were deceived into thinking that because they were God’s chosen people and they had the temple, that they were in good standing with God. They did not heed all the warning messages that came. We must always be alert because Satan wants to deceive us. He wants us to believe that we are doing just fine in our walk with God. He lies to us about what God requires. Deception is believing lies, except you don’t know they are lies. You don’t know that you are deceived. God’s people did continue with their sacrificial rites and with the external procedures that God have given their forefathers. Because of that they thought they were in right standing with God. They didn’t believe that adding something else would be wrong. They were legalistic in their thinking. As long as they did what they were supposed to they were obedient. But God said their heart attitude was not right.
We do well to examine our own heart. Are we trusting in what we do or don’t do? We go to church and read the Bible. We don’t steal, murder, or commit adultery. We presume that God is pleased. The matter of the heart is not something that we like to reveal even to ourselves. It makes us uncomfortable to examine what we really are like. But we are going to do that now, because it is a matter of eternal life and death.
Perhaps you will recognize something here that will reveal the condition of your heart. Well God is always standing by with His great big heart of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. He just wants you to stop lying to yourself and to Him. When our sin is brought out into the light and confessed, He is faithful to forgive. Be willing to forgive yourself.
In Jeremiah 2:5 we read that Israel used to follow God. God wants us to see that example and shudder at the fate they faced because of their unfaithfulness. They are used as an example to warn us to check our own heart. Rom 1:18-27, 3:23, 1 John 1:9. If we are trusting in our affiliation with a church we have been deceived. If we trust in our own abilities to earn an income and take care of our family, we probably don’t trust that God could take of us without that income. When we charge things on Master Card we are saying to the Master, I don’t believe that you provide enough for me. Idols are often accessories. God doesn’t want you to add Him to your life; He wants you to lose yourself in Him. Matt 16:25. It’s all or nothing. God is a jealous God. You believe that you are in control when you add accessories to make yourself happy and to feel more secure. But God is in control of all of life. Can you add an extra day to your week? God compares man to animals when man doesn’t look to God to provide. Sin takes over and controls us when we don’t look to God. It’s degrading, as a donkey in heat. Jer 2:23.
God said He would pursue His people if they didn’t turn to Him. God says the same to us. The Holy Spirit calls to you to come. If you ignore the call you will face the punishment for grieving the Spirit, which is exile. God told Israel that He would send a nation to come and take them captive and they would remain in exile. God warned them and said that He was ready to forgive if they would just acknowledge what they had done and turn back to serving God alone. Jer 3:12,13, 1 John 1:8-10
We have a part to play in our restoration. Jer 3:19-23. We must make the move and be honest with God. Jer 4:3-4. Fallow ground is land that been allowed to lay dormant so that it might become more fertile. While it does it grows thistles and weeds. It has to be plowed up before it can be used as fertile ground again. Thorns, thistles, and weeds choke out the good plants. Thorns choke the Word of God. Mark 4:18,19. If we don’t stay in the Word of God on a regular basis our heart becomes fallow. We need to realize that when we don’t stay in God’s Word we will become deceived. We have to know God’s Word to keep it. Jer 17:9,10, Duet 10:16, 30:6 , Rom 2:29. God promised that Israel would have the land and have peace if they followed His commandments. They obeyed His ways outwardly but didn’t have a heart that knew God. There is a false peace that comes from going through all the right motions. God looks at the heart. God wants a heart that loves to serve and worship Him. Is your heart formless and void? The world was at the beginning of time before the Spirit of God hovered over it and formed it. We must have the Holy Spirit so our heart will not be empty, without love. Without the Holy Spirit we cannot please God. It is only by circumcision that our hearts are made soft and open to receive the Holy Spirit.
God calls us with the voice of the trumpet, a warning. We have too many lovers. We look to all forms of entertainment, technology, science, nature, our own reasoning and the like to aide us in this life. Israel today is looking to peace negotiations, foreign assistance, and the power of their mighty army. But God wants us all to look to Him. Do you really believe that God is in the midst of our daily living and that He is the answer to every need? We can’t add anything to God. Until we have a change of heart we will not have security. God has said so. He wants to be the center and mainstay of our life. Sin must be put out of the heart or it will be our ruin. True repentance requires that we get rid of any rival god and turn to God alone. Are you able to put our trust in Him alone? The Holy Spirit has the power we need. God supplies us with what we need to be able to trust Him. He builds the character of steadfastness in you. Don’t be foolish or stupid. Jer 4:1,2, 5:4-6, 5:20-31. Walk in the way God has planned for us to walk. It’s all about Jesus. He is the Savior who has paid the price. We may enter into rest. In perfect trust because of the atoning work that has been completed. Don’t put your trust in what you can do. God doesn’t care about more committee meetings, or acts of service, church attendance and busy activity if your heart is not right with Him. It is all about knowing God, not knowing about Him.
When God told Moses to lead His people out of slavery in Egypt, He went with them in a pillar of fire. When the tabernacle was built, God’s presence came in a pillar of fire. The sons of Judah defiled it by bringing in pagan gods. Jer 7:5. They were not doing justice, they oppressed the ones who could not contribute and who took from them because of their need. They outsmarted themselves by bringing in more gods to put alongside of God. They set them on the table of showbread, a symbol of Jesus who is the bread of life, and put some on the table of incense, a symbol of Jesus who intercedes for us from the right hand of God. Jesus was our sacrificial lamb, our salvation was purchased with His life. God provides all we need spiritually and physically as well. 1 Cor 6:14-18. Paul says we are the temple. We are not to engage in any immorality, to lie, steal, cheat, etc. The Holy Spirit was manifested over every believer by a mini pillar of fire. Acts 2:3 It signifies that God’s presence is there. We have the indwelling Holy Spirit. God lives in us. We are mobile temples. We need to be careful how we live. What do you bring into the temple that would defile it? Israel used God’s Word to make it mean what they wanted it to. They claimed they were wise. Jer 8:8-13. To know God’s Word and not to live by it is sin. Remember that sin must be paid for, and payment is death. Jesus paid it but we must appropriate it in our own life. God offered Israel forgiveness if they would confess what they did. Do you know what you believe and do you know if it is the truth? You are not saved because you said a prayer, or because of a decision you made. The entire book of 1 John shows us how a Christian, a true believer, can be recognized. Do you love your brother? Don’t look to the past but look at your current heart condition. Do you know God, trust Him, rely on Him? Do you live for His purposes or your own agenda? Do you know that you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you? Do you really believe the Lord is in control and requires that you lay down your life on the altar? Are you walking in God’s will for your life or making your own way? If you can’t answer yes to any of these then pray and ask God to show what hinders you. Ask for eyes to see and ears to hear, to have a circumcised heart to believe and to live the life He intends for you.
1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Oneness and Peace in Christ
11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:1-13 (NLT)
What is your strategy? Imagine you have all the money, status, and toys you ever dreamed of but are still not content. Do you long for a lasting peace in your soul? That is something that money can’t buy. We all have a deep desire, a longing, that only God can fill. God made us that way so that we would look to Him. We must look at our shallow strategies that become rival gods in our life. When we get rid of them and come to God alone, we will find that peace that passes all understanding.
We have natures that are self-centered. This nature fights with everything good God wants for us. God allows hurt and pain in our life to get us to turn to Him and listen to Him. He wants us to be dependent upon Him so He can provide for all our needs. Whenever we choose to do anything our own way it is sin against God. God wants us to love Him and one another above all else. If we look to getting revenge against our neighbor it makes God sad. If we decide to leave God out of our daily living we will lose out peace. The life our parched soul craves is quenched by the living water. John 7:37-39
God has put a plan in place to provide for our deepest desire and need. He made a door, it is Jesus. Jesus is the door by which we enter into eternal life. John 4:15-17, 21,26
Love God by responding to the free gift of God’s grace. Receive the Holy Spirit to empower you to live life empowered. Stay connected to God, just as a branch is connected to a tree. The branch does not have to force fruit to grow, it is natural. John 15:4,5 When we abide in our Lord we will produce fruit, spiritual fruit. Gal 5.
The key to growing is not that we try harder. Rather we must learn to trust and rely on God. If we abide in Him as a branch, we will naturally produce His character. We must look at our character and recognize our weakness. Do we have envy, bitterness, jealousy, do we refuse to forgive, to compromise, are we completely honest, are we ever angry, do we truly wish what is best for our neighbor; do we ever cheat even a little? We need the Holy Spirit to work in us to produce good fruit. Gal 5:16-23. We need the Holy Spirit to open our eyes so we can see our wrongdoing. We are to create a rich soil for God to plant new seeds. We can’t produce the fruit ourselves, but we can provide the right environment for the seed to be planted.
We all get shaped by outside influences. We have the power of God to reorder our lives and to be reshaped. We get stuck in habits and patterns that we want to be rid of. Unless God has access to our hearts and minds we can’t grow past that. If we are open and willing He will be faithful to cause growth.
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Romans 8:1-15 (NLT)
Our part is to create the right setting to hear from God. We need to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit. By spending daily quiet time before God, listening for His voice we position ourselves to grow in an intimate relationship with Him. We must practice getting away from the noisy, busy, and overcrowded world to be with God. Let God show you, talk with you, teach you, comfort you, and grow you. Ask Him to show you where you have been deceived, blinded to your wicked ways that lead to destruction.
Maybe you often inflict pain on others and don’t realize it. God can help. God is to be the object of your love. When He shares His love, you will have His love to share with others. God has every resource you need for every problem or situation you will ever face. God has a storehouse of blessings if you have need of anything and wants you to ask. He loves to give good gifts to His beloved children. He is not a sugar daddy, giving you everything you think you need. His gifts are spiritual and everlasting gifts. We have the gift of each other, and we should treasure every relationship. Don’t think too highly of yourself. We are not perfected yet. God says we are not to worship His creation, we are to worship the Creator.
God has a beautiful dream of providing a beautiful garden for us. He formed the Garden of Eden and intended for us to live there eternally. Sin broke that dream. But God has a plan so that we can return to the garden. He wants to heal the brokenness of this world. He wants to use us to reach out and bring that healing. It is not about us, but about the work that God is doing that we should strive for. No matter what God has given us we are to use it to bring healing and restore the brokenness around us. God wants to reverse the effects of sin in this world.
God has given the Holy Spirit the job of giving each believer at least one gift to use in bringing healing to the broken world. God uses the gifts of apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelist, and pastor to accomplish His work. It is when we responsibly use our gift for the purpose He intends that we become useful to God and His work. Eph 4:7, 111-13.
There is no mention of leadership here. There is no listing of singing, dancing, playing instruments, or even speaking in tongues. God uses certain gifts to build up His church to function in the building up of His people to being a body of believers. The key to the gifts is that with each one operating in their unique giftedness, there is a dance, a co-operation, a unity in the operation and function to bring about the intended goal. It is the Holy Spirit who gives the gifts and His power that makes the gifts work. It is not our effort or expertise. We must realize that we are not to work in our own strength. This work is a holy work, a spiritual building, and it cannot be built with human hands. We each need to be open and willing to receive the gift the Holy Spirit determines to give us and to rely on Him to be able to use it for the right purpose. God has called every believer to have a part in this, we each have a role. He will accomplish His goal in spite of us, but with our cooperation, bringing unity, He can grow the body into the fullness He desires. We are not to pick a gift we want. We are not to envy a gift someone else has. Part of the goal is that we work together and be happy with the gift(s) we have been given. That is part of the growing to maturity. God desires to grow the body We will be held accountable for how well we do in this regard.
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Eph 4:11-16 (NLT)
Do you want what Jesus did to count? Give God access to your heart and let His will become your very own. Spiritual maturity will help the whole body to function better. This is our own spiritual battle. The Christian faith is about relationship. We have a relationship with God with other believers and with the world. That is the balance we are to achieve in our daily living. We need to spend time with God in order to be strong to share with others and encourage them in their own journey. We need to know God’s Word so we can be a light to the world.
It is time to go deeper. We have the ability to grow with the power of the Holy Spirit. We must respond to His prompting. The Holy Spirit will allow us to feel guilt when we are guilty. He does not bring condemnation though. He is our resident teacher, He shows us sin. Spiritual maturity is also being able to confess sin. It is also being able to set our minds on things above. We must be aware of the battle that rages against us. It is fought in the mind. Our willingness to respond to the teaching of the Holy Spirit is at the center of our being. We have a choice. We can ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit or respond. Our openness to His teaching, guidance, and power, will determine growth. Since our beliefs, habits, and patterns of living get shaped by outside influences, we need to be aware of what we believe and how we respond and react to the events of daily living. This reflects what is in our heart. Most of what we think about will manifest itself in our behavior or actions. What ever is on the inside will reveal itself in time of trouble or problems. At some point we have reached a level where we can’t hold it in. Our tongue lashes out with words we never meant to say. Our actions show that we are all for ourselves and really don’t care what happens to someone else. Our body’s instincts lead us astray. If anger, lust, fear, jealousy, bitterness, rage, envy… are left uncontrolled we will lose the battle. Our hearts are full of resentment, bitterness, jealousy, hurtfulness, vengeance … Do we really want the best for others? Do we hope they get what they deserve? Would we rather cheat others out of something we want? Do we blame, rob, cheat, steal in any way? Are we critical, judgmental, sneering, unwilling to compromise or reconsider, and are we consumed with how it affects us? We have so many emotional hurts and pains that we carry around. We feel guilt, shame, fear, insecurity, and depression at some point. It is only when we get honest and really face the truth of who we are that we can ever hope to see the change that is desperately needed in our heart.
God disciplines us, not to punish us, but as a father teaches a child, or as a runner prepares for a race. Discipline is a positive thing. God uses it to show His beloved children what they have need of. He knows how weak the human flesh is. He uses many situations in our life to give us some life lessons. If we don’t pay attention and just try on our own to solve the problem and get back to life as normal, we miss the value of the lesson. God brings the situation that He knows will teach us what we need to learn, and He provides the perfect answer. We just don’t usually pay attention to it. God sees the future and He knows how to prepare you for it. He knows that on our own we would solve our problem with a backlash attached. Don’t ever look at anything that happens to you as anything other than God intervening to bring you a lesson for life. It is not always easy, but will make you better prepared for the things yet to come. God fits every lesson into your life at the right time and never brings anything that you could not handle. He is always there walking with you through the situation. He wants to bring us spiritual health, and to grow us to be more like His own Son. We are being changed from glory to glory more into His likeness. The more we are like Him, the more we will enjoy Him.
We are in desperate need to trust God for everything. That may sound like the whimps way out, but it is what God intends. The way of the world is not tested and proven.
Jesus taught us from the top of a mountain that the reasoning of the world is not God’s way.
The Sermon on the Mount
1 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him,2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.4 God blesses those who mourn,for they will be comforted.5 God blesses those who are humble,for they will inherit the whole earth.6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,for they will be satisfied.7 God blesses those who are merciful,for they will be shown mercy.8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,for they will see God.9 God blesses those who work for peace,for they will be called the children of God.10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about youand say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Teaching about the Law
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
Teaching about Anger
21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,you are in danger of the fires of hell.23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.25 “When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison.26 And if that happens, you surely won’t be free again until you have paid the last penny.
Teaching about Adultery
27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Teaching about Divorce
31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.
Teaching about Vows
33 “You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.35 And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.36 Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black.37 Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Teaching about Revenge
38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,carry it two miles.42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
Teaching about Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’and hate your enemy.44 But I say, love your enemies!Pray for those who persecute you!45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.47 If you are kind only to your friends,how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Matt 5:1-48 (NLT)
Chapter 6
Teaching about Giving to the Needy
1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Teaching about Prayer and Fasting
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!9 Pray like this:Our Father in heaven,may your name be kept holy.10 May your Kingdom come soon.May your will be done on earth,as it is in heaven.11 Give us today the food we need,12 and forgive us our sins,as we have forgiven those who sin against us.13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,but rescue us from the evil one.14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get.17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face.18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Teaching about Money and Possessions
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.22 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.33 Seek the Kingdom of Godabove all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matt 6:1-34 (NLT)
Chapter 7
Do Not Judge Others
1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.2 For you will be treated as you treat others.The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eyewhen you have a log in your own?4 How can you think of saying to your friend,‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy.Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.
Effective Prayer
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead?10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not!11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.
The Golden Rule
12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
The Narrow Gate
13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hellis broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
The Tree and Its Fruit
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire.20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
True Disciples
21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
Building on a Solid Foundation
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.26 But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matt 7:1-29 (NLT)
1 Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside.2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.
Matt 8:1-3 (NLT)
Jesus didn’t add to the law, He drove it deeper into the matter of the heart. What Jesus taught about living He went on to live out as a model for us. Jesus came to fulfill the Law. The Law was a tutor to lead us to Christ. Gal 3:24. Love is fulfillment of the Law. Love does no wrong to ones neighbor. Rom 13:10. Jesus meant this message to jar us from complacency. It is who we are that matters in the Kingdom. It is not about doing our duty. We don’t earn merit points by going to church or serving in some capacity. We could easily become as legalistic as the Pharisees. Our righteousness is supposed to surpass theirs. We do that by having a soft heart toward God. When we love we will serve Him and we will be obedient out of our love for Him. We serve Him because we love Him, not for what we can get out of it. Love is the answer.
He showed us our inner needs, our desires to be loved, and that inner hunger and thirst can be satisfied. This inner desire drives our behavior and actions. For where our treasure is there so is our heart. Matt 6:21 The heart reveals what we really are like. The Pharisees were going down the check list and doing every item on it so they could feel good about themselves. It does not bring us into a right relationship with God. Jesus was showing us how the Laws had been misunderstood. He redefined them. Jesus demands more than agreement with them, He demands life to be lived out by them. If you live them you are obedient, and it shows you love God. A person who is transformed on the inside will reflect this in their daily living. We depend on the Holy Spirit to enable us to live it out. After Jesus had risen and was about to ascend to heaven, He explained to the disciples that He must leave and then He would send a Comforter who would lead us into all truth. His power would enable us to live out the truth. Jesus said the way is narrow, and He has opened the way. He is the door and whoever enters through Him will find eternal life. Jesus paid the penalty our sin deserved. He took our place, and nailed our sin to the cross. God does not see our sin anymore. We stand in righteousness because we are cleansed by Jesus blood. The penalty has been paid in full and includes not only our past and present sin, but all our future sin. Jesus died once for all.
Most Jews in Jesus’ day were religious, they kept the holy days, they respected God and followed His commandments to the letter of the Law, they celebrated the feasts and festivals which were a part of their culture. How could they keep them any better?
They were doing all the outward actions without having a relationship with God. Their heart was far from Him. Jews today still obey all the Laws and think they are right with God, and that those who believe Jesus was the Messiah are wrong; that we have a false religion. They are deceived.
We could easily be deceived if we don’t know God and have a relationship with Him. If we don’t understand what Jesus was saying we could misunderstand the life God has designed for us. Let me try to explain it again. This is the most important matter of life. It matters most and it will matter for all eternity.
I grew up in a small community and my family went to church. I loved learning about the Bible and the stories that Jesus lived. I loved God and when I was sixteen I served as a teacher in Vacation Bible School. I have taught in some capacity ever since then except for about six years while I was a student of the Word. I have always been active in my church congregation and I have served with and supported other ministries . I could say that I have done well. But what matters the most is that even though I have done some good things that blessed some people, I became a believer when I was twenty five years old. I know that because there was a difference in my love for and service to God, and my life was forever changed. I still do many things for the furthering of the kingdom of God, but it is at His direction. And the difference is that what matters more is that I am connected to God, I abide in Him. I look to Him to direct me and show me where He wants me to be used. It is not for me to decide what I can do to help God; but it is for me to listen to His voice and go where He says go, to do what He says to do. Ministry is something that God uses people to do in representation of Him. We become His hands, His feet, His very presence. Anything I decide to do on my own is of no value to God. There is no way we can help God; He doesn't need our help. He has a plan and He invites us to be a part of the implementation of that plan. If I do something in my own power and strength it does nothing to aide in His plan. We must seek His direction and allow Him to show us our part in the plan. Then real spiritual work is accomplished; eternal work with eternal blessings. If we do not have a relationship with God we will never know what His plan is. We will not hear from Him and then we won't know what we are to do. There are many who believe that they have salvation and are a child of God. They are busy with doing things for God, but they are not being His child. It is more important to 'be' than to 'do'. When we abide with Him we have fellowship and become a useful part of His family and are able to even greater works than Jesus did. The work is directed by Him, anointed by Him, it is in His timing, where He says, and how He says to do it. If He directs me to wait I do that, and when He brings a ministry to a close, I don't argue and fight to keep it. If I have a season where I am not very active in ministry, I am still abiding In Him and doing His will. God prunes us, and sometimes that means that we are not busy in ministry. I take that time to be a student of the Word, to be in intimate fellowship with God, to read and study the Word, perhaps be available for my family. I always go to church, I don’t think God wants us ever to not worship corporately or neglect being in fellowship with other believers. We are not to be lone rangers. My faith is about being His child not doing things for Him. I am open to the Holy Spirit and know when He is prompting me to go, stay, listen, do, whatever it is. He brings the connection to someone in need of prayer or encouraging. I have seen His power work through me when I was unaware of it. My role is to follow Him and show up where He wants me to be. His power flows through me and God has already set up the details of who, when, where, why, and how. I just allow Him to guide me and be open to what He is doing. Then is when I see the power of the gospel. God’s Word has the power to heal, to forgive, and to save. As an empty vessel I allow God’s power to be at work flowing through me, and I am out the way, being used by Him. Whenever I think about a time when I did some nice service for my fellow believers, that it was in my power, I realize that it really didn’t amount to much. Some people were blessed, but God’s life changing power was not in operation. When ever I am flowing with the Holy Spirit and He brings a moment of contact with someone, it is evident that a real spiritual change has happened.
When I see Jesus operating in His ministry I see the example. He never did anything that He did not see His Father doing. He was led by the Holy Spirit to leave this place and go here. He was open to what was taking place around Him and who God brought across His path. He was ready to respond to the opportunity and to do His Father’s will. He performed miracles and changed people’s lives forever. It is a total co-operation with the Father and Holy Spirit. He did nothing on His own.
I can’t stress enough that relationship with the Father, salvation through Jesus, and the leading and empowerment of the Holy Spirit are what the life of the believer should be about. If you plan something and carry it out, and then and ask God to bless it, well, it might not be a blessing. It might take you away from what God wants to do through you. We are distracted by things that seem to be good. But if God is not in it then on the day when those works are tested by fire they will just burn up. We have various ministries and programs, that reach people in need, set up in our churches and communities. But what the people need as much as anything is to hear the good news of the Gospel. If all our time is spent on programs or outreach without the word of God, these people may never see Jesus. They might see some nice people doing a good think, and they are thankful for what they got, but if they don't hear the word of God, they won't even recognize their greatest need. Do you see the difference? When the Holy Spirit lays it on someones' heart to reach out in a specific way and to a specific need, then God is involved in that ministry. God will do a holy work; a spiritual work as well as bless through the physical blessing. Whenever we operate in our own power, that is all we get; whatever we are able to do. God wants to work through us to reach the heart of soul of hurting people. Look at Jesus and his ministry. He did heal physically and provide physically, but there was a greater spiritual reality taking place. That is the point I am trying to make. When we seek God first, then He will guide us in the way He wants to use us. He will prepare the hearts of the people He wants to reach. He works through us in ways we don't even know. If the Holy Spirit leads, and we follow, we stay open to what God is doing, then what takes place is greater than anything we could do in our own power. I see unbelievers doing nice things for people quite often. And that is all it is. There is no supernatural intervention by God involved there. We don't want to operate that way. God has a plan for each of us so that we are useful in bringing more people to meet Jesus. We are to be about that kind of work; the work of the kingdom. Now God may have us do something simple, but He can work in the heart of the one we reach out to in ways that only God can work. We may not even realize that our words make any difference, but when they are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, as we are under His guiding, and serving as He leads, then something greater will take place. We may never see it. I have seen the touch of God in someone's life, and sometimes they even commented that they knew that was from God. They felt the touch in their soul. That is the way of working in the power of the Holy Spirit. When He says and what He says. Our role is to show up and be obedient. God does the rest. The work God does through us to reach others has eternal rewards. Spend time quietly before the Lord, and listen for His voice. He will show you and lead you to be about His business.
It is only relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that will keep us true to our faith. If we are called to deny our faith someday, it is only because of our trust and reliance on God that we would be able to remain faithful. It is important to get real about your faith. How much do you trust God?
Do you allow God to have access to the real you deep down in your soul? He wants to change any hostility, temper, mental impurity, unfaithfulness, lewd behavior, and any other ugly thing that is going on in your heart. This is about real life. Some don’t ever think about how they respond or react to people or situations. They don’t see the sin that lies in their heart. They don’t try to change because they have just accepted that they are who they are. They follow along with the ways of the world. Some people come up with good examples. 'Everybody does it'. I'm not so bad.' 'I know I should, but well, I just don’t feel like it'. Or maybe you are the ones who go to church regularly and see the evil in our society. You talk about it all the time. You see when others are not behaving properly and know you are not that bad. You have given both time and money to the church and help our in various ways. You are in a regular Bible study class and are quite knowledgeable about it. Okay, so you don’t have the courage to go out to strangers and share the gospel, others understand that. So answer this question. Are you living in a comfort zone, with what you are capable of and how you enjoy serving God? If you said yes, that is a big clue that you are not on the right track.
Living the Christian life is about living for God, doing His will, even if you don’t like it. It is about spending time before His throne listening to what He desires. Where He is at work is important to Him and He wants you to join Him there. Of course you don’t feel capable. We see examples of many who responded to God that way. God promises to be with us. We have to show up, and His power takes over. It just all comes about as He wills. He will use you. It is not about you doing your best for Him. It is about being open and willing, being available, and stepping up to whatever He has going on. It is about true service to the living God. It is about loving Him with your whole being, heart, mind, soul and strength. It is being a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable. It is about kingdom business. Don’t let your heart deceive you. Fall on your face and talk to Him. Ask Him to show you any place that you may be deceived and to give you a heart that longs for Him. Fall in love with Him. Live for Him. Commit to do whatever He asks you to do. TRUST and OBEY. There is no other way. We can’t write our own ticket. God has a purpose and a plan to use your life for His purpose and plan. You only get to decide to say yes and do it, or to turn a blind ear to His voice and ignore Him. We have to make the choice every day; to say yes to God or to go our own way. It is a spiritual battle we will wage every day of our life. Satan wants us to be distracted and not even think about what we are really doing. If we let the world dictate how we spend our day and what we focus on, we will be led astray. Watch and pray. God knows our weaknesses and He knows the temptations that will come our way each day. When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will not be led into temptation. God provides a way out. It is important to stay in constant communication with God. It is just an openness in our heart and soul to recognize when He calls to us. His voice is small and quiet, but it is so distinct that it can be heard over any noise there is around you. No matter what turmoil or chaos you may be in, His voice will come through. It takes practice to distinguish it. Keep trying if you aren't able to hear it, and ask God to help you to hear it. It will become distinguishable to you at some point, and then you will know it anywhere.
Israel was deceived and thought they were secure by being God’s chosen people. They had a name badge. The book of Jeremiah is one that shows us how they were warned to listen to God, to return to Him, and He promised He would forgive them and bless them. Read through this again and before you do, come before God with an open heart. Make it tender toward Him. Be willing to see that He is God. He has the power to destroy those who don’t worship Him alone. Please, please, check your own heart. He is a loving parent and there is still time to turn Him. Be ready for His return, that you will be found a faithful follower and in right standing with Him. He will come back someday to judge, punish, and condemn. Don’t wait until it is too late.