Luke 19- Palm Sunday

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And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? Luke 19:29-33

The event we are looking at today is known as “Palm Sunday” , the day when The Lord, The Messiah, rolled through Jerusalem fulfilling prophecy, setting up the events leading to the death and resurrection of Jesus. The celebration would end very quickly, as the same people shouting “Hosanna” will be the same people a few days later yelling “Crucify Him” as Israel rejects their Messiah because he’s not what they wanted in their own minds

The first prophecy we see fulfilled is Jesus rode in Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling the Messianic prophecy of Zechariah 9, why is this significant? Because Christ came in Peace because He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) Christ came to save the sinners and give them eternal life. This isn’t what Israel wanted, as they wanted a ruthless military warrior that would wipe out the Roman Empire and reestablish the glory of Israel

And they said, The Lord hath need of him.And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Luke 19:34-37

The crowds were rejoicing at the coming of their King, they laid down Palm branches (hence the name Palm Sunday) and they laid down their robes or coats in reverence to the Messiah. Everyone was praising God, but it would only last for a short time. The religious leaders and the Romans got nervous, who is this new King that everyone was shouting about? On this day Jesus became a threat to the religious and political establishments

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:38-40

Hosanna, Blessed be the King the comes in the name of The Lord, this was the battle cry and this was the fulfillment of another Messianic prophecy Psalm 118. This was confirmation, that Jesus is The Christ. But the religious leaders, who should have known who Jesus is better than anyone, rebuked Jesus and told him to shut these people up. Christ replied “Even the stones would cry out” why? Because Jesus is the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth (John 1) Not only is Jesus the Messiah, He is God in the flesh, here on Earth, to save his own creation

Palm Sunday is an event of past, present , and future ramifications. One day The Lord will return again and we will be waving our Palm Branches , shouting Hosanna (Revelation 7) Amen!

Matthew 10 -Fear God

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Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:26-28

We live in a Church age where to “Fear God” is not considered “Christian”. We only want a “loving” God, a God who will accept anyone or anything, this is not Biblical. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to learn the Fear of God (Isaiah 11: 2) however we must also understand the Biblical understanding of “Fear” as it’s not the same as a worldly fear.

The original Greek word for Fear in the New Testament is “phobeisthe” the meaning of this word is not only to be frightened or alarmed, but also to revere or be in awe of. It’s to have a love and respect for God and to want to please Him. Just as you would love and respect a parent or guardian, you should want to please God, as Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and mind” (Matthew 22:37)

But modern day Christianity has no Fear or true Love of God, we want God to conform to our ways and not conform to God’s ways. Church leaders have adapted this new theology to please the masses in fear of not being popular or labeled. But Jesus said “Don’t fear those who can just kill the body” Meaning don’t fear people are going to persecute you or possibly even kill you for your faith, “Fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in Hell” Fear God because He is the One who holds your life in his hands, the power to destroy both Body and Soul, not just the physical body.

Of course our modern day Christianity teaches there is no soul, they say we just have a body, so what do you have to fear? Don’t be deceived, you are a living soul and after your body dies , you will live on either in Heaven or Hell. The choice is yours where you want to spend eternity, Love God or Hate God, that is your simple choice, there is no in between. 

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 29-31

Now some of you might say, this teaching is too harsh and unloving. Notice what Jesus says “God knows every hair on your head” God loves you immensely and has created you in His image. However you have the choice to reject Him if you want, however there are consequences for your choices, there are wages for your sin!(Romans 3:23) You can’t love sin and the world and also love God, they are in complete opposition of one another, you must hate your sin and cling to Christ for salvation

Fear God is an unpopular motto in today’s world, but it’s advise that will save your soul from eternal damnation. Do you truly Love God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul? Or do you just love the idea of Heaven? There is no Paradise without God Almighty, if you don’t love God you won’t love Heaven. Fear God in Jesus name, Amen!

Matthew 10- Sheep Among Wolves

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Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Matthew 10:16-20

The Christian walk is not going to be an easy walk, as Jesus said “ I will send you forth as sheep among wolves” What happens to sheep when they are around wolves? They get stalked, harassed, and devoured. Don’t expect as a Born Again Christian to walk among this dark world and not be harassed or devoured by demonic forces. Remember we are in a spiritual warfare , its important you remember your armor, your sword (the BIble) and be filled with the Holy Spirit

Jesus said “Take no thought when how or what you should say” Often when we are afraid to evangelize to people or speak up against evil, because we are afraid we won’t know what to say. Jesus said God will give you the words to speak by the Holy Spirit. God will use you as a vessel for his Kingdom, it’s just important you have faith and obedience

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Matthew 10:21-25

You may even be hated by your own family for being a disciple of Christ, the world hates the real Jesus, therefore the world will hate you also. Darkness hates the Light, evil hates good, therefore anyone who is a Born Again Christian will be hated by the world because Satan controls the world. But as Jesus said “Those who endure to the end, shall be saved” Put your faith in Christ , your eternal victory and hope!

The disciple is not above his master, you are not greater than Jesus Christ, therefore why do you expect to be treated better than him? How was Christ treated? He was mocked, spit upon, beaten, and eventually crucified. Why? Because the world hates God and hates truth and light. Put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) because you are in a spiritual war for your soul. Those who endure till the end shall be saved in Jesus name Amen!

Matthew 10- Kingdom of God is Here

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And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 10:1-6

As Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31) this is what we see here with the 12 Apostles. Think about how large Christianity grew over 2,000 years and it all began with Christ and his 12 Apostles. Notice the symbolic number of 12, which was also the 12 tribes of Israel. The number 12 in the Bible symbolizes God’s authority or sovereignty. 

Notice the power and authority Christ gave the Apostles, they have authority over the demons and sickness. God’s Kingdom has come to Earth, again reference Jesus teaching on the Mustard Seed. Satan’s Kingdom was coming to an end, and his ultimate defeat was accomplished at the cross. When Jesus said “It Is Finished” the head of Satan was crushed, death was defeated, the debt of sin was paid for!

Israel was God’s chosen people, they were the elect, and God sent Christ to give them salvation. As Jesus says “Go not in the way of the Gentiles but go to the Lost Sheep of Israel” However Israel rejected their Messiah, in fact Israel crucified their Messiah, and God will establish the New Covenant with Christ to anyone who becomes Born Again through Jesus

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. Matthew 10:7-10

What is the message we should preach? The Kingdom of God is here! Jesus said “Go heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons” This sounds too radical for the modern day spiritually dead Church. We are more interested in having fundraisers then preaching the gospel. People wonder why we don’t see the miracles in today’s Church was we do in the Bible, are we really the same Church? Do Christians today really believe the words of Christ or are filled with the Holy Spirit like the 1rst Century Church? Do most Christians today even know the words of Jesus Christ? Are most Christians today even Born Again?

The Kingdom of God is here! Jesus is building his eternal Kingdom, baptizing us with the Holy Spirit, it all began with a Mustard Seed of faith, the 12 Apostles Amen!

Matthew 9- The Workers Are Few

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And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:35-38

Jesus said “The Harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” , the situation today is not any better. How many Christians spend time sharing the gospel with non believers? How often do you see any Christians on the streets sharing the good news? Now I’m not saying nobody is sharing the gospel, as we know there are alot of hard working brothers and sisters working the harvest every day, but the overall majority of the Church remains silent

The motto of today’s Church is God is Love, everyone is welcomed, come as You are, ect. But ask yourself if you really loved people wouldn’t you want to tell them the truth? If you had the cure for cancer wouldn’t you want to share it to people who are dying of cancer? It’s the same with the gospel of Jesus Christ, it’s called the good news for a reason, it’s the only way to salvation, it’s the only way to save people from spending an eternity in Hell. But we rather cater to the world’s sins even though it leads to eternal damnation, that’s not true love, that’s being a hypocrite or coward.

When Jesus looked upon the multitudes , he was “moved with compassion” while true Christianity today has been labeled “hate speech” or “exclusive” Christ came to this world to die for their sins to save sinners from eternal Hell Fire, this is the true demonstration of love and compassion (Romans 5:8). God becoming a man to die for our sins, we can’t even comprehend the true love of God, but yet the world deceived by Satan will call this exclusive or hate speech

Churches waste too much of their time on social issues to make themselves seem relevant or “loving”. However, solving social issues isn’t going to save anyone on judgment day. Jesus said “ I am not of this world” , this world is temporary and ruled by Satan (1 John 5:19) Should we help people? Of course Love your neighbor, should it be our main goal? No, Jesus gave us the marching orders “Preach the gospel to all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)

Jesus said the harvest is plentiful, there are many unsaved people who need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to stop hiding within the walls of the Church and Go forward as Jesus commanded. This is your most important job among other things, as Jesus said “Pray the Lord of the Harvest will send forth his laborers” Amen!