Weapons Of Warfare
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Monthly Archives: September 2021
Luke 7- Are You The Christ?
And the disciples of John shewed him of all these things. And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another? Luke 7:18-20
One of the stranger moments in the New Testament is this one, John the Baptist has some of his disciples ask Jesus if He is the Messiah. Now remember John actually baptized Jesus in the Jordan River and the Holy Spirit came down upon Jesus in the form of a dove, and the Father declared “This is my beloved Son” , so how can John have any doubts that Jesus is the Christ?
It just goes to show you, John the Baptist, even though he was a prophet from God, was still a flawed human just like all of us. Even though John was filled with the Holy Spirit, and knew Jesus, his human nature made him doubt what he already knew. What makes it even more interesting is Jesus declared John “the greatest of all prophets” (Luke 7:28) So its amazing the greatest of all prophets is doubting himself, maybe we shouldn’t be so hard on ourselves when we don’t understand something or get it wrong!
But maybe you are wondering also, is Jesus the Messiah? How can we confirm that Jesus is the Christ? Well Jesus is going to reveal this to us next!
And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. Luke 7:21-22
Jesus quoted Isaiah 61 and displayed that He is the fulfillment of this prophecy. We know Jesus is the Messiah because Isaiah prophesied about him and Jesus fulfilled it. Jesus did everything that Isaiah and all the prophets wrote about, in fact Christ fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies.
So when Jesus was going around healing people or raising the dead, he was just doing these things to show off, he was demonstrating that he in fact is the Messiah. Anyone who knows the Old Testament, can identify that Jesus is the Christ, the evidence was made in clear sight
Maybe your not sure who Jesus is, study the Bible! See what was foretold about Jesus and what he accomplished. Read the words of Christ and let the Holy Spirit reveal him to you Amen!
God Is With You
Luke 7- Widows Son
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. Luke 7:11-14
The first thing to notice about this story is why Jesus brought the man back to life. Notice it says “The Lord saw her and had compassion on her” Jesus saw this widow, who’s only son just passed away and Christ had great compassion for her. This is The Lord we serve, a Lord of great mercy and compassion!
Also notice how Jesus brought this man back to life, Christ spoke and the man rose from the dead. Does this sound familiar? Genesis maybe? God spoke creation into existence, just as Christ spoke life into this dead man. Jesus has the keys for life and death, He is the only one who can bring us back to life!
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about. Luke 7:15-17
Imagine being at a funeral, carrying a coffin , and then the dead body comes back to life. This must have been a shocking event for all who were in attendance. Jesus literally rose the dead man back to life, just as he can bring our spiritually dead souls back to life!
Notice what the people said “God has visited his people” Remember before Jesus it was about 400 years since God spoke to Israel through prophets. The people rejoiced as God had finally spoken again to Israel. Not only that He sent the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus Christ to deliver the world from its sin
You might say well I never seen anyone dead come back to life, well I would disagree. If you are born again through Christ , you were brought back to life from the dead. Ask anyone who has been baptised by the Holy Spirit and they will tell you Christ has saved their life Amen!
Mighty To Save
Luke 7- The Centurion
And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Luke 7:2-5
The story of the Centurion is very interesting, because first we need to understand a Centurion was a Roman military leader. This man was not just a Roman but he was in a leadership role that persecuted and killed Jews and eventually Christians. So this was probably the last man you would expect to come to Christ. However when this mans servant was ill, he commanded his people to find Jesus because he believed he could heal his servant
Secondly its interesting about Jesus response, Christ had every reason to reject or rebuke this Centurion. This man was responsible for persecuting his people. However this is a slight glimpse into the New Covenant. Jesus didn’t just come to save Israel, but to save the entire world including this Centurion!
Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. Luke 7:6-8
The Centurion, who was a military leader, showed great humility to Christ. He told Jesus he was not even worthy to be in his presence and notice he affirmed Jesus had the power and authority to heal the servant without even seeing him. The Centurion demonstrated great faith in Jesus, and appeared to understand he was a sinful man in the sight of a Holy God
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick. Luke 7:9-10
The statement Jesus makes here is amazing “Not even in Israel , did I find such great faith” Wow , think about this, this man was a Roman Military leader persecuting Israel and this man had greater faith than anyone in Israel. Talk about God turning everything upside down. This is the New Covenant, where anyone , Jew or Gentile, can come to Christ and be saved!
You might be an enemy of God right now, just like the Centurion was, just like Paul was, just like we all used to be. But Jesus can save you, he can cleanse your sin by his blood and be baptised by the Holy Spirit! Thanks be to God in Jesus name Amen!
Cleanse Ourselves
Luke 6- Jesus Is Our Rock
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. Luke 6:46-48
Many people call Jesus their Lord, however many people don’t follow Christ commandments. This is what Jesus was saying, “Why do they call me Lord, and not do the things I say”? We see this alot today in modern day Christianity, many people make up a Jesus of their own liking. Remember the word “Lord” in the Bible means Master. If you a declaring Jesus is your Lord, then He is your Master and you are his slave, period
Jesus compared those who actually do listen to him, like those who build their house upon The Rock. When the storm comes, they will not be shaken, because their foundation is firmly built upon The Rock. This is related to your personal life, when the storm of life come upon you, you won’t be shaken because Jesus Christ is the foundation of your life. Regardless of what happens to you, the Great Shepherd will lead you through the valley of death, his rod and staff will comfort you
But notice Jesus said, this is only for the people who actually listen to him. These are the people, Christians, who put their complete faith in Jesus Christ. Not the false converts who put their faith in their religion or politics.
But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. Luke 6:49
Anyone who doesn’t have true faith in Jesus Christ, have no foundation in their lives. And when the real storms of life come crashing in, they will collapse. Why? Because they have no foundation, they have no faith in anything but corrupt and perishable things. You must have complete faith in Christ, and listen to his commandments! If Jesus is your Lord , then He is your Master, period
The storms of life are heavy today, we are in the last days. If you haven’t already , build your foundation upon the Rock, Jesus Christ. Otherwise you will be destroyed by this world, you have no hope without Christ! Jesus is my Rock and the gates of Hell will not prevail against him Amen!
My Strength
Luke 6- Don’t Judge Me?
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:37-38
Often you will hear Christians say “Don’t judge me!” or you have no right to judge people? So is this correct theology? Well sort of, first issue is people often stop with verse 37 and don’t read the rest of the paragraph to get the full context of Jesus teaching. First thing to say we don’t judge anyone would be hypocritical. Its human nature to judge people, as soon as someone walks in the room , you are already making judgements, which we get the concept of “first impressions”
Now am I saying we should go around condemning people of their sin, no of course not. Most people are not even Christian or believe in God, so condemning people by the law of God wouldnt be very logical if they don’t first believe in God. Secondly , if you are a Christian, think about how you were before you were saved. You probably were a sinner like me, who didn’t really understand or know right from wrong until you found Jesus.
Notice Jesus says “For the same measure you judge, you will be judged also” Have some compassion and mercy on the unsaved, they might not even realize that they are sinning to begin with, lead them to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit convict them of their sin!
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye. Luke 6:39-42
Now Jesus’ second part of this teaching is “Don’t be a hypocrite” Don’t tell someone to follow Jesus if your living in sin yourself. Don’t point out the speck (sin) in someones eye when you have a log (greater sin) in your own eye. Practice what you preach! How can the blind (sinner) lead the blind (sinner). So before you are going to judge someone, stop and reflect upon yourself, are you really able to make this judgement?
The reality is judgement is a part of life, you can tell people not to judge you, however in the end God is going to judge you regardless. Are you ready to stand before God with the wages of your life? The only way to be ready is to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ and baptised by the Holy Spirit! Get right with God, come to Jesus and be able to stand in judgement Amen!
Unashamed of Jesus 