Monthly Archives: June 2022

Matthew 18- The One Lost Sheep

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Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:10-14

Often when the gospel is preached, there is a negative reaction. Many people would even consider the gospel, “hate speech”, however the gospel is the good news, that is exactly what the word means. It’s good news because Christ has given us the opportunity for eternal life. As the scripture says “The Son of Man is come to save that which was lost”

Now the key word in that verse is “which was lost”  not “`which is still lost”. See Jesus came to set us free from sin and death, not just save us. This is why the gospel is Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand (Matthew 4:17) the gospel is not , stay the way that you are and God loves you anyway. If that was the case there would have been no reason for Christ to die on the cross for your sins. You need to turn away from your sins and become Born Again by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)

This is a loving gospel, you might ask how? Notice the analogy Jesus gives, if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them is lost, he leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one! Christ loves you enough to die for you and Christ is seeking you! Jesus didn’t just leave behind the righteous, he left behind his throne in Heaven, to become a man, to die for your sins! If you don’t understand that Jesus loves you, then you don’t truly understand the gospel of Christ!

Jesus said “It’s not the will of your Father in Heaven, that one of these little one should perish” God doesn’t want anyone to perish but to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) This is why Christ became a man to die for your sins, God wants to save your soul, Christ wants you to have eternal life, the question is do you want eternal life? Do you want a relationship with God through Jesus Christ?

Maybe you feel like the “Lost Sheep” today? Jesus is seeking You, and wants you to inherit eternal life in God’s Kingdom! The Good Shepherd will never leave or forsake You, The Lord is Your Shepherd Amen!

Matthew 18- The Wrath of Christ

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But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:6-7

Satan’s primary target is children, we see this especially in todays society, abortion, LGBTQ movement, pornography, drugs, ect these are all agendas and sin meant to corrupt children. While Satan is out to attack our Children, Jesus wants to protect them, Christ said “Whoever offends one of these little ones , it would be better to have a millstone hanged on their neck and drowned in the ocean” Anyone who targets children will have a greater judgment by Jesus Christ, the King of Kings

Now I know , many will bring up all the pedophiles throughout the “Church”, obviously these people were evil and will experience a great judgment in Hell. We need to be careful of these wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7) Just because an organization calls themselves a “Church” or a person has the title of Pastor or Priest, doesn’t mean they are a true Born Again Christian, they will be known by their fruits (Matthew 7). Satan plants many wicked people throughout the Church to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Matthew 18:8-9

Jesus taught more about Hell than Heaven, here we see one of Christs strongest teachings of Hell. Now of course Jesus is using hyperbole here and not being literal to give greater emphasis on the warnings of Hell. If there is a sin in your life, its better to cut it out of your life now, then to be thrown into Hell Fire for all eternity, this is the core of this teaching

Notice the words of Christ here “cast into everlasting fire” and “cast into Hell Fire” these are strong warnings from Jesus, but how many people still today love their sin more than they love God or eternal life? The message is clear sin will not go unpunished, don’t believe you can live in sin without consequences, the wages of sin is death but eternal life is through Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23)

Anyone who targets children, will receive the wrath of Christ, and anyone who doesn’t repent of their sins and become Born Again, will not see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3, Acts 2:38-39) Amen!

Matthew 18- Become As Little Children

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At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. Matthew 18:1-5

Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, they must deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24) this is such a simple teaching but so difficult for us to follow. At one point, the Apostles were arguing among themselves, who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Luke 9:46) but Christ quickly shut down their debate by pointing to a little child, this is the greatest in the Kingdom of God

Ever since the Apostles, the Church has been wrestling with their flesh, trying to be led by the Holy Spirit and not by the flesh. Even when we are serving The Lord, the temptations of the flesh creep in, the desire for power, the desire for respect, the desire for money and fame. We see this prevalent throughout the Church today, ask yourself what are the biggest priorities of your Church today? Most of you would answer the budget and numbers. This is why the majority of Churches are not effective in the world, they are self centered instead of Christ centered

Jesus said “Unless you be converted and become as a little child, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” Wow, this is a big blow to many egos, think of the great theologian who has a PHD and many theological degrees, unless they become Born Again and humble themselves as a child, they won’t enter the Kingdom of God! It’s all about a New Heart, unless you are converted you are still dead in your sins. Your works will never save you, in fact they are filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6) You must become Born Again (John 3:3)

Many Churches have good intentions but then the flesh overtakes, many Churches are more concerned about pleasing people today than pleasing God. Jesus said “Humble yourself like a little Child” , as the Bible says “Pride comes before Destruction” (Proverbs 16:18) Are you humble like a Child? Are you teachable like a Child? Are you trusting in your Heavenly Father like a Child? Are you accepting like a Child?

We can learn alot from Children, anyone who has raised Children can attest to this, while most Churches hide the Children in a back room and try to silence them, we can learn from them. Jesus said “Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives Christ” We are more concerned about conducting a perfect service than acknowledging the children. Remember, “Deny yourself, Carry your Cross, and Follow Jesus” this should be our motto, Amen!

Matthew 17-Children of God

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And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. Matthew 17:24-27

Again we see the religious leaders “testing” Jesus to see what he will do, we seen this throughout the gospels, the religious leaders trying to trap Christ in doing something morally wrong. Obviously they misunderstood that Jesus is God in the flesh, they were actually testing God , and so their continual attempts failed time and time again.

They asked Peter “Does your Master (Jesus) pay the two drachmas or tribute” this was a temple tax that all Jews were required to pay to support the temple, suppor the priests and buy sacrifices, ect. The religious leaders were hoping Jesus would refuse to pay, so they could bring charges against him. As Jesus said to Peter “So that we should not offend them” Christ paid the tax

Now a few things were revealed during this moment, first Jesus asked Peter “Do Kings collect money from their own family or from others”? Peter answered from others, so Jesus said “The sons are exempt” but The Lord paid it anyway not to offend anyone. However Jesus was revealing here, that since they are Children of God, they are exempt from the tax. Remember the Temple belongs to God, this was His sacred space before Christ instituted the New Covenant, Jesus was demonstrating they are now Children of God through Christ. 

Another thing we see here is the miracle, Christ and his disciples didn’t have any money at the time, so he advised Peter to go fishing, and Christ said the first fish you catch will have the money you need in it. By faith Peter obeyed Christ and God provided financially for the disciples. We need to remember this, that God is our provider, when there seems to be no way, God will make a way if we are obedient. Finding money in fish sounds like a bad financial plan, but Peter was faithful to Christ and He provided.

Even though Jesus should never pay a tax for The Temple built essentially for him, Christ did it anyway, to not offend or to be “good citizens” As Christians we are to be the Salt and Light (Matthew 5) we are to obey our government as long as it doesn’t contradict the Law of God (Romans 13) As Jesus declared “We are the Children of God” though Christ , Amen