Monthly Archives: June 2022

Matthew 20- Right Hand of Christ

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Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. Matthew 20:20-22

 Over and over again we talked about humbling ourselves as Christians, Jesus told us to “deny ourselves and carry our crosses” (Matthew 16:24) However the Zebedee brothers did not seem to get the memo, in fact they had their mother make a special request to Christ, to have one of her sons to sit at the right hand of Jesus. The fact that somebody would ask this, would indicate they either didn’t know what they are requesting or they are very arrogant with pride. 

Notice Jesus’ response “You don’t know what your asking” no offense mother Zebedee, but your totally out of your mind. However this shows you how our own human pride and ego can be so dangerous to think we could even comprehend a position of this authority. To sit at the right hand of Christ, would elevate yourself to almost a God-like position. Christ asked “Are you able to drink of the cup I shall drink”? Now I’m going to assume they had no idea what Jesus was referring to, however we know Christ it talking about his position as the Son of God, to lay down his life for the sins of the world, and then resurrect defeating death forever

Nobody can even come close to being able to sit at the right hand of Christ , however our human pride and egos want us to believe that. Notice the Zebedee brothers response “We are able”, these guys are Apostles, however their sinful flesh has overtaken them. Nobody is able or worthy except Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords

And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:23-28

Many ask why are there so many different Church denominations? Well look here, the 12 Apostles are already being divisive, as the Zebedee brothers tried to elevate themselves greater than all the Apostles, this obviously caused alot of friction between the disciples. As the scriptures say “They (Apostles) were moved with indignation” what is happening? The Zebedee brothers were putting their will and pride ahead of Gods, we must remain in God’s will to receive God’s blessings. 

Jesus summed it up when he said “The Son of Man came not to be served (ministered) but to serve (minister) and give his life as a ransom for many” Think about that, God in the flesh came to give his life for his elect. Christ didn’t look to exalt himself but he humbled himself to the cross to save us from our sins! Amen!

Matthew 20- The Gospel

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And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. Matthew 20:17-19

Here we see for the third time, Jesus prophesied about his death and resurrection to his disciples. Even after he told them this, time and time again, they still didn’t get it. When Jesus finally went to the cross, as Christ predicted, they were shocked and felt defeated. The disciples felt defeated, even though this is exactly what God told them he was going to do! They just didn’t understand God’s plan, just as we still don’t understand God’s plan for our lives, however we need to keep the faith in Christ, because God knows what he is doing!

Today’s reading is only 3 scriptures, and we could have easily skipped over it, but these 3 scriptures are the entire gospel, it’s the foundation of the entire BIble. Without the gospel message there is no hope or salvation for humanity. Why is the gospel message so difficult to grasp? No matter how many times we heard the gospel, why does it seem almost impossible? 

Here’s the reason why the gospel is so radical, because first we need to acknowledge our sinful state. Most people believe they are “good” people and there sin is not that bad, but they are wrong. All wages of sin lead to death, there is a price to pay for our sinfulness, someone has to pay the penalty! But first we need to acknowledge our sins against God and repent (turn away from our sins). Many people can’t get past this first step, they love their sin more than they love God or eternal life

Next we need to understand that God became a man to pay for the penalty of our sins (John 1:14, Isaiah 53) This is almost impossible for our minds to grasp, that God can become human, fully God and fully man (Philippians 2) and die on the cross for our sins. But this is exactly what Jesus did for us!  The fact that Christ knew you before the foundations of the world, choose you, and died for you to redeem you (Ephesians 1:4) 

And then we have the Resurrection of Christ, that Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sins on the cross, but Christ also defeated sin and death by rising from the dead  to live forever! (Luke 24, Matthew 28) Because Christ is Risen , we can also be risen forevermore at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15) We can be redeemed and restored because of Jesus Christ

This is the gospel message , the only message that can bring hope to the entire world, a message that Satan doesn’t want to be heard or preached, so the world will continually have a strong resistance to the gospel message, but the gospel must be preached because it’s the living hope for our faith in Jesus Christ, Amen!

Matthew 20- Parable of The Workers

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For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. Matthew 20:1-7

Notice this is the “Parable of the Workers” this is not a parable of the couch sitting Christians or closet Christians. We as Christians need to get to work, if you are truly a Christian you are a servant of Christ. What did Christ command us to do at the Great Commision? Go and preach the gospel to all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) It’s time to get to work for The Lord, time is running short and souls are perishing on a daily basis

Now in this parable, we see many different workers, who are symbolic of The Church. Many Christians have done different ministries and different degrees of work for God. However we all have the same destination, the Kingdom of God. We need to be careful not to allow our egos being the inspiration for our ministries. We are servants of Christ, we shouldn’t be concerned how much glory we receive or how much others receive, all glory belongs to God

So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. Matthew 20:8-16

When it came time for the laborers to get paid, they all got paid the same. Some complained, I did more than this person, as Jesus said “Is it not lawful for me (Christ) to do what I will with my own” Who are we to tell God how he should do things? This is exactly what we do many times as humans, and this is what many Christians do also. Instead of us just serving The Lord, we want credit and praise, but we shouldn’t expect anything in return for serving The Lord

Pride leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18) we see this over and over again, whenever sin is involved it usually begins with pride. Remember Jesus said “Anyone who wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow Christ” (Luke 9:23) Your true reward is eternal salvation with our Lord and God, Amen!

Matthew 19- Are You A Good Person?

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And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Matthew 19:16-20

Often when people hear of the story about the “Rich Young Ruler” they get hung up on the man being rich, but this is not the heart of this story. There is alot being revealed here by Christ, first notice the man asks “What do I need to do to inherit eternal life”? , this is a great question and gets right to the point, what do people need to do to become saved

Now the first thing is Jesus says “Why do you call me good, nobody is good except God” the word “good” here means “morally excellent” basically perfect. Jesus is saying nobody is morally excellent but God, hence since Jesus is sinless Christ is God. Many often don’t catch this, that Jesus actually declared he is God here. If you reject that Christ is perfect and sinless, then you reject the atonement for your sins, hence your not saved then. It’s important to understand who Jesus truly is, God in the flesh (John 1:14), the sinless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29)

What is Jesus first response here to the man, Christ gives him the Ten Commandments, why? Because The Law reveals our sin (Romans 7:7) The Law is a mirror  (James 1:23) Before somebody can understand they need Christ, they first need to understand they are a sinner in need of saving, before they can understand they are a sinner they need to understand what is sin, hence the Ten Commandments.

Now notice this man’s response “Oh yeah I kept all the commandments” Right here , Christ knows the man is lying and deceiving himself. Scripture tells us “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) This man is not acknowledging his sin and has not come to repentance. Hence he will not truly receive Christ because he doesn’t believe he’s a sinner

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:21-24

Since the man won’t acknowledge his sin and repent, Jesus tests the man. Christ said “Go and sell all your stuff and give it to the poor” Of course the man walks away because he doesn’t truly love The Lord, he loves the thought of eternal life. This is the same with most false converts in the Church today, everyone loves the thought of Jesus and eternal life, but how many have truly repented of their sin, and follow Jesus with all their heart, mind, and soul?

Money can become an idol just like anything else you put in place of God. Have you acknowledged you are a sinner and turned away from your sins? Have you truly placed all your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord? Do these things and you will inherit eternal life, Amen!

Matthew 19- Jesus Love The Children

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Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. Matthew 19:13-15

We often heard the Sunday School song “Jesus loves the Little Children” and it’s Biblical. As we see in the scriptures here, Jesus does love the Little Children”, and as we see in the world today, Satan hates Children, this is why all the evil agendas of this world are aimed at Children. 

Jesus often says we should have “Childlike Faith” (Matthew 18:3) we need to humble ourselves, unharden our hearts and minds, and listen to The Lord. Notice when the Children were coming to Jesus, the disciples rebuked. However Jesus said “Let the little children come to me, and don’t hinder them” We shouldn’t be a stumbling block for anyone coming to Christ, including children. We can actually learn alot from children, most of the time we hinder ourselves due to pride and ego. 

Jesus said “For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these” think about that! While Children are often the ones who are hidden during Church services, these are the ones that Christ is seeking the most. People with a clean heart and a clean mind, not corrupted by this world. Children don’t need a lot to be content, however the older we get, the more it seems we need to satisfy ourselves. We need more possessions, we need more money, we need more friends, however nothing ever seems to fill our void. Because the void can only be filled with Christ!

Are you seeking Christ with an open heart and open mind like a Child? Or are you coming to Jesus with a bitter heart and a mind full of corruption of this world? We need to be Born Again (John 3:3) we need to be reset, we need to be renewed in our minds and not conformed to the ways of the world (Romans 12:2) We remember when the disciples were arguing over “Who was the greatest in Gods Kingdom”? Jesus pointed to a child, said “Whoever humbles themselves like this little child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 18:4)

We can learn alot from children, we need to have Child-like faith in Christ, because in Christ we are Children of God, Amen!